Are we still in a power conference?

[MUDrag]

Check out the Texas game recap.  Texas has beaten DePaul and yet the victory over Vandy was its first over a team in a power conference?  Simple oversight?  ESPN's method to lower value of FOX's rights to Big East games?  Prevalent view that Big East is not a power conference?   


http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=400498284

[The Lens]

As far as I have read Eamonn Brennan, Jeff Goodman and Dana O'Neill all think we're in a non-power conf.  I think we're all over thinking this ESPN anti-Big East thing. 

[keefe]

[GoldenWarrior11]

The Big East is one of the top-5 basketball conferences in the country.  I would rank the ACC, BIG 10, BIG 12 and PAC-12 ahead of the Big East conference.  The SEC and the AAC, or the American, or Conference USA 2.0, or whatever its called, is behind.

For what it's worth, the Big East has the toughest strength of schedule among all conferences - a sign that the league still values playing against the best.

[brewcity77]

The Big East is one of the top-5 basketball conferences in the country.  I would rank the ACC, BIG 10, BIG 12 and PAC-12 ahead of the Big East conference.  The SEC and the AAC, or the American, or Conference USA 2.0, or whatever its called, is behind.

For what it's worth, the Big East has the toughest strength of schedule among all conferences - a sign that the league still values playing against the best.

I think it's funny how Big East fans are trying to devalue the American this year, despite having Louisville (7), UConn (12), and Memphis (16) ranked, and Cincy undefeated. They will likely put 40% of their teams in the tourney and have that legit title contender that so many are saying we don't have in Louisville with UConn not far off. I realize they lose Louisville after this year, but for now, that's a pretty strong league.

[Atticus]

I think the AAC is strong enough to do a conference challenge with in the future.

[keefe]

I think the AAC is strong enough to do a conference challenge with in the future.

A man is judged by the company he keeps...

[rocky_warrior]

By Ken Pomeroy's numbers, yes...

#1 Big Ten Conference   .8266
#2 Atlantic Coast Conference   .8084
#3 Big East Conference   .7875
#4 Big 12 Conference   .7859
#5 Pac 12 Conference   .7637

[MUFlutieEffect]

There seems to be a semantic misunderstanding here:

"Power Conference" does not mean "one of the best conferences in basketball."  If that were ever the case, it certainly isn't now, and hasn't been in quite some time.  "Power Conference" refers to those that have big name schools with storied pasts, and are thus (generally) the most popular amongst the average American fan.  If this were not the case, year in and year out, the A10 would have a case for being a "Power Conference," but I think those who try to view it objectively realize that isn't the case.

That said, "Power Conferences" are defined by the media and popular appeal.  The SEC IS a Power Conference, regardless of whether or not they perform well on the court. 

The problem this causes for the Big East is the realization that ESPN controls the vast majority of College Basketball material consumed by the average fan (keep in mind that if you're reading this board, you're not an average fan).  If ESPN deems the Big East a non-Power Conference, it's reputation will slip (perhaps it already has).

Citing KenPom, SOS, or any other statistical measure has little-to-no relevance to the subject.  "Power Conferences" are those the media wants to be "Power Conferences."  As of now, the Big East is not one of them.

[MUHoopsFan2]

Nope

[4everwarriors]

Gotta ax Billy Packer

[Brewtown Andy]

"Power conference" = "school with money" which really = "school with a high paying football TV contract."

It's a silly designation. When it comes to basketball, if you're in a league that gets 3 or more teams in the tournament, you're in a conference to be reckoned with.

[Coleman]

Maybe we aren't.

But who really cares. I just want to make the NCAA tournament every year. The rest of it is just noise.

[MU82]

There seems to be a semantic misunderstanding here:

"Power Conference" does not mean "one of the best conferences in basketball."  If that were ever the case, it certainly isn't now, and hasn't been in quite some time.  "Power Conference" refers to those that have big name schools with storied pasts, and are thus (generally) the most popular amongst the average American fan.  If this were not the case, year in and year out, the A10 would have a case for being a "Power Conference," but I think those who try to view it objectively realize that isn't the case.

That said, "Power Conferences" are defined by the media and popular appeal.  The SEC IS a Power Conference, regardless of whether or not they perform well on the court. 

The problem this causes for the Big East is the realization that ESPN controls the vast majority of College Basketball material consumed by the average fan (keep in mind that if you're reading this board, you're not an average fan).  If ESPN deems the Big East a non-Power Conference, it's reputation will slip (perhaps it already has).

Citing KenPom, SOS, or any other statistical measure has little-to-no relevance to the subject.  "Power Conferences" are those the media wants to be "Power Conferences."  As of now, the Big East is not one of them.

Not necessarily arguing with you. Just wondering where you get your definition from.

[KenoshaWarrior]

Maybe we aren't.

But who really cares. I just want to make the NCAA tournament every year. The rest of it is just noise.

This!!


Memphis was not in a power conference and they were almost national champs

[GGGG]

Don't let others define you.

[Babybluejeans]

I'm sure this was posted back in October when it was published, but the point is still salient: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/88918/you-gotta-see-this-big-east

The point being: what the Big East is--or isn't--can't be determined six months into its existence. In a few years we'll have a much better idea. (That said, it'd be REALLY helpful if this conference does some serious tourney damage.)

[frozena pizza]

The new Big East will probably never rank ahead of the ACC or Big Ten, but it's a good sign that the conference currently has 5 of the top 25 recruiting classes for 2014.

[brewcity77]

Memphis was not in a power conference and they were almost national champs*

FIFY

[Eldon]

The new Big East will probably never rank ahead of the ACC or Big Ten, but it's a good sign that the conference currently has 5 of the top 25 recruiting classes for 2014.

I bet the BE coaches are milking the hell out of "aww come on, kid...you don't want to go to that football school now do ya?"

[Stronghold]

It's easy to forget that there are 30+ conferences in college hoops when we probably hear about 6 during the regular season.  So while there may be a considerable difference between 1 or 2 and 5 or 6, in the grand scheme of things we are still a power conference.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I think the AAC is strong enough to do a conference challenge with in the future.

This year, yes.

After Louisville leaves? No.

I think we should challenge the PAC 12. A battle of the FOX affiliated conferences.

[MUMountin]

I think we should challenge the PAC 12. A battle of the FOX affiliated conferences.

+1

I love the idea of a Big East/Pac 12 challenge.  Conferences match up fairly well top-to-bottom, East v. West, some interesting coaching story lines (Lavin: UCLA to SJU, Miller: X to Zona).  And, FOX could promote the hell out of it, and give them a premiere event to set up opposite the ACC/Big 10 challenge.

Plus, selfishly, hoping that it could someday mean an MU trip to Colorado.

[ErickJD08]

No.  And it sucks.  We got in the tourney every year because of the Big East.  If not for the Big East, we would have made it some of the years and not with others.  Being in a 'power conference' (conference with a bunch of ranked teams), gives you so much more opportunities for those 'quality wins' which is big with the selection committee.  Marquette needs this win tomorrow and so does the Big East.

[Sunbelt15]

No.  And it sucks.  We got in the tourney every year because of the Big East.  If not for the Big East, we would have made it some of the years and not with others.  Being in a 'power conference' (conference with a bunch of ranked teams), gives you so much more opportunities for those 'quality wins' which is big with the selection committee.  Marquette needs this win tomorrow and so does the Big East.

+1000