rodfromcranston wrote:FIFTEEN NCAAs under Dale Brown,.
Too bad there was no consistent winning period at LSU.
Won over 400 games there.
I think it's more a perception thing, i.e. what do you think of when you think of that school? If we're talking P-5 you're either football or basketball. Sure there's support for either, but there are some clear dividing lines. It's nice to be good in both, but certain schools very clearly care about 1 over the other:
Texas - Football
Alabama - Football
Kansas - Basketball
USC - Football
Duke - Basketball
Notre Dame - Football
North Carolina - Basketball
Kentucky - Basketball
Oklahoma - Football
Kansas - Basketball
LSU - Football
Indiana - Basketball
Clemson - Football
etc, etc.
If Texas or Alabama basketball loses a game, life goes on. If Texas or Alabama football loses a game? People legitimately contemplate suicide.
If Duke loses to UNC in football how many people really get broken up that don't play on the team? If UNC loses to Duke in basketball? The world stops turning for their fans.
Of course the resources are night and day at any of those programs compare to basketball only - but that isn't the end all be all.
Gonzaga, Villanova, Xavier, Dayton, Wichita State, VCU, Butler, etc have all made great national names for themselves without football dollars.
Certainly not saying that LSU isn't capable of being a good or great basketball program, or that they haven't had success. I am however saying that LSU could win a national championship in basketball and if LSU football doesn't beat Alabama in a regular season game the campus will still burn and no one will feel good about anything.