Several posters have posted some very good points regarding what an accomplishment it is for a team ND to play with a Kentucky. Admissions, one and done, facilities etc have all been brough up and are good points. But there is another issue which I think is even bigger than that. Notre Dame is a football brand, and does not have a passionate basketball fanbase. I think fanbase size and passion has as much an effect on recruiting as any of these other issues. I did a little research. Take a look at these Facebook Fans statistics and you'll see the problem.
Kentucky basketball - 354,000
Duke basketball - 283,000
UNC basketball - 241,000
Wisconsin basketball- 240,000
Gonzaga basketball- 57,000
Notre Dame basketball - 16,000.
Notre Dame football - 590,000
The size of your brand and fanbase and passion level matters when you are recruting. All those things are probably on the rise after this final eight, but in the basketball world our brand is fractional when compared to the super powers.
Kentucky basketball - 354,000
Duke basketball - 283,000
UNC basketball - 241,000
Wisconsin basketball- 240,000
Gonzaga basketball- 57,000
Notre Dame basketball - 16,000.
Notre Dame football - 590,000
The size of your brand and fanbase and passion level matters when you are recruting. All those things are probably on the rise after this final eight, but in the basketball world our brand is fractional when compared to the super powers.
