Which BEast programs NEED to succeed

[Bluejay]

The only issue for Creighton will be recruiting. Can we get the recruits necessary to compete over the long term, especially in light of our home state not producing a lot in the way of D1 basketball talent?

If we can get the recruits, I think Creighton will be just fine over the long run. In a lot of ways, it appears Creighton either already has (or is building) some of the nicest facilities in the league. I know this may come as a shock to some of our east coast conference mates, but our arena is already one of the nicest and the new basketball only men's practice facility, which will be completed in the late spring/early summer, will be top of the line as well. As a whole, the athletic department is extremely strong; Creighton is ranked preseason and should compete for conference titles in two of the three main fall sports (Men's soccer and volleyball) and should be very strong (and conceivably be favored to win the conference or compete for conference titles) in women's basketball, baseball and softball.

Recruiting for men's basketball is the big question right now. Not finding out about the conference move until last March has certainly put Creighton behind a couple of other programs that had a head start on 2014 recruits. I also expect that it will take some time for some of the east coast kids to learn about Creighton and realize that Omaha is a real metropolitan city with a significant minority presence, not some giant cornfield where we all drive tractors to work. (Disclosure: I've never driven or owned a tractor in my life ). Obviously, a big year this year would help the recruiting significantly.

Unfortunately facilities don't matter as much as you'd think for recruiting, if that were the case Georgetown certainly wouldn't be recruiting as well as they are and they may have the worst facilities in the league.

I guess I'll need you to point out where I said that facilities were that big of a deal in recruiting.... I said in two different paragraphs that recruiting will be the issue DESPITE the fact that we have great facilities and a very strong athletic department.

By the way, with all of that Big East money that Georgetown earned for decades, why the heck are the facilities so crappy? What did you guys spend the money on - a sweater fund for the Thompsons?

[aughnanure]

The only issue for Creighton will be recruiting. Can we get the recruits necessary to compete over the long term, especially in light of our home state not producing a lot in the way of D1 basketball talent?

If we can get the recruits, I think Creighton will be just fine over the long run. In a lot of ways, it appears Creighton either already has (or is building) some of the nicest facilities in the league. I know this may come as a shock to some of our east coast conference mates, but our arena is already one of the nicest and the new basketball only men's practice facility, which will be completed in the late spring/early summer, will be top of the line as well. As a whole, the athletic department is extremely strong; Creighton is ranked preseason and should compete for conference titles in two of the three main fall sports (Men's soccer and volleyball) and should be very strong (and conceivably be favored to win the conference or compete for conference titles) in women's basketball, baseball and softball.

Recruiting for men's basketball is the big question right now. Not finding out about the conference move until last March has certainly put Creighton behind a couple of other programs that had a head start on 2014 recruits. I also expect that it will take some time for some of the east coast kids to learn about Creighton and realize that Omaha is a real metropolitan city with a significant minority presence, not some giant cornfield where we all drive tractors to work. (Disclosure: I've never driven or owned a tractor in my life ). Obviously, a big year this year would help the recruiting significantly.

Unfortunately facilities don't matter as much as you'd think for recruiting, if that were the case Georgetown certainly wouldn't be recruiting as well as they are and they may have the worst facilities in the league.

I guess I'll need you to point out where I said that facilities were that big of a deal in recruiting.... I said in two different paragraphs that recruiting will be the issue DESPITE the fact that we have great facilities and a very strong athletic department.

By the way, with all of that Big East money that Georgetown earned for decades, why the heck are the facilities so crappy? What did you guys spend the money on - a sweater fund for the Thompsons?

Well you sure insinuated it. You essentially stated recruiting is going to be a big need for CU and then went on a paragraph long explanation about how amazing your facilities are - insinuating that it plays a major role or should.

Georgetown's had a problem forever because of NIMBYs. I don't think "crappy" is the right word, but they havent been able to build new athletic facilities for a long time now because the neighborhood restricts, delays, and blocks them constantly. They're more just behind everyone else, since everyone seems to be getting brand spankin' new facilities these days.

[aughnanure]

if Georgetown, Marquette, Villanova, and St. John's can be who we know they can be, and Creighton, Xavier, and Providence can be semi-regular tournament teams - this league will be fine. And I really want to add Xavier to that first list, but just want to wait a bit first.

Need to be getting 5 in every year. 4 should be the worst-case.

[Friarfan2]

The world needs ditch diggers too, and that is why we have seton hall and DePaul. Unfortunately, the league would benefit from DePaul and St. John's getting their acts together, but it does not appear that DePaul is going to start winning anytime soon. Seton hall is probably the least Important team I terms if success.

[Bluejay]

Unfortunately facilities don't matter as much as you'd think for recruiting, if that were the case Georgetown certainly wouldn't be recruiting as well as they are and they may have the worst facilities in the league.

I guess I'll need you to point out where I said that facilities were that big of a deal in recruiting.... I said in two different paragraphs that recruiting will be the issue DESPITE the fact that we have great facilities and a very strong athletic department.

By the way, with all of that Big East money that Georgetown earned for decades, why the heck are the facilities so crappy? What did you guys spend the money on - a sweater fund for the Thompsons?

Well you sure insinuated it. You essentially stated recruiting is going to be a big need for CU and then went on a paragraph long explanation about how amazing your facilities are - insinuating that it plays a major role or should.

Georgetown's had a problem forever because of NIMBYs. I don't think "crappy" is the right word, but they havent been able to build new athletic facilities for a long time now because the neighborhood restricts, delays, and blocks them constantly. They're more just behind everyone else, since everyone seems to be getting brand spankin' new facilities these days.

I didn't insinuate anything. I simply responded to the original post, which expressed concern for Creighton over the long haul, by addressing Creighton's primary weakness (recruiting) and then outlined its respective strengths (facilities and strength of the athletic department as a whole). I wrapped up my entire post by reiterating the challenges that Creighton has in recruiting right now because of the lateness of the Big East news.

Maybe, just maybe, because of Georgetown's relative poor facilities, your insecurities caused you to read a lot more into my post than was there?

(PS - Our initial Big East recruiting class would be much better if Marquette stopped taking our recruits )

[PeteXU]

Creighton has had great facilities for a while, and recruiting has been lukewarm at best. Butler and especially Xavier have already been recruiting at a high level. I want the Jays to succeed and I think they can, but I have my concerns. Going into and winning a battle for a top 150 recruit would do a lot to put put my skepticism aside.

[Jet915]

Creighton has had great facilities for a while, and recruiting has been lukewarm at best. Butler and especially Xavier have already been recruiting at a high level. I want the Jays to succeed and I think they can, but I have my concerns. Going into and winning a battle for a top 150 recruit would do a lot to put put my skepticism aside.

To be fair, we were recruiting to the Valley. Our 2013 class was pretty good by MVC standards, 2 of our 3 freshmen recruits had multiple BCS offers. I agree though, it needs to step up to compete in the Big East. Creighton has 2 top 150 recruits coming for officials this weekend and a top 100 recruit coming next weekend for an official. Hopefully we can get some commits.

[DumpsterFireA10]

Perfect situation:

All 10 great in OOC...Then the conference shake out however it does. That could get 5 bids pretty easily.

I'll be rooting for all of the Big East teams while we waste Rick Majerus' last class of recruits.

[marquette]

Perfect situation:

All 10 great in OOC...Then the conference shake out however it does. That could get 5 bids pretty easily.

I'll be rooting for all of the Big East teams while we waste Rick Majerus' last class of recruits.

I don't know about anybody else, but I'll be rooting for St. Louis, Richmond, Dayton, and VCU to be the top 4 in the A10. Even if we never end up being conference mates I still have a lot of respect for all your programs.

[aughnanure]

I guess I'll need you to point out where I said that facilities were that big of a deal in recruiting.... I said in two different paragraphs that recruiting will be the issue DESPITE the fact that we have great facilities and a very strong athletic department.

By the way, with all of that Big East money that Georgetown earned for decades, why the heck are the facilities so crappy? What did you guys spend the money on - a sweater fund for the Thompsons?

Well you sure insinuated it. You essentially stated recruiting is going to be a big need for CU and then went on a paragraph long explanation about how amazing your facilities are - insinuating that it plays a major role or should.

Georgetown's had a problem forever because of NIMBYs. I don't think "crappy" is the right word, but they havent been able to build new athletic facilities for a long time now because the neighborhood restricts, delays, and blocks them constantly. They're more just behind everyone else, since everyone seems to be getting brand spankin' new facilities these days.

I didn't insinuate anything. I simply responded to the original post, which expressed concern for Creighton over the long haul, by addressing Creighton's primary weakness (recruiting) and then outlined its respective strengths (facilities and strength of the athletic department as a whole). I wrapped up my entire post by reiterating the challenges that Creighton has in recruiting right now because of the lateness of the Big East news.

Maybe, just maybe, because of Georgetown's relative poor facilities, your insecurities caused you to read a lot more into my post than was there?

(PS - Our initial Big East recruiting class would be much better if Marquette stopped taking our recruits )

Not a Georgetown fan buddy (but do live in DC).

Didn't see you quote so just thought you were making an overall point. Sorry. My main concern about Creighton is more that Greg McDermott is not Dana Altman. In reality, the coach is the bigger part of recruiting. That being said, I think Creighton's a fine program and will be fine for the long, regardless if you struggle after Dougy and have to find a new coach in 4-5 years. Probably won't make it to the Dance at often, but may go farther when you do due to the increased competition. I believe you and the Zags have had similar problems - little competition for months leading up to the tourney has been a detriment to your preparedness (that, and being a little unlucky of course).

Who did we (Marquette) steal from you for 2013? 3 of the 5 were Milwaukee boys.