Back off the ledge

[Bill Marsh]

So, Michael, how did you feel in your gut about the losses this past weekend?

[Michael in Raleigh]

So, Michael, how did you feel in your gut about the losses this past weekend?

Okay, to come clean, I didn't like it, but it didn't tear me up the way it understandably would have for many of you who are from these Big East cities and/or are alumni or students of the schools. I picked Villanova to go all the way in my bracket. I picked Butler and Providence to make it to the Sweet 16, but not Xavier.

I'd be lying if I said I'm some hard-core fan of the Big East the way many of you are. However, I'm a big admirer of the league. I just find it fascinating how the league came together in the late 70's/early 80's and took college basketball by storm. I find it plain awesome that the C7 took matters into its own hands in 2012 and left what was left of the league, which, from their point of view, was a formerly tight-knit neighborhood consisting of just themselves, their "brother," UConn, who was openly threatening to move awayl; their "good friend" Cincinnati, who was also threatening to move in; their sort of loveable but annoying moocher friend, USF, who stayed in their basement; and a bunch of potential newcomers who weren't even friends with the C7. After Syracuse, Pitt, West Virginia, Notre Dame, and Louisville left, UConn, Cincy, and maybe those guys Memphis and Temple (whom Villanova was wary of) were all that was left to keep them. This league left the league yet kept the league. It added three new schools who were and are far more interested in being associated with them than the schools who left were.

My favorite part was that the C7 chose to take Butler into the league. Butler is the closest thing I have to being a "tie" to the Big East. I lived in Indianapolis for just two years, both of which were Butler's national runner-up years. It was riveting to watch the program's ascent under Brad Stevens, and I'm thrilled that Butler had this opportunity. I admired those two teams more than any other college sports teams I've ever watched. They were everything I like about college sports, without any of the other junk.

So anyway, I just really enjoy watching the league. I would even say I root for it. But, again, I'm not tied to it. Maybe that's what keeps me from feeling crushed by a few losses. I've seen the same thing happen to the ACC in years like 2014 when only 1 of 15 teams made the Sweet 16, and I know that downswings are temporary. The ACC, I must admit, by the way, is the league I follow the most. I grew up on it, live in it, watch it, and have family ties left and right to it. But the Big East, especially this renewed version... man. I just don't understand why more people are not intrigued by the development of the league.

[Bill Marsh]

Michael, thanks for the reply.

In my head, I agree with everything you've written about the league. But in my gut, the losses were a body blow in a postseason with so many high expectations.

I was not one ready to jump off a cliff, declare the conference had sunk to mid major status, or declare the season a failure. Nonetheless, the losses hurt. Disappointment was heavy with the lack of tournament success a 2nd year in a row.

There's just a difference between an intellectual understanding of things and the emotional response after having made such an investment in the teams and in the season.

[Butlerfan28]

Michael, thanks for the reply.

In my head, I agree with everything you've written about the league. But in my gut, the losses were a body blow in a postseason with so many high expectations.

I was not one ready to jump off a cliff, declare the conference had sunk to mid major status, or declare the season a failure. Nonetheless, the losses hurt. Disappointment was heavy with the lack of tournament success a 2nd year in a row.

There's just a difference between an intellectual understanding of things and the emotional response after having made such an investment in the teams and in the season.

I am a Butler fan who would like to see the league succeed as defined as being considered equal to the P5. Sadly this board does not seem interested in honest conversation as anytime I have tried to post basic facts relative to this topic the mods have blocked it.