Forbes: UConn should join Big East as hoops affiliate

[SJHooper]

I just don't see the presidents going down this road, especially with UCONN. UCONN was one of the critical schools that put the OBE past the tipping point when they sided with the football schools. Anything is possible, but some serious mending of relationships would have to take place. Plus, UCONN would need to find a place for its football team, without offering the basketball teams.

I just don't see all of that falling into place.

I just don't see how UConn stays letting SMU (when they inevitably suck again), Tulsa, UCF, Tulane, East Carolina, and Houston drag their RPI through the mud every year. Maybe it woke them up to that now more than ever winning another 2 championships. That should prove they are morons for thinking football is more important. It's like Ford getting into the cell phone business instead of the car business. Stick to what you know and what you succeed at. They may have visions of becoming another Texas in football but it will never happen. How long do they let their RPI suffer in a mid major conference? I can't imagine too long. They will either join the ACC or Big East IMO.

[Randy]

I just don't see the presidents going down this road, especially with UCONN. UCONN was one of the critical schools that put the OBE past the tipping point when they sided with the football schools. Anything is possible, but some serious mending of relationships would have to take place. Plus, UCONN would need to find a place for its football team, without offering the basketball teams.

I just don't see all of that falling into place.

I just don't see how UConn stays letting SMU (when they inevitably suck again), Tulsa, UCF, Tulane, East Carolina, and Houston drag their RPI through the mud every year. Maybe it woke them up to that now more than ever winning another 2 championships. That should prove they are morons for thinking football is more important. It's like Ford getting into the cell phone business instead of the car business. Stick to what you know and what you succeed at. They may have visions of becoming another Texas in football but it will never happen. How long do they let their RPI suffer in a mid major conference? I can't imagine too long. They will either join the ACC or Big East IMO.

I agree 100% that is what they should do. However, as Jet referenced to, what do they do with football? Nobody wants that program because it adds nothing. Not in a big market, no national interest, and no prospects of winning. The UCONN admin saw the $$$ all of the football schools were raking and wanted theirs. Now that they committed to it, it is hard for them to figure a way out.

[gosports1]

I think UConn's FB will turn the corner and become more successful. BB will also be fine. Although the conference will be weaker without Louisville, UConn proved they can still get it done

[Jet915]

I think UConn's FB will turn the corner and become more successful. BB will also be fine. Although the conference will be weaker without Louisville, UConn proved they can still get it done

In this day of age, football in the northeast just doesn't mix. When was the last time there was a big time college football team in the northeast?

[bmorex]

The MAC essentially kicking UMass football out kind of throws a wrench in the "UConn to Big East" message board discussions.

MAC was always a talked-about landing point for the Huskies, but now that that does not appear to be an option, I'm not sure what they would do. American will certainly not allow them to just stay as a football-only.

Sun Belt? Seems below them. No way they could go independent and I don't seem them dropping football anytime soon.

[GreatDaneAttorney]

In this day of age, football in the northeast just doesn't mix. When was the last time there was a big time college football team in the northeast?

I tend to agree with you. There will still be Top 25 teams from the NE, and new TV deals for Maryland, Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt, etc. might lead to an increase in competitiveness, but I don't see those programs becoming titans of the sport, either.

[SJHooper]

College football is a zero factor in the northeast. It's an NFL region by far. The northeast also loves its NBA and college hoops. Throw the MLB in there as well. Even when Rutgers was a highly ranked team no one cared.

UConn is a bad football program, but in the AAC they can be pretty decent. They might even be the best football team in the AAC after UCF and Cincy. Some years they will be the best. So why is it bad for them to park football in the AAC? The AAC still benefits.

UConn will realize they are actually losing money. Unless you are Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Texas, Oregon, Notre Dame, etc. etc. it won't make you rich. UConn winning the championship only further alienates them from the other basketball teams in the AAC. You have 1 team with 4 rings recently and the women's team with 9. Then you have Tulsa, Tulane, East Carolina, SMU, Houston, UCF, etc…can you name the team that doesn't fit? Lol…

A Big East reunion makes perfect sense. It may take UConn a few more years to realize their football is headed nowhere, but it will happen. Look at UMass…didn't they go FBS then retracted it back to FCS after realizing it wouldn't work? It's not impossible. They can swallow the football money invested and still be fine because their basketball programs are outrageously successful.

[pki1998]

I would love UConn to come to the Big East, if for no other reason to help fill MSG. But let's not kid ourselves, this will never happen! There is one big reason why this will not happen, ESPN.

ESPN would force the ACC in to offering a spot to UCONN, ESPN has been pulling the strings when it comes reallignment and they have to actively stop the big east (see ACC a-10 deal) no way they would sit on there hands and let this happen

[stever20]

College football is a zero factor in the northeast. It's an NFL region by far. The northeast also loves its NBA and college hoops. Throw the MLB in there as well. Even when Rutgers was a highly ranked team no one cared.

UConn is a bad football program, but in the AAC they can be pretty decent. They might even be the best football team in the AAC after UCF and Cincy. Some years they will be the best. So why is it bad for them to park football in the AAC? The AAC still benefits.

UConn will realize they are actually losing money. Unless you are Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Texas, Oregon, Notre Dame, etc. etc. it won't make you rich. UConn winning the championship only further alienates them from the other basketball teams in the AAC. You have 1 team with 4 rings recently and the women's team with 9. Then you have Tulsa, Tulane, East Carolina, SMU, Houston, UCF, etc…can you name the team that doesn't fit? Lol…

A Big East reunion makes perfect sense. It may take UConn a few more years to realize their football is headed nowhere, but it will happen. Look at UMass…didn't they go FBS then retracted it back to FCS after realizing it wouldn't work? It's not impossible. They can swallow the football money invested and still be fine because their basketball programs are outrageously successful.

Love how you left out for the AAC teams Memphis and Cincy.

Bottom line, UConn will NEVER be back in the Big East. NEVER. The AAC will NEVER allow them to park their football there. PERIOD. That's just loony talk- has been from day 1 and will always continue to be loony talk. What the hell is in it for the AAC? UConn finished last year tied for 6th. UCF, Cincy, Houston, and SMU all were ahead of them. ECU will be ahead of them. They are not the 3rd best team in the AAC.

UMass has NOT gone back to FCS yet- and likely won't.

[GreatDaneAttorney]

At this time, UConn is cashing in regular checks from the departure of all the old Big East schools while also apparently making a fair amount in Tier 3 rights (I've read that this could be several million, but I'm not sure I know where to fact check this). So I don't know that there's any need to leave the AAC.

They receive a lot of money from the conference every year, and will continue to do so for several years. When that money dries up and UConn is suddenly relying on the small ESPN payout, you may see UConn get a bit more aggressive shopping around. But even then, by that time the next wave of realignment might fall on college athletics as Grant of Rights near expiration, so there's no reason to think that within 6 years, UConn won't end up in a power conference.