UConn talk on McGraw's bench

[cohenzone]

My dislike for ND goes all the way back to the 1970's, and has absolutely nothing to do with their women's basketball program. I disliked the arrogance of their football team (players & coaches). Pre and post game media interviews, body language and antics on the sidelines of televised games, and various newspaper articles etc. Even today, I relish the day when the Irish are bested on the grid iron.

Totally agree. They live off the football reputation that is 50 years ago. The Big East and now the ACC do them a huge favor and by taking them in without their precious football, which means they really have no added value. Like it or not, the world that follows female hoops is not big enough to add value to a league. Personally, I hope UConn never plays football against ND again. I think we are the only program they've played that they haven't beaten.

 

[HuskyNan]

My dislike for ND goes all the way back to the 1970's, and has absolutely nothing to do with their women's basketball program. I disliked the arrogance of their football team (players & coaches). Pre and post game media interviews, body language and antics on the sidelines of televised games, and various newspaper articles etc. Even today, I relish the day when the Irish are bested on the grid iron.

You must have enjoyed the Charlie Weis years which included a loss to UConn in South Bend

 

[Orangutan]

The Big East and now the ACC do them a huge favor and by taking them in without their precious football, which means they really have no added value. Like it or not, the world that follows female hoops is not big enough to add value to a league.

ND plays 5 ACC teams a year in football. So the ACC is getting value from ND's football program.

Besides that, ND's men's basketball team is decent. Currently ranked #25 in coaches' poll and functionally #26 in the AP poll (highest vote total among "receiving votes" teams).

 

[Waquoit]

I don't believe ND has beaten UConn since Muffet wore that leather skirt.

 

[cohenzone]

ND plays 5 ACC teams a year in football. So the ACC is getting value from ND's football program.

Besides that, ND's men's basketball team is decent. Currently ranked #25 in coaches' poll and functionally #26 in the AP poll (highest vote total among "receiving votes" teams).

Believe me, no other ND sport has meaningful value without football. which is not a put down of those programs, it's a fact, and the football value is overblown in modern history. I can make an argument that had ND been an all sport member of the BE, conference realignment would either be different or not existent. Deserved status or not, you think BC and Miami and VTech would have left a football league with ND in it? That ACC raid was the first domino. ND gets all the value. They get to park their other teams in a high level league and essentially keep all of their football fruits for themselves.

 

[Orangutan]

Believe me, no other ND sport has meaningful value without football.

I don't know how you figure that a perennial top-25 men's basketball team that made the Elite Eight in 2015 and 2016 has no meaningful value, but whatever you say.

 

[cohenzone]

I don't know how you figure that a perennial top-25 men's basketball team that made the Elite Eight in 2015 and 2016 has no meaningful value, but whatever you say.

You don't understand. The ACC has Duke and UNC. Other teams in that league provide depth enough to make that league a perpetual giant if an ND never existed. If basketball meant anything, UConn would have been in a high level established league, especially since at the time the most recent realignments happened, it's football was at a peak. No university in the country can match UConn's overall basketball history over the last 20 years. ND basketball is decent, but not a world beater.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

ND is what makes it clear that UConn is such a giant. ND is a very good program. But UConn they are not. ND has that one NC almost 2 decades ago, and that in a year when our 2 senior AAs were unavailable in the tournament and our youngsters couldn't hold on against them. Diggins did not bring ND to the mountaintop, even in years when they were able to beat us. Baylor has won more in that time. For all the maligning that Duke gets, ND isn't all that notable. They get every bit the coveted hs players UConn does. Does a rivalry exists only when the "rivals" are more or less even against each other, or regardless, like the Yankees and Red Sox? I guess that's a matter of opinion. But I do rather enjoy seeing ND lose, but not particularly seeing their players suffer injuries.

Sorry, but I have to completely disagree. @cohenzone , first of all, in discussing the rivalry, NO ONE said Notre Dame was "equal" to UConn. Saying "UConn they are not" is a misnomer, in that no one would say the two programs are equal because UConn stands alone in WBB (#UniversallyRecognizedFact).

But I am unclear how SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE is somehow a negative or tarnishes McGraw's accomplishments, especially in recent years.

Before Skylar Diggins arrived at Notre Dame, Muffet McGraw had two Final Four appearances and won the 2001 national title.

McGraw's last eight years (ending with the 2016-2017 season):

• 269 wins (33.625 wins per year) against 30 losses (3.75 losses per year)
• .8996655 winning percentage
• Five Final Four appearances
• Four National Runners-Up
• Six conference (two Big East, four ACC) regular season titles
• Five conference (one Big East, four ACC) tournament championships

McGraw's last six years (ending with the 2016-2017 season:

• 209 wins (34.833 wins per year) and 16 losses (2.667 losses per year) for a winning percentage of .9288889).

For comparison's sake, ONLY to show why McGraw's record the last six years is stellar, here is Geno Auriemma's record from the last six seasons (ending with 2016-2017):

• 220 wins (36.667 wins per year) and 11 losses (1.8333 losses per year), for a winning percentage of .95238.

In these six years (again, not including this year), the two schools played 13 game (with UConn winning 7 and Notre Dame wining 6). Of UConn's 11 losses in the last six years, 6 are from Notre Dame; only Baylor (twice) has more than one win against UConn during that time frame.

Now, should McGraw have won the title in 2011, instead of Texas A&M? Remember, to get to the championship game, Notre Dame ended the career of the great Maya Moore. In 2012, Notre Dame again defeated UConn in the Final Four, but lost to Brittney Griner, Odyssey Sims, and an undefeated Baylor team. And in 2014 and 2015, her teams lost to UConn with the Stewart/Jefferson/Tuck trifecta.

For her career, Muffet McGraw has 7 Final Four appearances, five appearances in the national title game, and one national title. At some point, we need to stop talking about number of titles and reward sustained excellence.

As I posted on December 5, 2017 and provided what I thought was an excellent comparison (#ShamelessSelfPromotion), the following analogy applies when discussing Muffet McGraw and Notre Dame (and also when examining McGraw's success as compared to Geno Auriemma and UConn):

• Serena Williams has 23 Grand Slam titles (7 Australian, 3 French, 7 Wimbledon, 6 US Open). She has made 29 GS finals and has won a staggering 79.3 percent of GS finals. Serena has reached the final four of GS tournaments 34 times and made 29 finals, meaning if she reaches the final four of a major, over 85 percent of the time she will also reach the final. Again, staggering.
  
• Venus Williams has 7 Grand Slam titles (5 Wimbledon, 2 US Open). She has made 16 Grand Slam finals and the final four of 23 major tournaments. Her record in GS finals is 7 wins and 9 losses; 7 of those losses were to Serena Williams.

Venus Williams is a Hall of Fame player. She is one of the all-time greatest female tennis players. With doubles and mixed doubles, she has as total of 23 major titles. She has been an elite player for 20 years and despite injuries, personal tragedies, and setbacks, she still continues to be an elite player and one of the all-time greats.

But Venus Williams is not Serena Williams. And she is not Serena Williams because no one else is. This is why Serena Williams is Serena Williams - the greatest player of all time.

Muffet McGraw, like Venus Williams, she has demonstrated sustained excellence over a consistent period of time (with some dips here and there), won at the highest level, made multiple Final Four and national title game appearances, and, to be blunt, the only coach in the last 8 years whose teams have provided consistent challenges to Geno Auriemma and the UConn juggernaut.

In other words, there is nothing wrong with being Venus Williams - an elite player, a Hall of Fame player, and one of the best in the history of the sport.

 

[cohenzone]

Sorry, but I have to completely disagree. @cohenzone , first of all, in discussing the rivalry, NO ONE said Notre Dame was "equal" to UConn. Saying "UConn they are not" is a misnomer, in that no one would say the two programs are equal because UConn stands alone in WBB (#UniversallyRecognizedFact).

But I am unclear how SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE is somehow a negative or tarnishes McGraw's accomplishments, especially in recent years.

Before Skylar Diggins arrived at Notre Dame, Muffet McGraw had two Final Four appearances and won the 2001 national title.

McGraw's last eight years (ending with the 2016-2017 season):

• 269 wins (33.625 wins per year) against 30 losses (3.75 losses per year)
• .8996655 winning percentage
• Five Final Four appearances
• Four National Runners-Up
• Six conference (two Big East, four ACC) regular season titles
• Five conference (one Big East, four ACC) tournament championships

McGraw's last six years (ending with the 2016-2017 season:

• 209 wins (34.833 wins per year) and 16 losses (2.667 losses per year) for a winning percentage of .9288889).

For comparison's sake, ONLY to show why McGraw's record the last six years is stellar, here is Geno Auriemma's record from the last six seasons (ending with 2016-2017):

• 220 wins (36.667 wins per year) and 11 losses (1.8333 losses per year), for a winning percentage of .95238.

In these six years (again, not including this year), the two schools played 13 game (with UConn winning 7 and Notre Dame wining 6). Of UConn's 11 losses in the last six years, 6 are from Notre Dame; only Baylor (twice) has more than one win against UConn during that time frame.

Now, should McGraw have won the title in 2011, instead of Texas A&M? Remember, to get to the championship game, Notre Dame ended the career of the great Maya Moore. In 2012, Notre Dame again defeated UConn in the Final Four, but lost to Brittney Griner, Odyssey Sims, and an undefeated Baylor team. And in 2014 and 2015, her teams lost to UConn with the Stewart/Jefferson/Tuck trifecta.

For her career, Muffet McGraw has 7 Final Four appearances, five appearances in the national title game, and one national title. At some point, we need to stop talking about number of titles and reward sustained excellence.

As I posted on December 5, 2017 and provided what I thought was an excellent comparison (#ShamelessSelfPromotion), the following analogy applies when discussing Muffet McGraw and Notre Dame (and also when examining McGraw's success as compared to Geno Auriemma and UConn):

• Serena Williams has 23 Grand Slam titles (7 Australian, 3 French, 7 Wimbledon, 6 US Open). She has made 29 GS finals and has won a staggering 79.3 percent of GS finals. Serena has reached the final four of GS tournaments 34 times and made 29 finals, meaning if she reaches the final four of a major, over 85 percent of the time she will also reach the final. Again, staggering.
  
• Venus Williams has 7 Grand Slam titles (5 Wimbledon, 2 US Open). She has made 16 Grand Slam finals and the final four of 23 major tournaments. Her record in GS finals is 7 wins and 9 losses; 7 of those losses were to Serena Williams.

Venus Williams is a Hall of Fame player. She is one of the all-time greatest female tennis players. With doubles and mixed doubles, she has as total of 23 major titles. She has been an elite player for 20 years and despite injuries, personal tragedies, and setbacks, she still continues to be an elite player and one of the all-time greats.

But Venus Williams is not Serena Williams. And she is not Serena Williams because no one else is. This is why Serena Williams is Serena Williams - the greatest player of all time.

Muffet McGraw, like Venus Williams, she has demonstrated sustained excellence over a consistent period of time (with some dips here and there), won at the highest level, made multiple Final Four and national title game appearances, and, to be blunt, the only coach in the last 8 years whose teams have provided consistent challenges to Geno Auriemma and the UConn juggernaut.

In other words, there is nothing wrong with being Venus Williams - an elite player, a Hall of Fame player, and one of the best in the history of the sport.

The issue was what makes a rivalry. Playing each other relatively evenly over a longer period or being among the better programs that meet regularly regardless of overall dominance by one or the other and play games where something is on the line. It isn't whether or not McGraw is a very good coach. The Yankees and Red Sox have had a great rivalry regardless of who was a big winner. ND had a few year stretch where they were able to beat UConn. That they are regarded so highly is deserved.

You made arguments for why despite being a very good coach, there are reasons why McGraw won it all but once, years ago. I could make the case that you demonstrated she has trouble getting her teams to the very top. That's 17 years we're talking. I suggest that Venus Williams is not regarded as a great for having been a perpetual runner up, she is remembered because she won championships.

 

[Orangutan]

You don't understand. The ACC has Duke and UNC. Other teams in that league provide depth enough to make that league a perpetual giant if an ND never existed. If basketball meant anything, UConn would have been in a high level established league, especially since at the time the most recent realignments happened, it's football was at a peak. No university in the country can match UConn's overall basketball history over the last 20 years. ND basketball is decent, but not a world beater.

Sure, the ACC was a strong basketball conference for decades without ND. But adding another school with a good team, a large fanbase, and access to a major media market (Chicago) can only help. Especially when you are trying to get something like the ACC Network off the ground.

 

[Gus Mahler]

My dislike for ND goes all the way back to the 1970's, and has absolutely nothing to do with their women's basketball program. I was put off by the arrogance of their football team (players & coaches). Pre and post game media interviews, body language and antics on the sidelines of televised games, and various newspaper articles etc. Even today, I relish the day when the Irish are bested on the grid iron.

Skylar Diggins was a standout lighting rod for the Irish during her time in South Bend. She led the charge for the Irish on game day. She played with no fear, and was extremely animated after wins over the Huskies, and drew my ire. I do respect her grit, resolve and refusal to kiss Geno's rings. In the late minutes of a game, and ND needed a basket, Diggins would step up with ice water in her veins. She rallied the troops.

I can't be too upset with her antics though, as they mirrored those of Diana Taurasi. A lot of WCBB fans dislike the Huskies today because they feel UConn wins too much (not good for WCBB), and the boorish behavior of Dee back in the day. As a rule, UConn players don't brag, boast or disrespect their opponents in the media or on the court, neither does Geno. We NEVER hear from his coaches pre or post game.

Good post. My dislike for both ND and TN also predates WCBB.

 

[Dillon77]

Believe me, no other ND sport has meaningful value without football. which is not a put down of those programs, it's a fact, and the football value is overblown in modern history. I can make an argument that had ND been an all sport member of the BE, conference realignment would either be different or not existent. Deserved status or not, you think BC and Miami and VTech would have left a football league with ND in it? That ACC raid was the first domino. ND gets all the value. They get to park their other teams in a high level league and essentially keep all of their football fruits for themselves.

Cohenzone: You've got a few discourses going on concurrently about Notre Dame and I just want to understand a comment or two here or there. Thanks for your explanation and/or indulgence.

- "Believe me, no other ND sport has meaningful value without football. which is not a put down of those programs, it's a fact." By "meaningful value without football," do you mean they wouldn't be: 1) in existence without football; 2) playing in a top-flight conference with out the prominence/money-making ability of the football program; 3) just don't matter.

- That ACC raid was the first domino. Is the underlying premise of these comments to say that football is the 1000-lb. guerilla in the NCAA D1 world and that the desertions in the Big East led to UConn hoops not being able to play in what could've been a more prominent conference?

Once again, sorry for the questions but my head is still suffering from whiplash from watching Durr's and Hines-Allen shots whish though the net, again and again.
Withe some clarification, maybe I can address them.

 

[Dillon77]

My dislike for ND goes all the way back to the 1970's, and has absolutely nothing to do with their women's basketball program. I was put off by the arrogance of their football team (players & coaches). Pre and post game media interviews, body language and antics on the sidelines of televised games, and various newspaper articles etc. Even today, I relish the day when the Irish are bested on the grid iron.


QUOTE="Gus Mahler, post: 2519118, member: 6072"]Good post. My dislike for both ND and TN also predates WCBB.

Scoop, Gus:

I'd be very interested in some specific memories or instances that you're referring to, particularly in reference to the 1970s. I was an undergrad at ND in the mid-1970s (yes, the dillon77 is year-related!) and was pretty familiar with the cast and characters at du lac during those times, particularly when Ara Parseghian was frequenting the football sidelines and a very young Digger Phelps was doing the same on the hardcourt.

Not that my goal is to challenge your memories or perceptions because your memories are,well, your memories, but I'm interested in how one person's shiny apple may be another's mashed banana.

Same question with you, Gus, if your're so inclined. If not, no worries.

Cheers.

 

[Dillon77]

Sure, the ACC was a strong basketball conference for decades without ND. But adding another school with a good team, a large fanbase, and access to a major media market (Chicago) can only help. Especially when you are trying to get something like the ACC Network off the ground.

Absolutely. And ND alums and fans (subway alums) do a very good job of putting fannies in seats at the traveling ACC Basketball Championships. I've spent more than a few nights at packed arenas in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

 

[Carnac]

Scoop, Gus:

I'd be very interested in some specific memories or instances that you're referring to, particularly in reference to the 1970s. I was an undergrad at ND in the mid-1970s (yes, the dillon77 is year-related!) and was pretty familiar with the cast and characters at du lac during those times, particularly when Ara was frequenting the sidelines.

Not that my goal is to challenge your memories or perceptions because your memories are your memories, but I'm interested in how one person's shiny apple may be another's mashed banana.

Same with you, Gus.

Cheers.

Disclaimer - My rant is of a personal nature, and does not reflect that of the Boneyard.
I can't give you chapter and verse specifically. The dynamics I referred to were over a period of years. A culmination of events if you will. There was no "back breaking straw(s)" involved here. While I don't wish any ill will for Muffit or her program (I have the utmost respect for what she's accomplished to this point), I did enjoy the game last night. Brianna Turner is one off my favorite non-UConn players in D1. I wanted her to come to Storrs. I was sickened when she went down.

Please be advised, that I do appreciate your presence (and the rest of your fellow ND brethren) and input here in the yard. Your input and opinions are respected. You guys share with us not only a perspective and insight into ND women's basketball that I/we don't have, but an "outsider's" perception/perspective of UConn's players and program that we don't have. Kinda like not being able to see the forest because of the trees. We're on the inside looking out. You're on the outside looking in. This dynamic will obviously cause different points of view.

I read your comments, and have learned some things/facts/information I did not know, which is one of the many reasons I come to the BY daily. Not only is it a source of news and information concerning all things WCBB, but also serves as a source of comic relief. There are some folks here with a keen sense of humor.

 

[Dillon77]

Disclaimer - My rant is of a personal nature, and does not reflect that of the Boneyard.
I can't give you chapter and verse specifically. The dynamics I referred to were over a period of years. A culmination of events if you will. There was no "back breaking straw(s)" involved here. While I don't wish any ill will for Muffit or her program (I have the utmost respect for what she's accomplished to this point), I did enjoy the game last night. Brianna Turner is one off my favorite non-UConn players in D1. I wanted her to come to Storrs. I was sickened when she went down.

Please be advised, that I do appreciate your presence (and the rest of your fellow ND brethren) and input here in the yard. Your input and opinions are respected. You guys share with us not only a perspective and insight into ND women's basketball that I/we don't have, but an "outsider's" perception/perspective of UConn's players and program that we don't have. Kinda like not being able to see the forest because of the trees. We're on the inside looking out. You're on the outside looking in. This dynamic will obviously cause different points of view.

I read your comments, and have learned some things/facts/information I did not know, which is one of the many reasons I come to the BY daily. Not only is it a source of news and information concerning all things WCBB, but also serves as a source of comic relief. There are some folks here with a keen sense of humor.

Thanks for the reply....appreciate it. I, too, was sickened when Brianna went down: she's not only one heck of basketball player, but has grown into a very perceptive and witty adult which you can see during her BreezyBri tweets.

Last night, I must admit that I was not so much missing her tweets but rather her quick feet and intimidating presence in the post when Hines-Allen decide to make the lane her personal play space.

Knock on wood, we'll all see Bri next year and thank the Dome this was only a regular-season game!

 

[Carnac]

Yes. Reading is fundamental.

So is proof reading comments BEFORE pressing "enter".

 

[facey76]

ND is what makes it clear that UConn is such a giant. ND is a very good program. But UConn they are not. ND has that one NC almost 2 decades ago, and that in a year when our 2 senior AAs were unavailable in the tournament and our youngsters couldn't hold on against them. Diggins did not bring ND to the mountaintop, even in years when they were able to beat us. Baylor has won more in that time. For all the maligning that Duke gets, ND isn't all that notable. They get every bit the coveted hs players UConn does. Does a rivalry exists only when the "rivals" are more or less even against each other, or regardless, like the Yankees and Red Sox? I guess that's a matter of opinion. But I do rather enjoy seeing ND lose, but not particularly seeing their players suffer injuries.

I see Notre Dame much as I imagine Yankee fans saw the Red Sox before 2004, a worthy rival who we might meet at season's end but no real threat to our dominance yet.
This will change some day, but until there are coaching changes.

 

[Carnac]

Thanks for the reply....appreciate it. I, too, was sickened when Brianna went down: she's not only one heck of basketball player, but has grown into a very perceptive and witty adult which you can see during her BreezyBri tweets.

Last night, I must admit that I was not so much missing her tweets but rather her quick feet and intimidating presence in the post when Hines-Allen decide to make the lane her personal play space.

Knock on wood, we'll all see Bri next year and thank the Dome this was only a regular-season game!

To be honest, I think this was an aberration. I commented in another post that I don't think we'll see ND get it's doors blown off like that again in our life time. That game was a "perfect storm" for Louisville.

With respect to Turner - I hope so. ND is a different team when she's on the floor. Nothing would please me more than for her to begin the season with a majestic triple-double. I look forward to her return, as well as UConn's next visit to South Bend.

 

[HoopsFan21]

Sure, the ACC was a strong basketball conference for decades without ND. But adding another school with a good team, a large fanbase, and access to a major media market (Chicago) can only help. Especially when you are trying to get something like the ACC Network off the ground.

Notre Dame is in the Chicago media market? I always thought ND was practically in Michigan.

 

[Orangutan]

Notre Dame is in the Chicago media market? I always thought ND was practically in Michigan.

ND *is* practically in Michigan. But Chicago's south side is only a 70 minute drive or so from the Michigan border itself.

For reference, from my door in Chicago to ND's arena, it's a 1 hour, 4o minute drive.

The three teams that get the bulk of the college sports coverage in the media are University of Illinois, Northwestern, and Notre Dame. Example:

 

[Gus Mahler]

Scoop, Gus:

I'd be very interested in some specific memories or instances that you're referring to, particularly in reference to the 1970s. I was an undergrad at ND in the mid-1970s (yes, the dillon77 is year-related!) and was pretty familiar with the cast and characters at du lac during those times, particularly when Ara Parseghian was frequenting the football sidelines and a very young Digger Phelps was doing the same on the hardcourt.

Not that my goal is to challenge your memories or perceptions because your memories are,well, your memories, but I'm interested in how one person's shiny apple may be another's mashed banana.

Same question with you, Gus, if your're so inclined. If not, no worries.

Cheers.

A quick answer is Digger Phelps. I thought he was one of the more detestable sports figures of his time. I thought Ara P. was a pretty classy guy. The coach in the early to mid-70s, whose name is on the edge of my brain but can't quite break through (Dan something?) I found unlikable. Can't really remember why. He was at Missouri before ND.

I'd rather not get into religious matters other than to say that's a factor for me. I was also extremely bothered that ND got its own private TV network, NBC, whenever that was. Didn't seem fair. I recognize that none of these things speak to the quality of the school per se. I realize it is one of the finest undergraduate institutions in America and that a degree from there is something to be proud of.

I echo Scoop by saying that you, @Orangutan , and @Fightin Choke enrich this board with your thoughtful and intelligent contributions. Wish you would all post more.

 

[Zanzman]

Dan devine

 

[my2cents]

As a Red Sox fan, its incumbent on me to "hate" the Yankees. But it would be stupid of me not to recognize and respect all the Yankees have accomplished. Joe Torre was the best" in game" ngr I have ever seen, and they are class organization. You have to respect them.
The ND/UCONN rivalry is great for the game and the games between them are the most fun to watch. Its too bad the "Old" Big East had to die.
There is no doubt the ND has been the second best team in WCBB the last 10 or so years...they deserve their due.
A few years back, I was walking through the parking lot of Norfolk VA airport and Muffet McGraw was walking in front of me...I didnt, but I wanted to ask her what a "Tuffet' was???

 

[Gus Mahler]

Dan devine

Thanks

 

[Gus Mahler]

@Dillon77 ,

As a quick follow-up: I take no joy at all from ND's injury situation. Turner's injury last spring was difficult to hear for all the obvious reasons, but also because of her previous shoulder problems. She's an outstanding talent who has been at her best only a fraction of the time she has been in school, if that.

And Lili Thompson's injury is devastating. For her, having sacrificed a year to have her career end like this, and for MM, who is not a machine but a person with hopes and feelings who must now try to find a way to carry on. I sincerely feel bad for her and the players involved.

 

[cohenzone]

Cohenzone: You've got a few discourses going on concurrently about Notre Dame and I just want to understand a comment or two here or there. Thanks for your explanation and/or indulgence.

- "Believe me, no other ND sport has meaningful value without football. which is not a put down of those programs, it's a fact." By "meaningful value without football," do you mean they wouldn't be: 1) in existence without football; 2) playing in a top-flight conference with out the prominence/money-making ability of the football program; 3) just don't matter.

- That ACC raid was the first domino. Is the underlying premise of these comments to say that football is the 1000-lb. guerilla in the NCAA D1 world and that the desertions in the Big East led to UConn hoops not being able to play in what could've been a more prominent conference?

Once again, sorry for the questions but my head is still suffering from whiplash from watching Durr's and Hines-Allen shots whish though the net, again and again.
Withe some clarification, maybe I can address them.

Football was gets them the recognition. Without football, ND is Butler from a big time sports viewpoint. And football is the unquestionable driving force in realignment. Hoops is no where n the discussion or else UConn would not be in its current situation.

 

[Huskie78]

One of the great endings to a game I have ever seen.
Fellow 'not ND fans' (that's nice coming from me) enjoy:

 

[Dillon77]

Football was gets them the recognition. Without football, ND is Butler from a big time sports viewpoint. And football is the unquestionable driving force in realignment. Hoops is no where in the discussion or else UConn would not be in its current situation.

Thanks. So if football is the driving force in most P5 realignments and ND -- whether it's a shadow of it's former self or getting double-digit wins like this year -- still has football and the name recognition, as you write.

But aren't so many institutions that have football in a similar situation following that logic? After all, basketball is thought to be the only other consistent revenue producer among collegiate sports. Or am I missing something about "big time sports viewpoint?"

 

[Dillon77]

One of the great endings to a game I have ever seen.
Fellow 'not ND fans' (that's nice coming from me) enjoy:

That was Glenn Foley at QB, right? That one stung more than a bit because I think the Irish had just beaten Florida State the week before.