Oh how quickly the worm turns...

[49r]

So I was perusing the bluejay underground tonight (I know, I know...I was bored, sue me) and I came across this gem of a thread:

 

http://www.bluejayunderground.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2052

 

a Big East invite is still nothing more than a rumor** and already the Jays fans are getting too uppity to even consider scheduling their former Mo Valley conference mates - even at home, much less home and home series.  Citing all the same reasons they have chastised Huskers for for years.

 

a couple of paraphrases:

"Nothing to gain from scheduling a potential loss on the road against a mid-major"

"Conference schedule is a killer, we need more cupcakes"

 

and a direct quote:

"It's one thing to play Drake or Evansville in a midweek game and another to take on Marquette or St. John's and do it consistently."

 

So much delicious irony there.  

 

Oh, and to put a Husker angle on it, so this thread doesn't get relegated to the College Hoops siberia board...

 

I am curious how everyone feels about Creighton potentially joining the Big East and how it may or may not affect Husker Hoops.  My thoughts are summarized in the footnote below.  I also find it interesting how they haven't even left the MVC yet and already they're big-timing their former conference mates...a few of them are even big-timing the 'Skers in there, LOL! 

 

 

 

**Admittedly, it's looking more and more like a lock for them, and I for one am glad for it.  It helps elevate the sport in Nebraska, and ultimately I believe will be good for the Huskers.

[49r]

Like I said above, I am excited for the potential for college Hoops in Nebraska to be elevated above just a winter time diversion.  I think that with the investments Nebraska's made from an infrastructure standpoint (facilities/coaching) and Creighton actually playing some games that matter on a regional, if not national stage more than once or twice a year (potentially), we could see great things happen for hoops in Nebraska.

 

...now if we can just get UNO to get off their butts and get their hoops program rolling...  

[ajb5856]

So I was perusing the bluejay underground tonight (I know, I know...I was bored, sue me) and I came across this gem of a thread:

http://www.bluejayunderground.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2052

a Big East invite is still nothing more than a rumor** and already the Jays fans are getting too uppity to even consider scheduling their former Mo Valley conference mates - even at home, much less home and home series. Citing all the same reasons they have chastised Huskers for for years.

a couple of paraphrases:

"Nothing to gain from scheduling a potential loss on the road against a mid-major"

"Conference schedule is a killer, we need more cupcakes"

and a direct quote:

"It's one thing to play Drake or Evansville in a midweek game and another to take on Marquette or St. John's and do it consistently."

So much delicious irony there.

Oh, and to put a Husker angle on it, so this thread doesn't get relegated to the College Hoops siberia board...

I am curious how everyone feels about Creighton potentially joining the Big East and how it may or may not affect Husker Hoops. My thoughts are summarized in the footnote below. I also find it interesting how they haven't even left the MVC yet and already they're big-timing their former conference mates...a few of them are even big-timing the 'Skers in there, LOL!

**Admittedly, it's looking more and more like a lock for them, and I for one am glad for it. It helps elevate the sport in Nebraska, and ultimately I believe will be good for the Huskers.

I agree that it will ultimately be good for basketball in this state and good for the Huskers. But what effect does this move have on Creighton and their recruiting right away? Nebraska switches conferences but their recruiting target pretty much stays the same meaning the caliber of player needed to compete in conference is the same. Geography of recruiting changes a little, not much more than that though. Creighton on the other hand is a team that has branded itself as an elite mid major program. All of a sudden, they have to recruit a different caliber of player and convince them to play in the Big East (or whatever they call it), and oh, by the way, come out to Omaha to do it. It's a good move for Creighton but I see struggles ahead. Tough move for them and quite the adjustment is in line. There will be a learning curve and it makes me smile a little bit because I know struggles will ensue. You go from being 'the show' in your little high school league, beating out Drake and Wichita State to win league titles, and now you have to play with the big boys.

[49r]

I agree, Creighton's about to enter into a whole new world, and their fans may be in for a bit of a shock.

 

I would anticipate at least a couple years (best case scenario) are going to be pretty rocky for them.  And that's not even in a REALLY tough league like the B1G!  

[hhcdave]

The stooper back to obscurity is going to be fun to watch over the next decade for our buddies up in Omaha.

[49r]

The stooper back to obscurity is going to be fun to watch over the next decade for our buddies up in Omaha.

 

Best part is it'll be televised nationally on Fox Sports1!

[uneblinstu]

I don't think they fall back to mediocrity.  They've got everything in place to be successful, but they're going have to recruit a different type of player to compete regularly in that conference.  They likely won't be competing for conference titles every year like they were in the MVC.  I'd expect it to take them a couple of years to adjust, but I don't expect them to stay down too long, especially if there is a bumper crop of talent coming up in the state like many think there is, they should benefit from that.  If McDermott stays for his senior year, that could help cushion that transition period a bit.  

 

Hopefully it will push NU to get better, too.  It should. Hopefully it will also get more kids interested in playing basketball with two teams in major conferences and a third now playing D1.  It should.  Would be nice to have some regular talent coming from our back yard, not just a bumper crop once every generation.

[hhcmatt]

Oh, and to put a Husker angle on it, so this thread doesn't get relegated to the College Hoops siberia board...

In Soviet Russia, thread moves you.

[hhcmatt]

I agree, Creighton's about to enter into a whole new world, and their fans may be in for a bit of a shock.

 

I would anticipate at least a couple years (best case scenario) are going to be pretty rocky for them.  And that's not even in a REALLY tough league like the B1G!  

While it's not the Big East, Butler and VCU have transitioned nicely so it is possible.

Akoy Agau didn't have Creighton on his list. Would Creighton had been on his list and possibly even higher than Nebraska had they been in the Big East?

[uneblinstu]

It's possible.  Different guys, but Erick Strickland said if Creighton had been relevant and in a conference like it looks like it looks like they're going to he would have considered the Jays.  Glad he didn't but playing in a significant conference will make guys who might not have listened to what McDermott had to say might pay attention now.

[huskerbaseball13]

I'm sure it will get more recruits to look at Creighton. Many recruits want to play in a top conference. But they will face the same problems NU does now...bare talent in state going against programs in your league that can hand pick talent in their respective states. Creighton had an advantage in te valley because they were willing to spend more and had better facilities than their opponents. Won't be so if they move to the catholic 7. Plus, lets not forget what a complete failure McDermott was at his last job in a big conference. And last but not least...the recruits he has been bringing in and the recruits he has committed in upcoming classes won't lead them very far in a top conference.

[uneblinstu]

I guess my hope is that having another school that plays in a major conference will increase the profile of the sport and more kids take it up in the process.  The state will never be a basketball factory, but it should be able to be a sport that can produce 3-5 more players that can play at NU or CU every 5 years or so.  That would be progress.

[hhcmatt]

https://twitter.com/TunnelWalkShame/status/311936905581322241