Schools like MU

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

My friends and I were talking/debating about programs like MU. I'm talking about history, facilities, national reputation, campus, alumni, attendance, conference, TV, etc.

I guess I'm just trying to think like a free agent coach.... where would I like to go.

I think in 1999 when Crean took over, I think MU was realistically on par with:

Xavier
Dayton
SLU
DePaul (even though Depaul was very good those couple of years)
Creighton (MU was probably a little better than)
Miami of Ohio (MU was probably a little better than)

Flash forward to 2007... I think that list has changed a lot

MU has improved greatly in the following areas:
Facilities
Conference
National Rep (final 4 improved that a TON)
Famous alumni (Dwyane, Diener, Novak, Matthew Lesko)
Television contract
Nike Contract
Overall visibility

I think MU is now roughly on par with:

Georgetown (obviously they are still on the rise, and have as much if not more history than MU)
St John's (they have been down, but that program is a sleeping giant if they ever commit themselves to winning)
Villanova
Seton Hall
Pitt? (I don't exactly know everything about their program)
Purdue? (I know they aren't great record wise, but obviously the program has good potential)
Iowa? (see purdue)
Notre Dame (MU is probably a little better than ND right now)
Stanford? (I don't know enough about this program)

What do you guys think? Am I underrating or overrating MU? Obviously I'm biased because I went to MU and I'm currently a season ticket holder, but I'm trying to look at this objectively.

[SqueallyDRyan]

you are overrating iowa and underrating Creighton

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

you are overrating iowa and underrating Creighton

You might be right, I really like Creighton because they have some nice facilities and their fan base is growing and extremely loyal. But, I just think they are in the similar spot as Gonzaga that they have a "ceiling" on the programs potential because of their conference. Nevertheless, they are a program on the rise.

I think Iowa has been bad for a while, and I'm not too sure about the facilities and stuff. I'm just thinking that most Big Ten schools not named Northwestern have potential to become big programs. I think Tubby might do some serious damage in MN. There isn't a ton of talent in that state, but there is only 1 D1 school, so he will have the inside track on the top players every year. If he can land the top talent out of MN and supplement with some others... that program will rise quickly. 

I'll say MU is in a better situation than both of those schools, but obviously Iowa has some high potential.

[SqueallyDRyan]

agreed on what you said about potential. I was looking more at how they are right now. but overall i think you have a pretty good list