Seton Hall/Butler & Creighton/Providence

[MU_Iceman]

Money... More teams in the tournament = more NCAA tournament credits... NCAA tournament money is very important for this league and will help them keep up with the big boys in recruiting and such. The more teams you have in, the more credits you can potentially earn.

As I said, this current BE will NEVER EVER be equal with the big boys. It just simply won't. It was in the old Big east. You see it in fan support...for some schools like Creighton, Butler etc, these were HUGE steps up for their programs, so the fans love it etc. For MU, it has been a HUGE step down. To see it otherwise is simply being blind. I'd argue that there has been no school more negatively impacted by this conference change than MU. When you consider where they were a few years ago, and where they are now...which school in the conference has taken a bigger step back?? Answer is NO one. It's helped almost every team(DePaul is Depaul) but MU it has damaged their overall product. They may never recover from it, at least not to the level they had been at.

[MU_Iceman]

I disagree with everything you said and comparing a pro sport to college is an outer joke.

So you disagree with the FACT that MU has taken several steps back since joining this "new" conference that so many of you were overly excited about?? That they can't dominate a conference like this isn't concerning to you?? They had ZERO problems competing in a MUCH stronger old Big East. Answer this...how many other schools in recent NCAA history that had MU's pedigree over the last 7 years....Elite 8, two sweet 16's etc, Big East title, have taken this much of a drop off and missed the NCAA's three years in a row?? If you think some of that isn't the conference, you're blind. It helps schools like Butler and Creighton who took steps up, but for MU...they have been hurt by it more than any other school. That is a FACT. Look at the results on the court, and the fans in the seats.

[MU/Panther]

I just don't get and never will understand the mentality of rooting for a "conference" that your favorite team plays in. As a Packer fan, I NEVER root for the rest of the NFC North unless it could have a direct impact on whether the Packers make the playoffs or not. In this instance, who really cares how many BE teams make the dance...MU isn't one of them...that just makes them look worse. I understand that all of you want the BE to look better, but I have news for you...the perception isn't going to change regardless. This current BE is simply NOT as good as the old BE, there is no way to sugarcoat it. It never will be, no matter how much we may want it to be. I said at the time when MU moved to this conference, it would be the death knell for the program...well, two years in, and 2 straight years of no NCAA berths, attendance is down, and MU did better in a tougher conference then they are in now. Unfortunately, it is what it is, but it's not trending in the right direction. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

Packers fan card, for the love of god, who cares! Comparing pros to the landscape of college athletics is an outer joke. Conference pride is what it's all about. How can you be considered a good team in a bad league. It's super important for any league to get as many bids as they can. If you don't understand that, well there might be a Packer replay on.

Yes, the old Big East is gone. Who cares now, let's move on. Is that you Buzz.

[mufan2003]

MU's struggles recently were due to a coaching change, not the new conference. Amount of teams in the tournament and how far those teams go is how conferences are judged. The Big East has done well with bids, now has to have teams advance.

No conference is equal to the old Big East. 2006 to 2013 Big East was the best run of a conference I have seen.

[MU/Panther]

Providence 23 Creighton 21, 3:31 left in 1st half on CBSSN
Butler 45 Seton Hall 28, 17:01 left on FS1

[TheSultan]

I just don't get and never will understand the mentality of rooting for a "conference" that your favorite team plays in. As a Packer fan, I NEVER root for the rest of the NFC North unless it could have a direct impact on whether the Packers make the playoffs or not. In this instance, who really cares how many BE teams make the dance...MU isn't one of them...that just makes them look worse. I understand that all of you want the BE to look better, but I have news for you...the perception isn't going to change regardless. This current BE is simply NOT as good as the old BE, there is no way to sugarcoat it. It never will be, no matter how much we may want it to be. I said at the time when MU moved to this conference, it would be the death knell for the program...well, two years in, and 2 straight years of no NCAA berths, attendance is down, and MU did better in a tougher conference then they are in now. Unfortunately, it is what it is, but it's not trending in the right direction. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

You are making two arguments here.

First, no one would disagree that the new BE isn't as good as the old one. Guess what...no matter how many times you point that out, it isn't going to change. The fact is that Marquette and the other BE teams did the best job they could with the future that was in front of them. It isn't the old BE, but it isn't bad either.

That being said, you should want the conference to be successful in the NCAAs. It makes the television product more valuable and increases tournament shares. Those two factors have a direct impact on Marquette's bottom line. Furthermore the perceived strength of the conference helps in recruiting. Many of Marquette's recruits have mentioned it. A rising tide raises all ships. A strong BE is good for Marquette in the long run.

I can guaranty you that Lovell, Scholl and Wojo want the BE to be successful in the NCAA. They would love nothing more than to have a team or two in the Final Four. You should want the same thing.

[MKE_GoldenEagleFan]

As I said, this current BE will NEVER EVER be equal with the big boys. It just simply won't. It was in the old Big east. You see it in fan support...for some schools like Creighton, Butler etc, these were HUGE steps up for their programs, so the fans love it etc. For MU, it has been a HUGE step down. To see it otherwise is simply being blind. I'd argue that there has been no school more negatively impacted by this conference change than MU. When you consider where they were a few years ago, and where they are now...which school in the conference has taken a bigger step back?? Answer is NO one. It's helped almost every team(DePaul is Depaul) but MU it has damaged their overall product. They may never recover from it, at least not to the level they had been at.

Not sure what you are arguing, I never said we were going to be like the old big east, I simply stated if more teams from our conference make the tournament and advance we make more money... More money is good for MU... End of story.

[MUBasketball]

If you don't understand the importance of being in a strong conference, nobody here can help you.

I'm sick of the Big East bashing nationally, especially within a conference team fan base! This is still a power league, and that's with MU, GTown, and St. Johns not being as good as usual. This is an excellent league.

[MU/Panther]

Creighton 43 Providence 37, 14:41 left on CBSSN

Butler 71 Seton Hall 66, 3:44 left on FS1

[2012Warrior]

The Big East is still trying to gain legitimacy in the eyes of the casual sports fan. The old Big East, we didn't have to worry as much because when you say big East, people immediately thought, "that's the top basketball conference." We don't have that right now. It's certainly a better conference than what is perceived nationally. Honestly, people at work or family friends still talk about it being the Catholic League.

As far as recruits, sure we didn't want Louisville and UConn loading up on 5 stars. However, the better recruits usually mean better teams. Also, having the hype of big recruits get people talking. I think when MU gets back to a tournament we won't care as much about the rest of the conference. Also, hopefully MU will be the ones making the deep runs themselves.