Aren't we really close to elite status?

[The Equalizer]

This is a well-written conversation starter. A few thoughts:

1. 1.  We have a tradition of putting coaches ahead of the program.

Nationally, few would say Duke isn't elite. And Duke is all about Coach K. Indiana? Elite, of course. But until Crean actually wins something, when you think of Indiana you don't think about Keith Smart or Kent Benson or Isiah Thomas. You think about Bobby Knight. Period. So there are two absolutely elite basketball schools that put the coach ahead of (or at least on even ground with) the program. Of the "near-elites" the same is true of Michigan State, UConn and others.

As an aside, regarding Indiana/Knight and Duke/Coach K:  Both teams had multiple final fours before the arrival of those coaches.  Indiana's tradition is undobutedly much stronger of the two. After all, the court at IU isn't named for Knight--its named for Branch McCracken, who led IU to its first two NCAA championships.  And Duke had already been to four Final Fours before Krzyzewski arrived--including one just three years prior--and they were Elite Eight the year before he arrived.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

In a discussion with another MU junkie last night we decided there is a difference between elite program and elite teams. MU falls into the elite teams discussion over the last decade. The elite programs have been discussed a ton here and we all know the 5-10 that fall into that group. Elite programs to me are similar to elite academic schools. You have a list that most everyone agrees with and then next group is when debate comes into play.

MU's on court performance for past decade has created elite team status. Whether we believe we enough respect is our chip on our shoulder. Getting the #3 seed this year proves to me people that get ball get that MU is a high level. I personally would have given us a #5 seed and I am a homer. While I wish we were thought of nationally like we were under Al I do understand world has changed. To think we are going to jump into UNC, DUKe, Indiana or Kansas grouping overnight is unrealisitic. What does frustrate me though is being thought of being on par with Xavier, Butler or other schools with less history.

so if nothing would get us to the elite level, then why even care about the label? It doesn't impact whether you can recruit, doesn't impact how much you pay your coach, doesn't dictate tourney success, doesn't impact sending guys to the NBA....

It's a label we can't have.... But why even covet it if it doesn't give you anything you can't get without it?

[Niv Berkowitz]

As much as my biased head wants to say elite, I am sticking with not elite. I'm an Ohio guy...born and raised...and no one here would say elite. When I go to work a handful of people will mention Al to me, but outside of that I am the kid who went to school somewhere in Michigan. When i told people i was going to MU out of high school, i got a ton of blank looks..."where's that". If you are elite, people nationwide have heard of you. They also know where the darn place is. The relatable school mentioned to me around here is Xavier.

Probably why I despise Xavier.

Knowing OF a school and knowing WHERE a school is are two different things.

I'm willing to bet at least half of all casual college hoops fans even knows where Georgetown is, but they've all heard if it. And most important, they conjure up a thought of " solid hoops school". That's where MU is becoming, and that's great, because once someone has a positive impression, other positive impressions follow.

[Stretchdeltsig]

Repeat after me... Marquette is elite!!!!

[ChicosBailBonds]

To be elite, you have to have a coach stick around and keep it going.  It's done over time, and it's reinforced when people stay and don't jump ship.

[Buffaloboy]

I don't think Syracuse, UConn or Florida are there.  I think the coach transcends the program in each case.

hahahaha.

Syracuse has been "there" for about 25 years.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

To be elite, you have to have a coach stick around and keep it going.  It's done over time, and it's reinforced when people stay and don't jump ship.

Unlike Kansas

[🏀]

hahahaha.

Syracuse has been "there" for about 25 years.

There meaning the Police Report section?

[Buffaloboy]

There meaning the Police Report section?

Haha.