IMO Nova hasn't been a huge power in my lifetime. Rollie had the 1 NC and was a larger than life character but GTown, St. Johns, Syracuse, etc. were the dominant forces in the northeast. Nova has been better in the last 25 years than they were in the 25 before that.clenz wrote:After a little more digging...
I found Nova has only made it to the second weekend 5 times since I was born in 1988 (09 - FF, 08 S16, 06, EE, 05 EE) and are just 20-16 since their national title...
UCONN is 50-14 over that same time span of my life.
Nova basketball isn't a huge power to anyone under 30ish. They are a program that was great in the 70s and early 80s and has since become a good program that seems to put together a decent run ever couple years.
The programs "my generation" recognize as HUGE powers are
Duke
UNC- and falling
UCONN
Florida
Kentucky
Kansas
Then there is a drop into a category of "Yeah, they're always good but never a *real* NC threat.
Huge powers is a cyclical thing. I grew up a Kansas fan in the 70's and 80's and until Danny Manning they were a mediocre to good team. Larry Brown won the NC with Danny and the Miracles and left. Dean Smith said no to his alma matter but suggested Roy Williams and Roy built the foundation that Self took to another level. Kentucky has been up and down. Calhoun built UConn. Donovan built Florida. Duke has probably had the most consistent & sustained run of success in the group. I would add Mich St to that list as well.
