Truth about the Big East start

[Xudash]

The problem with the Conference of Americans is not just in the court, but the georgraphic and institutional make up of the schools. The only things this collection of schools have in common are that all except uconn are third rate commuter colleges with limited funding and huge expenses. It's a recipe for disaster.

I feel bad for uconn. They really don't belong in that hot mess of a conference. They should drop football and come back to the big east.

May I clarify this a little?

The only thing this collection of schools have in common is that the big boys above them do not want or need them.

[AACguy]

I hadn't any plans to post here but the reality is that the AAC is a marriage of schools without a lot of options and I think we know that. Some fans might be convinced otherwise and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. What's undeniable is that the AAC had a good if not great football season with several ranked teams. Are we a P5 league? No but most schools do well for the resources they can spend - see Memphis, Navy, Temple. Basketball is a different matter because the AAC has a couple of historically successful teams, but the bottom feeders are really quite awful. That to me is the main difference between the AAC and BE in hoops because all of your programs are committed to basketball and it shows.

[Amase2]

I hadn't any plans to post here but the reality is that the AAC is a marriage of schools without a lot of options and I think we know that. Some fans might be convinced otherwise and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. What's undeniable is that the AAC had a good if not great football season with several ranked teams. Are we a P5 league? No but most schools do well for the resources they can spend - see Memphis, Navy, Temple. Basketball is a different matter because the AAC has a couple of historically successful teams, but the bottom feeders are really quite awful. That to me is the main difference between the AAC and BE in hoops because all of your programs are committed to basketball and it shows.

Good post. BE makes no qualms about what they are about.

[NJRedman]

I hadn't any plans to post here but the reality is that the AAC is a marriage of schools without a lot of options and I think we know that. Some fans might be convinced otherwise and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. What's undeniable is that the AAC had a good if not great football season with several ranked teams. Are we a P5 league? No but most schools do well for the resources they can spend - see Memphis, Navy, Temple. Basketball is a different matter because the AAC has a couple of historically successful teams, but the bottom feeders are really quite awful. That to me is the main difference between the AAC and BE in hoops because all of your programs are committed to basketball and it shows.

You guys had a great FB season and i was pulling for navy to nab that G5 NYD bowl spot.

[hoops22]

The AAC has some quality teams at the top. In fact, if you did a challenge with their top five against our top five, you'd get some pretty good basketball being played. I think it makes us look petty that some people feel the need to always attack them, just as some of their people look petty for attacking us. And I agree with Redman, I was rooting for Navy to win out, and was sorry they lost.

[GumbyDamnit!]

The AAC is what it is. Fine 1-5. A step below the top 6 leagues and a step above the rest. One great program and 3-4 decent programs. Temple is not the Temple of the John Chaney era, Cincy is not the Cincy of Huggins and Pastner is not Calipari. So those 3 have cred in name only (although we'll see if Cincy can take a step forward this year).

Here's their problem and they know it... If the top teams don't dominate their OOC games or get a high profile team scalp, they are in trouble. They desperately need to make some hay in the preseason b/c the bottom half of the league will slowly choke them, once the conf season starts. There are just so few opportunities for bubble teams in the AAC to make a statement. Take Tulsa this year. They've been so-so in the preseason. If they lose to UCONN and Cincy they are in trouble regardless of their final overall record. Wins vs Temple and Memphis just won't move the needle much. But even then, one bad loss to UCF or Tulane and it hurts so much more than a BE bubble team losing to DePaul.

[stever20]

The AAC has some quality teams at the top. In fact, if you did a challenge with their top five against our top five, you'd get some pretty good basketball being played. I think it makes us look petty that some people feel the need to always attack them, just as some of their people look petty for attacking us. And I agree with Redman, I was rooting for Navy to win out, and was sorry they lost.

a challenge would be really interesting this year-
1 2 Villanova vs 15 Cincy
2 14 Xavier vs 22 UConn
3 31 Georgetown vs 29 SMU
4 34 Butler vs 58 Tulsa
5 48 Providence vs 65 Temple
6 53 Creighton vs 76 Memphis
7 71 Seton Hall vs 113 Houston
8 88 Marquette vs 167 UCF
9 153 DePaul vs 208 ECU
10 173 St John's vs 214 Tulane

Really the top 6 games would be pretty interesting. And 7 game would be a sleeper IMO... Would LOVE to see really all 6 of the top games.

The thing about the AAC this year is the bottom of the league has improved. Last year the bottom 5 teams were all 220 or lower(with USF at 295). This year, only 208, 214, 229. So if that continues, the bottom won't drag the conference down anywhere near as much as they did last year.

I totally agree with what Gumby said. They are a step below the top 6 leagues, but a step above the rest. They are a tweener league(along with I would argue the A10).

[stever20]

1 thing someone said on the other board regarding the Big Ten being so down this year- that it is only Late November. Season doesn't start until late Jan.

That's nice and all but....
last year Big East had 125 OOC games for the entire season. this year already up to 58. So 58 down, 67 to go.
Big Ten had 178 OOC games for the entire season last year. This year already up to 87. So 87 down, 91 to go.

It's amazing how much basketball has been played already.

[cu blujs]

Just looked at Realtime RPI and BE is No. 1 with the second best SOS.

[ivet]

Just looked at Realtime RPI and BE is No. 1 with the second best SOS.

I just looked at this. Guess which conference SOS is #1? Independents with 1 team...NJIT. It is currently ranked 3rd behind the BE and Big 12.