JB's long history of building a top level basketball program is a combination of hard work and a little luck. The cupboard wasn't bare when he took over from Danforth, but it wasn't a national program either. With the help of Gavitt's leadership the
Big East took off with national TV exposure and JB was able to attract the talent to come and perform in the most unique arena in the country. But give him credit, he was a excellent coach and motivator who rode the wave and got the most out of his talent. His downfall was the move to the ACC and his advancing age which seemed to sap him of a certain level of energy and enthusiasm.
While the ACC is a very good league, it doesn't compare to what JB had years ago in the Big East. In addition, Syracuse doesn't quite fit the basketball profile of an ACC team. JB knew that and I'm sure if he ever wrote another book it would be discussed. SU is a private eastern school which was an afterthought in the ACC just to get a football league established.
Can Red succeed given time (and $$)? He can definitely upgrade from what we have seen in the last few years. Will he ever get it to the SU Big East years? That is probably asking too much. I hope he can and will, but it is not going to be an easy task.
GO SU
Big East took off with national TV exposure and JB was able to attract the talent to come and perform in the most unique arena in the country. But give him credit, he was a excellent coach and motivator who rode the wave and got the most out of his talent. His downfall was the move to the ACC and his advancing age which seemed to sap him of a certain level of energy and enthusiasm.
While the ACC is a very good league, it doesn't compare to what JB had years ago in the Big East. In addition, Syracuse doesn't quite fit the basketball profile of an ACC team. JB knew that and I'm sure if he ever wrote another book it would be discussed. SU is a private eastern school which was an afterthought in the ACC just to get a football league established.
Can Red succeed given time (and $$)? He can definitely upgrade from what we have seen in the last few years. Will he ever get it to the SU Big East years? That is probably asking too much. I hope he can and will, but it is not going to be an easy task.
GO SU
