Some Thoughts On Recruiting

[KalkBird]

You people are kidding, right? Second Golden Age? Third Golden Age? What a bunch of hyperbolic foolishness. There has been one Golden Age of MU basketball - the McGuire Era.

In the 70s MU had either the second or third most successful program in the country behind UCLA and maybe North Carolina. We were a blue blood. MU played in two national championship games in four years, winning one NC. I don't think we were out of the Top 10 for seven straight years. We landed the 5-star recruits: Dean the Dream, Chones, Butch, Toone and a bunch more just a notch below in Luke, Tatum, Bo. We had an 81 (83?) game home winning streak.

What Buzz has accomplished is certainly impressive, but it pales in comparison to MU circa 70s. Buzz may get close to that level some day, but at this point, I think Buzz has MU in the early stages of the Silver Era. We are not presently a blue blood; we are not Kentucky or Kansas or Duke or UNC or Louisville for that matter. We do not land 5-star recruits.

If Al's era was the Golden Age and Buzz so far in on the cusp of entering the Silver Age, then Crean and O'Neill can both be viewed as ushering in a Bronze Age in MU hoops.

At the other end of the spectrum we have Dukiett as being the Cardboard Era.

Let's be honest. MU will never again achieve the level of success it saw under Al in the 70s. Buzz may get us pretty close, and I certainly respect and admire what he has accomplished so far, and I am optimistic about the future. But a second Golden Age? Please!

Crean is the Tan Age

[MUMac]

The 70's for MU were the 3rd best decade behind UCLA of the 70's and Kentucky of the 50's.

[ValiantSailor]

You people are kidding, right? Second Golden Age? Third Golden Age? What a bunch of hyperbolic foolishness. There has been one Golden Age of MU basketball - the McGuire Era.

There are folks in LA who are still looking for another Wooden to lead UCLA back. What do you think of their chances?

Just as there will never be another John Wooden, there also won't be another Al. No one school will dominate CBB as they - and a handful of others - did. Parity.

Personally, I think today's brand is more exciting than that of the '70s. It all depends on how you value your "gold".

VS

[Mucrisco]

For me, this is the golden age of Marquette. I'll always seek out hearing stories about Al, and I think I've read every book about him, but I never got to experience those years. If I were to brag about those years, that would be like Cubs fans faking their anguish about their club history, even though the majority of them have experienced better success than the Brewers.