So thankful to be back in the Big East

[Zissou]

IS Nova a Blue Blood? Best in league, sure, but Blue Blood?

It's always a discussion, but UConn with 4 NCAA titles is in my book. Kansas and Nova with 3 each make the cut.

 

[CL82]

It's always a discussion, but UConn with 4 NCAA titles is in my book. Kansas and Nova with 3 each make the cut.

It really all comes down to how you define it. So how do you define it?

 

[Zissou]

It really all comes down to how you define it. So how do you define it?

I think there is some overall achievement required and some recency bias (what have you done for me lately?).

There are 6 Blue Bloods in the Modern Era. Only UNC, Duke, UConn, Ville, Kentucky, & Nova have won 3 or more titles in this era.

Indiana, Kansas, and UCLA are historical blue bloods but have paled in the modern era with less than 3 titles. Florida and Michigan State are also Pale Blue.

There are 4 other programs with 2 titles, but not considered Blue: NC State, Cincy, OK State, and San Francisco.

The “Honorable Mention” list is at least 1 title and 4 final fours: Michigan, Arkansas, Cuse, Georgetown, Arizona, UNLV, Ohio State, and Wisconsin.

It’s all up for debate, of course.

 

[CL82]

I think there is some overall achievement required and some recency bias (what have you done for me lately?).
View attachment 65190
There are 6 Blue Bloods in the Modern Era. Only UNC, Duke, UConn, Ville, Kentucky, & Nova have won 3 or more titles in this era.
View attachment 65192

Indiana, Kansas, and UCLA are historical blue bloods but have paled in the modern era with less than 3 titles. Florida and Michigan State are also Pale Blue.

There are 4 other programs with 2 titles, but not considered Blue: NC State, Cincy, OK State, and San Francisco.

The “Honorable Mention” list is at least 1 title and 4 final fours: Michigan, Arkansas, Cuse, Georgetown, Arizona, UNLV, Ohio State, and Wisconsin.

It’s all up for debate, of course.

Got it. For a lot of people I think the term blue bloods is driven by the opposite of recency bias. They value old championships more than new championships. The term is so subjective, that I’ve stopped caring about it one way or the other at least as it pertains to its application to UConn. Interesting topic though. Thanks for the detailed reply.

 

[crazyUCfan23]

View attachment 65182
14 games within the division (double RR) + 8 games across divisions (single RR) = 22 conference games

Kansas, UConn, and Nova... 3 blue bloods in the same conference.

I like this idea. However, I think keeping conference play at 20 would better as it allows for a few more non-conference opportunities and on par with other conferences. That being said, you could play each team in your division twice, then 6 crossover games. Like in football, have some "rivalry" games locked in each year and then rotate through the other teams.

 

[Zissou]

Got it. For a lot of people I think the term blue bloods is driven by the opposite of recency bias. They value old championships more than new championships. The term is so subjective, that I’ve stopped caring about it one way or the other at least as it pertains to its application to UConn. Interesting topic though. Thanks for the detailed reply.

I agree with you, some would by definition leave out “new money”.

It is interesting, though, that often those people will leave out UConn but not Duke. Even though UConn’s first title is with JC and Duke’s is with K, both in the 90s, somehow Duke is definitely a Blue Blood (and UConn’s not). Sure, Duke had earlier final fours (as did Nova).

Also, Mich State and Arizona will often be called Blue Bloods.

It’s certainly subjective. Considering the actual Championships and Final Fours is a little more authentic than just the feels of tradition.

 

[Greedo]

View attachment 65182
14 games within the division (double RR) + 8 games across divisions (single RR) = 22 conference games

Kansas, UConn, and Nova... 3 blue bloods in the same conference.

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but is this assuming the Big 12 breaks up? I do often wonder what will happen to those programs if Texas and Oklahoma leave. Because of football it might be more likely that they merge with the best of the AAC to rebuild the Big 12.

 

[BlueDogs]

Honestly I feel a little bad for Cincy as well.

They don’t care. Their football program is in a really nice place with even more talent coming in. They will be a consistent top 20 for a while. I’m sure their sights are set on getting to a Big12 membership and they know Basketball doesn’t drive the bus. So don’t cry too much for them.

 

[Zissou]

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but is this assuming the Big 12 breaks up? I do often wonder what will happen to those programs if Texas and Oklahoma leave. Because of football it might be more likely that they merge with the best of the AAC to rebuild the Big 12.

Yes...

"Although this is improbable...

If the B12 transformed with UT and OK going PAC, I like the scenario of Kansas, Kansas State, and Iowa State coming to the Big East. Then you add Cincy and Temple (over Memphis IMO).

The result is a 16 Team conference with 2 geographic divisions.

Adding Kansas would be worth the format change. Adding just Cincy (and Memphis or Temple), not, IMO."

 

[Zissou]

Kansas would be the prize, of course, for the basketball-first Big East. Creighton is already in the same region. Kansas State and Iowa State could come along to secure that region with close partners and rivals.

UT and OK anchor the Big12. The Big East should be talking to Kansas now about contingency options should UT and OK initiate conference change, and they should include Fox in the discussions. For Kansas to consider they would need a good Basketball pay-out from a renewed Big East basketball contract, plus a football TV contract as an Indy or in a TV scheduling Alliance with KS State, Iowa State, UConn, Temple, Cincy, etc. Or, even a bigger stretch, Nova and Butler (or Georgetown) move up from 1AA and the Big East sponsors football with 8 full members.

Although sponsoring football is even more improbable, a way to address it is to have 2 separate TV contracts. Keep an arms length between those finances. Basketball would renew it's own TV contract with all of the members and look to have $5M+ per team per year. Football, on its own merits, does it's own TV contract and finds its own value just for football. Avoid the argument that football holds all of the value and basketball is worthless, and have 2 separate contracts.

 

[Martin]

I actually watch the other games in our conference again.

Gtown and X last night!

 

[Ratso]

uconn @ msg tho. the young big east fans are gonna learn quick

i went back in 91? there was a mardi gras street band playing up 7th ave. it was electric, and we didn’t win anything yet

 

[Jaker]

YUP just being back at the Garden will be sweet!

 

[the Q]

I’m thankful for fox buying that old NBA on NBC theme and it gets played when UConn is on tv.