Is SCU "All IN" for Men's Basketball?

So, I promised a Men's Basketball season recap for my next article, but yesterday my mailbox and Twitter were blowing up with the "All IN for SCU" challenge.

I think these crowd-funding challenge events are great and SCU knows how to fund raise...

BUT, it made me stop and ask - particularly when it comes to Men's Basketball, why is it that they are so direct and open with communications asking for money, yet so lacking in providing their best customers information that might build more trust, confidence, and a sense of community to go "ALL IN" to support the team?

Don' get me wrong.  Communications like "This Week In Bronco Sports" and "EYEBRONCO" sports recaps are nice, but they don't address the elephant in the room - the questions about the future strategy and plans for Men's Basketball.  

The Commission and the Trustees have spoken.  Yet, to date, no one has spoken to season ticket holders and loyal fans.  It seems we're acting like it's some super secret that we to want to invest in competing nationally and at the top of the WCC.

We're not expecting a bunch of confidential information, but some dialogue would be welcome.

Hitting the "mute" button isn't a strategy.  Even if the University is in the "silent" phase of a campaign to recruit large potential donors, wouldn't those prospects want to see that the season ticket holders and fans are already "All IN" as validation that their gift will have impact?

I think so...

Building a Brand around Men's Basketball doesn't start with asking for money.  It starts by making people feel like they are involved and included. 

Only then will we want to go "ALL IN"... 

Santa Clara Men's Basketball - "What are the Odds"

The Broncos returned from the WCC Tourney in Las Vegas "breaking even" with a blowout win over LMU and a frustrating loss to BYU.  

In the LMU blowout, they looked like the team we'd hoped for all season.  Solid at both ends.  

The BYU game showed we have athletes who can compete, but are still searching for the confidence and execution needed to close out good opponents. 

So, "Leaving Las Vegas" - where do we go from here?

Do we "hold-em" or ante up?

The "hold-em" odds-makers are already in hype mode of how great it's going to be.  Another new crop of recruits to go with more experienced returnees portends a team rising. There will be a ton of gee whiz stats that satisfy some, but haven't translated into W's.  As season ticket holders and fans, we're getting worn out hearing how great it's going to be - how about really being great???

With six losing record seasons out of our past eight - we need some great NOW.  

What are the odds?

The "ante up" odds-makers are looking to the University leadership to implement the President's Commission on Athletics recommendations in true Silicon Valley fashion - act bold, entrepreneurial - move quickly... 

What are the odds? 

Maybe it's time to "roll the dice" and spend some money for better marketing, recruiting, and a stronger schedule?  Does the "We're on a Mission" PR tag line have measurements or accountability?

What are the odds?

Athletics has submitted its "get competitive" plan to the University and Trustees.  My guess is that it's a five year road map.  In Silicon Valley, that's almost three technology generations.  For Men's Basketball, that's about one full recruiting cycle (up to six years) including the time incubating redshirts. 

Translation.  Best case, NCAA at-large in two years (Brownridge's senior year) OR, in four years, when the 2015-2016 new recruits are seniors.  This assumes we don't "find" another Nash-like uber star.

My odds say that our best NCAA chance is in two years.  I'll elaborate more on that scenario soon.

The point remains the same - opportunity.  SCU has tremendous credentials to enable Athletics be to nationally successful. 

Everyone knows it - including our WCC competitors.  

BUT, they don't think we have the will or the drive to make it happen.  It's time.  We're all involved.  No more status quo.  

It's time to "double down".  Make it happen...

What are the odds?

Next:   Season Recap

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Senior Night - What a Night!

SCU threw some great parties Saturday night and the best of all them may have been the one at Leavey where we beat St.Mary's 71-70.

It wasn't about fundraising like the Golden Circle - but it did "raise" something as important - expectations about where our MBB needs to be - competitive with the top teams in the WCC.

It was also about gaining R E S P E C T.  

The clincher from Jared Brownridge with 7 seconds left was even more astounding than his step back 3 pointer at the buzzer to beat the Gaels last year.
  
Brownridge's "tear drop" was so high off the glass that it could be a case study for the SCU Physics Department to rethink Newton's Law of Gravity.

The party started with the emergence of Jarvis Pugh.  His "cat quick" mid-court steal and hang glider dunk were a booster shot of adrenalin.  

Denzel Johnson played his best game on senior night in front of family and friends including NBA hall of famer Gary Payton.  He drilled some "party favor" 3's mid second half that kept us close.

Senior Brandon Clark's gritty play and key free throws gave us a chance.  

Then, the final pass to the closer, who put the Gaels away.  How far away...well, bye bye to their NCAA bid...

And most of all, the Season Ticket Holders and fans felt something missing for a long time - Proud...

And you know it's a feeling we should have every game, not once or twice a season.  A feeling that is needed to take this incredible franchise to a level where teams dread playing us.  A feeling we belong and can compete; rather than a one game upset victory.

The same feeling we had back in the day when teams came to play the Broncos in the San Jose Civic Auditorium; the basketball equivalent of the "Hurt Locker".  

Opponents who drove the lane against SCU were met by the Ogden brothers (who were in attendance last night) to slow you down and if that didn't work, there was an "in your face" Dennis Awtrey to make the stop. Opposing teams woke up the next day and felt like they'd be in an alley fight - sore.

Our house - Pride...Respect..

We gained a measure of both Saturday night.  But we need the party to continue in Las Vegas and from there "double down" on our commitment to competing at a higher level. 

Reboot, retool, and re-invest in Athletics and Men's Basketball.  

It's a matter of respect and pride....

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