ESPN College Gameday

[Sultan__of__Swine]

ESPN College Gameday (Basketball) is heading to (10-11) North Carolina this Saturday. UNC is hosting Duke. I get that this is the biggest rivalry in college basketball, but does anyone believe this is really a compelling matchup that deserves the attention of ESPN's College Basketball Showcase? Gameday for football and basketball has always been to hype one of the biggest games for that day. The Duke vs UNC is not that game, not even close. Especially when you have a matchup of the #1 Team in the ACC in UofL facing the reining National Champions, UVA who sit 4th in the conference and has a commanding head-to-head series lead over UofL in the ACC.

But, why would ESPN ever chose to come to Louisville? It's only been since 2/8/08! Us Louisvlle fans need to be more patient I guess?

I was interested to see how the numbers shook out on the teams that have hosted Gameday since Louisville hosted in February 2008. It's pretty eye opening.

10 = Duke - 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2019, 2020
8 = Kansas - 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020
8 = UNC - 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
7 = Kentucky - 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2019
4 = Michigan St - 2011, 2014, 2016, 2019
4 = Virginia - 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
3 = Arizona - 2012, 2015, 2017
3 = Florida - 2011, 2015, 2017
3 = Notre Dame - 2009, 2013, 2016
3 = UConn - 2010, 2012, 2014
2 = Memphis - 2008, 2014
2 = Michigan - 2012, 2015
2 = Syracuse - 2010, 2014
2 = Tennessee - 2009, 2011
2 = Texas - 2009, 2018
2 = WVU - 2009, 2018
1 = Auburn - 2020
1 = Baylor - 2011
1 = Butler - 2013
1 = California - 2009
1 = Clemson - 2010
1 = Colorado - 2014
1 = Florida State - 2012
1 = Georgetown - 2013
1 = Gonzaga - 2009
1 = Houston - 2019
1 = Illinois - 2010
1 = Indiana - 2013
1 = Iowa State - 2015
1 = Kansas State - 2010
1 = La Salle - 2014
1 = Missouri - 2012
1 = NC State - 2013
1 = Oklahoma - 2016
1 = Oklahoma State - 2014
1 = Pittsburgh - 2012
1 = Purdue - 2011
1 = St. Mary's - 2017
1 = SMU - 2015
1 = Texas A&M - 2016
1 = Texas Tech - 2018
1 = UCLA - 2013
1 = Vanderbilt - 2012
1 = Villanova - 2011
1 = Virginia Tech - 2011
1 = Washington - 2010
1 = Wichita State - 2015
1 = Wisconsin - 2009

 

[Sultan__of__Swine]

A couple of thoughts:
- I get that we're crying over spilled milk here to some, but this show reaches a lot basketball fans and kids. This is in itself a great recruiting tool. An opportunity to show the fans, the facilities, and interviews with the head coach. For now over 12 years, Louisville basketball has gotten no benefit of any publicity through hosting of this show.

- This is great marketing to our alumni and fans who donate money! People like being stroked and having ESPN talking your program, school, and facilities up for an hour is good for business...ask Matt Willinger!

- The Yum! Center was opened in 2010 - 2011. So, it's never seen a ESPN College Gameday Show!

- How in the hell has some of these teams hosted as many times as they have over this period.....ND - 3 times! Tennesee - 2 times, Texas - 2 times....Texas sucks!

- Not sure if Vince Tyra can assert any influence over ESPN, but you'd think he could give Swofford a call and ask if ESPN could throw UofL a bone. We've been one of their favorite teams to show our games on their network over the years.

- Lastly, it's not like UofL has been so after thought during this 12-year period. A Final Four (2012), National Championship in (2013), AAC Champs in 2014, several runs to the Elite 8.

 

[KerryRhodes]

Thats pathetic to pass up UofL so many times, i hope they never come here.

Let them go elsewhere.

 

[KozmasAgain]

I have to disagree with you on one of your comments and that is I don’t consider Duke vs UNC as the biggest rivalry in college basketball. I do agree that it is one of the biggest but not the biggest, I would put Louisville vs sUcK up there with them. On years when one of them is down like UNC is this year I would think the game is pretty irrelevant. You raise a really good argument though, I wonder how many of these schools are Nike schools and how many are Adidas schools.

 

[Sultan__of__Swine]

I have to disagree with you on one of your comments and that is I don’t consider Duke vs UNC as the biggest rivalry in college basketball. I do agree that it is one of the biggest but not the biggest, I would put Louisville vs sUcK up there with them. On years when one of them is down like UNC is this year I would think the game is pretty irrelevant. You raise a really good argument though, I wonder how many of these schools are Nike schools and how many are Adidas schools.

When Louisville wins more than 2 games in a decade it'll be a top tier rivalry.

UNC and Duke are even in wins and I believe in points scored in their 100+ matchups. I'm sorry but UK vs UofL doesn't touch that rivalry at this time.

 

[KerryRhodes]

When Louisville wins more than 2 games in a decade it'll be a top tier rivalry.

UNC and Duke are even in wins and I believe in points scored in their 100+ matchups. I'm sorry but UK vs UofL doesn't touch that rivalry at this time.

When you can play your rival 2 maybe 3 or even 4 times a year, you get plenty of opportunity to beat them.

No doubt if UofL and SuCkS played Wednesday, the Cards would win.

The OPs point is, that football gameday only goes to schools that are winning. Theyre not going to a 6-5 Auburn for the Iron bowl.
A 10 or 9 win Auburn yes. But a 10-11 UNC team ? Wow.

 

[KozmasAgain]

Well if this is one of the greatest rivalries in sports where you never know who is going to win I bet I can predict this years winner. The point is this years game between Duke vs UNC is not worthy of a game day coverage but it is happening. I am sure the rest of the country will tune in to watch this edge of your seat contest.

 

[nccardfan]

Well if this is one of the greatest rivalries in sports where you never know who is going to win I bet I can predict this years winner. The point is this years game between Duke vs UNC is not worthy of a game day coverage but it is happening. I am sure the rest of the country will tune in to watch this edge of your seat contest.

It’s college basketball history. Some time this year Roy is likely to pass Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp (yeah) and Jim Calhoun and will only trail Coach K, Boeheim and Bobby Knight in terms of total wins. Coach K is 72 and Roy is 70. The end of an era is fast approaching. Whether you admit it or not, these two programs have been the cornerstone for men’s college basketball. Between the two, they have won 6 NC since 2000. Coach K has been to 12 FF and Roy has been to 5 FF.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I wonder what their ratings will be.

 

[KozmasAgain]

I am not denying their history and I actually like the fact that we are in the conference with them. However this year the game between them is irrelevant. UNC has no chance of winning the conference or making the NCAA tournament.
What I can’t figure out is how UNC is so bad this year. I know their problems are short live because they have 3 McDonald’s AA’s coming in next year. So who screwed up the recruiting for this year it is odd.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

They should be doing the Gonzaga St. Mary's game. Or the UofL UVA game. Maybe Seton Hall vs Nova.

 

[nccardfan]

I am not denying their history and I actually like the fact that we are in the conference with them. However this year the game between them is irrelevant. UNC has no chance of winning the conference or making the NCAA tournament.
What I can’t figure out is how UNC is so bad this year. I know their problems are short live because they have 3 McDonald’s AA’s coming in next year. So who screwed up the recruiting for this year it is odd.

I’m sure the loss of Coby White and Nasir Little plus graduation of Luke Maye had a lot to do with it plus 4 major injuries. Two of them were ruled out for the season.

 

[KerryRhodes]

A 10-12 UNC is hosting gameday.

 

[KozmasAgain]

I can see how the injuries caught them off guard but only 2 were gone for the season. Everybody loses good players every year, sUcK loses 4 or 5 players every year. It seems as though UNC didn’t get their allotment of McDonald’s AA this year. What happened did they miss their payments?

 

[nccardfan]

I can see how the injuries caught them off guard but only 2 were gone for the season. Everybody loses good players every year, sUcK loses 4 or 5 players every year. It seems as though UNC didn’t get their allotment of McDonald’s AA this year. What happened did they miss their payments?

Have you thought about the impact on our team if DJ and Malik weren’t playing and then say Nwora were to sit out 6-8 games?

 

[KozmasAgain]

No but they didn’t play early in the season and we were doing better than what UNC is doing. I don’t have anything against UNC I just think it is odd they didn’t get their share of AA’s this year like they always do. Somebody screwed up on the recruiting trail, I hope UNC and Virginia are strong again next year.

 

[nccardfan]

No but they didn’t play early in the season and we were doing better than what UNC is doing. I don’t have anything against UNC I just think it is odd they didn’t get their share of AA’s this year like they always do. Somebody screwed up on the recruiting trail, I hope UNC and Virginia are strong again next year.

UNC has signed 4 McD AA, followed by Duke and UK with 3 each...

 

[KozmasAgain]

I guess they were overrated

 

[nccardfan]

I guess they were overrated

That’s next year’s incoming class...

 

[Louis III]

No but they didn’t play early in the season and we were doing better than what UNC is doing. I don’t have anything against UNC I just think it is odd they didn’t get their share of AA’s this year like they always do. Somebody screwed up on the recruiting trail, I hope UNC and Virginia are strong again next year.

Only thing I would say to this, is injuries have killed UNC's roster this year. Manley out for the year, Anthony missed a few months, and so on. Hard to compete at this level when you are 1) young, but 2) young and injured! Hell, take Hagans and Montgomery off sUcK's roster and see where they are bouncing, its about the equivalent. They would be 12-10, instead of 17-5!

 

[nccardfan]

Now you know why they have Duke UNC game day. Throw out the records. Both teams play their asses off.

 

[Mayoman]

Now you know why they have Duke UNC game day. Throw out the records. Both teams play their asses off.

Hate to say it, but I agree....that game held my interest from start to finish. Only wish that UNC held on for the 'W' though. Duke is dukie luckie though. UNC missing free throws doomed them to the loss too. BL: make your darn free throws boys! Or lose the game.

 

[glassmanJ]

and yet it turned into a game pf the year so maybe they knew what they were doing. problem is we simply do not have very many big game matchups at home so they don't come here. and we've switched conferences so many times do we even have a rivalry anymore with anyone? and while uk is a rivalry if we never win who wants to see that. otherwsie who is gameday coming here to see us play? duke, uk, and who else? no reason for gameday to come here

 

[MDCardsFan]

Feb. 22nd @ home against UNC, do we finally get GameDay? I would love for us to but I'm not gonna hold my breathe.

 

[gocards1987]

and yet it turned into a game pf the year so maybe they knew what they were doing. problem is we simply do not have very many big game matchups at home so they don't come here. and we've switched conferences so many times do we even have a rivalry anymore with anyone? and while uk is a rivalry if we never win who wants to see that. otherwsie who is gameday coming here to see us play? duke, uk, and who else? no reason for gameday to come here

Does it have to be a rival? We we’ve been in what is usually the toughest conference for 15 years and havent had a gameday in over a decade. How many ranked vs ranked matchups have we had? Its not like we’ve never been on as we’ve been the visiting team multiple times.

 

[KerryRhodes]

I reiterate.
Hope UofL never host gameday.

There has been plenty of great games the Cards hosted while in the Big East and ACC gameday could have came here for , since the KFC Center opened.