So with all this elite banter going on, I decided to try to figure out how to define elite. For something like college basketball, there are two definitions that could be applied. From Dictionary.com:
( often used with a plural verb )
the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons.
Based on this definition, we're obviously elite. I suppose some might make the ludicrous argument that we haven't been ranked in the top 10 constantly for the last 15 years, but in terms of best, you have to think champions and we have more championships than anyone over that time. Hence, we are clearly elite by this definition.
a group of persons exercising the major share of authority or influence within a larger group:
the power elite of a majorpolitical party.
Based on this definition, we're probably not elite. The only way to wield political power in the NCAA is through recruiting. To my mind, there are three programs who basically pick and choose their recruits out of the top 50 kids or so: UNC, Duke and UK. Nobody else really can be considered in the conversation. There are good recruiting schools. Cuse is probably better than us on this measure. Maybe several others. Do we come close to averaging a top 10 class over the last decade? Maybe close, but nothing like the top three.
So it really comes down to how you define elite. I don't really care who can get the best recruits every year if they can't turn them into teams that consistently win championships. I tend toward results instead of pretty recruiting classes. Based on that, we're in a group of three elite programs over the last 20 years. To argue differently is, well, you fill in the word of choice.