[NU Sports] b ball rant

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> Three questions.
> 
> - When does the Bill Carmody wtch begin ?? What record does

I don't necessarily think there should be one, but I would say that this coming year is Carmody's one to show to the new prez and AD that he's the right guy for the job. I don't think there will be anything before the end of next year unless there's a total meltdown.

The good news for Bill is that we'll have our best returning team in years ... the bad news is that the Big Ten will be loaded as all these super sophs become juniors.

> - Of the major sports, which 'gap' is greater - the
> gap between Fitz' program and the BCS Champion ?? or the
> gap between BC's program and the programs at
> UNC/UConn/MSU ?

Interesting question. On the field/court, the gap is probably bigger in football because of the massiveness of college football and how the 3-point line, hot shooting, experience vs. one-and-done etc. can be an equalizer (i.e. our Cats on the court with MSU can compete and even win, our Cats on the field with OSU is still not close - and nationally, UConn/UNC in hoops and USC/Florida in football is ouch either way, but still probably hoops).

But in terms of the overall program, Fitz and NU football is way ahead because there's at least a foundation there of the last 15 years with competitive teams, bowl berths, Big Ten championships, etc. We've put ourselves in positions for those breakthrough wins on the national level in football. We can compete in league play, but haven't gotten into position nationally on the court.

> Does it make sense to argue that we should raise ticket
> prices to the Womens' events (to prove that they are the
> equal of the Mens' events ?? Or should we try and keep
> the non-revenue events (including women's basketball)
> affordable for families ?? I would argue (and I think NU

I think we should try our best to make them ALL affordable for families - at least until we start filling the house for football and men's basketball games on a regular basis and there is some type of demand.

I'd be interested to see how much of our revenue comes from ticket sales for football or basketball. I can see where it would be a big chunk for Michigan or OSU, but with our small venues and even smaller crowds (not to mention lower ticket prices already than the big boys in the league), I'm not sure it's a huge cash flow stream for us. I'd think most of our athletic department funding comes from the league tie-ins, shoe and TV contracts and such. But that's just a guess in the dark - I have no basis or inside info.

Good topics - you should help out Eddie George with his Big Ten Network show!:)

GO CATS!!!
-SjT