Rankings for 2020-21

[adoraz]

Only 1 conference can be happy with both National Championships and S16-F4 appearances over the last couple decades. That conference is the ACC. Of the two, current Big East teams have excelled in Championships (second to only the ACC) but haven't done great advancing other teams. We have, however, had great regular seasons (with this past one being our best chance at multiple teams going deep).

Ask fans of any conference which they'd rather have: Championships or deep runs. The answer is obviously Championships. In all sports Championships are worth far, far more than deep runs. Multiple times more. I'd happily trade St. John's trips to the F4, E8, etc for one ring.

There is only one reason we are having this conversation, and that's because we don't have the "Power 5" label which leads to insecurity and a need to overcompensate. We don't need to prove we belong when we are average to above average amongst Power conferences in nearly everything (regular season success, tournament success, conference tournament ticket sales, recruiting, conference challenge scheduling, etc).

I'll take what our teams have done since the mid 80s over any conference not named the ACC. No need to pivot the conversation from "we have 2 teams in the top 2 for next year" to whether we can compete. Even if we went from the #2 conference to #1 you'd still have people worried that we'd get poached (teams/coaches). Even last year none of coaches were poached but the ACC and B1G lost coaches to the SEC and NBA. Just enjoy our success.

Boom! Spot on Adoraz.

Yeah this should be seen as a golden era, because we've vastly overachieved in the Tournament by having 4 of the most recent 9 champions (including UConn 2X). That is almost certainly not sustainable. If anything, over he next decade we'll probably see more teams in the F4/E8/S16 but fewer (if any) champions. At that point the narrative shouldn't shift to "Big East can't win a championship" because NOBODY says that today about the SEC (8 year drought), Big 12 (12 years), B1G (18 years for Maryland and 20 for MSU), or Pac 12 (23 years). It's simply that the average Power conference will win only once every 7/8 years if you take into account the P6 and then add another conference or 2 with the best of the AAC (Memphis, Cinci, WSU), A10 (VCU, Dayton), Gonzaga, SDSU, etc (teams who often make runs).

The Big East shouldn't need to "prove" itself by going above and beyond what 4/5 P5 conferences fail to do. I'm more than happy with what we have accomplished, and I don't think anyone saw us being this successful. Enjoy it!

[gtmoBlue]

Gee Adoraz. You're my bud and all, but...

Hold that Championship door open!

[adoraz]

Gee Adoraz. You're my bud and all, but...

Hold that Championship door open!

Oh it's very open, just that only 1/68 Tournament teams can win it. Lil Creighton has as good a chance at winning it all (or going on a run) this upcoming year than any before. I really hope the virus doesn't wipe out next season, because it could be a special one.

[Jet915]

Gee Adoraz. You're my bud and all, but...

Hold that Championship door open!

Oh it's very open, just that only 1/68 Tournament teams can win it. Lil Creighton has as good a chance at winning it all (or going on a run) this upcoming year than any before. I really hope the virus doesn't wipe out next season, because it could be a special one.

I have this worry too, my guess if god forbid we dont play in 2020, everyone will pretty much stick around to start school again in 2021?

[Savannah Jay]

What say the CU Jays fans about this? You were the guys that, prior to joining the rest of us, bemoaned that no one of national importance would ever go into Omaha for an meaningful OOC game. Now you're at the table as a "have" and could easily schedule a home and home with just about anyone in the country. You have more money; you have more exposure; you're in a better conference; you're on National TV every night; Mac has rounded into form. But what has changed that has catapulted you guys from the "woe is me, no one has the guts to come play us, and just getting to the tourney is a successful season," to "we can play anyone anywhere and should be an SW16/E8 team every year."

You said it relative to OOC scheduling...getting in a better conference is EVERYTHING for OOC scheduling. In the past, most of those "big name brand" schools would only schedule us 2 for 1 in Omaha. Obviously, when you have a big gym that is consistently filled, losing home games is losing money. On top of that, Oklahoma, or Arizona State, or Michigan, or (fill in the blank) didn't want their resume "hurt" by losing to an MVC school, even is it was the best or one of the best in that league.

For "how we got here" is a more complex sequence of events that really started with hiring our AD on Aug 1, 1994. Bruce Rasmussen is smart and likable, and "sold" Creighton administration, CU boosters and the city of Omaha on making a serious investment in Creighton athletics.

The "visable" investments can be seen in our facilities, which have to be among the best in the country for a school our size. 18,000 seat arena (city owned), separate on campus arena for women's basketball and volleyball, mens championship center, women's championship center, top notch soccer stadium, CWS baseball stadium for Jays (owned by city)...I am sure i am forgetting some but the campus transformation over the last 25 years is amazing, with much of it geared toward athletics. (there have been improvements in student housing and classroom buildings, as well)

Of course, then there's coaches. While Xavier's run of great hires has been impressive (and unequaled IMO), we've had two coaches since 1994. Dana Altman rescued the program and made us consistent winners in the Valley and ruled the MVC tourney in STL. McDermott, he with many detractors (which i've never totally understood), rejuvenated the program (having his kid didn't hurt) when it had gotten a tad stale under Dana and helped us make the transition to the BE. I think the failure at Iowa State taught him a lot about recruiting and he's put that knowledge to good use. If nothing else, McDermott has shown adaptability. His teams at UNI were plodders. Think Virginia, with lesser athletes. You certainly would not recognize it compared to his CU teams. And let's face it, if you're a high school kid his style of basketball has to be appealing.

Finally (I know, right), the recruiting has clearly turned a corner. The best 4 recruiting classes in CU history have probably been the last 4. We are in a great bball-centric league. Play a fun brand of basketball in front of 17,000 fans at home and get to train in top notch facilities. And play for someone that, I believe, is a good person and good coach.

Just one fan's $.02.

[gtmoBlue]

While tempted, I will not help Gumby stir the pot.


I agree with both Adoraz & Savannah Jay's takes generally, except to say:

As a conference we have performed as generally expected - from my seat. We have missed a few opportunities (in the dance) to definitely nail down a claim as the top hoops conference . However, we are without a doubt in the top 3 conferences nationally for college basketball. Our overall performance and Villanova's 2 Natty's firmly ensconce the BE as a power conference. With the continued improvement of our brethren and the return of UConn we should see continued high levels of BE play/performance.

Creighton has experienced several periods of excellence over our 104 years of competitive (recorded) basketball. Several coaching eras contributed to building CU's basketball legacy- Mills, Kearney, Schabinger, Hickey, McManus , Sutton, Apke, & Barone. But imho the Fr. Schlegel led - Rasmussen/Altman era cemented the Jays into the notable basketball landscape of the last 26 years. Without their efforts, work, and striving for excellence over the years, Creighton would not have had the track record, consistent legacy which enabled us to garner consideration for admission to the Big East. Lastly, the tireless work put in by the well-networked, politically astute Fr. Lannon, finally got CU into the big leagues. It is known that the athletic department was not enthusiastic about the move, but Lannon would not be denied.

Agree that Championships matter - trophies, banners, championships last long after NCAA/NIT runs are forgotten. I just want them stringed a lot closer than every 7 years.

PS: Shoutout to the Marquette University Warriors/Golden Eagles. You consistently looked out for your "little brother" and never turned your back to us over the decades. Eternally grateful to and respectful of your school & program. Luv ya big bro!

...that's enough.

[paulxu]

Interesting first bracket.
2 #1's (Creighton/Nova), a 9 (X) and 11 (Providence).

2 more in the second 4 out (Marquette and Butler).

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... acketology

I would think we'll get more than 4 at the end of the year. Should be fun (if we ever get it started).

[adoraz]

Interesting first bracket.
2 #1's (Creighton/Nova), a 9 (X) and 11 (Providence).

2 more in the second 4 out (Marquette and Butler).

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... acketology

I would think we'll get more than 4 at the end of the year. Should be fun (if we ever get it started).

5, UConn is a 9 seed. Pretty good having 5 in, 2 on the bubble (could go either way), and 2 #1 seeds.

[Hall2012]

Interesting first bracket.
2 #1's (Creighton/Nova), a 9 (X) and 11 (Providence).

2 more in the second 4 out (Marquette and Butler).

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket ... acketology

I would think we'll get more than 4 at the end of the year. Should be fun (if we ever get it started).

Well someone's not high on the Big East next year...ouch.

He's wrong though, we'll get 7 in.

[adoraz]

While I think ESPN's numbers are encouraging (5 in, 2 more on the bubble, 2 #1 seeds), the Big East is underestimated basically every year pre-season.

The reason for that is all 11 members (with the possible exception of DePaul) prioritize basketball and at worst are typically NIT teams. Take St. John's for instance. ESPN doesn't list us because we got hammered in Big East play this year, but we STILL would've made the NIT (maybe even won the BET with how we were playing end of the season). We also return nearly everyone and should be improved. 9/10 teams had NCAA Tournament worthy OOC resumes but of course some teams have to lose in Big East play. DePaul, St. John's and Georgetown had great OOC resumes but finished in the basement. I'm sure some outlets will have us making the NCAA Tournament pre-season and I think it's even more likely that we'll make it.

Point being, when the entire league is at least "good" but not everyone can finish the season with winning conference records, a lot of teams will be overlooked.