Can La Salle Basketball Reclaim Its Historic Glory in the Modern NCAA Era?

As I sit here watching March Madness highlights, I can't help but wonder about the sleeping giants of college basketball - particularly La Salle University. Having followed NCAA basketball for over two decades, I've seen programs rise and fall, but La Salle's story always fascinates me. They're like that brilliant friend from high school who showed incredible promise but never quite found their footing in adulthood. The Explorers' 1954 NCAA championship feels like ancient history now, and their last tournament appearance in 2013 seems increasingly distant.

I recently came across an interesting parallel while reading about volleyball development in the Philippines. The V-League Visayas initiative reminded me so much of what La Salle basketball needs. That quote from Palou about providing platforms to grow the game and giving players more opportunities to shine? That's exactly the blueprint La Salle should follow. When I look at successful mid-major programs today, they've all mastered creating multiple pathways for player development and exposure. Gonzaga didn't become Gonzaga overnight - they built layers of opportunities similar to what the V-League is doing for volleyball in the Visayas region.

The numbers don't lie - La Salle has only made the NCAA tournament twice since 1990. That's just brutal for a program with their history. I've watched them play about a dozen times over the past three seasons, and there's talent there, but it feels fragmented. They're missing that cohesive development system that turns good players into great teams. When I compare their situation to what the V-League Visayas is attempting with volleyball, the similarities in needing structural support become obvious. Both are trying to revive historic strengths in modern contexts.

What really grinds my gears about La Salle's situation is that Philadelphia basketball culture is arguably the best in the country. I've been to countless Philly high school games where the talent level would blow your mind. Yet La Salle consistently loses local recruits to other programs. Last season alone, they missed on three four-star recruits from within 50 miles of campus. That's just unacceptable for a program with their facilities and location. They need to build what the CESAFI tournaments provide for volleyball in Cebu - a clear pathway that makes local talent want to stay home.

I'm convinced La Salle's administration needs to think differently about roster construction. The transfer portal has changed everything, and programs that adapt quickly are thriving. Look at what happened last season - La Salle could have really used a veteran guard when they blew that 15-point lead against Dayton. Instead, they had to rely on freshmen who simply weren't ready for that moment. If they'd leveraged the portal better, they might have stolen that game and changed their entire season trajectory.

The financial aspect can't be ignored either. While I don't have insider information, the athletic department's reported $18 million budget puts them in the bottom third of the Atlantic 10. That's concerning when you consider that programs like Dayton operate with nearly double that amount. Yet I've seen smaller budgets achieve more with smarter allocation. They need to identify what's working - like their player development program which has produced two NBA players in the last decade - and double down on those areas.

Here's what I'd do if I were in charge: First, I'd create a Philadelphia-focused recruiting strategy that mirrors how Cebu develops volleyball talent. Then I'd invest heavily in analytics - something most mid-majors still undervalue. Most importantly, I'd build a year-round development ecosystem similar to the V-League model that gives players multiple competitive platforms. The current system of just focusing on the regular season isn't cutting it.

I'm actually optimistic about their chances because the foundation is there. The Tom Gola Arena is a fantastic home court, their academic reputation helps in recruiting, and the Atlantic 10 remains a strong conference. What they need now is strategic patience and the courage to innovate. The programs that are succeeding in this new era of college basketball aren't waiting for things to happen - they're creating their own opportunities, much like the V-League Visayas initiative.

Will La Salle reclaim their historic glory? Honestly, I think they can, but it won't look like the 1954 championship team. Modern glory means consistent tournament appearances, developing NBA talent, and being relevant in March. That's absolutely achievable within the next five years if they make the right moves now. The blueprint exists - they just need the will to execute it.