Need your objective opinion

[Basket]

Would you consider L’ville one of WBB’s elite programs?

 

[bballnut90]

Would you consider L’ville one of WBB’s elite programs?

My own thought is no since they havent won a title or ever been considered a favorite to win one:

Elite to me means theres a good chance they could win a title in any given year: South Carolina, UCONN, Stanford, previously Baylor (under Kim), Notre Dame (under Muffett), Tennessee (under Pat), Duke (under Goestenkors)


Next tier are teams that could make a deep run and threaten to win it all but I've never felt they were likely to pull through: Louisville, Maryland, NC State, Rutgers in the late 2000s, Oklahoma in the 2000s.

And then you have programs that rode the success of a strong player or good class but usually aren't a Final Four threat: Oregon, Oregon State, Arizona, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan

Up and coming: Texas, Notre Dame under Ivey, potentially LSU/OU.

So all that being said, I'd consider SC, Stanford and UCONN as Elite programs, Louisville in the next tier. A few years ago I wouldve included Mississippi State, Notre Dame and Baylor too prior to coaching changes.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Would you consider L’ville one of WBB’s elite programs?

Easily. Walz is one of the top 7 coaches in WCBB. Geno, Tara, Kim, Dawn, Vic and Wes are the other 6. .

 

[sweetspot]

Easily. Walz is one of the top 7 coaches in WCBB. Geno, Tara, Kim, Dawn, Vic and Wes are the other 6. .

Moore's had one of the best stretches of any coach in the country, but 1 Elite Eight in 9 years at an ACC school shouldn't get you elite status.

 

[LETTERL]

Moore's had one of the best stretches of any coach in the country, but 1 Elite Eight in 9 years at an ACC school shouldn't get you elite status.

The cupboard was pretty bare at NC State when he arrived; Kellie Harper did a poor job recruiting before she was fired. What Wes Moore has been able to do re-establishing NC State as a relevant program has been impressive.

 

[cancontent]

Easily. Walz is one of the top 7 coaches in WCBB. Geno, Tara, Kim, Dawn, Vic and Wes are the other 6. .

Great list. Curious as to where you would put Frese? Top 10 or 15???

 

[Two for Two]

Would you consider L’ville one of WBB’s elite programs?

I think they have 7 Elite Eight appearances in the last 15 years and 4 final fours. That is consistently good. I say yes. They may not have the top players or a teams that strikes fear in ones heart....but they consistently win and perform as a top 6-10 program year after year.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I think this kinda ties to the thread about blue bloods. To me there is a class that is elite, that is one step below the absolute cream of the crop. Louisville definitely is elite to my eye. Walz has 4 Final 4s, 2 Runner ups, and 3 Elite 8 appearances during his tenure there. That's better than an overwhelming majority of coaches across the country.

 

[PoppaBear]

Though he doesn't have the wins or championship pedigrees of the above mentioned coaches/programs, Iowa State and Bill Fenelly deserves mention.

In terms of attendence alone Iowa State and Fenelly has achieved cult-like status. And his talent has been nowhere near that of the above mentioned programs.

I guess it depends on your definition of elite also

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Great list. Curious as to where you would put Frese? Top 10 or 15???

I had her 8th over Graves at Oregon. Original I Graves ahead but I have no idea what is going on at Oregon. Could it be he was just good with Ionescu?

 

[LwrcasefaN]

This one is easy. Yes. All four teams in the Final 4 are elite...and 3 of them will walk away with no title. Waltz has no title, but he's only one behind many others with just one. IMO...he should be in the running for COY.

 

[billybud]

Louisville has been consisitent of late...in last 13 tournaments has made the Sweet 16 or better 11 times....(three Elite Eights, one Final Four and two Runner Ups.

If the definition of elite demands a title...they come up short.

 

[JellyBean]

That is a legit question. I would not consider Louisville an Elite program. To me, the Elite programs in WBB, are: UConn, Tennessee, and Stanford. Heck. I would even put Baylor among the Elites.

 

[Jmsdawg]

Would you consider L’ville one of WBB’s elite programs?

Yes

 

[cancontent]

I had her 8th over Graves at Oregon. Original I Graves ahead but I have no idea what is going on at Oregon. Could it be he was just good with Ionescu?

That wouldn't explain his years at Gonzaga and Vandersloot. Granted, it didn't get him to Final Four, but he did develop her and she's an unbelievable player.

I'm just as perplexed as most BYers as to what has happened the past few years. However, I don't think his success is solely tied to Ionescu.

 

[Two for Two]

Would you consider L’ville one of WBB’s elite programs?

For all those that say no...objectively name a circumstance in which you consistently ( over the last 15 years) rank in the 97th percentile of all your peers (wins and tourney success) and not be seen as Elite. You can win one Natty with a super team...but that does not make you an elite program.

 

[huskeynut]

Whether it be blue bloods or elites, you have set the criteria. Until that is established, you can't have a reasonable discussion.

So what's the criteria? What say ye Boneyarders.

 

[pk1234]

Would you consider L’ville one of WBB’s elite programs?

Absolutely. 7 elite 8s, 4 final 4s in the last 13 years. Walz still needs that title though.

 

[Hist-teacher]

Yes. Walz is an elite coach as is his program.

 

[UcMiami]

Currently elite teams:
Uconn
Stanford
South Carolina
Baylor*
ND*
Louisville
Maryland
* = recent coaching change - may or not continue to retain elite status
There are a few other teams that have made a final four in the last decade, but haven't been able to sustain as star players have exited or coaches have left. The ones above have sustained through complete roster turnovers.

TN hasn't made an E8 game in five years and is 12 years removed from a FF - they have an incredible history, but haven't made noise in over a decade.

 

[jonson]

That wouldn't explain his years at Gonzaga and Vandersloot. Granted, it didn't get him to Final Four, but he did develop her and she's an unbelievable player.

I'm just as perplexed as most BYers as to what has happened the past few years. However, I don't think his success is solely tied to Ionescu.

Not an objective opinion (if there is such a thing), and I certainly wouldn't claim "elite" status for either the program or coach, but I do think "few" needs a little refinement, since in last year's COVID season Oregon did make the Sweet Sixteen. So, in a program that had never made a Sweet Sixteen previously and had been virtually destroyed by its previous coach (really the previous two coaches), Oregon made, in order, an Elite 8, an Elite 8, a Final 4, was one of the 2 favorites to win it all before the tourney was cancelled, a Sweet 16, and, I agree, yuk. And, as pointed out, that doesn't include building a really good Gonzaga program from the ground up as well. If next year isn't a step forward from this one, then, yes, I think fans have something to worry about. But not quite yet imo.

 

[ScottCT]

I just don't think you can be called an elite program without a championship.

 

[billybud]

I just don't think you can be called an elite program without a championship.

What I say about Gonzaga...

 

[visitingcock]

I just don't think you can be called an elite program without a championship.

UConn hasn't had a championship lately, but they remain in the elite because of their final four runs. Are they a has-been elite? No. Championships aren't the only factor.

 

[azfan]

That is a legit question. I would not consider Louisville an Elite program. To me, the Elite programs in WBB, are: UConn, Tennessee, and Stanford. Heck. I would even put Baylor among the Elites.

If Tennessee is elite, is Louisville? Over past 10 years which program has had greater success?