I think 2010 was the first year realignment had just triggered with Nebraska leaving and Larry Scott looking at Big 12 schools.
KU was coming off letting Mangino go and the first year under Gill.
I wonder what would have happened with realignment if it was a year earlier? The KU football team was just coming off back-to-back bowl wins and returning several starters. They had won three bowl games in four years. Mangino was the national coach of the year. Talib and Collins were All Americans. KU was getting recognized in football all over the country.
KU was coming off a national title in basketball and a Sweet 16 trip the year after. I think that was probably one of the best 2-3 year runs KU had combined in football and basketball ever. Perception of KU was sky high.
I know people will point to cable TV sets but I still think at that time conferences would have been all over KU. Timing is everything as well.
KU was coming off letting Mangino go and the first year under Gill.
I wonder what would have happened with realignment if it was a year earlier? The KU football team was just coming off back-to-back bowl wins and returning several starters. They had won three bowl games in four years. Mangino was the national coach of the year. Talib and Collins were All Americans. KU was getting recognized in football all over the country.
KU was coming off a national title in basketball and a Sweet 16 trip the year after. I think that was probably one of the best 2-3 year runs KU had combined in football and basketball ever. Perception of KU was sky high.
I know people will point to cable TV sets but I still think at that time conferences would have been all over KU. Timing is everything as well.
