With our shared Jesuit roots, BC has plenty in common with Gonzaga. But they don't have a football team and have used basketball to create their college sports identity. They also don't play in a Power 5 conference, so many of the things they do to compete are somewhat irrelevant to BC.
North Carolina is a fellow ACC school. Their success is a reminder that we are part of the best basketball conference in the country. Any ACC team can and should compete for National Titles. But North Carolina's historic success and unique brand makes their model a little more difficult for BC to replicate.
Oregon is not a traditional basketball power, so it is refreshing to see them in the Final Four. But the Pac 12 identity and the mountains of Nike money have little in common with BC.
South Carolina might not seem like the best model for BC, but they do give me hope. Like BC they are a Football school first. Like BC they have had moments of basketball success but are not viewed as the 'power' team within their conference. They have money but not more than their conference foes. Just a few years ago they were struggling, but made a coaching change and have improved. I also appreciate that they made the Final Four as a mid-level seed. Even when BC has been very good, I feel like we were underseeded, so a 7 making the Final Four is also encouraging.
BC has a lot of decisions to make about sports in the next 12 months. Unfortunately Basketball is not high on that list. But one day soon, things will turn around. BC will make the Final Four. If you don't believe me, just look at what South Carolina pulled off.
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