Is Recruiting Uck-Fayed?

[4everwarriors]

Are we now destined to resurrect Conference USA and all its recruiting glory. Face it, MU just lost its calling card and recruiting mojo. From penthouse to outhouse.

[Marqus Howard]

Was wondering the same thing... also curious about whether we'll see any decommits or transfers based on where we end up.

[Les Nessman]

Was thinking the same thing. I hope not, but I can't see how it doesn't effect us negatively unless we end up in a premier b-ball only conference.

[JTBMU7]

not neccessarily.... i feel like we have built up enough momentum with NBA draft picks to keep that as our recruiting plug.

it's more compelling to a kid to tell him we put 1-2 guys in the association every year than we get to play in the carrier dome every season. can't say that for Miami, Virginia Tech, etc...

[bamamarquettefan]

It's a threat.  Almost all 5 stars go to either a BCS school or Memphis.  However, a majority of Rivals 150 last year did not go to a top football program because they want to go to a hoops school.

Are we will on TV in New York?  That's a big part to the answer.  If a new version of the Big East - whether basketball only or a combo with the Big 12 - includes Marquette then we are probably part of a pretty darn good TV package and i don't see much impact. 

[muhs03]

It's a threat.  Almost all 5 stars go to either a BCS school or Memphis.  However, a majority of Rivals 150 last year did not go to a top football program because they want to go to a hoops school.

Are we will on TV in New York?  That's a big part to the answer.  If a new version of the Big East - whether basketball only or a combo with the Big 12 - includes Marquette then we are probably part of a pretty darn good TV package and i don't see much impact. 

Id like to believe you, but I cant. Buzz cant say to a recruit that the BE generates X amount of NBA players every year because without Cuse and UConn, there is no meaningful advantage in saying that. The new BE would be very ordinary. If UConn does, in fact, go to the ACC, the 'best conference' argument is over. The best players want to play either with or against the best players. Why do you think Coach K was so excited?

[Markusquette]

I don't think it's a good sign at all...that's for sure.  Let's hope things don't get too much worse.

[Blackhat]

If we're in a conference with G-Town, St. John's, Seton Hall, Villanova,  recruiting will survive if not thrive.


If we're stuck in a clusterf*ck conference with teams like St. Louis, Charlotte, S. Miss, etc. then yes we are doomed.

[MUMac]

I suggest we wait and see how this ends before whining.  Far too many people throwing MU under the bus right now.  I hoped/expected more from alums/fans.  Yes, we have inexperienced people at the helm (to MU in the case of the President).  That does not necessarily mean incompetent.  Yet, too many go immediately to that end.

A solid leader in the Basketball program is more important than ever.  I am glad we have Buzz here.  He will still recruit good/great players.  MU will still get some, and lose some.  The sun will rise.  MU will be fine.

Have some faith people.  Man this board is depressing with all these "experts".

[TallTitan34]

If we end up in a basketball only conference who is to say it wouldn't help recruiting.

At a BCS school there's no telling what conference you end up in the way things are always shuffling for football.  In addition, the football team is the main attraction at these schools.

I'd assume a basketball only conference would actually be pretty stable.  Even if Notre Dame joined a conference and Villanova added football, the core group of basketball only schools would still be there.

[brewcity77]

It's too early to say. I could be wrong, but I don't think our current crop bolts on us just yet. Like Steve Taylor said, we've been winning. But I do think this is Buzz's biggest season to date. The Big East will still be around for 1-2 years in its current form. If we can contend for the title and make a deep NCAA run (at least Elite Eight, probably need Final Four...pie in the sky season) who's to say that when the dust settles, we can't be a team like Memphis? Especially if we land in a conference with G'Town, St. John's, and Villanova?

[ecompt]

We will be fine as long as the other BE basketball schools stay together.

[BrewCity83]

I know times have changed, alot, since the Big East formed.  But the conference was originally created to be a basketball powerhouse.  Maybe it can survive as one again.

[Skatastrophy]

I would expect to see a number of decommits and transfers from the MU program if the Big East loses UCONN and WVU. 

[tower912]

The biggest variable here will be Buzz.    If his commitment to MU remains, and MU remains in a high level conference, (either all hoops or absorbing the remants of the B12....helloooooo, Kansas), then our recruiting will continue at a high level.   If this causes him to rethink his allegiance to MU.......

[MUMac]

The biggest variable here will be Buzz.    If his commitment to MU remains, and MU remains in a high level conference, (either all hoops or absorbing the remants of the B12....helloooooo, Kansas), then our recruiting will continue at a high level.   If this causes him to rethink his allegiance to MU.......

Agree completely.

[Golden Avalanche]

The biggest variable here will be Buzz.    If his commitment to MU remains, and MU remains in a high level conference, (either all hoops or absorbing the remants of the B12....helloooooo, Kansas), then our recruiting will continue at a high level.   If this causes him to rethink his allegiance to MU.......

I mentioned this in the Kendall Harris thread and was told by one poster that the kids love our sponsorship and our coach and news like this wouldn't matter much. Whether head in sand or pie in sky, I'm not sure its fully realized that the above two factors are directly related to our conference affiliation. If we didn't move to the Big East after our Final Four in '03 we'd be another George Mason, a wonderful story in a middling conference who quickly returns to normalcy and mediocrity. Instead, we improved our lot and became relevant.

One reality we can all agree on is that Juan Anderson, et al. will begin his career playing in the Big East conference and finish his career somewhere else. To say the conference blowing up won't affect recruiting is naive.

[BCHoopster]

If you are worried about the future, then just think, how does Gonzaga and Memphis do it every year?  In Gonzagas case they play a great schedule, MU can do the same, Memphis does
the same.  If you keep the fan support and money flows,  MU will still be relevant.

[muwarrior69]

Id like to believe you, but I cant. Buzz cant say to a recruit that the BE generates X amount of NBA players every year because without Cuse and UConn, there is no meaningful advantage in saying that. The new BE would be very ordinary. If UConn does, in fact, go to the ACC, the 'best conference' argument is over. The best players want to play either with or against the best players. Why do you think Coach K was so excited?

Once Beheine (sp?) retires Syracuse will be a non-factor for a considerable time. Once coack K retires Duke will decline as well. I am more concerned about the Big East bball only schools keeping their coaches.

[Lennys Tap]

One reality we can all agree on is that Juan Anderson, et al. will begin his career playing in the Big East conference and finish his career somewhere else. To say the conference blowing up won't affect recruiting is naive.

Actually, I think at this point we can only agree that the Big East conference that Juan Anderson begins his career in will be different from the Big East conference he (hopefully) finishes his career in. If the "new" Big East is a strong basketball conference and MU can keep Buzz we're fine.

I think it's unlikely that Marquette, Georgetown, St Johns, Villanova, Xavier, Butler, etc. become irrelevant in college basketball, but the challenges will certainly be greater.

[GGGG]

As long as Syracuse and Duke make good coaching hires, I see no reason why they would be "non-factors."  The problem with traditional powers is that they oftentimes make bad coaching decisions.  UNC made a mistake (Doherty) before correcting it (Williams.)  And now they are back near the top.  UK...UCLA...  The list goes on.