Most important tourney for MU fans and the future of the program?

[ErickJD08]

I couldn't help but think about how important this Championship Week and NCAA is for the future of MU, other teams, and this new BE Conference.  Championships, Final Fours, Elite Eights validate programs and make a footprint.  If teams like GTown, MU, Butler, Villanova, etc. come up big this year, it starts the conference out to be an elite conference coming into next season.  I am not sure about you guys, but I am going to watching and rooting for all the future BE teams this year.

[GGGG]

I will definitely be rooting for the future BE schools, but I don't think this tournament validates the conference one way or another.  The television contract shows that people believe this conference is authentic and has staying power.

[MU82]

Interesting theory but I agree with Sultan. It would be cool to win big but I don't think it leaves a lasting scar if our programs don't fare that well.

[brewcity77]

No more so than any other. I actually think next year's will be bigger. Start off on the right foot.

[Abode4life]

No more so than any other. I actually think next year's will be bigger. Start off on the right foot.

I agree.  While every year is important, as a conference as a whole, its probably more important to start winning championships / final fours once the conference officially starts. 

[ErickJD08]

I agree.  While every year is important, as a conference as a whole, its probably more important to start winning championships / final fours once the conference officially starts. 

The conference is pretty much settled with about 8 of the 12 players.  We know a few big players are gone.  The new conference starts next week.  Syracuse winning big does nothing for us.  Bulter going to Final Four again does.  Not sure how you can argue that the conference doesn't start with this tourney.

[brewcity77]

The conference is pretty much settled with about 8 of the 12 players.  We know a few big players are gone.  The new conference starts next week.  Syracuse winning big does nothing for us.  Bulter going to Final Four again does.  Not sure how you can argue that the conference doesn't start with this tourney.

Perception of the new conference started months ago. Georgetown and Marquette as co-champs bodes great for our future. Villanova surprised quite a few people and seems to be getting back to where they were while Providence was much better than many expected. Butler and Creighton will both be in the field, Xavier is probably the most disappointing this season, though after losing Holloway and Lyons I suppose that was to be expected.

Where I really want to see us make our mark starts after March 17. A strong tourney showing would go a long way. The timing of the announcement means people will be talking about the new league once the tourney starts. If we can place a 2-4 teams in the Sweet 16 and maybe 1-2 beyond that it will be a big feather in the league's cap.

[Eldon]

Starting tonight with Seton Hall playing South Florida and then DePaul playing Rutgers both on espnU (or firstrowsports.eu).  Go Pirates!  Go BlueDemons!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Perception means nothing.

The only thing that matters is the TV $ (got that) and having a good schedule (looks pretty good so far).

[MU82]

My problem with "this is the most important ... (game, month, tournament, season, recruit signing, whatever) ... is that if the hoped-for result doesn't happen, then what?

Doomsday? Not even worth being a fan? Might as well fold the program? What?

Yes, I'm exaggerating. The point is that they're all important. But it's hard to say any one thing is going to make or break a program or a league. Or at least we won't know if that was the case until the future happens.

[ErickJD08]

Perception means nothing.

The only thing that matters is the TV $ (got that) and having a good schedule (looks pretty good so far).

Perception means everything.  That's what allows the number 1 to lose an stay at number 1.  Its what allows a for you to have a tough start and then be in the run for a 1 seed.  Its what allows you to be a bubble team with one quality win in a weak conference... and then the second quality win makes you practically a lock.  Perception is how you get top talent to join a weaker team in a conference.

Winning strong in the next few weeks will give a lot more credibility for the conference.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Perception means everything.  That's what allows the number 1 to lose an stay at number 1.  Its what allows a for you to have a tough start and then be in the run for a 1 seed.  Its what allows you to be a bubble team with one quality win in a weak conference... and then the second quality win makes you practically a lock.  Perception is how you get top talent to join a weaker team in a conference.

Winning strong in the next few weeks will give a lot more credibility for the conference.

Wouldn't playing a tough schedule and winning games solve all of those issues?

[Litehouse]

This year is the most important up until now, because people will be paying attention.  Then I think next year will be bigger, to validate that the new Big East teams can compete at the highest level.  Plus, we'll be able to keep all the credits for next year too (including Xavier, Butler and Creighton) and  establish a reliable income stream.

[tower912]

Why is this more important?   MU is still in the Big East.   It is those other losers who are forming the American 12, or whatever it is called today.   MU has a secure, lucrative future.     This deal literally could not have gone better for MU, short of getting a few more tourney credits.     Their is only one thing that can seriously derail MU at the moment, and that is Buzz leaving and a sub-par hire.