The Flutie Effect

Le Moyne College continues to gather publicity for its pre-season upset of Syracuse University. A New York Times article and a similar Associated Press posting has kept the story alive.

Division I coaches seem to be astonished that a DII program could defeat a top-5 powerhouse. But they assume that Le Moyne has a once in a blue moon team. They'd like to believe that Syracuse was defeated by an unusually talented small college team.

Real life being what it is, however, the Dolphins - with their $3,900 recruiting budget and $70,000 per year head coach - have not been able to be Cinderella. The magic slippers have just not fit. Despite boasting a DII All-American who might get a shot at the NBA, they've been just so-so in their conference. In retrospect, it appears that they anticipated a solid season this year. After all, they even scheduled a game with St. Bonaventure. The game turned out to be a 9 point loss, but that's hardly unexpected.  What is unexpected is a record closer to .500 than a national title.

Le Moyne has a long basketball tradition. They've beaten Boston College the last two times they played. Current Michigan coach John Beilein is a former Dolphin coach. And they have a substantial advantage over former rival and current MAAC power Siena College.

All of this forms a backdrop to a possible move to Division I.  It would be better than playing in front of 800 fans on a snowy January evening, I imagine.