Question for the College Basketball gurus

[WadeATKBurton]

Is it considered cinderella like for a basketball-only school to when a NCAA championship? It doesn't happen often and its surprising to me considering its priority is basketball(no football).

Last championship was Villanova in 1985 I believe.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Technically, Villanova has football.

The last NCAA champion with no football team sponsored by the school at the DI, DII, or DIII levels was Marquette.

[keefe]

Technically, Villanova has football.

Same can be said of Duke, KU and UK

[Sunbelt15]

Technically, Villanova has football.

Who else in the NBE actually has a football program?

So this really isn't a basketball only conference.

[WadeATKBurton]

Technically, Villanova has football.

The last NCAA champion with no football team sponsored by the school at the DI, DII, or DIII levels was Marquette.

With that said, how you think it would be viewed in the media's eyes if a basketball school (no D1-A football)  was to win a Championship today?

[WadeATKBurton]

It seems to me that the odds are stacked against Marquette and every other school in the Big East to win a national championship.

[bilsu]

It is cinderella, if it is not won by North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Duke or Uconn.

[keefe]

Who else in the NBE actually has a football program?

So this really isn't a basketball only conference.

Georgetown has one of the oldest football programs in the nation

[ChicosBailBonds]

Same can be said of Duke, KU and UK

Duke went to a bowl game this year and played for the ACC title.  KU was in the Orange Bowl in the last 5 years Kentucky was in 5 straight bowl games from 2006 to 2010.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Who else in the NBE actually has a football program?

Georgetown, Butler, Villanova

If we add Dayton to the conference, that would be another one.

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

It seems to me that the odds are stacked against Marquette and every other school in the Big East to win a national championship.

One could argue that Kansas, Kentucky, UNC, and Duke have all had success because of continued success.  They've always kept themselves relevant in some shape or form, which has helped build their brand continually, over the years.  These programs have burned themselves into the minds of individuals.  They have had some bumps and bruises with a wrong hire here and there, but always recovered. Marquette, after AL, waned and lost its momentum through the 80's and part of the 90's.  Being out of the spotlight, set the program back.  It wasn't until Tom Crean and then the succession of Buzz, did we gain significant momentum, putting us back in the spotlight.  Wojo has an opportunity to take it to the next level, so we are not an underdog anymore.  It comes down to recruiting the right players and being consistent.  This builds image, which burns into the minds of fans.  It's continual advertising in a way.  

We can become a superpower in hoops again.  It's all dependent on the coach.  Case in point - Billy Donovan.  Florida was nothing without him.  He is that program.  If he ever leaves, they're done.  

[ChicosBailBonds]

1980s hiring killed MU.  We did it to ourselves.  If we had stayed relevant than we might be doing just fine.  That being said, a lot of people will say Al was MU, and once Al left we were done.

As for Donovan leaving and making Florida done, I don't think so.  He is their program, but that doesn't mean they can't make a great hire and keep it going.

[wadesworld]

Duke went to a bowl game this year and played for the ACC title.  KU was in the Orange Bowl in the last 5 years Kentucky was in 5 straight bowl games from 2006 to 2010.

I wake up and thank the University of Kentucky every day for gifting the Green Bay Packers with Randall Cobb.

Having said that, my decision has been made on who I want to win tonight.  Go Cats.

[bilsu]

It is cinderella, if it is not won by North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Duke or Uconn.

I forgot Louisville.

Michigna St is a cinderela.