Respect For And Strength Of The Big East...

[DudeAnon]

The Big East top to bottom is on par with the P5 conferences. The perception problem is because we don't have a true blue blood. You take Kansas, UK and Arizona out of their conferences and they are awful. But people only think of those schools when you mention their conference. Nova is getting there, but still don't quite have the cachet that the other blue bloods do.

Also, we aren't battling the perception that the Big East has been weakening. We are battling the perception that the Big East died and this is an entirely new conference. If Georgetown and Marquette were both strong this would be easier to combat but because they aren't it is still a narrative.

[kayako]

The perception problem is because we don't have a true blue blood.

You know what? The OBE went through exactly same shit. I'm waiting for the rest of the catholic 7 to make it to the 2nd weekened once in a while. Can't blame people for wanting to add uconn if you can't.

[billyjack]

Half the sports public probably still thinks Syracuse is in the Big East. I read that Derrick Coleman at the Michigan State game started yelling at the refs that "we don't call that a foul in the Big East!". So we got a small perception boost from the people not paying attention due to SU's run to the Sweet-16.

Fans that think Syracuse is in the Big East is probably equal to the number that think Georgetown is dominating the conference, so they cancel each other out.

[NJRedman]

Oh god can someone find a real picture of Stever? That would be glorious!

[Bill Marsh]

The Big East top to bottom is on par with the P5 conferences. The perception problem is because we don't have a true blue blood. You take Kansas, UK and Arizona out of their conferences and they are awful. But people only think of those schools when you mention their conference. Nova is getting there, but still don't quite have the cachet that the other blue bloods do.

Also, we aren't battling the perception that the Big East has been weakening. We are battling the perception that the Big East died and this is an entirely new conference. If Georgetown and Marquette were both strong this would be easier to combat but because they aren't it is still a narrative.

I hear you, Dude. The whole “blue blood” thing is so misleading. With 3 Final Fours and a NC in the past 10 years, Villanova is as relevant to elites of the current era as anyone. OTOH, name schools like UCLA and Indiana haven’t been relevant to championship competition in a long time.

[ecasadoSBU]

The Big East top to bottom is on par with the P5 conferences. The perception problem is because we don't have a true blue blood. You take Kansas, UK and Arizona out of their conferences and they are awful. But people only think of those schools when you mention their conference. Nova is getting there, but still don't quite have the cachet that the other blue bloods do.

Also, we aren't battling the perception that the Big East has been weakening. We are battling the perception that the Big East died and this is an entirely new conference. If Georgetown and Marquette were both strong this would be easier to combat but because they aren't it is still a narrative.

Arizona? really?

[DudeAnon]

The Big East top to bottom is on par with the P5 conferences. The perception problem is because we don't have a true blue blood. You take Kansas, UK and Arizona out of their conferences and they are awful. But people only think of those schools when you mention their conference. Nova is getting there, but still don't quite have the cachet that the other blue bloods do.

Also, we aren't battling the perception that the Big East has been weakening. We are battling the perception that the Big East died and this is an entirely new conference. If Georgetown and Marquette were both strong this would be easier to combat but because they aren't it is still a narrative.

Arizona? really?

Yes, Arizona. Blue blood is a temporary label. UCLA and Indiana are no longer blue bloods. Arizona is and has been for a while now. Just check the recruiting classes.

[Bill Marsh]

The Big East top to bottom is on par with the P5 conferences. The perception problem is because we don't have a true blue blood. You take Kansas, UK and Arizona out of their conferences and they are awful. But people only think of those schools when you mention their conference. Nova is getting there, but still don't quite have the cachet that the other blue bloods do.

Also, we aren't battling the perception that the Big East has been weakening. We are battling the perception that the Big East died and this is an entirely new conference. If Georgetown and Marquette were both strong this would be easier to combat but because they aren't it is still a narrative.

Arizona? really?

Yes, Arizona. Blue blood is a temporary label. UCLA and Indiana are no longer blue bloods. Arizona is and has been for a while now. Just check the recruiting classes.

Isn’t “blue blood” status something a school has to earn? Usually it means multiple NC’s and competing for NC’s at a high level over a long period of time, usually shown by Final Fours. It also usually means a program that has had success under different coaches.

Arizona hasn’t been to a Final Four in more than 15 years and their only NC was more than 20 years ago. Only 4 Final 4’s in school history. Their only period of success at a high level was during the Lute Olson era, which ended 10 years ago. I don’t mean to knit pick, but if these guys are to be considered blue bloods, we’re opening the door to a lot of other programs. How about Arkansas or UNLV?