Three Years Later

[Demon22]

In addition to being very happy with the New Big East, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I didn't get at least a small amount of joy out of seeing schools like BC and Rutgers and (...to a lesser extent) Syracuse and Pittsburgh kind of struggling in their new leagues. Got to think there are a lot of alums from those schools who are sitting around going, "What were we thinking?"

[FenwayFriar]

In addition to being very happy with the New Big East, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I didn't get at least a small amount of joy out of seeing schools like BC and Rutgers and (...to a lesser extent) Syracuse and Pittsburgh kind of struggling in their new leagues. Got to think there are a lot of alums from those schools who are sitting around going, "What were we thinking?"

I wish nothing but failure for Miami, VTech, BC, Cuse, Pitt, Louisville, Notre Dame, Rutgers, West Virginia, and also UConn and Cincinnati. Petty? Sure, but I don't care.

[GumbyDamnit!]

In addition to being very happy with the New Big East, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I didn't get at least a small amount of joy out of seeing schools like BC and Rutgers and (...to a lesser extent) Syracuse and Pittsburgh kind of struggling in their new leagues. Got to think there are a lot of alums from those schools who are sitting around going, "What were we thinking?"

I wish nothing but failure for Miami, VTech, BC, Cuse, Pitt, Louisville, Notre Dame, Rutgers, West Virginia, and also UConn and Cincinnati. Petty? Sure, but I don't care.

+1

[GumbyDamnit!]

I continue to believe that NOT having football will ultimately prove to be a huge recruiting advantage for the BEAST. I think lots of young bball studs would rather play for a team that's in a "power" conference where bball is king over playing for a team that's in a power conference where bball is secondary to football. It's a kid ego thing if nothing else -- all about being the campus superstar. All that's needed for this advantage to start yielding big results is for kids to truly believe that the BEAST really is a power conference, with just as impressive and exciting a competitive profile as whatever other program or conference they might be considering. And of course, if we aren't quite universally recognized as a "power conference" in bball yet, we're getting very, very close to that -- even in the eyes of the rabidly partisan fan base of the Big 10 or SEC.

Folks say that over and over, but it's not been the case in the NBA draft one and done era. Those bball studs want to go where they can get to the NBA.

I mean right now, in ESPN's current top 40 freshmen classes for this season, only 5 don't play FBS football. In the Rivals Composite rankings, same thing. It would take a complete attitude change by the HS players, and I don't think that's all too realistic....

Honestly Stever just shut up already. You can be such a tool sometimes.

[Xudash]

Imagine the narrative if we get one or two to the E8 and especially if we get one (or two) to the F4.

The idea of diluting this puppy with A10 teams in an attempt (sorry, but nothing is ever guarantied) to goose up the number of bids is so stupid and short sited, especially given how we're tracking, that it isn't even funny. We're doing just fine getting 50% of the conference into the Tournament as it is, and we've proven that 6 is at least possible.

A Xavier fan who is in attendance at MSG now is reporting that attendance is at 17,000 today! Of course, Nova and the Hoyas are going at it, but that is a great number if it's accurate.

Stay the course. This is beautiful so far.

[gtmoBlue]

Great posts... Reminiscing-I thought we would make the jump in '78, but the 2 losses (1 in NCAA) to DePaul derailed the dream. In 2003 it resurfaced after Korver, not enough NCAA success-too many early exits. "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dryup, like a raisin in the sun...Maybe it just sags like a heavy load." Thought it was dead-but thanks to a group of disheartened, disgruntled, and disrespected C7 presidents and an AED...the dream revived. Thanks to all - even the dissenting voters. Waited 38 years-had almost given up hope, waiting for the much ballyhooed "All Catholic League"... Then lightning struck-out of the blue(Jay). God is good (and Creightons' #1 fan).

XUSANDY- great post. This is a great Power league. The hoops 1st emphasis IS paying off. The marquee names haven't faded yet. Jays have picked up 4 star recruits in 2014, 2015, poss 2016, and 2 (so far) in 2017! Totally unprecedented in Bluejay recruiting history. All the points u mentioned "are happening" - now.

We don't need 15-20 top recruits/yr (but we'd take em). We just need to maintain/capture 8-12/8-15, which is doable. Recruits do view the Big East as a power conference - cause the conference has revived its' swag, baby - has proven the Beast never left.

The Beast is dayad! Long Live the Big East!

...as for rivalries. Thou shalt learn to revile the dreaded Azulejo (Bluejay). little Creighton is just gettin' warmed up.
We play good hoops - we play an old school style (suburban horse) - we win too much for an average talented team - we are lucky - and we have our bag of magic tricks...enough to confound you silly city dwellers. You will grow/learn to hate us, although it will only add to your pain after we annually spank dat butt!

[diazjaynor1994]

Agree with all posts. Couldn't be happier after three years. Each and every team has a chance to make the tournament each and every year, which is not something you could reasonably say in the OBE. With that said, and I say this with all due respect, I'm excited for the honey moon phase to be over and have some great rivalries start. A little more hate (in a good way) in the league! While I'll still root for all of the other 9 teams during non-conference and NCAA Tourney, rivalries are what truly solidified the OBE and we'll need that eventually in the NBE as well. Which rivalries do people think will be the fiercest... let's say by the end of our original FOX contract?

So I am new here. I am currently a senior as Seton Hall and discovered this forum this year. Been reading it alot lately. I think to answer this question its great to get an undergrads perspective of the situation. I really can see Nova and Seton Hall develop a primer rivalry over the years. I mean on my campus students just seem to get riled up when Nova comes up on our schedule. The team seems to play at a whole other level when playing Nova, and I am pretty sure Nova fans have had enough of losing one game every season to the Hall, especially with the way they have been handling the conference these last few years. This can all change down the line, but lately it just seems like the students and the team don't really like the team from Nova.

[CoachK]

Before it was announced the C7 was looking to invite Butler, Creighton and Xavier to be part of the Big East it was leaked out and most of my fellow Musketeers were ecstatic to say the least. Personally, I feel the animosity festered with the team up north of I-75 made it unhealthy to share anything with them. I like all 10 teams in this conference and I root for all of them. We just need for SJU and DePaul to pick it up and I feel they will. So this is to a great partnership. And one more thing; the next flyer fan who makes fun of Val Ackerman and says she looks like Iggy Pop will get a five finger sandwich.

Another great thing about this conference is that we have people who are happy to be here. The old guard loves how things turned out. The new additions are thrilled to be here.
Then look at a conference like the AAC, where teams like Cincy and UConn are just praying to get out. Same with the A-10 where we have Dayton people on here praying to get in. UMass probably wants into the AAC. And even a St. Bonaventure fan is hoping to get into the Big East, despite the fact that they have less than zero chance.

[FenwayFriar]

Agree with all posts. Couldn't be happier after three years. Each and every team has a chance to make the tournament each and every year, which is not something you could reasonably say in the OBE. With that said, and I say this with all due respect, I'm excited for the honey moon phase to be over and have some great rivalries start. A little more hate (in a good way) in the league! While I'll still root for all of the other 9 teams during non-conference and NCAA Tourney, rivalries are what truly solidified the OBE and we'll need that eventually in the NBE as well. Which rivalries do people think will be the fiercest... let's say by the end of our original FOX contract?

So I am new here. I am currently a senior as Seton Hall and discovered this forum this year. Been reading it alot lately. I think to answer this question its great to get an undergrads perspective of the situation. I really can see Nova and Seton Hall develop a primer rivalry over the years. I mean on my campus students just seem to get riled up when Nova comes up on our schedule. The team seems to play at a whole other level when playing Nova, and I am pretty sure Nova fans have had enough of losing one game every season to the Hall, especially with the way they have been handling the conference these last few years. This can all change down the line, but lately it just seems like the students and the team don't really like the team from Nova.

Wondering how campus was before/during/after the win over Nova last night? Is the campus going crazy for the Pirates?

[American X]

The St. Paul blinding light on the value of the Big East was Xavier getting a #6 seed after an erratic season and .500 conference record.

Great thread, great conference.