Most disappointing Final Four "miss"

[SirSaxa]

DanMcQ said:

SirSaxa - of course. But who hired JTII?

DFW is right - this never would have happened without Frank Rienzo.

Dan,

As I read DFW's comments, he says that it probably would have happened without Thompson. Neither he, nor I, wrote that it would have happened without Rienzo. If I have given the impression that Rienzo's role was not absolutely essential, then somehow I have miscommunicated my view.

Allow me to restate my appreciation and respect for Rienzo. Some might recall my posts regarding Frank's participation in the search for our current coach -- basically, that Rienzo's active role in that process gave me confidence it would be done well. The results clearly bear that out.

All that said, I still believe that without the turnaround of the program that JT achieved, Frank would not have been in a position to help create the Big East. JT didn't just "turn it around". He brought GU to a level of play never before seen at the Hilltop.

DFW raised interesting points about the ECAC and the regional emphasis. As I read his comments, it reminded me of the discussions that were taking place at that time -- about which I only read from afar. I believe DFW is right about most of that. But, as for the media markets... yes, it was a key part as the Big East discussions moved forward, but DC is the least important of those markets. NYC, Boston and Philly were really essential. If GU had not become a basketball presence because of JT... I do not believe we would have been included. Remember, GU hadn't been to an NCAA tournament in a million years before Thompson arrived.

I guess DFW and I will just disagree on this, unless he has an opportunity to ask Frank Rienzo what he thinks. That's probably the most reliable way to get a more definitive view.

[DanMcQ]

SirSaxa said:

Dan,

As I read DFW's comments, he says that it probably would have happened without Thompson. Neither he, nor I, wrote that it would have happened without Rienzo. If I have given the impression that Rienzo's role was not absolutely essential, then somehow I have miscommunicated my view.

Allow me to restate my appreciation and respect for Rienzo. Some might recall my posts regarding Frank's participation in the search for our current coach -- basically, that Rienzo's active role in that process gave me confidence it would be done well. The results clearly bear that out.

All that said, I still believe that without the turnaround of the program that JT achieved, Frank would not have been in a position to help create the Big East. JT didn't just "turn it around". He brought GU to a level of play never before seen at the Hilltop.

DFW raised interesting points about the ECAC and the regional emphasis. As I read his comments, it reminded me of the discussions that were taking place at that time -- about which I only read from afar. I believe DFW is right about most of that. But, as for the media markets... yes, it was a key part as the Big East discussions moved forward, but DC is the least important of those markets. NYC, Boston and Philly were really essential. If GU had not become a basketball presence because of JT... I do not believe we would have been included. Remember, GU hadn't been to an NCAA tournament in a million years before Thompson arrived.

I guess DFW and I will just disagree on this, unless he has an opportunity to ask Frank Rienzo what he thinks. That's probably the most reliable way to get a more definitive view.

I think we're pretty much arguing around the same point. Rienzo had the vision to both hire JTII and formulate the Big East. He never gets as much credit as Gavitt but he should. Lots of little details came from the top, including being one of the first schools that had 'Big East' banners up at their home games (I know because I helped hang them).

[Nevada Hoya]

Of course, in 1996, we actually "won" because of UMASS's situation. So we were an honorary member of the Final Four that year. Of course, if they had drug testing, Villanova would have had to forfeit its trophy too in 1985.