State of the Big East

[GumbyDamnit!]

Was thinking a "State of the Union - Big East version" was in order. Maybe we can even have Stever sit in to provide the rebuttal comments afterwards. In no particular order I cited 8 negative perceptions that we BE fans had to endure through the first 3 years and a few events that has helped define us:


1. "All the best HS talent is going to go to the P5 schools." People (some on this board) predicted that our recruiting would suffer and we'd slowly become a mid-major conference.

The Reality: Our recruiting messaging of an elite hoops-first conference is resonating. Just about every BE program is recruiting better than they did 4 years ago. The young talent we have coming in is exceptional, and we also seem to be attracting some of the best transfers from other programs as well. Talented kids want to be a part of this conference. There is really no denying that any more.


2. Buzz leaves for VA tech; Stevens leaves for the Celts. "Coaches are going to leave these stepping-stone programs for greener pastures."

Reality: We have a slew of young coaches that the schools have locked down, all leading their "dream jobs." Wright, Mack, Holtman, Cooley, Mullin, Big Mac, Willard--I don't see much turnover in the coaching ranks for a while. Meanwhile look at the age of the legendary coaches in conferences like the ACC. Many of those guys are on the verge of riding off into the sunset. The BE is in very good shape coaching-wise.


3. "The BE just doesn't have the talent."

Reality: NPOY in year 1. This year we're likely to see 3, maybe 4 BE kids drafted in the 1st round of the NBA draft with 2 likely going in the top 10.


4. "The BE can't really compete for a NC."

Reality:


5. "The BE is top heavy. It's just not a deep league like the P5 leagues."

Reality: 8 different teams have made the tourney in just 3 years. We have a highly competitive league from top to bottom.


6. Preseason year 1: "If BE is going to be any good it will require the BE powers to be good: G'town, Nova, Marq and SJU have to all carry the load."

Reality: When the league was formed Marquette was probably the most consistently successful nBE program over the previous 10 years. G'town so far has also under-performed to their normal high standards. SJU has been up a little, but mostly down. Can you imagine if those 3 can get back to where they once were? We'll be a serious load as a conference. And on the flip side, other old school BE programs like PC and SHU have really stepped forward. PC is 3 for 3 in getting to the tourney. Outstanding. Add the 3 new programs who have all contributed mightily and were tremendous additions in their own right, and we collectively do not need to rely on any specific program to carry us.


7. "We're not on ESPN. That's a huge mistake."

Reality: I don't know how the sports media wars are going to shake out, but I do know a couple of things: 1). whenever my team plays, I can watch them in crystal clear HD; 2). whenever other conference teams play I can find them on TV easily--mostly in crystal clear HD; 3). BE commercials air on Sunday afternoon football broadcasts (are you kidding me); 4). we don't need to share the channel with a dozen other leagues. We are FS1's priority. Honestly I think we are a little spoiled by this media deal. We can watch all the games and our programs are making a ton of money on it. Meanwhile ESPN continues to make drastic cuts.


8. "The ACC or the B1G is going to get NYC & MSG for their tourney."

Reality: 1/2 right. The B1G did get MSG from us. Oh wait...they're going to play their tournament a week early? Really? And the ACC did bring their tourney to NYC...oh, wait..Brooklyn? Have at it fellas. Not quite the bright lights of Manhattan now is it? Saturday night before Selection Sunday in MSG is about as perfect as you're going to get if you are a college hoops junkie. And it's ours for a long, long time.


So there we are... The state of our BE union is tremendously strong going into year 4. If Whitehead and Hart come back you may see as many as 4, maybe 5 teams in the Top 25 next year. The Nova NC wipes away all that negative "BE isn't a big boy" nonsense talk. And it forces media talking heads to recognize that we have had a lot of great teams in the conference since day 1. I fully expect us to be a top 4 conference every year for the foreseeable future. And for us to keep moving towards being the single best college basketball conference in the nation.

There you have it. God Bless the young men who take the court for our respective schools, and represent each so well, and God bless the Big East Conference.

[DudeAnon]

Biggest point you didn't mention. It actually feels like a conference with an identity. 10 similar institutions with similar footprints and goals.

[gtmoBlue]

+100
Admin: Please pin this thread to the top of the page.

[billyjack]

Excellent thread. Sums things up perfectly.

[OmahaGuy]

*Entire board stands up and applauds*

[MUBoxer]

Reality: When the league was formed Marquette was probably the most consistently successful nBE program over the previous 10 years.

That moment it dawns on me that the current MU seniors have not seen MU in the dance. Mind blowing as I remember being a senior in HS watching Jerel Mcneal, Dom James, and Wes Matthews tear up the BE to my senior year at MU us winning the Big East and getting an E8. Just crazy to me.

[redmen9194]

Great post! I'll add one - Stability. The Big East may be the most stable conference in the country. No one looking to leave. No hand wringing about needing to expand now. We have schools that would love an invite to join us. We are now purely a destination league - and a desirable one as well.

[milksteak]

Great post! I'll add one - Stability. The Big East may be the most stable conference in the country. No one looking to leave. No hand wringing about needing to expand now. We have schools that would love an invite to join us. We are now purely a destination league - and a desirable one as well.

This is an excellent point. One of our members would only leave if they were interested in pursuing FBS football. Frankly, none -- except maybe Villanova? -- of our schools give a damn about football.

[Xudash]

Well done Gumby. A "Standing O" indeed.

A couple more points:

Our media partner his happy with how things are tracking.

We have strong collective leadership, and with alignment.

[FormulaX]

Also, the 3 New Blue all contributed immediately. "B, C, and X may need time, to adjust to tougher conference games"