Isaiah Briscoe (Committed to Kentucky)

[FfldCntyFan]

One final four in the early 1950's (when you were second fiddle in your own city to CCNY), one thirty years later and nothing in the subsequent thirty years does not qualify as great.

Go ahead and predict our imminent death. It's been done before and we've won national titles to prove them wrong.

Yes, the AAC is barely above mid-major but hell, the current incarnation of the Big East is basically the same, without a school that won anything since Reagan was president.

 

[7774]

Ok you guys need to understand something. NO ONE is saying St. John's is as good as UConn. Not in the past, not in the current. Not ever. So stop with the St. John's vs. UConn thing. I'm talking strictly about UConn. Only an idiot would actually say SJ can hold a candle to UConn hoops in terms of success. Not many teams can even argue they are more successful. I have no problem admitting the truth.

But now that I established that, you need to understand that UConn is not just UConn. There are two UConn's. UConn(A) is the old Big East version of UConn with a HOF coach in Calhoun and all of those championships come from this era or from something Calhoun touched. This was while you were in the best hoops conference on earth. Yes you won the first year in the AAC. But Calhoun still had his fingerprints on the team because he recruited them. You honestly don't think that helped at all? You really think Kevin Ollie is so amazing in his own right and owes nothing to Calhoun setting him up beautifully? Right now UConn is not UConn(A)…it's UConn(B). UConn(B) is the AAC UConn playing Tulane, ECU, Tulsa, Houston, SMU (irrelevant 99% of the time Brown is not there), etc. UConn(A) and UConn(B) are not the same. A was a legacy in the best conference ever with a HOF coach. B guarantees NOTHING. No one cares you won 4 championships in the future. My point is that none of the football conferences want UConn. You guys are betting against the odds by putting football first. There is a VERY good chance UConn ends up in the AAC and the UConn(A) era fades off. Then the recruiting slows, the conference affiliation starts to hurt, and Ollie has to do things on his own without Calhoun's fingerprints. Is there a chance UConn ends up in a football conference? Yes, albeit a small one. The football program there is absolutely atrocious and no one wants to touch it. You put football first and now you are already paying dearly for it getting the punishment called the AAC which you may be in for the next 20 years. If you don't think being in the AAC for a long time won't change the perception of UConn hoops eventually, then you are in denial.

So when I argue I am talking about UConn(B) aka the AAC UConn. Not the one with old Big East and Calhoun fingerprints (including the one from last year). UConn(A) was great but it's over. End of an era. Ollie got the keys to a Ferrari and now you think it's all his doing that you won a championship. There's a difference between turning a Civic into a Ferrari and inheriting a Ferrari. All I'm saying is that the future does not care about your 4 rings. The future looks bleak for UConn staying in the AAC. So have all the fun now celebrating your recent championships, because once the UConn(A) aura wears off (which it will), you may not see another for an entire lifetime if ever again. You are essentially the same as Patriots fans who think they will keep winning SB's when Tom Brady is gone. Once Brady is gone the Patriots turn human again. And once the old Big East/Calhoun influenced UConn era wears off, so will UConn hoops. UConn is now in a transition from best conference ever to a legitimate mid major conference. Yet you act like you are joining the ACC tomorrow. If UConn does not get that invite (and it's likely they won't), UConn will slowly fade into the abyss.

The Roman Empire fell, the Yankees dynasty is over, and UConn's dynasty can easily end too in the AAC. Part of the reason empires fall is due to a lack of foresight and the belief that you will always be on top no matter what. UConn is demonstrating that right now. You made a stupid decision to prioritize football and the empire may now collapse if you don't get the invite.

I find it interesting how much you overrate the Big East. Take a look at the Big East's accomplishments over the last 20 years. Then remove the accomplishments of UCONN and Louisville and look at what's left. The Big East of the last 2 decades was basically UCONN, Louisville, a bunch of garbage programs, and some decent programs that are the poster children for choking when it matters most.

I also find it interesting how much you overrate the inportance of what conference a team plays in. If Ollie gets people to the league on a consistent basis, we will continue to get recruits, because recruits care about that 1000x more than what teams they are playing in their conference. No one good would be going to Kentucky if playing in a good conference was important.

And as I mentioned before, you have no idea what level conference The American will be going forward.

 

[intlzncster]

So if a coach offers a player a scholarship some can't accept it? Help me do the research please. I can't find anything to support this. Enlighten me with your vast recruiting knowledge. Give me an example of this happening to a specific player.

Lot's of things can happen. But the school doesn't have to honor their offer even if a kid accepts. I think this isn't uncommon? Read point 26 here: 50 Critical Tips for Landing an NCAA Scholarship

26. Don’t bank on verbal offers:
One of the ugly sides of athletic recruiting is verbal offers and the fact that they are often rescinded. Know that nothing is official until you sign a letter of intent.​

Also, the school can keep recruiting another kid (eg Newman), stop talking to eg Briscoe and accept the other Newman as well. They can then make it known that Newman will get the minutes; Briscoe would then be hard pressed to stay with his 'commitment'.

 

[upstater]

I find it interesting how much you overrate the Big East. Take a look at the Big East's accomplishments over the last 20 years. Then remove the accomplishments of UCONN and Louisville and look at what's left. The Big East of the last 2 decades was basically UCONN, Louisville, a bunch of garbage programs, and some decent programs that are the poster children for choking when it matters most.

I also find it interesting how much you overrate the inportance of what conference a team plays in. If Ollie gets people to the league on a consistent basis, we will continue to get recruits, because recruits care about that 1000x more than what teams they are playing in their conference. No one good would be going to Kentucky if playing in a good conference was important.

Is he sure that Xavier isn't looking to return to the A10? Seemed like a better conference last year. St. Je's was certainly more formidable than Villanova.

 

[Johnny]

The difference between the Big East and AAC is this: Many more tournament appearances for the Big East. AAC lost Louisville which no one factors in the conversation. They are an automatic championship contender. Gone. So take one NCAA berth away, they won't be there to help. All that's left is UConn, Cincy, and Memphis as the real threats. Temple was awful, SMU is only good because of Brown and he's only there briefly, Tulane is Tulane, Tulsa is Tulsa, ECU is ECU, Houston is Houston, etc. The Big East has numerous threats. Villanova, Georgetown, Marquette, St. John's Seton Hall, PC, Creighton, Xavier, etc. All of these teams compete at a high level, have great recruiting, and can be ranked any given year. Tulsa, Tulane, ECU, UCF, Houston are not those kinds of teams to easily become ranked every once in a while. The recruiting is a HUGE difference. The Big East is #2 out of all conferences beating out BCS conferences in terms of recruiting. What is the AAC? 5th? 6th? All of our schools play basketball at a high level and have history. They can all take turns being good in mini cycles and get ranked. AAC schools can't do that beyond a few.

The Big East is Ralph Lauren. Familiar name brand. Known for quality. The AAC is the store brand clothing.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

You lost all credibility when you claimed St John's, Seton Hall and PC were legitimate threats.

 

[intlzncster]

How is it in the abyss?

Apparently the view is obscured.

 

[UCweCONN]

While we have four titles in 15 years, St. John's does have the coach with the hottest wife, so there's that.....

 

[Johnny]

You lost all credibility when you claimed St John's, Seton Hall and PC were legitimate threats.

How is a program that has beaten something like 9 ranked top 25 teams in the past few years, been ranked in the top 15, and constantly churns out top 10 recruiting classes not perceived as a threat? We have a 5 star PG and a possible Big East POY PG in Harrison. And the best shot blocker in America who kills Thabeet's blocking stats. SJ may have not made or won a tournament game in a while, but it's a team that can beat anyone any given day. SJ has knocked off UConn, Duke, Cincy (twice), Nova, Pitt, Creighton (when #12 with Doug), Notre Dame in the past few years and had very close calls with top 5 teams Wisconsin, Villanova, Duke, and Syracuse recently. So our mid level Big East SJ team can hang with top 10 teams and even beat them at times. How is that not a threat? Can your mid level teams in the AAC do that?

PC just won the Big East tournament. They had an Elite 8 run in 1997. They have a top 25 recruiting class and knocked off #1 Pitt a few years back. They also gave UNC everything they could handle in the tournament last year. How are they not a threat?

Seton Hall went to the Sweet 16 in 2000. They were just recently ranked in the late 00's. They have the #8 recruiting class in the nation including 5 star PG Whitehead. They beat Villanova in the BET. How is this team not considered a threat?

My point was that even our mid tier and lower tier teams can beat anyone any given day and go on runs. The AAC mid and low tier teams cannot do that.

 

[Gurleyman]

Houston WAS great, St. John's WAS great, UCLA WAS great. There are lots of teams who had their dynasties and some even won championships..

And some didn't.

 

[Scot-e]

WOW. Sounds like we are missing out. Check back in again when there is a single school as good as SMU will be this year in the NBE this season.

Nova was way over rated last year and half the teams you listed have been on the "verge" of breaking out for the last 20 years. Your conference is a shell of what it used to be - there is no way you will continue to compete on the highest levels for the best players.

That said the AAC is no better off then you are- in fact I would agree that we have a uphill road to have the stability the NBE has 1-5. 1-3 - I would put Memphis, SMU and UCONN against any three teams from the NBE.

I am not even sure what your point is- we all know we are in a dudie of a conference. Fortunately we are UCONN and we will continue to get great kids to come here- we have one of the hottest coaches in the country and 25% of all championships int he last 15 years. We will be fine. Worry about your coach actually being able to coach a game for a full 40 minutes vs pull in talent.

WE ARE DOOMED!!!

 

[FfldCntyFan]

How is a program that has beaten something like 9 ranked top 25 teams in the past few years, been ranked in the top 15, and constantly churns out top 10 recruiting classes not perceived as a threat?

Win a game or two in the NCAA tournament and then you can talk about being a threat.

 

[Gurleyman]

...a program that has beaten something like 9 ranked top 25 teams in the past few years.

I remember when we did that.

Oh, you wrote "years"? My bad, I thought you wrote "weeks"

 

[UCweCONN]

"This team was ranked 5 years ago, we beat a good team 3 years ago". Wow, talk about searching for validation!

 

[Gurleyman]

"This team was ranked 5 years ago, we beat a good team 3 years ago". Wow, talk about searching for validation!

That 1997 Elite Eight has me convinced. Most current recruits identify with things that happened the year they were born.

 

[CGarr]

Houston WAS great, St. John's WAS great, UCLA WAS great. There are lots of teams who had their dynasties and some even won championships. UConn is not the only basketball team to claim those. Far from it. Success today does not guarantee tomorrow. What does 4 rings in the Big East era mean 20 years down the road in the AAC? Nothing. It will be "Oh, hey remember that UConn dynasty back in the day? They were really good". And that's it. Winning today does not buy you a ticket to future NCAA tourneys and does not gain you any LOI's from future top 10 recruits. It earns you props in an argument about the past. If UConn fans are being honest, the logical thing to do would be to feel thankful for the Big East era success but very nervous for the future if you don't get your invite. So I'm not falling for the false bravado. I think I simply struck a chord down a road no UConn fan wants to think about heading down.

The Yankees were the most dominant professional American sports franchise for the better part of the past 20 years. Their core is old, graying, and retired. They have now missed the playoffs two straight years. The future is very uncertain. My point is, do you think Yankees fans could see it coming in 1999? No. They would respond the same way you UConn fans did. You suck man! Your team sucks! We will always be amazing ra ra! Yankees fans said it would never end. Then it did. UCLA fans said it would never end. Then it did. Miami football fans said it would never end. Then it did. My point: be humble because you are not in a position of power. You are on the outside looking in at the football studs. The Big East does not want to sit at the football stud table so we are irrelevant in this discussion. The Big East is dedicated to hoops and does just fine in that niche. UConn is the school that wants so much more. The Big East has a foundation of concrete. The foundation of the AAC is shaky at best. It's a mix of low majors, mid majors, and former majors. It plays football but sucks. The former majors want out. They are just begging for that invite. But no one promised it would come. Maybe Cincy, ECU, UCF, and Memphis get plucked but UConn is left behind. Who knows? That's the point. The future of UConn basketball is very much in doubt. No more super conference, no more HOF coach, no more MSG, no more stability. It's all or nothing. Go to the ACC/B1G and UConn will easily continue their greatness. But if the F5 conferences still don't want you then the AAC is your new home for a longgggg time and that will undoubtably make UConn basketball a "was" program instead of an "is" program. I'm not talking next year I'm talking the next 10-15 years.

Houston was great? or did they just have a couple good years when they had one of the single greatest basketball players to ever live. St John's was great? or did they just have "the great white hype." UCLA is great. They will always be great. They may not be churning out championships but they are extremely relevant.

I never said UCONN will ever win another title. The odds are definitely not in our favor. In many ways is a complete crapshoot. I just said we'll always be relevant. Just like UCLA is.

Start paying attention to these NCAA lawsuits. Things will be drastically different in a couple years. AAC sucks. Big East sucks. Soon it maybe one gigantic set of schools broken up by region. Splitting the $ between themselves and cutting the NCAA completely out. You know who will he invited in that large group? The schools with football (even crappy football).

 

[Johnny]

"This team was ranked 5 years ago, we beat a good team 3 years ago". Wow, talk about searching for validation!

No one's comparing it to UConn. That's comparing to the AAC's mid and lower tier schools. It's not even close. The Big East has name brands who are familiar and have actually grabbed headlines for their feats. The AAC is a few good schools (UConn, Memphis, Cincy) and a school that usually sucks but is good for a few years then will suck again when Brown leaves (SMU). After that the drop is off a cliff. The top of our conferences are comparable for now, but the mid and lower tiers are not even close. Our 7 or 8 teams could be your 4 or 5 teams.

 

[Johnny]

Houston was great? or did they just have a couple good years when they had one of the single greatest basketball players to ever live. St John's was great? or did they just have "the great white hype." UCLA is great. They will always be great. They may not be churning out championships but they are extremely relevant.

I never said UCONN will ever win another title. The odds are definitely not in our favor. In many ways is a complete crapshoot. I just said we'll always be relevant. Just like UCLA is.

Start paying attention to these NCAA lawsuits. Things will be drastically different in a couple years. AAC sucks. Big East sucks. Soon it maybe one gigantic set of school broken up by region. Splitting the $ between themselves and cutting the NCAA completely out. You know who will he invited in that large group? The schools with football (even crappy football).

Actually if the F5 wanted UConn they would have taken you already. And Cincy is before you. They have good basketball AND decent football. You only offer basketball. Hell, UCF and ECU are more attractive to them than UConn because they have solid football. The point is that it's very likely that UConn DOESN'T get the invite. And if so, then what?

 

[PAHusky]

How is a program that has beaten something like 9 ranked top 25 teams in the past few years, been ranked in the top 15, and constantly churns out top 10 recruiting classes not perceived as a threat? We have a 5 star PG and a possible Big East POY PG in Harrison. And the best shot blocker in America who kills Thabeet's blocking stats. SJ may have not made or won a tournament game in a while, but it's a team that can beat anyone any given day. SJ has knocked off UConn, Duke, Cincy (twice), Nova, Pitt, Creighton (when #12 with Doug), Notre Dame in the past few years and had very close calls with top 5 teams Wisconsin, Villanova, Duke, and Syracuse recently. So our mid level Big East SJ team can hang with top 10 teams and even beat them at times. How is that not a threat? Can your mid level teams in the AAC do that?

PC just won the Big East tournament. They had an Elite 8 run in 1997. They have a top 25 recruiting class and knocked off #1 Pitt a few years back. They also gave UNC everything they could handle in the tournament last year. How are they not a threat?

Seton Hall went to the Sweet 16 in 2000. They were just recently ranked in the late 00's. They have the #8 recruiting class in the nation including 5 star PG Whitehead. They beat Villanova in the BET. How is this team not considered a threat?

My point was that even our mid tier and lower tier teams can beat anyone any given day and go on runs. The AAC mid and low tier teams cannot do that.

1. Listing recruiting stars to prove a team is good immediately forfeits any credibility you had
2. Listing regular season wins is inane - regular season wins are great to brag about for a week or two, trophies matter.
3. The Big East has Nova and Gtown, and Gtown has been down recently. The rest of your the BE teams are perpetual minnows who have an above average season once or twice every decade - like PC (referencing an Elite 8 run from almost two decades ago? Really?)
4. Stop. Just stop. UConn could play in the Northeastern New England League for the Deaf and Blind and still win championships. Head over the Cuse board if you want to attempt to write out our obituary. If you get Briscoe, great, congratulations, hope he has a great career. If not, stick to your board and enjoy your new conference while we do our thing

 

[FfldCntyFan]

If we don't get an invite we dominate the AAC and make decent runs in the tournament most years. You will still be bragging about a stray overhyped recruit you landed and a December win over a quality opponent yet will make one out of every four tournaments and be a one and done when you do make it.

 

[CGarr]

Lot's of things can happen. But the school doesn't have to honor their offer even if a kid accepts. I think this isn't uncommon? Read point 26 here: 50 Critical Tips for Landing an NCAA Scholarship

26. Don’t bank on verbal offers:
One of the ugly sides of athletic recruiting is verbal offers and the fact that they are often rescinded. Know that nothing is official until you sign a letter of intent.​

Also, the school can keep recruiting another kid (eg Newman), stop talking to eg Briscoe and accept the other Newman as well. They can then make it known that Newman will get the minutes; Briscoe would then be hard pressed to stay with his 'commitment'.

I agree with all this. No doubt. Still different than saying "Isaiah you can't commit to this scholarship until I know what Malik is doing."

Also coaches that renege on scholarships offers gain a horrible reputation. Does not help with future recruiting.

 

[Gurleyman]

No one's comparing it to UConn. That's comparing to the AAC's mid and lower tier schools. It's not even close. The Big East has name brands who are familiar and have actually grabbed headlines for their feats. The AAC is a few good schools (UConn, Memphis, Cincy) and a school that usually sucks but is good for a few years then will suck again when Brown leaves (SMU). After that the drop is off a cliff. The top of our conferences are comparable for now, but the mid and lower tiers are not even close. Our 7 or 8 teams could be your 4 or 5 teams.

When you've won four titles, the middle or bottom tiers of your league aren't really your concern. It's like caring about who gets the big bed in your servant's quarters.

I mean, remember that time when the Big East was called the greatest conference ever and earned 11 bids, and then collectively crapped themselves in the NCAAs in an almost conference-wide epic fail? We don't.

 

[alexd]

Actually if the F5 wanted UConn they would have taken you already. And Cincy is before you. They have good basketball AND decent football. You only offer basketball. Hell, UCF and ECU are more attractive to them than UConn because they have solid football. The point is that it's very likely that UConn DOESN'T get the invite. And if so, then what?

You just proved how little you understand realignment.
So tell us...based on your comments above, what exactly did Rutgers win in order to get a B1G invite? They already have as many titles in the B1G as they ever had in the BE.
Maybe it was something else that got them into the B1G??? Hmmmmm???

 

[ConnZag3]

Pretty sure Tulsa has been more relevant in the NCAA tournament in this millennium than any combination of SJU, Seton Hall, or PC. 1 appearance every decade does not make you relevant.

And Temple had 1 down year last year. They were consistently one of the best teams in the A10 and were a couple shots away from beating a #1 seed in Indiana a couple years back...

Any team can show up for a game or 2 and knock off a top 10 team in the regular season. Winning consistently and winning in March is what really matters.

 

[intlzncster]

PC just won the Big East tournament. They had an Elite 8 run in 1997. They have a top 25 recruiting class and knocked off #1 Pitt a few years back. They also gave UNC everything they could handle in the tournament last year. How are they not a threat?

That was 17 years ago, before many recruits were even born.

Seton Hall went to the Sweet 16 in 2000. They were just recently ranked in the late 00's. They have the #8 recruiting class in the nation including 5 star PG Whitehead. They beat Villanova in the BET. How is this team not considered a threat?

That was 14 years ago, before many recruits were potty trained.

 

[tzznandrew]

The difference between the Big East and AAC is this: Many more tournament appearances for the Big East. AAC lost Louisville which no one factors in the conversation. They are an automatic championship contender. Gone. So take one NCAA berth away, they won't be there to help. All that's left is UConn, Cincy, and Memphis as the real threats. Temple was awful, SMU is only good because of Brown and he's only there briefly, Tulane is Tulane, Tulsa is Tulsa, ECU is ECU, Houston is Houston, etc. The Big East has numerous threats. Villanova, Georgetown, Marquette, St. John's Seton Hall, PC, Creighton, Xavier, etc. All of these teams compete at a high level, have great recruiting, and can be ranked any given year. Tulsa, Tulane, ECU, UCF, Houston are not those kinds of teams to easily become ranked every once in a while. The recruiting is a HUGE difference. The Big East is #2 out of all conferences beating out BCS conferences in terms of recruiting. What is the AAC? 5th? 6th? All of our schools play basketball at a high level and have history. They can all take turns being good in mini cycles and get ranked. AAC schools can't do that beyond a few.

The Big East is Ralph Lauren. Familiar name brand. Known for quality. The AAC is the store brand clothing.

Why is Temple treated like garbage but Seton Hall, St. John's, Providence are treated like legitimate threats. Temple was terrible last year, yes. That is an anomaly. They were in the tournament from 2008-2013 before that. That's a longer run than any current streak by New (New) Big East school. They'll be fine.

Also, Houston is Houston is a strange expression. I mean, they seem at least as well positioned as St. John's. Their last Final Four was in the 80s, and they hired a name coach who can get them back to respectability. And, 2010 was their last appearance in the NCAAs.

Also, Tulsa...umm, they have a more recent E8 than any Big East School aside from Butler, Georgetown, Marquette, and Villanova. I they were a tournament team last year.

ECU, Tulane, USF, and UCF are terrible. UConn, Memphis, Cincy, Temple are not. SMU, Houston, Tulsa are trying and are actually much more relevant than you are pretending.

 

[tzznandrew]

You just proved how little you understand realignment.
So tell us...based on your comments above, what exactly did Rutgers win in order to get a B1G invite? They already have as many titles in the B1G as they ever had in the BE.
Maybe it was something else that got them into the B1G??? Hmmmmm???

Also, couldn't the same thing ("If x wanted you they'd have you already") be said about every single move until the day it happened? Louisville is instructive. Nobody wanted them. And then they did.

 

[UConn3432]

Every time I read a specific recruit thread I pray that recruit never reads it, until now. Thanks Johnny.

 

[David 76]

1: Like saying the Mets own New York
2: Implying UK doesn't/won't have guards
3: Please look at UConn's schedule and see how many of our games are on ESPN/2. We know that you're on FS1; congratulations lmao
4: It is the CBB capital though
5: "he somehow gets those top recruits to come. That's all that matters." Yeah, screw winning, player development, getting them in the league. You're basically saying your guy is Diet Cal.
6: "people still think UConn is a football school" Never did, never will. You're just making up now and should be embarrassed.

I like Diet Cal!

 

[alexd]

Diet Cal.