UConn rivals old and new: Big East feels more complete to Jay Wright, builder of Villanova’s championships

[Zissou]

UConn definitely did not “make” the Big East. It’s the other way around. The Big East made UConn.
Before Calhoun UConn was in a lower tier of the conference. Georgetown, St Johns, Nova and Cuse were top tier.

Calhoun was able to exploit the conference membership in building his program. For 15+ years Calhoun had the most successful program in the conference.

All of this conference history is desirable. Georgetown and Patrick gaining national attention. Nova winning it with 3 Big East teams in the final four. Prov, Seton Hall, and Cuse final fours. The Calhoun championships. Nova dominating the last 5 years. Now having UConn back.

UConn has a great History, and now has a good new coach and is back in conference. You rejoin as a respected member, but you have something to prove. Most don’t expect UConn to finish in the Top 3 this year. You’ll have to earn back bragging rights.

The Big East helped make UConn. Maybe the Big East can help revive UConn.

 

[Ratso]

jay wright put in the work and will probably be a HOF coach

 

[CallMeBruce]

Nova was never top dog in the conference year to year until lately after all these schools left. UConn was that .

What is your point

 

[tzznandrew]

jay wright put in the work and will probably be a HOF coach

He just became eligible. There aren't many coaches who have one national championship that aren't in the Hall of Fame.

He has two, an additional Final Four, and lots of other success. He's an easy inductee given the current standards.

 

[Chin Diesel]

jay wright put in the work and will probably be a HOF coach

Yeah, probably. A few more good years should put him over the top.

 

[Ratso]

a little too much respect for nova. living here in philly, they’re still the big cats

uconn has to be ruthless in the BE, and hurley is perfect for the job ; )
does anybody remember boat stealing the ball end of game caron style last home BE game against nova? or am i thinking of something else?

 

[Ts5034]

jay wright put in the work and will probably be a HOF coach

He will definitely get in the HOF. Jay Wright is a really good coach and seems like a genuinely nice guy. He should get a lot of respect from UConn fans as he was probably one of UConn's biggest supporters to rejoining the Big East of the coaches currently in the conference. I do not "boo" Jay Wright when I go to UConn-Villanova games. Sometimes there's certain players/coaches from rival teams that just do things the right way, and It makes it really hard to dislike them. Jay Wright is one of those guys.

 

[ccsuphanner]

Can't hate on Jay Wright, he's a classy guy. It's just that their fans make me want to launch my Subaru off the Mixmaster.

 

[upstater]

UConn definitely did not “make” the Big East. It’s the other way around. The Big East made UConn.
Before Calhoun UConn was in a lower tier of the conference. Georgetown, St Johns, Nova and Cuse were top tier.

You're going to explain this to UConn fans? Really?

Why not go back and look at the record to see where UConn was in the first 4 years of the BE? They had a winning record until 1983.

Is it that hard?

Yes, for another 4 years they sank to the bottom before Calhoun arrived in 1987.

But go back and look at the actual record, they had as many good years as bad years, and one could easily argue that the 1979 class of Corny Thompson, Mike McKay, and Chuck Aleksinas was better than any class UConn had until 2002.

 

[UConnStats]

These two will be fighting for Justice Williams over the next year as the rivalry develops. Should be fun.

 

[Zissou]

You're going to explain this to UConn fans? Really?

Why not go back and look at the record to see where UConn was in the first 4 years of the BE? They had a winning record until 1983.

Is it that hard?

Yes, for another 4 years they sank to the bottom before Calhoun arrived in 1987.

But go back and look at the actual record, they had as many good years as bad years, and one could easily argue that the 1979 class of Corny Thompson, Mike McKay, and Chuck Aleksinas was better than any class UConn had until 2002.

“A winning record” the first 4 years of the Big East is fine, but UConn wasn’t the top tier of the conference until JC. His 3 championships are a bit higher profile than UConn’s 1983 winning record.

 

[Hoophound]

UConn definitely did not “make” the Big East. It’s the other way around. The Big East made UConn.
Before Calhoun UConn was in a lower tier of the conference. Georgetown, St Johns, Nova and Cuse were top tier.

Calhoun was able to exploit the conference membership in building his program. For 15+ years Calhoun had the most successful program in the conference.

All of this conference history is desirable. Georgetown and Patrick gaining national attention. Nova winning it with 3 Big East teams in the final four. Prov, Seton Hall, and Cuse final fours. The Calhoun championships. Nova dominating the last 5 years. Now having UConn back.

UConn has a great History, and now has a good new coach and is back in conference. You rejoin as a respected member, but you have something to prove. Most don’t expect UConn to finish in the Top 3 this year. You’ll have to earn back bragging rights.

The Big East helped make UConn. Maybe the Big East can help revive UConn.

It was 20+ years of domination. The Big East surely helped UConn arrive, but for a time, UConn was carryIng the Big East on its back. When you consider Calhoun made noise in the BE in the late 80’s and then ran it from 90’ to 2011, I’d say UConn has done more for the conference than any other school. Yes, we sucked at first, but that was actually only 79’-87’, then we started getting it done. Even in those first 8 years, we won some big games. We had Corny Thompson and Early Kelley during those years.

 

[upstater]

“A winning record” the first 4 years of the Big East is fine, but UConn wasn’t the top tier of the conference until JC. His 3 championships are a bit higher profile than UConn’s 1983 winning record.

They did just fine when they entered the BE for first few years, didn't have a losing record. They weren't bottom of the barrel, as you put it. They fell into a trough the next few years prior to Calhoun.

 

[Viet Vet]

OK, I have a great deal of respect for Villanova. I played against them at Penn. They have been a tremendously valuable addition (I stress "addition") to the Big East. But before anyone goes nuts over their Big East pedigree, remember...………………………...they were NOT one of the seven original members.

 

[Zissou]

They did just fine when they entered the BE for first few years, didn't have a losing record. They weren't bottom of the barrel, as you put it. They fell into a trough the next few years prior to Calhoun.

I did not say UConn sucked. I did not say UConn was the bottom of the barrel. I do disagree that UConn made the Big East. It’s the other way around. The Big East was the platform on which JC built his program. In the early years of the Big East Georgetown, St Johns, Nova, and Cuse were the top tier. UConn got there, but not until about 10 years into the conference history.

look it up!

 

[Zissou]

OK, I have a great deal of respect for Villanova. I played against them at Penn. They have been a tremendously valuable addition (I stress "addition") to the Big East. But before anyone goes nuts over their Big East pedigree, remember...………………………...they were NOT one of the seven original members.

Correct, 8th member a year later. The original 4 were Prov, St Johns, Georgetown, and Cuse. They invited the others to form the conference. Nova sat on the fence for a year.

 

[Dabutlerdidit]

and now UConn wants to be like Nova of the 10's.

well, maybe the mid to late 10s, but we’ll keep the early 10s

 

[Zissou]

... In the early years of the Big East Georgetown, St Johns, Nova, and Cuse were the top tier. UConn got there, but not until about 10 years into the conference history.

look it up!

Wiki:

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Georgetown, Villanova, St. John's, and Syracuse were the primary powers in the conference. UConn became a power in 1990 with a # 1 seed and a trip to the Elite 8 before being defeated by Duke. Georgetown was led by John Thompson Jr., who was named three times as the conference Coach of the Year.[64] They won five regular season conference championships and six Big East Tournaments to go with their 1984 national title.[65]Villanova was coached by Rollie Massimino, who led them to the 1985 NCAA Championship in a historic 66–64 win over No. 1 ranked Georgetown where forward Ed Pinckney was named the Most Outstanding Player. In their first 11 seasons in the Big East, Villanova made 9 trips to the NCAA Tournament including advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight in 1982, 1983 and 1988 as well as their 1985 Championship season. Massimino coached for 19 seasons at Villanova, compiling a record of 357–241 (.596). In the NCAA Tournament, Massimino had an incredible 20–10 record (.667). St. John's was led by Lou Carnesecca, who won the National Coach of the Year honor in 1983 and 1985. He led the Redmen (now the Red Storm) to the 1985 Final Four, and made a post-season appearance in each of his 24 years at the helm. Syracuse has been led by alumnus Jim Boeheim since the 1977 season. He was named conference Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1991. During this period, the Orangemen won five regular season conference championships, three Big East Tournaments, and were invited to the NCAA Tournament every year but two (1981 and 1982), losing the 1987 National Final to Indiana. Syracuse eventually won its first national title in 2003, led by coach Boeheim and freshman Carmelo Anthony.

 

[Viet Vet]

Correct, 8th member a year later. The original 4 were Prov, St Johns, Georgetown, and Cuse. They invited the others to form the conference. Nova sat on the fence for a year.

The original SEVEN were BC, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John 's, Syracuse. BC, Seton Hall and UConn would battle it out in the early years to avoid finishing last. After Villanova and Pitt joined, UConn would struggle (the Perno "we just couldn't stick the J" years) to avoid the dreaded 8 vs 9 game to qualify for the Big East Tourney quarterfinals.

 

[Zissou]

The original SEVEN were BC, UConn, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John 's, Syracuse. BC, Seton Hall and UConn would battle it out in the early years to avoid finishing last. After Villanova and Pitt joined, UConn would struggle (the Perno "we just couldn't stick the J" years) to avoid the dreaded 8 vs 9 game to qualify for the Big East Tourney quarterfinals.

The original Big East Conference was founded in 1979, when Providence College basketball coach Dave Gavitt spearheaded an effort to assemble an east coast basketball-centric collegiate athletic conference.[14] The core of the Big East formed when Providence, St. John's, Georgetown, and Syracuse invited Seton Hall, Connecticut (UConn), Holy Cross, Rutgers, and Boston College (BC). Holy Cross turned down the invitation, as did Rutgers initially, while BC, Seton Hall, and UConn accepted.[15][16][17] Gavitt became the Big East's first commissioner, and Villanova and Pittsburgh joined the conference shortly thereafter.

 

[TRest]

The original Big East Conference was founded in 1979, when Providence College basketball coach Dave Gavitt spearheaded an effort to assemble an east coast basketball-centric collegiate athletic conference.[14] The core of the Big East formed when Providence, St. John's, Georgetown, and Syracuse invited Seton Hall, Connecticut (UConn), Holy Cross, Rutgers, and Boston College (BC). Holy Cross turned down the invitation, as did Rutgers initially, while BC, Seton Hall, and UConn accepted.[15][16][17] Gavitt became the Big East's first commissioner, and Villanova and Pittsburgh joined the conference shortly thereafter.

Pretty soon we are going to be calling the 85 championship the fluke that it was.

 

[jcp33]

Jay Wright is locked into the HOF IMO, pretty much every college coach with more than 1 National Championship has gotten in. Just a matter of when for him. I hope us and Nova can battle at the top of the BE for years to come.

 

[Ratso]

so the midwest took advantage off the brand

seton hall, providence, st. john’s and gtown not as much

 

[Chin Diesel]

Pretty soon we are going to be calling the 85 championship the fluke that it was.

2014 team says shush yo mouff.
Plenty of teams have won a one he championship they never win Ina best of 3, 5, 7.
But they had that one shining moment when it counted. 'Nova in '85 against Gtown was the better team that night. No fluke. And I was rooting as hard for Gtown against Nova as I was for Houston against Gtown the year before.

 

[Fishy]

The reason I do that is so it's easier for someone to scan the board quickly and see the title and then they know they don't need to post the same article again in another thread. If I just wrote, for example, "Villanova article" in the title someone might miss that the article has already been posted. Unless you don't mind multiple threads of the same posted article. Isn't that more of a space waster?

There is a middle ground that doesn‘t involve thread titles requiring three lines on a mobile browser.

 

[upstater]

I did not say UConn sucked. I did not say UConn was the bottom of the barrel. I do disagree that UConn made the Big East. It’s the other way around. The Big East was the platform on which JC built his program. In the early years of the Big East Georgetown, St Johns, Nova, and Cuse were the top tier. UConn got there, but not until about 10 years into the conference history.

look it up!

I was there. I don't need to loo it up. You're capturing a 4 year period when UConn sucked. Prior to that and forever long after they were good. And indeed, a short window of 4 years doesn't mean a thing in the context of several decades expanse. The conference was represented by UConn for over 20 years, and not much of anything else.

 

[goskis2018]

Well, technically, UConn wanted to be like the Nova of the 80's, then Nova wanted to be like the UConn of the 90's and 00's and now UConn wants to be like Nova of the 10's.

I think my memory is still good enough to say Rollie would have rarely traded rosters with Perno in the 80's.

I'm not sure I'm willing to just hand the 10's to Nova. Sure, over the last 5 or so years they have been head and shoulders above us, they were an elite program while we couldn't make the tournament. Ultimately, we still won as many national championships as they have in the decade, so to me the decade is a draw.

 

[David 76]

My niece is an Assistant Athletic Director at Nova. Jay Wright is the real deal.

 

[PRHusky]

The question I often ask is whether Nova would have won it all in 2016 and 2018 if they still shared a conference with UConn (and Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, etc.) during those years. I think the answer is no. But credit to them; they took full advantage of the conference breakup to build championship rosters. Let’s see what happens now with another big boy in town.

 

[RichZ]

You keep dying on the "BE teams didn't flourish til UConn left" hill and that's a really bad take. Even passionate UConn fans are aware other BE teams had significant national success before Calhoun. Oddly enough, UConn not being successful in the BE actually led UConn to make a coaching change.

Do you not know anything about the 1980's?

That was when the BE started on national TV and flourished. There was G'towns three Final Fours in four years. Hoya Paranoia?
There was the 3 BE teams in the same FF.
There was 'Nova winning a national championship.

All that happened before UConn even won the NIT.

The BE didn't need UConn to flourish for the conference to flourish.

Now, did UConn have a longer and stronger string of success than any other BE program? Absolutely.
Did UConn carry the BE banner when several other marquee program floundered? Absolutely.
Does UConn have the chance to reclaim that status? Absolutely.

UConn and Georgetown have each won 7 BE Tourneys. 6 of GTown's 7 came in the first decade of the league's existence. Since UConn's first BE Tourney title, GTown has won it only once.
Nova and NosepickerU have won it 5 times each. 'Cuse's last stab at basketball relevance was the '05/'06 era, when they won back to back BETs. Nova on the other hand, won the real BET only once, in '95. They have dominated the BELite however, winning 4 of 5 (and losing the championship game in '16 by 2 points).
In semi-related news, the Louisville Interlopers won the BET once. Or three times, if you count the years in which their record was vacated by the NCAA.