(02-07-2018 12:48 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  I don't disagree XU has had a great run the past 20 years. Reading your post, I guess we are looking at this from a different perspective. My contention is that there is no comparison of the PA programs to Ohio's, because Cincinnati has a stronger branding and history vs. Xavier as compared to Temple vs. Villanova. Even if Xavier continues at the level they are currently putting on the court, they will never make UC look like the Temple of Ohio, while they are Villanova (I mean this as no disrespect to Temple).

Well, at this point are we discussing Cincy in relation to X or Temple? If your argument is that it's impossible for X to become the clear top basketball program in that city/area then I disagree - if Mack's a lifer they have all the ingredients necessary to be a premier program. If the argument is that Cincy will always be more relevant in Cincinnati than Temple is in Philly, then I think you're underselling Temple a bit (remember, they were one of those Class A schools in the ESPN contract as well) but it's a whole different discussion that I'm much less opinionated about.