Elite 8 Epilogue - Key Takeaways

[UDBaby]

My takeaways from the Elite 8 run for our Flyers: (in no specific order)

In general for UD:

• Big revenue boost for UD (from TV to merchandizing etc.)
• The UD brand goes nationwide - something Dr. Dan has been working tirelessly to achieve. The groundwork done over the last 10 yrs is now displayed to a national audience with the the NCAA tourney run helping to turbo-boost the UD branding crusade.
• Huge charge to Flyer Nation fan base. Can't say enough for giving everyone something to hoot about and to want to reconnect to - for those that might've lost touch with the UD community.

For UD Hoops:

Gravitas: UD and Archie - (this is the one that I wanted to highlight because I think it is very important.)

• For UD - this is obvious. When AM and the top recruiters on his staff hit the AAU/HS circuit they will be selling a much different UD today than the UD they were selling last year...and their message/pitch to the kids will probably be a lot different too.
• Does the Elite 8 = better recruits? Time will tell, but there's no doubt that AM has a better hand to play against many other schools....BECAUSE....while all the undeniable positives about playing at UD are comparable to most programs, BCS or otherwise, AM can now sell them on being part of the hottest up and coming major program in the country (hyperbole? of course, we're talking marketing here right).

• For AM - I think that for all the tangible benefits of making the Elite 8, the intangible that may top them all is the gravitas earned by AM.

Think about this.....at the beginning of the season AM told the team that he wanted the team intros to be as a group/team etc. A few of the guys didn't like it and probably grumbled about it. A small issue for sure, but you can't believe that team intros would be the only thing that the team / admin / fan base would and did question about a still young/new/unproven coach. Happens all the time in many settings...question management decisions.

Now, what Archie says...goes....period - and this in particular to the team. It's like having a general that you would storm a hill for as opposed to one whose every decision you question.

Same applies to his staff and everyone associated with the program (admin to a lesser extent as this is an entirely different dynamic - and it's obviously been a positive considering TW and Dr. Dan gave Archie the extension before the Elite 8 run).

Also extends to the kids he recruits and their families. Archie Miller and the UD brand pull a lot more weight today than we did last year.

Gravitas Baby.....UD has hoops Gravitas!!!!
Congrats Flyers and Thank you