Santa Clara Men's Basketball - Is This the End of the Beginning?

 

                                                                                                                            

After a 30 year drought, the Broncos returned to the NCAA Tournament and battled a legacy blue-blood Kentucky team to the final three seconds before they made a miracle 40 ft buzzer beater to send the game into overtime. Only UCLA, under the great John Wooden, has won more NCAA titles than the eight owned by Kentucky.

It was perhaps one of the most exciting and painful three seconds in Bronco history.  As hard as the loss was in overtime, it had the effect of having Santa Clara Men's Basketball go viral on a global basis on every sports and news outlet imaginable.  A loss yes, but also a huge win.

It's interesting to note, that since the 1950's we have achieved consecutive years NCAA bids in at least three different decades; only to have it slip away back into anonymity for long spans of 18 and now 30 years.  

That's why I ask, "Is this the end of the beginning?"  Is it the new beginning of a sustained University and Athletic Department goal driven effort to make NCAA's annually or frequently like St. Mary's or let this opportunity slip away like in the past?  Those who were lucky enough to attend in St. Louis witnessed fans and season ticket holders on fire and loud in support of this team.  Maybe Coach Sendek's dream of filling Leavey for most every game can now be made a reality.  What a concept!

It will not be easy or for the faint of heart.  It will take a clear and measurable vision, backed by lots of money, and not accepting mediocrity along the way to growing the SCU franchise.  Everyone has to be all in including trustees, fans, season ticket holders, students, and, of course, staff.  That includes all of us chipping in to fund this fundamental shift of SCU becoming a more legit recognizable National brand like Gonzaga has enjoyed for 25 years running.  

The process has already started.  The WCC has changed as Gonzaga, Oregon State, and Washington State leave and Denver joins to form a 10 team conference.  SCU was 15-1 versus this remaining lineup last season.  St. Mary's will be without Randy Bennett, who is leaving to coach Arizona State.  The Gaels still have four starters and two solid bench players returning. This may change quickly, as players declare their intentions ahead of when the transfer portal opens April 7th.  

WCC coaches are evaluating likely roster scenarios for transfers out and in.  Santa Clara did an awesome job in the portal and high school recruiting last season.  Our NCAA press coverage should open new doors for more high major transfers into our program.  We have three high major transfers on our roster now who validate that other high major players will thrive at SCU.  The Broncos will not be exempt from current players announcing for the portal and transferring.  

The opportunities for NCAA bids remain the same.  Earn an at-large bid or win your conference tournament.  The NCAA tournament has plans to add more play in games for teams who can earn a berth into the final field of 68 teams.  With the new WCC, the Broncos have both qualification avenues as real opportunities with Gonzaga leaving and it's stranglehold on the WCC tournament.  

We'll know a lot more on April 7th when the portal opens.  In any case, it's a great time to be a Bronco and see if we can capitalize on the NCAA tournament success.  That's an opportunity 30 years in the making!

Next up:  The Portal: Should I stay or Should I go?