Big East Title or Elite 8 in '11-'12

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Forgive me if this has been posed here earlier (couldn't find it), but what would be a more successful year for our program next season: Winning the Big East regular season championship or making it to the NCAA round of 8?

I understand that these aren't mutually exclusive - which helps recruiting more? Shows that we've progressed as a program?

(Go UConn tomorrow )

[HoopsMalone]

tournament success and its not close

[brewcity77]

Recruiting, almost certainly the Elite 8. But personally, I'd rather the regular season title. I think it shows more about true program progress, whereas all you need is to play 3 good games to get to the Elite 8 (unless you're Bucky).

Bottom line, the Elite 8 isn't one of the main measuring sticks. Conference regular season title, conference tourney title, Sweet 16, Final Four, National championship. Anything else, conference tourney runner-up, Elite 8, national runner-up, none of that really is all that consequential.

[4everwarriors]

Man, we don't even know who's goin' to be on the roster next season. Just chill for a bit.

[wyzgy]

i'd personally like to sneak up from about 4th or 5th in the big e to win the tourny and then get to the final four-that should get us a big dog for the middle

[ringout]

Elite 8.

Tournament success is where it's at.

[MUBurrow]

I'd get more satisfaction out of a BEast title. but thats just me

[MerrittsMustache]

Elite 8

If Marquette wins the Big East but doesn't make it past the Sweet 16 (considering they'd likely have at least a 2-seed), I think it would be a highly disappointing season.

It's all relative.

[willie warrior]

Being a homer, I would love to see both. If only one, it is a tough call. Probably go with the Elite 8 first, bacuase the tournament run is far better for nation wide pub. Down side is the disappointment of making it to the Elite 8, and then the disappointment with the loss.

Winning the BEast title shows that you really have arrived in Conference and is also prestigious.

[Golden Avalanche]

Winning the title would be the better of the two. Namely because MU will never win a Big East regular season title so it would be quite an accomplishment to look back on when we are asked to leave the conference in the future.

An Elite Eight run could happen any year so long as college ball continues this mediocre run of talent being so spread out anyone has a chance to win in March.

[NersEllenson]

Winning the title would be the better of the two. Namely because MU will never win a Big East regular season title so it would be quite an accomplishment to look back on when we are asked to leave the conference in the future.

An Elite Eight run could happen any year so long as college ball continues this mediocre run of talent being so spread out anyone has a chance to win in March.

Wow...pretty grim outlook.  And the talent level of college basketball isn't "mediocre."  These players are far more athletic, skilled, talented than the game has ever seen.  The only difference is that you can have 1 and dones now..that make the marquee programs susceptible to defeats to 4-year program players like a Butler or VCU.  Put a game on from 10 years ago and watch it side by side to today's game - the speed of the game, athleticism, size..of todays game is off the charts better.

[reinko]

Winning the title would be the better of the two. Namely because MU will never win a Big East regular season title so it would be quite an accomplishment to look back on when we are asked to leave the conference in the future.

An Elite Eight run could happen any year so long as college ball continues this mediocre run of talent being so spread out anyone has a chance to win in March.

These were the days...

[NersEllenson]

Nice Reinko!!

[PJDunn]

I'd take another sweet 16 over a BE title.  The NCAAs are what matters.

[willie warrior]

These were the days...

There's diversity for you!

[MerrittsMustache]

Two blond guys and 4 dark-haired guys. I'd call that diverse for the time.


Is the guy in the bottom right Geno Auriemma?

[lab_warrior]

Ask a UConn fan. 

I'll bet they're pretty damn happy (if they even give a s*** anymore) with their 9-9 finish, yet getting to the NCAA title game, even over winning the BET.  I know I'd be.  The regular season matters very little in sports anymore. 

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to win a BET, but a choice between that and an Elite8/Final Four?  No brainer.   

[Stuckin1977]

tournament success and its not close

+1000000

Look at the 11 BE teams that made the tourney.  UConn went 9-9 in conference play, won the BE Tourney, and is in the NCAA championship.  No question they've had the best season of anyone in the BE, even though they had a mediocre regular season.

Now look at the other 10 teams.  Which season would you want to have?  Homer aside, I take MU hands down.  I'd much rather have a mediocre season and make the Sweet 16 or further than win the regular season title and get knocked out in the first or second round.

[CTWarrior]

Now look at the other 10 teams.  Which season would you want to have? 

1.  Pittsburgh definitely (we lasted one more game than them in the NCAAs and were eliminated in the same round of the Big East tournament even though they got the double bye.  Also note that they were eliminated by one possession in each tournament by the two teams that are now playing for a national title)
2.  Notre Dame definitely.  Again, just one less win in the NCAAs vs much more success everywhere else, BE POY, etc)
3.  Louisville, probably (Just so that we would have won that game from 18 behind rather than the reverse).
4.  Syracuse, probably not.
5.  Cincy, G-town, Nova, St. John's, West Virginia definitely not.

I'm not one who thinks the NCAA tournament is the only thing.  Kansas and Ohio State had great seasons even though they got bumped before the F4.

[MerrittsMustache]

I'm not one who thinks the NCAA tournament is the only thing.  Kansas and Ohio State had great seasons even though they got bumped before the F4.

I bet if you ask Kansas and tOSU fans, they'd tell you that their seasons were very disappointing. Having a great regular season is nice, but if that doesn't translate into something in the postseason, does it really matter all that much?

[Bocephys]

I bet if you ask Kansas and tOSU fans, they'd tell you that their seasons were very disappointing. Having a great regular season is nice, but if that doesn't translate into something in the postseason, does it really matter all that much?

The problem is that a great regular season raises your expectations for the post season tournament, so the two aren't mutually exclusive. 

[Goose]

Elite 8

[WildBill77RT]

I think that I may find more personal satisfaction in a BEast tourney win, but no question, an Elite Eight would help recruiting more.

[Skatastrophy]

I don't care how our regular season goes as long as we perform in the NCAA tournament.

[Avenue Commons]

Elite 8. Silly question.