I found this on the <a href='http://ucbearcats.com/info/about/' target='_blank'>UCBearcats.com Site</a>...
To be a Bearcat is to be among the best. The University of Cincinnati’s intercollegiate athletic program ranks among the nation’s elite.
UC competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletic competition as an NCAA Division I-A institution.
Now is it really "elite?"
Depends on what your definition of "ELITE" is!
UCBearcats1125 Wrote:Now is it really "elite?"
Uhh... Yea
If you want to talk about elite, talk about the men and women of the United States armed forces, not sports teams.
<a href='http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/nacda/sports/directorscup/auto_pdf/D1FinalWinterStand.pdf' target='_blank'>http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/school...WinterStand.pdf</a>
Well, according to that Director's Cup standings, UC's athletic program is 109th out of 233 heading into the Spring sports season. I wouldn't call that elite...unless some track and field national championships are on the horizon...
Bearcat Dave- we all appreciate and honor our military for their courage and heroism...but this is a sports forum talking about elite programs...
Overall- I would not classify as elite....certain programs within UC would be elite....
UC is elite in basketball based on NCAA tournaments, national ranking over the past 15 years, etc. It is probably harder to make the "elite" case in other sports, but basketball is primarily what I follow.
If you speak to Kentucky or North Carolina fans, only they are elite. If you speak to South-East Middle Montana State fans, yes we are pretty damn elite. I would personally put us at around the 10th or so most elite basketball program over the past 10 or so years. A notch below UConn or Michigan State but a notch above Indiana or Florida. I would also say that we are easily the most elite in this state...
When I think of elite programs, schools that have been to the sweet 16 more thant twice in the past decade usually come to mind. UC is a top 25 program for sure though.
What do we really accomplish by having an elite title?
Going to the Big East and having a bit more tourney success will get UC to a level which everyone can call elite.
Based on their regular season and conference results they are definitely elite. I think everyone notices that they kick some major butt in out of conference play too.
UC is elite in basketball. If they had won it all with Kenyon in 2000, this wouldn't even be a question.