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(11-14-2018 10:59 PM)Marcus Wrote:  

(11-11-2018 11:06 PM)jarr Wrote:  I swear, I hate this conference. Our projected preseason champion just lost to Florida Atlantic. Also one of our regular top teams (SMU) lost to South. Miss. Meanwhile ood old dependable ECU squeaks past Lamar in OT. This is why our conference cant have nice things.

Sadly It’s a terrible hoops conference. Much better in football. None of the basketball programs in the league including UC push the needle at all. We’ve had chances but blown them in March. It desperately needs UCONN to make a come back.

NCAA bids for the AAC per year:

2014 = 4
2015 = 2
2016 = 4
2017 = 2
2018 = 3
Projected 2019 = 2

Take from that what you will.

(11-15-2018 09:17 AM)Cat-Man Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 10:59 PM)Marcus Wrote:  

(11-11-2018 11:06 PM)jarr Wrote:  I swear, I hate this conference. Our projected preseason champion just lost to Florida Atlantic. Also one of our regular top teams (SMU) lost to South. Miss. Meanwhile ood old dependable ECU squeaks past Lamar in OT. This is why our conference cant have nice things.

Sadly It’s a terrible hoops conference. Much better in football. None of the basketball programs in the league including UC push the needle at all. We’ve had chances but blown them in March. It desperately needs UCONN to make a come back.

NCAA bids for the AAC per year:

2014 = 4
2015 = 2
2016 = 4
2017 = 2
2018 = 3
Projected 2019 = 2

Take from that what you will.

If we only get two bids this year, I'm optimistic its a down year and not a trend. We will never be a conference that gets 7 bids, but 4-5 should be our yearly goal. UC, UCONN, Memphis, Wichita State, and Temple should all be regulars. 3-4 of the 5 should be in each year. UCF, Houston, and SMU all have random runs. There's no doubt UCONN and Memphis are on the upswing.. hopefully us and Wichita State can get back to where we were the last 2 years.

I was hoping for 4 bids most yrs with 5-6 on a great yr

If we do only get 2 bids this year, the last three years (trend) would be: 2,3,2

thats mid major...and not what most of us thought the case would be.


On the flip side- the AAC football has been really good and much better than we anticipated...so there’s that

(11-15-2018 09:12 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 08:52 AM)BigDawg Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 08:22 AM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  Big East off to a shaky start.

Providence lost to a down Wichita.
Xavier lost at home to Wisconsin.
Seton Hall got killed by Nebraska.
Villanova got killed by Michigan at home.
Ranked Marquette got blown out by Indiana.

Not bad losses by any stretch, but the lack of competitiveness could be a little telling.

Even if a down year, I will still have to argue with delusional XU fans that this version of the Big East isn't as good as when UC was still in the Big East. Seriously, I have a few XU buddies that argue this every year and there is no argument that can convince them otherwise. One even tries to argue that the new Big East is better than the original...LOL.

Those X fans you referenced truly are delusional. You can't replace national title winners UCONN, Syracuse and Louisville with Creighton, Butler and X and suggest otherwise. Then delete Notre Dame, Pitt, WVU and Cincy and see what's left.

Villanova has an outstanding coach who has really done a fine job. Georgetown and Marquette are living on past glory. And the rest? Some good; none great. Without Villanova, postseason results would be rather mid-major since the split.

Agree completely. Villanova is carrying that conference. It's not very good at all otherwise. Georgetown's program has been complete garbage for a good while now.

(11-15-2018 08:52 AM)BigDawg Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 08:22 AM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  Big East off to a shaky start.

Providence lost to a down Wichita.
Xavier lost at home to Wisconsin.
Seton Hall got killed by Nebraska.
Villanova got killed by Michigan at home.
Ranked Marquette got blown out by Indiana.

Not bad losses by any stretch, but the lack of competitiveness could be a little telling.

Even if a down year, I will still have to argue with delusional XU fans that this version of the Big East isn't as good as when UC was still in the Big East. Seriously, I have a few XU buddies that argue this every year and there is no argument that can convince them otherwise. One even tries to argue that the new Big East is better than the original...LOL.

I have to imagine your friends aren't being genuine. Villanova is heads and shoulders the only nationally relevant program and they weren't even a top tier program in the old BE. If you look at the analytics I'd bet we would be the second best program I that conference over the last 5 years as far as average Kenpom, BPI, Sagarin. We never sniffed a regular season title in the old BE.

I actually think their model going forward is problematic. They've maintained their perception due to one program winning 2 titles in three years. They added programs due to recent runs of success that don't have sustained periods of relevance. What happens when Creighton and Butler aren't good and these Northeastern teams are traveling to the middle of nowhere to play Nebraska on a weeknight? If BE was a stock I'd sell like crazy, it's certainly at it's peak now.

(11-15-2018 03:07 AM)crex043 Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 10:15 PM)BigDawg Wrote:  Maybe we can replace Mick with Jay Wright who needs to be fired after #8 Villanova was down to Michigan at home 44-17 at half and then Lost 73-46. :)

True, if Villanova fans are anything like our Bearcat fans, they're probably arranging Wright's buyout as we speak.

I'm sympathetic to a lot of argument regarding the negativity directed at mick. This one is pretty insane. Had mick won 2 national championships in 3 years I'm pretty sure the fans would let an early season blowout loss go.

(11-15-2018 11:53 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 03:07 AM)crex043 Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 10:15 PM)BigDawg Wrote:  Maybe we can replace Mick with Jay Wright who needs to be fired after #8 Villanova was down to Michigan at home 44-17 at half and then Lost 73-46. :)

True, if Villanova fans are anything like our Bearcat fans, they're probably arranging Wright's buyout as we speak.

I'm sympathetic to a lot of argument regarding the negativity directed at mick. This one is pretty insane. Had mick won 2 national championships in 3 years I'm pretty sure the fans would let an early season blowout loss go.

No way. We would be getting this....has Mick peaked...does Mick still care...Is the run over.

Most fan forums are full of crazy negativity.

(11-15-2018 11:08 AM)RealDeal Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 08:52 AM)BigDawg Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 08:22 AM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  Big East off to a shaky start.

Providence lost to a down Wichita.
Xavier lost at home to Wisconsin.
Seton Hall got killed by Nebraska.
Villanova got killed by Michigan at home.
Ranked Marquette got blown out by Indiana.

Not bad losses by any stretch, but the lack of competitiveness could be a little telling.

Even if a down year, I will still have to argue with delusional XU fans that this version of the Big East isn't as good as when UC was still in the Big East. Seriously, I have a few XU buddies that argue this every year and there is no argument that can convince them otherwise. One even tries to argue that the new Big East is better than the original...LOL.

I have to imagine your friends aren't being genuine. Villanova is heads and shoulders the only nationally relevant program and they weren't even a top tier program in the old BE. If you look at the analytics I'd bet we would be the second best program I that conference over the last 5 years as far as average Kenpom, BPI, Sagarin. We never sniffed a regular season title in the old BE.

I actually think their model going forward is problematic. They've maintained their perception due to one program winning 2 titles in three years. They added programs due to recent runs of success that don't have sustained periods of relevance. What happens when Creighton and Butler aren't good and these Northeastern teams are traveling to the middle of nowhere to play Nebraska on a weeknight? If BE was a stock I'd sell like crazy, it's certainly at it's peak now.

Actually i would look too add Cincinnati and UConn. Maybe even Memphis, Temple, or Wichita State. Go big again and east/west.

(11-15-2018 12:13 PM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 11:53 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 03:07 AM)crex043 Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 10:15 PM)BigDawg Wrote:  Maybe we can replace Mick with Jay Wright who needs to be fired after #8 Villanova was down to Michigan at home 44-17 at half and then Lost 73-46. :)

True, if Villanova fans are anything like our Bearcat fans, they're probably arranging Wright's buyout as we speak.

I'm sympathetic to a lot of argument regarding the negativity directed at mick. This one is pretty insane. Had mick won 2 national championships in 3 years I'm pretty sure the fans would let an early season blowout loss go.

No way. We would be getting this....has Mick peaked...does Mick still care...Is the run over.

Most fan forums are full of crazy negativity.

Oh come on. That is objectively absurd. It would never happen in an early season game coming of two National Championships in 3 years.

(11-15-2018 01:06 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 12:13 PM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 11:53 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 03:07 AM)crex043 Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 10:15 PM)BigDawg Wrote:  Maybe we can replace Mick with Jay Wright who needs to be fired after #8 Villanova was down to Michigan at home 44-17 at half and then Lost 73-46. :)

True, if Villanova fans are anything like our Bearcat fans, they're probably arranging Wright's buyout as we speak.

I'm sympathetic to a lot of argument regarding the negativity directed at mick. This one is pretty insane. Had mick won 2 national championships in 3 years I'm pretty sure the fans would let an early season blowout loss go.

No way. We would be getting this....has Mick peaked...does Mick still care...Is the run over.

Most fan forums are full of crazy negativity.

Oh come on. That is objectively absurd. It would never happen in an early season game coming of two National Championships in 3 years.

You're correct. And Wright is bullet proof for a long time now. But Nova fans were down on him 4 or 5 years ago, before he'd won a title, but not THAT long after he'd taken them to a Final 4.

I will note that UC fans ran Ed Jucker out of here for blowing that third straight title and having a couple bad seasons.

(11-15-2018 01:06 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 12:13 PM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 11:53 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 03:07 AM)crex043 Wrote:  

(11-14-2018 10:15 PM)BigDawg Wrote:  Maybe we can replace Mick with Jay Wright who needs to be fired after #8 Villanova was down to Michigan at home 44-17 at half and then Lost 73-46. :)

True, if Villanova fans are anything like our Bearcat fans, they're probably arranging Wright's buyout as we speak.

I'm sympathetic to a lot of argument regarding the negativity directed at mick. This one is pretty insane. Had mick won 2 national championships in 3 years I'm pretty sure the fans would let an early season blowout loss go.

No way. We would be getting this....has Mick peaked...does Mick still care...Is the run over.

Most fan forums are full of crazy negativity.

Oh come on. That is objectively absurd. It would never happen in an early season game coming of two National Championships in 3 years.

Agreed. I call it working capital. Jay Wright has accumulated a whole lot with those titles and can justifiably withstand some adversity. Mick? Not so much after last year's final game and this year's first one and advancing past the first weekend just one time in his career here.

Danny Hurley is a problem

(11-15-2018 07:50 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  Danny Hurley is a problem

He was a home run hire. Going to be great there.

Ohio State up 12 at Creighton at halftime. Maybe the Buckeyes are better than people thought.

Holtman is a hell of a coach.

(11-15-2018 07:52 PM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 07:50 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  Danny Hurley is a problem

He was a home run hire. Going to be great there.

Weird, I thought it took 5 years to turn a program around.

Channel surfed over to UCONN and #15 Syracuse last night and I didn't regret it. Hurley was a great hire. With many of the same players Ollie had, he's turned that team around, much as Holtmann did last year at OSU. To me, it demonstrates the critical importance of coaching in college basketball.

UCONN had a great offensive game plan. They made crisp, quick passes around the perimeter and then immediately delivered the ball into the lane for a drive or pass out to an open shooter. It was fun watching an offense probe and attack before the shot clock was expiring.

Watching those two teams tangle brought back fond memories of the "real" Big East and some hope that UCONN will again help the American as the elite brand we used to love to hate. This conference desperately needs teams that can go out and beat ranked opponents. I'm guessing that's the first such victory for the American this season?

And the "new" Big East has looked decidedly mid-major in most of its games with the Big Ten.

(11-15-2018 10:29 PM)jarr Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 07:52 PM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 07:50 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  Danny Hurley is a problem

He was a home run hire. Going to be great there.

Weird, I thought it took 5 years to turn a program around.

The one thing Ollie could do is recruit. He did have talent in place. Ollie just had no clue how to use them. UConn still will probably be a little inconsistent with all the changes, but it looks like he might get them back to form sooner than expected. Good for the conference and hopefully that will mean our rivalry game is back.

(11-16-2018 08:43 AM)BigDawg Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 10:29 PM)jarr Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 07:52 PM)BcatMatt13 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 07:50 PM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  Danny Hurley is a problem

He was a home run hire. Going to be great there.

Weird, I thought it took 5 years to turn a program around.

The one thing Ollie could do is recruit. He did have talent in place. Ollie just had no clue how to use them. UConn still will probably be a little inconsistent with all the changes, but it looks like he might get them back to form sooner than expected. Good for the conference and hopefully that will mean our rivalry game is back.

And UConn was set for a good year even if they kept Ollie. They lost one player who averaged more then 10 minutes per game and got healthy. Keeping basically your whole team together for multiple years generally leads to big improvement (which is also why I expect UC to be very good next year). It's a little early to judge Hurley honestly, wait until he has to recruit his own players.

This is not even close to comperable to the program Cronin took over when he started at UC.

Dan Hurley, as I've said from the beginning, will very likely make UConn into a perennial contender once more.

(11-15-2018 01:47 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 01:06 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 12:13 PM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 11:53 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 03:07 AM)crex043 Wrote:  True, if Villanova fans are anything like our Bearcat fans, they're probably arranging Wright's buyout as we speak.

I'm sympathetic to a lot of argument regarding the negativity directed at mick. This one is pretty insane. Had mick won 2 national championships in 3 years I'm pretty sure the fans would let an early season blowout loss go.

No way. We would be getting this....has Mick peaked...does Mick still care...Is the run over.

Most fan forums are full of crazy negativity.

Oh come on. That is objectively absurd. It would never happen in an early season game coming of two National Championships in 3 years.

Agreed. I call it working capital. Jay Wright has accumulated a whole lot with those titles and can justifiably withstand some adversity. Mick? Not so much after last year's final game and this year's first one and advancing past the first weekend just one time in his career here.

All of this. The Jay Wright / Mick comparisons are absolutely laughable. I can't believe anyone actually posted that.