Most comparable program to UCONN

[Scottzer]

We've seen a lot of evolution in college hoops, especially in recent years as we've seen Duke adopt Cal's recruiting strategy. I started to ask myself which other program is most similar to UConn.
I might be way off, but my thought is Michigan State. It's not a perfect match - it can't be. But, which other program does more with less? And they've been consistent under Izzo, while JC's era has had a few more all or nothing seasons.

 

[Matrim55]

We've seen a lot of evolution in college hoops, especially in recent years as we've seen Duke adopt Cal's recruiting strategy. I started to ask myself which other program is most similar to UConn.
I might be way off, but my thought is Michigan State. It's not a perfect match - it can't be. But, which other program does more with less? And they've been consistent under Izzo, while JC's era has had a few more all or nothing seasons.

Over the last 25 years (and especially the last 15) the best comp for us is probably UNC. Multiple titles, multiple barren years, a bunch of good pros put into the league but not quite the same number as UK, Duke, Kansas or Michigan State.

In the grand scheme of things -- going from a regional school to something genuinely special on a national level -- the only comp is Arizona. Obviously they lack our titles, while we lack the luster of their conference affiliation.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

We're our own breed.

 

[CTGoonie]

There's no other program that commands an entire state's fandom. Arizona has ASU, Mich. St. has Michigan. There really is no viable comparison to any other program.

 

[CTGoonie]

There's no other program that commands an entire state's fandom. Arizona has ASU, Mich. St. has Michigan. There really is no viable comparison to any other program.

 

[CTGoonie]

There's no other program that commands an entire state's fandom. Arizona has ASU, Mich. St. has Michigan. There really is no viable comparison to any other program.

 

[mauconnfan]

There's no other program that commands an entire state's fandom. Arizona has ASU, Mich. St. has Michigan. There really is no viable comparison to any other program.

I agree with this one but the first 2 above it not at all.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I agree with this one but the first 2 above it not at all.

I agree with second, but neither 1 nor 3.

 

[KemBuckets21]

We've seen a lot of evolution in college hoops, especially in recent years as we've seen Duke adopt Cal's recruiting strategy. I started to ask myself which other program is most similar to UConn.
I might be way off, but my thought is Michigan State. It's not a perfect match - it can't be. But, which other program does more with less? And they've been consistent under Izzo, while JC's era has had a few more all or nothing seasons.

Msu was my first thought. But I think matrims thinking makes more sense. Hard to compare our post season (lack of) consistency with msu

 

[HooperScooper]

There's no other program that commands an entire state's fandom. Arizona has ASU, Mich. St. has Michigan.

Indiana?

 

[Sky ball]

Storrs is the College Basketball Capital of the World. No one compares.

 

[CTGoonie]

Indiana?

Butler, ND, Purdue....

Sorry about the multiple posts.

 

[EastCoast2]

Arkansas, Louisiana, Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska

There's no other program that commands an entire state's fandom. Arizona has ASU, Mich. St. has Michigan. There really is no viable comparison to any other program.

 

[SubbaBub]

It's Kansas.

 

[intlzncster]

Over the last 25 years (and especially the last 15) the best comp for us is probably UNC. Multiple titles, multiple barren years, a bunch of good pros put into the league but not quite the same number as UK, Duke, Kansas or Michigan State.

In the grand scheme of things -- going from a regional school to something genuinely special on a national level -- the only comp is Arizona. Obviously they lack our titles, while we lack the luster of their conference affiliation.

And, quite frankly, they beat us on coeds and pool parties. AZ vying for the top spot in the nation there.

 

[champs99and04]

Florida under Donovan is the best comp in my view.

 

[Tenspro2002]

When I read the title my first thought was Michigan State.

Especially lately, we haven't been a great regular season program, but still carry a (deserved) reputation for getting it done in March. MSU is the same way -- a lot more Final Fours than they should have based on seeding -- and neither of us get the regular national recognition we deserve.

A decade ago I would have said UNC, with their regular cycles of development to dominance. With our next few recruiting classes we could get back to this level of consistency.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Arkansas, Louisiana, Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska

Arkansas maybe, but Louisiana has Tech and Tulane, Illinois has DePaul and ND (yes, I know ND is in Indiana, but they're definitely #1 in Chicago), Maryland has Georgetown, etc. There isn't even a non-football school of any note in CT to compare with UConn.

 

[4in16]

Arkansas maybe, but Louisiana has Tech and Tulane, Illinois has DePaul and ND (yes, I know ND is in Indiana, but they're definitely #1 in Chicago), Maryland has Georgetown, etc. There isn't even a non-football school of any note in CT to compare with UConn.

Wisconsin has Marquette, just adding to your list here.

 

[gtcam]

As far as basketball is concerned - UFla (during Donovan's years) is probably the closest
Fandom - maybe Cuse - Arkansas is a stretch (all 150 people who live there?) Cuse has the state of NY but there are pockets of other schools, just like in CT

 

[EastCoast2]

Arkansas maybe, but Louisiana has Tech and Tulane, Illinois has DePaul and ND (yes, I know ND is in Indiana, but they're definitely #1 in Chicago), Maryland has Georgetown, etc. There isn't even a non-football school of any note in CT to compare with UConn.

Louisiana Tech and Tulane are to LSU as CCSU is to UConn. Same with Depaul to Illinois.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Louisiana Tech and Tulane are to LSU as CCSU is to UConn. Same with Depaul to Illinois.

Good lord

 

[FartMan69]

Louisville minus The Clap

 

[storrsroars]

This has zip to do with programs, but thought I'd share it.

On the baseball forum I participate in, things were getting spicy between Cubs and Bucs fans tonight. Bucs were getting killed, so some posters brought up Steelers 6 v Bears 1. Which escalated into all the championships across all sports until they determined the championship tally was Chicago 18, Pittsburgh 14.

At which point I chimed in with, "So UConn has more championships in just basketball than Pittsburgh has in all sports?"

I got recs from Chicago.