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Been thinking about what programs really need to get off to a good start and maintain some success in this new BE. I've broken them into categories.

1. St. John's - I'm not sure some of the fans of the newly invited programs fully comprehend the importance of selling the new BE to the NYC metro area. First, if the TV sets are on in NYC, Fox is going to be very happy. If Fox is happy and making $, they will promote the crap out of our league for the long term. Secondly, that north Jersey / NYC area is an absolute diamond mine for HS hoops talent. If SJU is doing well and on TV a bunch, these kids will see all of our schools playing and aspire to be a part of it. As a Nova fan some of our best players/recruits have come from that area (EZ Ed Pinckney, Randy Foye, Curtis Sumpter, Jason Frasier, Corey Fisher, Jayvaugn Pinkston, etc.). L'ville, WVU, Pitt, Syr all salivated over the NYC exposure and turned it into many recruits over the years. If schools like Butler, Xavier, etc. can now open up recruiting channels in that area, it will be a major coup. But I think for that to happen SJU needs to be relevant again in a big way. I'm pulling for SJU probably more than any other school not named Nova.

2. Creighton - These guys worry me a little for the long haul. Clearly they have built a respectable program, and I fully expect them to be a very tough out this year. But when McDermott leaves will they become consistent bottom dwellers? I hope not. It's important that Creighton starts to build a more national program. If they are the outlier geographically and they start being a basement-dweller the choice to add them will be questioned. But if they start to look more like a Xavier or Butler (consistent success and tourney appearances) they can parlay their new status as a Tier 1 hoops school into higher quality recruits and longer term success. I will be rooting hard for Creighton as well.

3. The Signature Teams - Gtwn, Nova, Marq. Xavier (If Stevens had remained I prob would have included Butler in this section as well)
- These 4 teams have had the most sustained success for the past 10-15 years with mutiple NCAA tourney appearances, and I'm least worried about these guys. I expect each to continue to be in or around the top 1/2 of the league most years. I think each has the most college BB "street cred" and need to find their way into the Top 25 on a consistent basis. The Big 10 is better when Indiana and Michigan are relevant. If 2 or 3 of these teams fall into a couple years of mediocrity, I think it hurts us all. In the ACC, Miami might have a great year and UNC struggle one year, and the perception would be that the ACC is having a down year. If Gtown, Nova and Marq for example finish 7-8-9 in the league I think the perception of our league will be tarnished even if SHU and Providence are Top 20 teams.

4. Depaul - Man if Depaul could get its act together. Chicago is another HUGE market and great BB town. The comments I made about SJU can be mirrored a bit w/ Depaul. Get relevant and get Chicago people watching. To own more of that market would be HUGE for us collectively.

No offense to the rest, as I would love to see each to have success, but I think, for different reasons, it's critical for these programs to make some immediate noise. I'd be open to any opposing views. For the other programs, please don't take it personally; just one man's opinion.

I agree that a strong and competitive St Johns team has a huge potential impact on the league. For many of the same reasons, DePaul reversing course would be great as well.

Seton Hall and St. John's both need to succeed. Renewing the rivalry (the Big East forced SHU to play cellar dweller/RPI killer Rutgers twice each year - something no other school was forced to do) that SHU and SJU had before the football dregs were added to the conference I believe will be key. Those match-ups used to determine championships and there was a lot on the line when they played. It brought a lot of attention to college basketball especially in the NJ/NY market.

Realistically, all of them need to succeed.

For brand-perception, Georgetown, Marquette, and Villanova need to.

St. John's is also important to get NYC to buy into the conference.

I want our best teams winning 13-15 games in conference play. In order for that to happen, other teams are going to have to lose 13-15 games. Can't root for everybody. I agree that Georgetown, Villanova, Marquette and Xavier are probably our signature teams. It would be great if St John's could consistently finish in the top half of the league (to raise our profile in NYC). Creighton will make some noise this year and Providence looks to be solid. It will be interesting to see how the pecking order of the league develops over time.

The only issue for Creighton will be recruiting. Can we get the recruits necessary to compete over the long term, especially in light of our home state not producing a lot in the way of D1 basketball talent?

If we can get the recruits, I think Creighton will be just fine over the long run. In a lot of ways, it appears Creighton either already has (or is building) some of the nicest facilities in the league. I know this may come as a shock to some of our east coast conference mates, but our arena is already one of the nicest and the new basketball only men's practice facility, which will be completed in the late spring/early summer, will be top of the line as well. As a whole, the athletic department is extremely strong; Creighton is ranked preseason and should compete for conference titles in two of the three main fall sports (Men's soccer and volleyball) and should be very strong (and conceivably be favored to win the conference or compete for conference titles) in women's basketball, baseball and softball.

Recruiting for men's basketball is the big question right now. Not finding out about the conference move until last March has certainly put Creighton behind a couple of other programs that had a head start on 2014 recruits. I also expect that it will take some time for some of the east coast kids to learn about Creighton and realize that Omaha is a real metropolitan city with a significant minority presence, not some giant cornfield where we all drive tractors to work. (Disclosure: I've never driven or owned a tractor in my life ). Obviously, a big year this year would help the recruiting significantly.

Bluejay wrote:The only issue for Creighton will be recruiting. Can we get the recruits necessary to compete over the long term, especially in light of our home state not producing a lot in the way of D1 basketball talent?

If we can get the recruits, I think Creighton will be just fine over the long run. In a lot of ways, it appears Creighton either already has (or is building) some of the nicest facilities in the league. I know this may come as a shock to some of our east coast conference mates, but our arena is already one of the nicest and the new basketball only men's practice facility, which will be completed in the late spring/early summer, will be top of the line as well. As a whole, the athletic department is extremely strong; Creighton is ranked preseason and should compete for conference titles in two of the three main fall sports (Men's soccer and volleyball) and should be very strong (and conceivably be favored to win the conference or compete for conference titles) in women's basketball, baseball and softball.

Recruiting for men's basketball is the big question right now. Not finding out about the conference move until last March has certainly put Creighton behind a couple of other programs that had a head start on 2014 recruits. I also expect that it will take some time for some of the east coast kids to learn about Creighton and realize that Omaha is a real metropolitan city with a significant minority presence, not some giant cornfield where we all drive tractors to work. (Disclosure: I've never driven or owned a tractor in my life ). Obviously, a big year this year would help the recruiting significantly.

Unfortunately facilities don't matter as much as you'd think for recruiting, if that were the case Georgetown certainly wouldn't be recruiting as well as they are and they may have the worst facilities in the league.

Good topic and agree with points already made. My hope is none of the schools have long runs being at the bottom of the league standings (not at the expense of my Musketeers of course . I wonder how the conference will do at MSG in this initial season? Xavier fans generally travel well. I would think Villanova with a strong team and close proximity will be well represented. Also believe NYC area will supply numbers with there being so many hard core college basketball fans in the metro area? Does Marquette usually bring a large contingent for the tournament? How about Georgetown? I know Creighton fans pack the house in Omaha. Should we expect lots of Blue Jay fans? Would love to hear from the long time BE fans on what you expect.

aughnanure wrote:

Bluejay wrote:The only issue for Creighton will be recruiting. Can we get the recruits necessary to compete over the long term, especially in light of our home state not producing a lot in the way of D1 basketball talent?

If we can get the recruits, I think Creighton will be just fine over the long run. In a lot of ways, it appears Creighton either already has (or is building) some of the nicest facilities in the league. I know this may come as a shock to some of our east coast conference mates, but our arena is already one of the nicest and the new basketball only men's practice facility, which will be completed in the late spring/early summer, will be top of the line as well. As a whole, the athletic department is extremely strong; Creighton is ranked preseason and should compete for conference titles in two of the three main fall sports (Men's soccer and volleyball) and should be very strong (and conceivably be favored to win the conference or compete for conference titles) in women's basketball, baseball and softball.

Recruiting for men's basketball is the big question right now. Not finding out about the conference move until last March has certainly put Creighton behind a couple of other programs that had a head start on 2014 recruits. I also expect that it will take some time for some of the east coast kids to learn about Creighton and realize that Omaha is a real metropolitan city with a significant minority presence, not some giant cornfield where we all drive tractors to work. (Disclosure: I've never driven or owned a tractor in my life ). Obviously, a big year this year would help the recruiting significantly.

Unfortunately facilities don't matter as much as you'd think for recruiting, if that were the case Georgetown certainly wouldn't be recruiting as well as they are and they may have the worst facilities in the league.

Doesn't hurt to have great facilities, I think Georgetown is relying more on their great basketball history and top notch education. Too bad they can't upgrade their facilities, they could really move up to the next level IMO.

It would be nice if Georgetown didn't let us down in March any more.