I got one question for Big East basketball fans!

[Noonzy]

The Top Tier of the Big East IS obviously diminished with the loss of Cuse, UConn, and Ville. Yes, UConn strengthens the top of the conference. That should be the goal with any expansion now that we have 10. No other potential program does that today.

So going after a program that sees us (due to a lack of football) as a crappy consolation prize is the way to go?

Why not admit it's over, and build up the brand you now have in a similar manner to the way that happened 35 or so years ago?

You've got it. Calhoun is no longer there-he was the face of UConn. While Kevin Ollice "might" be decent, he has not proven anything. The have won 3 NCs since 1999. great job Calhoun. It's very tough to replace a legend. I would take them if they droped FB-not gonna happen. As I have posted before, once Jimmy B, Coach K and Williams retire, will there be a downward trend? Yup. Let us all embrace this new conference and build from within. We do not have to rely on the UConns of the world-they are old news. If we all strive to be the best BB conference in the land, kids will notice, the media will notice and we will become a dominant conference in the country.

[DeltaV]

I agree, the should stay AAC until a better opportunity arises. Like an invite to the Big East, while staying AAC for football. Better for basketball (basketball first). More money. Better for non-rev.

AAC isn't going to let their star remaining (after Louisville leaves) basketball team bolt to the Big East, but allow them to keep their crappy football team around.

[TheHall]

I agree, the should stay AAC until a better opportunity arises. Like an invite to the Big East, while staying AAC for football. Better for basketball (basketball first). More money. Better for non-rev.

AAC isn't going to let their star remaining (after Louisville leaves) basketball team bolt to the Big East, but allow them to keep their crappy football team around.

Maybe we can go halfsies and they get to keep Geno & the woman's program.

[dmac80]

I don't agree with what Dave said earlier either that says UCONN joins, and leaves 5 years later is no big deal. It would make the new Big East look inferior and subject it again as a conference others don't want to stay in. It reboots the bad precedent. Which is exactly why the new BE ought to have really tough by laws that make leaving extremely costly. With all this crazy conference realignment, who knows who could be available in the next few years, could be even bigger prizes than those discussed which is why I think the league is waiting. Whoever does come must stay....

[Dave]

the new BE ought to have really tough by laws that make leaving extremely costly.

I'm on board with that

[Dave]

Calhoun is no longer there-he was the face of UConn. While Kevin Ollice "might" be decent, he has not proven anything. The have won 3 NCs since 1999. great job Calhoun. It's very tough to replace a legend. I would take them if they droped FB-not gonna happen. As I have posted before, once Jimmy B, Coach K and Williams retire, will there be a downward trend? Yup.

Is Butler doomed with the coaching change? Maybe, Maybe not. Some programs reload with coaches and continue success (Marquette), some don't. UConn, Cuse, Dook, and UNC all have a great foundation of history, tradition, fan support, and institutional support for a transition. They might not get every coaching hire right, but if they misfire they will eventually get the right coach and have a winning program. UNC already has demonstrated that.

[Dave]

UConn has had football for many more than 20 years. They used to play in the Yankee conference. I know that if they were invited to the Big East they would decline. The posters in the Providence area understand what goes on with them-they are a 45 minute drive from PC. They will be hurting in the next 2-3 years. They play basketball in a curmmy conference. After UL leaves and Rutgers leaves they will be playing the likes of Tulsa, Tulane and East Carolina. Their recruitng will suffer. They are running on the fumes of their past. Calhoun isn't walking through that door. They want football to run the show and they suck at football. They WILL NOT get rid of football. They think they will become a football power one day. College football in the Northeast is not the way to go. People in the Northeast could care less about college football. VCU is a much better option the way they are recruiting and might come if invited. Coach Cooley is recruiting their best kids from their backyard. Providence is the new way to go-UConn is a has been. That is what I have heard the BB kids are saying.

At some point the folks at Yukon are going to realize every doom & gloom point you & others have highlighted & this exactly captures where the potential leverage will come from for the BE going forward (buy low!). VCU would be an awesome consolation prize if we go to 12 but they are not Uconn, no "available" program is and I'm speaking strictly from a BE fan POV.

Logical thinking at work

[Bill Marsh]

Calhoun is no longer there-he was the face of UConn. While Kevin Ollice "might" be decent, he has not proven anything. The have won 3 NCs since 1999. great job Calhoun. It's very tough to replace a legend. I would take them if they droped FB-not gonna happen. As I have posted before, once Jimmy B, Coach K and Williams retire, will there be a downward trend? Yup.

Is Butler doomed with the coaching change? Maybe, Maybe not. Some programs reload with coaches and continue success (Marquette), some don't. UConn, Cuse, Dook, and UNC all have a great foundation of history, tradition, fan support, and institutional support for a transition. They might not get every coaching hire right, but if they misfire they will eventually get the right coach and have a winning program. UNC already has demonstrated that.

Butler has an excellent record of coaching hires. This program is not simply a product of Brad Stevens. each of the last 4 coaches has built on the success of his predecessor. Each has left the program better off than he found it. I expect that the latest hire will be just as successful as the previous four.

[Bluejay]

Could we have one dedicated thread to adding UConn so that we don't have to have the same crap infiltrating every single thread? It has grown ridiculously tiresome.

[Bill Marsh]

Could we have one dedicated thread to adding UConn so that we don't have to have the same crap infiltrating every single thread? It has grown ridiculously tiresome.

Yes, especially since it's never going to happen. No interest on either side. That ship has sailed.