Interesting Article on Big East

[NYCRedmen]

The"mid-major" question didn't take long.

http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/20...rst-season-catholic-7-butler-xavier-creighton

 

[Pleasedontbanmeagain]

I rolled my eyes while reading this. It's just sensationalism for media attention really. There is no question whether the league is major or mid major. The only question is, how much of a dropoff will take place with the blue bloods mostly gone and who (if anyone) will step up? As it is, last season this conference would have had 5 bids...mid major? Please. Hardly. By the way Providence and SJ were right on the bubble at the end so with Harrison staying and Providence getting 1 more signature win, both teams definitely could have made it which would have been 7 bids. I know what you're thinking "if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle", true, but come on...5 bids is nothing to sneeze at.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...mid major vs. major is not determined by bids. If that were true, the Pac-10 or even ACC some years when only UNC and Duke were good would be mid majors. You see the names Georgetown, Villanova, Marquette, Xavier, St. John's, Butler, etc....this is far from a mid major conference. Who in the hell would ever be given a projective test when asked to describe those schools and say "mid major"? No one, unless they were on acid. The media is truly discounting that Butler has been to 2 championship games recently, Xavier is almost always a guaranteed top 25 team, and the recruiting profile for those teams as well as Creighton will improve now that they are major. This is the time for SJ to rise up and finally play that 25 win top 3 finish NCAA tourney ball we know we are capable of. If SJ really does turn in a 2011 season this coming season, it will really shut people up questioning this league.

 

[1and1sju]

This ongoing conversation about the new BE being a major or mid-major, and the related debate about whether it's the 3rd of 4th best basketball conference, is really besides the point in my mind. Sure, it helps to be in a good conference, but at the end of the day St Johns is who I root for.
I just want us to be in a meaningful conference, one that gives us enough tv $$ to pay coach Lavin and his staff. After that, I really don't care if the conference as a whole is better than anyone else's. I don't know about you guys but I didn't get any pleasure out of UCONN and Syracuse winning championships.

We've been in the so-called best conference for a decade now, what good has it done St Johns specifically? Gonzaga and Butler have been so-called midmajors, how have they been doing? Colorado and Kentucky are apart of great football conferences but I'm sure their fans would give anything to have the bowl and regular season success Boise St has had in the last decade.
Conference affiliation is only part of the equation. The new Big East seems good enough; the rest is up to St Johns.

 

[paultzman]

This ongoing conversation about the new BE being a major or mid-major, and the related debate about whether it's the 3rd of 4th best basketball conference, is really besides the point in my mind. Sure, it helps to be in a good conference, but at the end of the day St Johns is who I root for.
I just want us to be in a meaningful conference, one that gives us enough tv $$ to pay coach Lavin and his staff. After that, I really don't care if the conference as a whole is better than anyone else's. I don't know about you guys but I didn't get any pleasure out of UCONN and Syracuse winning championships.

We've been in the so-called best conference for a decade now, what good has it done St Johns specifically? Gonzaga and Butler have been so-called midmajors, how have they been doing? Colorado and Kentucky are apart of great football conferences but I'm sure their fans would give anything to have the bowl and regular season success Boise St has had in the last decade.
Conference affiliation is only part of the equation. The new Big East seems good enough; the rest is up to St Johns.

You hit that one out of the park Desco!

 

[NYCRedmen]

Some very good points by all. Schools like Gonzaga and Butler (you can even add Xavier to the list) have become major players despite not being in power conferences. I do think there was (in Gonzaga's case, still is) more pressure on them however to play (and win) a very competitive non-conference schedule though b/c they know they can't rely on their league wins helping their overall resume for the committee, should they not win their league title. That said, I do think its important for our league to be as strong as it can be collectively. On the other hand, as someone correctly stated, St. John's is who we root for and at the end of the day, and if we take care of business during the season, we will be fine.

 

[MCNPA]

The new Big East has lots of very solid teams that are going to win a lot of OOC games. We don't have a Louisville or Syracuse returning to the league right now. I think we have plenty of Pitt's though, at minimum. This lesgue is surprisingly and impressively deep, despite the clear dominant team or two. I don't really think that is a problem though. As Desco mentioned, we all care abou SJU, and IMO we are poised to be as good as we have been in a long time.

There is no question that this is not a mid-major league. We added a few schools that have risen to the cream of their conferences by beating the blue bloods and added them to replace outgoing powers. This basketball-centric league will last and is finally being built to sustain high level basketbwll throughout league members.

IMO there are only two laggards and they are Seton Hall and DePaul. Seton Hall is a long standing Big East member, but doesn't want to spend a penny getting good. It's a sad situation and while I know they are a long time member, their commitment to college sports is extremely questionable. DePaul is at least trying.m they spend big money on Purnell who sucks, and is trying to grab a new arena but I'm not sure they are making headway.

This league will have quite a few strong teams this year that nobody will want to play and it is more than a handful. Georgetown, SJU, Marquette, Nova, Providence, Xavier, Butler, Creighton at minimum will all be headaches for OOC opponents. That is 80% of our league that will be no pushover. Providence is hurt a lot by the loss of Henton who was expected to be a stalwart up front, but they still have some talent there.

Not worried about our league. More worried about SJU doing what we need to do to ascend to the top.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

The new Big East has lots of very solid teams that are going to win a lot of OOC games. We don't have a Louisville or Syracuse returning to the league right now. I think we have plenty of Pitt's though, at minimum. This lesgue is surprisingly and impressively deep, despite the clear dominant team or two. I don't really think that is a problem though. As Desco mentioned, we all care abou SJU, and IMO we are poised to be as good as we have been in a long time.

There is no question that this is not a mid-major league. We added a few schools that have risen to the cream of their conferences by beating the blue bloods and added them to replace outgoing powers. This basketball-centric league will last and is finally being built to sustain high level basketbwll throughout league members.

IMO there are only two laggards and they are Seton Hall and DePaul. Seton Hall is a long standing Big East member, but doesn't want to spend a penny getting good. It's a sad situation and while I know they are a long time member, their commitment to college sports is extremely questionable. DePaul is at least trying.m they spend big money on Purnell who sucks, and is trying to grab a new arena but I'm not sure they are making headway.

This league will have quite a few strong teams this year that nobody will want to play and it is more than a handful. Georgetown, SJU, Marquette, Nova, Providence, Xavier, Butler, Creighton at minimum will all be headaches for OOC opponents. That is 80% of our league that will be no pushover. Providence is hurt a lot by the loss of Henton who was expected to be a stalwart up front, but they still have some talent there.

Not worried about our league. More worried about SJU doing what we need to do to ascend to the top.

What's the deal with Henton? Is he definitely out for the season?

 

[usguard]

Do not .care about Mid Major heck their has been 15 16 seeds that gave #1 seeds scares Just.do it on the court

 

[paultzman]

The new Big East has lots of very solid teams that are going to win a lot of OOC games. We don't have a Louisville or Syracuse returning to the league right now. I think we have plenty of Pitt's though, at minimum. This lesgue is surprisingly and impressively deep, despite the clear dominant team or two. I don't really think that is a problem though. As Desco mentioned, we all care abou SJU, and IMO we are poised to be as good as we have been in a long time.

There is no question that this is not a mid-major league. We added a few schools that have risen to the cream of their conferences by beating the blue bloods and added them to replace outgoing powers. This basketball-centric league will last and is finally being built to sustain high level basketbwll throughout league members.

IMO there are only two laggards and they are Seton Hall and DePaul. Seton Hall is a long standing Big East member, but doesn't want to spend a penny getting good. It's a sad situation and while I know they are a long time member, their commitment to college sports is extremely questionable. DePaul is at least trying.m they spend big money on Purnell who sucks, and is trying to grab a new arena but I'm not sure they are making headway.

This league will have quite a few strong teams this year that nobody will want to play and it is more than a handful. Georgetown, SJU, Marquette, Nova, Providence, Xavier, Butler, Creighton at minimum will all be headaches for OOC opponents. That is 80% of our league that will be no pushover. Providence is hurt a lot by the loss of Henton who was expected to be a stalwart up front, but they still have some talent there.

Not worried about our league. More worried about SJU doing what we need to do to ascend to the top.

What's the deal with Henton? Is he definitely out for the season?

No

 

[qcredman]

Thanks NYCRedmen.

"...[Someone needs to surprise]...So who will it be? Logically, the answer could very well be St. John's. With the additions of Rysheed Jordan, Orlando Sanchez, and Max Hooper along with the welcoming back of D`Angelo Harrison and God's gift Achiuwa, the Johnnies are certainly one of the most talented teams the Big East has to offer....."

This is going to be one of those years we've been waiting for.

 

[sirvoo]

Whoever wasted their time tackling this mid major question should stop. It doesn't matter. Look what happened to Miami and BC when they went to a more competitive conference and chased the money. Their programs are in the toilet in football and bball is suspect at best.

The same will happen to Pitt and Syracuse. I guarantee it. They will be crushed in football and their basketball programs are in for a rude awakening. I only expect Louisville to come out of this fine.

As for the Big East. We only should worry about ourselves. Who cares how butler or gtown does? Take care of business and we will be a marquee program

 

[Pleasedontbanmeagain]

Whoever wasted their time tackling this mid major question should stop. It doesn't matter. Look what happened to Miami and BC when they went to a more competitive conference and chased the money. Their programs are in the toilet in football and bball is suspect at best.

The same will happen to Pitt and Syracuse. I guarantee it. They will be crushed in football and their basketball programs are in for a rude awakening. I only expect Louisville to come out of this fine.

As for the Big East. We only should worry about ourselves. Who cares how butler or gtown does? Take care of business and we will be a marquee program

Agree about Pitt but Cuse will be fine unfortunately. Their football will be miraculously bad just like Rutgers in their new home. But their basketball will be fine and it pains me to say that.

 

[sirvoo]

Whoever wasted their time tackling this mid major question should stop. It doesn't matter. Look what happened to Miami and BC when they went to a more competitive conference and chased the money. Their programs are in the toilet in football and bball is suspect at best.

The same will happen to Pitt and Syracuse. I guarantee it. They will be crushed in football and their basketball programs are in for a rude awakening. I only expect Louisville to come out of this fine.

As for the Big East. We only should worry about ourselves. Who cares how butler or gtown does? Take care of business and we will be a marquee program

Agree about Pitt but Cuse will be fine unfortunately. Their football will be miraculously bad just like Rutgers in their new home. But their basketball will be fine and it pains me to say that.

Not when Boeheim leaves. They will be ordinary at best and falter into the abyss that is super-conference mediocrity. What are they without Boeheim? A school in the middle of nowhere with an outdated football stadium doubling as their home court. How will they compete in recruiting kids when you compare quality of life or even pro potential when he leaves?

 

[Pleasedontbanmeagain]

Whoever wasted their time tackling this mid major question should stop. It doesn't matter. Look what happened to Miami and BC when they went to a more competitive conference and chased the money. Their programs are in the toilet in football and bball is suspect at best.

The same will happen to Pitt and Syracuse. I guarantee it. They will be crushed in football and their basketball programs are in for a rude awakening. I only expect Louisville to come out of this fine.

As for the Big East. We only should worry about ourselves. Who cares how butler or gtown does? Take care of business and we will be a marquee program

Agree about Pitt but Cuse will be fine unfortunately. Their football will be miraculously bad just like Rutgers in their new home. But their basketball will be fine and it pains me to say that.

Not when Boeheim leaves. They will be ordinary at best and falter into the abyss that is super-conference mediocrity. What are they without Boeheim? A school in the middle of nowhere with an outdated football stadium doubling as their home court. How will they compete in recruiting kids when you compare quality of life or even pro potential when he leaves?

I see them in the same lens as I see UCLA...one of the most storied programs ever and no matter who coaches there, players will want to come. Unless the players are getting pelted by basketballs in practice a la Rice at Rutgers, I don't expect Cuse to dropoff much. Maybe they go from top 5 to top 15 but they will still be a force IMO. But hey I hope you're right.

 

[NYCRedmen]

Another article, gives us some props

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ines-for-the-new-big-east-conference/2474127/

 

[STJ11Redmen]

Whoever wasted their time tackling this mid major question should stop. It doesn't matter. Look what happened to Miami and BC when they went to a more competitive conference and chased the money. Their programs are in the toilet in football and bball is suspect at best.

The same will happen to Pitt and Syracuse. I guarantee it. They will be crushed in football and their basketball programs are in for a rude awakening. I only expect Louisville to come out of this fine.

As for the Big East. We only should worry about ourselves. Who cares how butler or gtown does? Take care of business and we will be a marquee program

Agree about Pitt but Cuse will be fine unfortunately. Their football will be miraculously bad just like Rutgers in their new home. But their basketball will be fine and it pains me to say that.

Not when Boeheim leaves. They will be ordinary at best and falter into the abyss that is super-conference mediocrity. What are they without Boeheim? A school in the middle of nowhere with an outdated football stadium doubling as their home court. How will they compete in recruiting kids when you compare quality of life or even pro potential when he leaves?

I see them in the same lens as I see UCLA...one of the most storied programs ever and no matter who coaches there, players will want to come. Unless the players are getting pelted by basketballs in practice a la Rice at Rutgers, I don't expect Cuse to dropoff much. Maybe they go from top 5 to top 15 but they will still be a force IMO. But hey I hope you're right.

Same lens as UCLA? Cuse has 1 national title in their history.

 

[paultzman]

“@HolyLandofHoops: Fascinating (and long) article on the development of the new #BigEast: "How Creighton made it to the big time"http://www.omaha.com/article/201306...ig-east-how-creighton-made-it-to-the-big-time”

 

[redken]

Whoever wasted their time tackling this mid major question should stop. It doesn't matter. Look what happened to Miami and BC when they went to a more competitive conference and chased the money. Their programs are in the toilet in football and bball is suspect at best.

The same will happen to Pitt and Syracuse. I guarantee it. They will be crushed in football and their basketball programs are in for a rude awakening. I only expect Louisville to come out of this fine.

As for the Big East. We only should worry about ourselves. Who cares how butler or gtown does? Take care of business and we will be a marquee program

Agree about Pitt but Cuse will be fine unfortunately. Their football will be miraculously bad just like Rutgers in their new home. But their basketball will be fine and it pains me to say that.

Not when Boeheim leaves. They will be ordinary at best and falter into the abyss that is super-conference mediocrity. What are they without Boeheim? A school in the middle of nowhere with an outdated football stadium doubling as their home court. How will they compete in recruiting kids when you compare quality of life or even pro potential when he leaves?

I see them in the same lens as I see UCLA...one of the most storied programs ever and no matter who coaches there, players will want to come. Unless the players are getting pelted by basketballs in practice a la Rice at Rutgers, I don't expect Cuse to dropoff much. Maybe they go from top 5 to top 15 but they will still be a force IMO. But hey I hope you're right.

Same lens as UCLA? Cuse has 1 national title in their history.

And Syracuse isn't exactly Westwood.

 

[Amaseinyourface]

Whoever wasted their time tackling this mid major question should stop. It doesn't matter. Look what happened to Miami and BC when they went to a more competitive conference and chased the money. Their programs are in the toilet in football and bball is suspect at best.

The same will happen to Pitt and Syracuse. I guarantee it. They will be crushed in football and their basketball programs are in for a rude awakening. I only expect Louisville to come out of this fine.

As for the Big East. We only should worry about ourselves. Who cares how butler or gtown does? Take care of business and we will be a marquee program

Agree about Pitt but Cuse will be fine unfortunately. Their football will be miraculously bad just like Rutgers in their new home. But their basketball will be fine and it pains me to say that.

Not when Boeheim leaves. They will be ordinary at best and falter into the abyss that is super-conference mediocrity. What are they without Boeheim? A school in the middle of nowhere with an outdated football stadium doubling as their home court. How will they compete in recruiting kids when you compare quality of life or even pro potential when he leaves?

I see them in the same lens as I see UCLA...one of the most storied programs ever and no matter who coaches there, players will want to come. Unless the players are getting pelted by basketballs in practice a la Rice at Rutgers, I don't expect Cuse to dropoff much. Maybe they go from top 5 to top 15 but they will still be a force IMO. But hey I hope you're right.

In another thread you just said that Syracuse screwed themselves and would no longer be an elite program.

 

[simplyred]

Whoever wasted their time tackling this mid major question should stop. It doesn't matter. Look what happened to Miami and BC when they went to a more competitive conference and chased the money. Their programs are in the toilet in football and bball is suspect at best.

The same will happen to Pitt and Syracuse. I guarantee it. They will be crushed in football and their basketball programs are in for a rude awakening. I only expect Louisville to come out of this fine.

As for the Big East. We only should worry about ourselves. Who cares how butler or gtown does? Take care of business and we will be a marquee program

Agree about Pitt but Cuse will be fine unfortunately. Their football will be miraculously bad just like Rutgers in their new home. But their basketball will be fine and it pains me to say that.

Not when Boeheim leaves. They will be ordinary at best and falter into the abyss that is super-conference mediocrity. What are they without Boeheim? A school in the middle of nowhere with an outdated football stadium doubling as their home court. How will they compete in recruiting kids when you compare quality of life or even pro potential when he leaves?

I see them in the same lens as I see UCLA...one of the most storied programs ever and no matter who coaches there, players will want to come. Unless the players are getting pelted by basketballs in practice a la Rice at Rutgers, I don't expect Cuse to dropoff much. Maybe they go from top 5 to top 15 but they will still be a force IMO. But hey I hope you're right.

In another thread you just said that Syracuse screwed themselves and would no longer be an elite program.

Resurrection of Sybil Just kidding, Joe