(07-06-2019 01:33 PM)WhoseHouse? Wrote: (07-06-2019 01:24 PM)scoscox Wrote: Besides UConn, Houston's two wins last year constitute the only other trip the anyone in the American has taken to the sweet sixteen while in the conference. That's not good enough to call yourself a power conference. When, UConn leaves, they'll be even more hard pressed to make that claim. You need UC, Houston, and Memphis to all really raise their level.
The conference does need to perform better in the postseason (in multiple sports) but I think the basketball is still trending up (even with UConn leaving). Memphis, UH, Cincy, Temple, and Wichita make a nice core and the other programs have shown signs of improvement. If it isn't a power conference then its the next best thing.
This is perfectly put, WhoseHouse. Without UConn, the American will have five hoops programs that most fair and knowledgeable observers of college basketball would could label "power programs" in a general sense (not at the level of UNC, Duke, UK, etc., obviously, but still with strong histories, fan bases, tourney success, ability to pay top salaries, etc.) or, at the least, high-major: Cincy, Houston, Memphis, Temple and Wichita. It also has two hoops programs that rank in most of the "All-Time Top 100 College Basketball Programs" lists that I've read over the years: SMU and Tulsa. So that's seven of 11 that are within the major to high-major to power scale. If the American was willing to add a non-football program (and assuming it would join) — VCU is another major to high-major program. So that leaves this: UCF (putting major resources into its program and has a strong coach); USF (see UCF); Tulane (has enjoyed some good season over the years but ...); ECU (I'll be polite and write nothing).
I have followed the Metro, Great Midwest, Conference USA and, now, the American for many years and feel the AAC is on very sound footing in basketball. The loss of UConn is a huge blow, no doubt. But the AAC can remain respected and competitive.
As WhoseHouse notes: "If the AAC isn't a power conference — then its the next best thing."
One more thing: The term "power" is very subjective. Some define it strictly based on resources. Thus, any college hoops program in the Power 5 is a "power program" even if it has historically been horrid. Others define the term based on results. Still others define it based on a combo of results and resources.
I will never forgot the chat I had in the early 1990s when I was doing some freelance sports reporting (in this case, regarding The Great Midwest Conference) and had just interviewed then-Marquette coach Kevin O'Neill. Somebody (a bombastic fellow, as I recall) contended Marquette was a "mid-major" program because it played in a "lower-level" conference. I politely corrected him using a bevy of statistics, comparisons, examples and the beauty of the then-Warriors insane uniforms of the 1970s to prove Marquette was a power program. And he walked away with a new mindset.
I write this because some folks on this board sometimes put a bit too much stock in a program's league affiliation, thus occasionally losing some perspective. It's always helpful to look at the big picture and to do so wanting to evolve and learn.
Now on that note, I shall prepare for a night of listening to music, drinking craft beer and watching aerial videos of U.S. cities via youtube.