Is Memphis BBall Elite?

#1
VFL10

VFL10

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#1
My co-worker keeps insisting that Memphis Basketball is one of the "Elite" programs in the country. He cites their "grand" history and recent successes with players going to the NBA.

So my question to volnation is this, Do you think of Memphis Basketball as an Elite Power Program? Why or why not?
 
#3
#3
This topic comes up all the time by Memphis fans and ONLY Memphis fans. They are not elite. Elite is winning multiple national championships over your history and consistent tourney success over generations and/or with different coaches. They do not qualify. The elite (arguably) are Duke, UNC, UK, Indiana, UCONN, Syracuse, UCLA, Arizona, Kansas, Michigan State.

Memphis is however, IMO in the second tier of schools which have a nice history (often with one coach) or a recent (last 10 years or so) run of success which places them in the next tier. Memphis has had success with 2 coaches, but really only Cal took them to the brink of elite, right before he left them standing at the alter. Pastner has not taken them over the threshold, in fact he has lost some momentum (on the court - not recruiting). The other teams (arguably) in the next tier are Villanova, Pitt, Butler, Louisville (although as long a Ricky P is there they could be in the above list), Ohio State, maybe Michigan (with Bielein and their history), Florida (they should be above, but their fanbase is sooo weak), Georegtown, and Gonzaga.

Then of course there are teams with periods of great success, but an inability to maintain it over the long-haul and/or recently. Tennessee, Texas, Purdue, NC State, Maryland, Arkansas, Wisconsin (could argue above, but playing style limits overall perception of program), Kansas State.

Just my thoughts though
 
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#4
#4
Sums it up pretty well.

Memphis has put a nice program together in recent years. Nothing more, nothing less.
 
#5
#5
Elite, no. A good history, yes I'll give them that. But to be considered elite you need at least to have won a National Championship. They have 3 Final Four appearances, with 2 of them stripped.
 
#8
#8
They're definitely a basketball school, but I don't see how anyone can call them elite. To be considered elite, imo, you have to win at least 1 Championship and make consistent Final Four and Championship game appearances.
 
#10
#10
IMO....The only ELITE programs in the country are Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, North Carolina and UCLA

Memphis is above average but not at an elite status. UCLA has such a rich tradition that it's hard to not consider them elite. Even with the down years, they'll be back competiting in final fours a lot easier than most would. I would put Memphis on the same level as a Georgetown, Arizona, Syracuse and L'ville type of program. Competitive year in and year out and for 90% of the time solid.
 
#13
#13
There are six blue bloods in college basketball. There is one second-tier team. The third tier is comprised of anywhere between six and ten programs.

Memphis may enter the conversation at this point, but I wouldn't exactly say they were the very top of the fourth tier.
 
#16
#16
Shaun1985 said:
IMO....The only ELITE programs in the country are Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, North Carolina and UCLA

Memphis is above average but not at an elite status. UCLA has such a rich tradition that it's hard to not consider them elite. Even with the down years, they'll be back competiting in final fours a lot easier than most would. I would put Memphis on the same level as a Georgetown, Arizona, Syracuse and L'ville type of program. Competitive year in and year out and for 90% of the time solid.
Click to expand...

Probably the best post so far...
 
#17
#17
Shaun1985 said:
IMO....The only ELITE programs in the country are Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, North Carolina and UCLA

Memphis is above average but not at an elite status. UCLA has such a rich tradition that it's hard to not consider them elite. Even with the down years, they'll be back competiting in final fours a lot easier than most would. I would put Memphis on the same level as a Georgetown, Arizona, Syracuse and L'ville type of program. Competitive year in and year out and for 90% of the time solid.
Click to expand...

I hate to admit it but shouldn't Indiana be considerd an elite?
 
#18
#18
Also don't sleep on Florida - they don't have the history of success but they could make a run like UCONN which wasn't known for bball before Calhoun.
 
#23
#23
Memphis is definitely a basketball school, and the athletic budget focuses solely on basketball.

Memphis is a very very solid basketball program but they are not elite. They're in the 2nd tier like a previous poster said. The fanbase is as good as any school through the way it supports the team.
 
#24
#24
Daloth said:
I see Memphis as the Oregon of basketball currently.
Click to expand...

Good analogy.

Memphis is a good basketball program, but they are far from elite.

UK, Duke, UConn, UNC, Indiana, Michigan State, UCLA, Kansas and Louisville are all elite programs imo.
 
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