(03-05-2024 02:00 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(03-05-2024 09:53 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  I used to think that Duke would be a valuable addition for the SEC or B1G. I don't think that anymore. And I still think Duke is more valuable than NC State.

So IMO, UNC cannot bring anyone along.

IMO, the recent machinations of the NC legislature and other organs is a manifestation of this. I think they realize that NC State isn't getting a P2 invite should the ACC collapse, and they have taken actions to protect NC State.

Futile actions, I believe, but that is the motivation.

Just MO.

It solely depends on how much value is assigned to basketball.

I believe that Duke is to basketball as Notre Dame is to football: the single biggest national brand. It shows in the TV ratings year-after-year. UNC, Kansas and Kentucky may technically have larger fan bases as huge state schools, but Duke is the unique national draw.

So, either blue blood basketball is worth something in P2 expansion or it isn’t. If it is, then I’d argue that Duke is more valuable than Kansas, for sure. (UNC likely still has an overall value advantage over Duke.) If it’s not worth much of anything, then it’s not so much Duke isn’t valuable, but rather basketball isn’t valuable (because there’s no more valuable basketball school than Duke for national TV purposes).

1. Changes in law in regard to NIL and likely employee status are going to impact football and basketball and since basketball remains the network draw after the CFP final is finished, I'd say basketball remains important as a revenue sport.

2. If #1 is true Duke will have a P2 home, as will UNC and Kansas. The Big 10 has plenty of basketball depth, but not a headliner. The SEC basketball product is vastly improved, but the headliner Kentucky has been meandering instead of challenging. Both conferences could use a shot of Duke hoops, or at least UNC and Kansas.

3. The best all-around hoops potentially available is UNC. Their market share in North Carolina and national brand, and competence in football, and solid baseball has them easily out in front. If they want Duke as a companion neither the SEC nor the Big 10 would turn the pair down. The breakaway upper tier may have been envisioned initially as football only, but the direction of the courts has added another dimension. What I like about the SEC's position is that the football branding is deep enough that it can afford, and would be wise, to invest a slot or 3 for hoops.

(03-05-2024 02:00 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(03-05-2024 09:53 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  I used to think that Duke would be a valuable addition for the SEC or B1G. I don't think that anymore. And I still think Duke is more valuable than NC State.

So IMO, UNC cannot bring anyone along.

IMO, the recent machinations of the NC legislature and other organs is a manifestation of this. I think they realize that NC State isn't getting a P2 invite should the ACC collapse, and they have taken actions to protect NC State.

Futile actions, I believe, but that is the motivation.

Just MO.

It solely depends on how much value is assigned to basketball.

I believe that Duke is to basketball as Notre Dame is to football: the single biggest national brand. It shows in the TV ratings year-after-year. UNC, Kansas and Kentucky may technically have larger fan bases as huge state schools, but Duke is the unique national draw.

So, either blue blood basketball is worth something in P2 expansion or it isn’t. If it is, then I’d argue that Duke is more valuable than Kansas, for sure. (UNC likely still has an overall value advantage over Duke.) If it’s not worth much of anything, then it’s not so much Duke isn’t valuable, but rather basketball isn’t valuable (because there’s no more valuable basketball school than Duke for national TV purposes).

I agree about Duke hoops having unique appeal, though IMO a lot of that was the mystique of Coach K, and I think the jury is still out as to whether that mystique will last now that he is gone. But still.

Personally, I would love to see the SEC add Duke and UNC. I think adding them plus FSU and Clemson would be the perfect foursome to make an even 20.

But I do doubt that hoops matters enough. I hope it does.

By the way, for anyone who may be wondering: a college education is still very much worth getting.

Simply on economic terms: The wage gap between recent college and high school grads has been widening for decades, and grew even more last year, per new Federal Reserve data.

https://www.axios.com/2024/03/04/college...difference