Reading various teams message boards, there seems to be a reoccurring idea that Marquette, Father Pilarz, and Larry Williams are the leaders in this whole process.
Kudos gents for the positive vibes Marquette is getting across the nation.
Indeed
Another thing i wanted to add was this, all of us scoopers debate on where we think MU falls in the realm of the college basketball world, most of us think we are a top 25 program.
All you have to do is go to other message boards, ESPN, and CBS and read comments about the C7 schools breaking off and you will witness what others think of MU. It's overwhelming and a great feeling when you read throughout this process that Georgetown and Marquette are the two major schools in this conference and are top 20 programs. I can't count how many times i've read that MU is one of the major basketball programs in this country. We really are blessed and spoiled with our Men's basketball team, and if there was any doubt in anyones mind on where we stand as a program, take some time and browse the articles on other websites.
WeAreMarquette!
Not legends?
Quote from: TallTitan34 on December 14, 2012, 12:47:25 AM
Reading various teams message boards, there seems to be a reoccurring idea that Marquette, Father Pilarz, and Larry Williams are the leaders in this whole process.
Kudos gents for the positive vibes Marquette is getting across the nation.
Agree completely. I was nervous when Fr. Wild left but both have stepped up to the plate and this is great work.
I was a skeptic on a Catholic League until we got Tulane for Lville, but I am excited about the chance for Butler, Xavier and VCU.
and Creighton and SLU?
Why all the love for VCU? Honest question. They had 1 or 2 solid runs in the NCAA and its not like Richmond is a huge market. St. Louis, Indy, Cincinnati markets make sense. After all, if its one thing we all now know, it's all about the money.
Quote from: esotericmindguy on December 14, 2012, 06:06:47 AM
Why all the love for VCU? Honest question. They had 1 or 2 solid runs in the NCAA and its not like Richmond is a huge market. St. Louis, Indy, Cincinnati markets make sense. After all, if its one thing we all now know, it's all about the money.
I'll take VCU over st. Louis. Why? Shaka Smart.
Quote from: esotericmindguy on December 14, 2012, 06:06:47 AM
Why all the love for VCU? Honest question.
So us NC folk can have a game within driving distance.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on December 14, 2012, 12:47:25 AM
Reading various teams message boards, there seems to be a reoccurring idea that Marquette, Father Pilarz, and Larry Williams are the leaders in this whole process.
Kudos gents for the positive vibes Marquette is getting across the nation.
Wait ... I read at least a 1000 posts that they were going to run Buzz out of town and turn us into SLU. Is that still the plan?
Quote from: Dreadman24 on December 14, 2012, 06:14:40 AM
I'll take VCU over st. Louis. Why? Shaka Smart.
Wouldn't being in the same conference as VCU negatively affect MU's chances of landing Shaka when Buzz leaves?
(Is there a color in between black and teal that I could use for that comment?)
I'll believe this when they give us back our nickname
Quote from: bamamarquettefan on December 14, 2012, 03:10:02 AM
Agree completely. I was nervous when Fr. Wild left but both have stepped up to the plate and this is great work.
I was a skeptic on a Catholic League until we got Tulane for Lville, but I am excited about the chance for Butler, Xavier and VCU.
I'm just cautious by nature and I'm still in the skeptic category and I think the reaction from everyone may have been different if they were adding San Diego St. for all sports or UNLV instead of Tulane. I'm half on board with this, but I totally see why this is probably the best option. How many times can the rug get pulled out from under the basketball schools? Everytime we thought "things finally stabalized" someone announced they were leaving. My selfish side wants to see us to continue to be in the conference with UConn (& Cincy) but the realism is they will leave for more football money if when they get the call and the circus would continue.
I am cautiously happy as well. I am not yet ready to do cartwheels down Wisconsin Ave yet because much still needs to unfold. We were in a horrible position conference wise a week ago and have made steps in right direction. I would love to hear something from Buzz on the topic and hear his thoughts. This has potential to be a good, maybe very good, conference but we were in a great one. Not saying we are falling to mid major level, yet I am disappointed in the whole college conference situation.
Happy to see that MU took the lead in the process and hope that continues down the road. I will be much more relaxed when I see what the conference ultimately will be and hear thoughts from Buzz. If Buzz has winning NC as a goal I do believe the job was made tougher with the shakep in the BE. This was out of MU's control for most part and they worked hard to make a bad situation into a better one. I happen to hold Buzz in a tier one type coach and not sure if the conference will be tier one.
Lastly, I do think everyone here is excited and that worries me. Are we excited because we want from crappy situation to decent one or are we excited because we have a great basketball conference?
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on December 14, 2012, 07:20:43 AM
I'm just cautious by nature and I'm still in the skeptic category and I think the reaction from everyone may have been different if they were adding San Diego St. for all sports or UNLV instead of Tulane. I'm half on board with this, but I totally see why this is probably the best option. How many times can the rug get pulled out from under the basketball schools? Everytime we thought "things finally stabalized" someone announced they were leaving. My selfish side wants to see us to continue to be in the conference with UConn (& Cincy) but the realism is they will leave for more football money if when they get the call and the circus would continue.
+1. Like The Gang of Seven took the bold step and when they did it. The exit will be a big deciding factor in success as to what assets they can keep. The other is future teams. The other is the mix and strength of the other Olympic sports. With less money and exposure, how will these sports compete? Will they be a drain? Can they get improved facilities? Volleyball right now is weak with these seven for example...would a now happy coach like Shymansky stay...especially with the Badger opening right now? Same with soccer...and women's hoops conference is significantly weaker. Lacrosse? Would Buzz be happy in a lower profile conference? Actual in game attendance for all sports will need to be increased to a level like a Creighton or ND to offset the loss of TV revenue....
Lots of details to over think but also a lot to settle or play out in a relaunch too. Maybe why Georgetown is taking its time?
Quote from: Dreadman24 on December 14, 2012, 06:14:40 AM
I'll take VCU over st. Louis. Why? Shaka Smart.
Take VCU if it's a great fit and only if it's a great fit. Because Shaka Smart might be coaching at Texas or USC or Wake Forest or any number of other schools in 2013-14.
Quote from: Goose on December 14, 2012, 07:47:36 AM
I will be much more relaxed when I see what the conference ultimately will be and hear thoughts from Buzz. If Buzz has winning NC as a goal I do believe the job was made tougher with the shakep in the BE.
Hunt's article did say "MU coach Buzz Williams rolled his eyes at the time the addition of Tulane was announced." Considering it looks as if LW/Pilarz led the charge to make the situation better while gaining some very nice press for the program all while leaving the coaching to Buzz I think he should be pleased. Plus committing the resources to acquire Chew, Wainwright, and Reynolds is something a lot of very solid programs won't do for their coach. They can't recreate the Big East of the now-past, but they've done just about everything possible to make sure the program has everything it needs to be a championship contender.
Quote from: MU82 on December 14, 2012, 07:59:27 AM
Take VCU if it's a great fit and only if it's a great fit. Because Shaka Smart might be coaching at Texas or USC or Wake Forest or any number of other schools in 2013-14.
Exactly. Taking a team because of a coach??? I have to think mid majors would have to be crazy not to jump at the chance to join this conference.
Quote from: Goose on December 14, 2012, 07:47:36 AM
I am cautiously happy as well. I am not yet ready to do cartwheels down Wisconsin Ave yet because much still needs to unfold. We were in a horrible position conference wise a week ago and have made steps in right direction. I would love to hear something from Buzz on the topic and hear his thoughts. This has potential to be a good, maybe very good, conference but we were in a great one. Not saying we are falling to mid major level, yet I am disappointed in the whole college conference situation.
Happy to see that MU took the lead in the process and hope that continues down the road. I will be much more relaxed when I see what the conference ultimately will be and hear thoughts from Buzz. If Buzz has winning NC as a goal I do believe the job was made tougher with the shakep in the BE. This was out of MU's control for most part and they worked hard to make a bad situation into a better one. I happen to hold Buzz in a tier one type coach and not sure if the conference will be tier one.
Lastly, I do think everyone here is excited and that worries me. Are we excited because we want from crappy situation to decent one or are we excited because we have a great basketball conference?
Excited because we went from a crappy situation to a decent one. To use a flying analogy; competitively speaking for basketball, the Big East with the seven still in it is flying at a higher altitude then the new conference still to be formed. However, that plane is in a nose dive, whereas the new conference will be flying at a slightly lower altitude, but flying level through clear weather.
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on December 14, 2012, 07:20:43 AM
I'm just cautious by nature and I'm still in the skeptic category and I think the reaction from everyone may have been different if they were adding San Diego St. for all sports or UNLV instead of Tulane. I'm half on board with this, but I totally see why this is probably the best option. How many times can the rug get pulled out from under the basketball schools? Everytime we thought "things finally stabalized" someone announced they were leaving. My selfish side wants to see us to continue to be in the conference with UConn (& Cincy) but the realism is they will leave for more football money if when they get the call and the circus would continue.
+1
Quote from: Goose on December 14, 2012, 07:47:36 AM
I am cautiously happy as well. I am not yet ready to do cartwheels down Wisconsin Ave yet because much still needs to unfold. We were in a horrible position conference wise a week ago and have made steps in right direction. I would love to hear something from Buzz on the topic and hear his thoughts. This has potential to be a good, maybe very good, conference but we were in a great one. Not saying we are falling to mid major level, yet I am disappointed in the whole college conference situation.
Happy to see that MU took the lead in the process and hope that continues down the road. I will be much more relaxed when I see what the conference ultimately will be and hear thoughts from Buzz. If Buzz has winning NC as a goal I do believe the job was made tougher with the shakep in the BE. This was out of MU's control for most part and they worked hard to make a bad situation into a better one. I happen to hold Buzz in a tier one type coach and not sure if the conference will be tier one.
Lastly, I do think everyone here is excited and that worries me. Are we excited because we want from crappy situation to decent one or are we excited because we have a great basketball conference?
No, we weren't in a great one. We were 2 years ago, but that ship has sailed. The conference we are leaving included the 7 we will continue to be associated with as well as UConn, Cincy, USF, Temple, Houston, SMU, UCF, Memphis, & Tulane. That list has quickly gone from great to good and eventually will get to bad. UConn & Cincy will get out eventually and then how does that list look? We should stick around for Memphis?
You are 100% correct - it's exciting because we're going from a crappy situation that is unstable and constantly getting worse to a decent one that should remain stable and be just about as competitive as the one we left. It won't be great, because we've seen great and it included 3 teams in a Final Four. It will be very good and it shouldn't ever become bad.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on December 14, 2012, 12:47:25 AM
Reading various teams message boards, there seems to be a reoccurring idea that Marquette, Father Pilarz, and Larry Williams are the leaders in this whole process.
Kudos gents for the positive vibes Marquette is getting across the nation.
I'd wait until the dust is settled before people get anointed. Lots to play for still.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that Fr. Pilarz strongly suggest that Larry Williams (yes, that dreaded Domer who doesn't care about MU in some folks eyes) might be the very best candidate to be the commissioner for the new BEast for his tireless efforts and incredible foresight in forging the creation of the new league.
As I said some weeks back, it's May 31, 1979 again. Will our kids 25 years from now be praising LW as the man who saved MU hoops from mid-major oblivion?
If I see him tomorrow, I absolutely intend to shake his hand and thank him for all of his hard work on our behalf. We all know there remains much ground to cover. I'll trust Larry to lead that fight.
jsglow
Agree with you to some extent but too race left in this transition. Things change rapidly and I would assume other conferences might contact the C7. We might end up in decent place or things can still get ugly. LW is doing his job and his job is extremely difficult at this point. Shaking his hand at this point would be like shaking the mailman's hand for delivering the mail.
Quote from: jsglow on December 14, 2012, 09:17:27 AM
I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that Fr. Pilarz strongly suggest that Larry Williams (yes, that dreaded Domer who doesn't care about MU in some folks eyes) might be the very best candidate to be the commissioner for the new BEast for his tireless efforts and incredible foresight in forging the creation of the new league.
As I said some weeks back, it's May 31, 1979 again. Will our kids 25 years from now be praising LW as the man who saved MU hoops from mid-major oblivion?
If I see him tomorrow, I absolutely intend to shake his hand and thank him for all of his hard work on our behalf. We all know there remains much ground to cover. I'll trust Larry to lead that fight.
I pray to God Larry isn't at the game tomorrow. I hope he's in NYC or DC or Bristol or Stamford or Cupertino or Mountainview.
Quote from: Benny B on December 14, 2012, 09:32:18 AM
I pray to God Larry isn't at the game tomorrow. I hope he's in NYC or DC or Bristol or Stamford or Cupertino or Mountainview.
True enough.
Quote from: Benny B on December 14, 2012, 09:32:18 AM
I pray to God Larry isn't at the game tomorrow. I hope he's in NYC or DC or Bristol or Stamford or Cupertino or Mountainview.
Cupertino, Cupertino, Cupertino! That would really generate some buzz!
Quote from: Goose on December 14, 2012, 07:47:36 AM
Lastly, I do think everyone here is excited and that worries me.
More worrying. Worrying over Georgetown...worrying over recruits...worrying over MSG....worrying over television contracts....and now we've got worrying because other people aren't worrying.
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 14, 2012, 10:26:24 AM
More worrying. Worrying over Georgetown...worrying over recruits...worrying over MSG....worrying over television contracts....and now we've got worrying because other people aren't worrying.
Time for the fainting couch!
(http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/39/2009/09/500x_bettycouch0928.jpg)
almost as bad as the worry over on the Bucky board and the lack of a new coach named yet....
good god, the sports fans of Wisconsin's are worry worts...
Quote from: The Sultan of South Wayne on December 14, 2012, 10:26:24 AM
More worrying. Worrying over Georgetown...worrying over recruits...worrying over MSG....worrying over television contracts....and now we've got worrying because other people aren't worrying.
Quote from: jsglow on December 14, 2012, 09:17:27 AM
I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that Fr. Pilarz strongly suggest that Larry Williams (yes, that dreaded Domer who doesn't care about MU in some folks eyes) might be the very best candidate to be the commissioner for the new BEast for his tireless efforts and incredible foresight in forging the creation of the new league.
As I said some weeks back, it's May 31, 1979 again. Will our kids 25 years from now be praising LW as the man who saved MU hoops from mid-major oblivion?
If I see him tomorrow, I absolutely intend to shake his hand and thank him for all of his hard work on our behalf. We all know there remains much ground to cover. I'll trust Larry to lead that fight.
I'm glad you suggested it. I've been thinking the same thing for a few days. He seems to be one of the most vocal leaders for the new conference and would be a great candidate for commissioner. I'm more than confident that Mike Broeker can fill in while we search for another AD.
Quote from: TJ on December 14, 2012, 08:59:45 AM
It won't be great, because we've seen great and it included 3 teams in a Final Four. It will be very good and it shouldn't ever become bad.
It's worth noting that we'll still be aligned with all three of those teams in that historic Final Four; St. John's, Nova and Georgetown.
Quote from: larrym on December 14, 2012, 11:03:15 AM
It's worth noting that we'll still be aligned with all three of those teams in that historic Final Four; St. John's, Nova and Georgetown.
I made a mistake there, I meant to say 3 #1 seeds in a tournament. Both are historic achievements, but I was really referring to Louisville, Pitt, and UConn in 2009.
Quote from: The Golden Avalanche on December 14, 2012, 09:15:11 AM
I'd wait until the dust is settled before people get anointed. Lots to play for still.
This.
Like what I'm seeing, love the leadership roles being exerted, but still some hairy things to work through.
Quote from: MU82 on December 14, 2012, 07:59:27 AM
Take VCU if it's a great fit and only if it's a great fit. Because Shaka Smart might be coaching at Texas or USC or Wake Forest or any number of other schools in 2013-14.
And SLU will still suck (last year was an aberration, not the start of an upswing) and won't bring the STL market.