UConn Smoke

[adoraz]

After thinking about it, while UConn might help the Big East overall, St. John's would be worse off if they joined. Our recruiting obviously overlaps. I expected Hurley to turn the team around quicker, but now I believe their turnaround is no guarantee if they stay in the AAC. Hey, if they want to suffer then let them.

They already overlap our recruiting. That won't change and hasn't changed regardless of what they do. I still think Hurley turns them around starting next year but obviously rooting against them. They are the first case study I know of that went from major program to garbage within just 5 years of winning a title. That's how important conference affiliation is. They used to say they "carried" the Big East, but now they're seeing they need us more than we need them. Funny how things change.

Of course, but what I meant is their recruiting would be even better in the Big East. For example, both teams are in on Precious this year. Even though he is still favored to go to UConn, us being in the Big East can only help our chances.

For any local kids, I absolutely think they'd rather play regional rivals 2-3X a year. Teams they and their friends are familiar with, like Nova, Georgetown, Seton Hall, St. John's, and Providence. They'd want to play at MSG for the BET. Not a single one of them would prefer to play the AAC's schedule and tournament. Being in the Big East could be a tiebreaker for any NE athletes deciding between St. John's and UConn.

AAC makes sense for teams like UCF and Houston, it just doesn't make sense for UConn.

[Westbrook#36]

Yeah, with this latest news we could probably lock this thread up, but some won't let it die. That dumpster fire up in Storrs is going to morph into a complete train wreck in a few years. Truth be told, they need us, even though they are completely loathed to say it, we certainly don't need them.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Yeah, with this latest news we could probably lock this thread up, but some won't let it die. That dumpster fire up in Storrs is going to morph into a complete train wreck in a few years. Truth be told, they need us, even though they are completely loathed to say it, we certainly don't need them.

UConn's new President has publicly declared his stance on preserving football and building its athletics membership from within the American. With National Signing Day yesterday, UConn Football hauled in the #126 recruiting class in the country, easily last in the AAC. When programs like Rice, Portland State, South Alabama, Georgia Southern and Harvard are all out-recruiting you, that is a substantial and noticeable red flag for the immediate future (next four years), especially coming off a historically awful season. But, like a reckless gambler, the state and university will continue to throw money away thinking the next hand will hit blackjack.

Honestly, by the time 2024-2025 comes around, UConn Men's Basketball may be a shell of what it once way. It may not even be desirable for the Big East (or any other conference) - much like their Football program is now (which is considered radioactive).

[ProprietyofLeyluken]

Yeah, with this latest news we could probably lock this thread up, but some won't let it die. That dumpster fire up in Storrs is going to morph into a complete train wreck in a few years. Truth be told, they need us, even though they are completely loathed to say it, we certainly don't need them.

UConn's new President has publicly declared his stance on preserving football and building its athletics membership from within the American. With National Signing Day yesterday, UConn Football hauled in the #126 recruiting class in the country, easily last in the AAC. When programs like Rice, Portland State, South Alabama, Georgia Southern and Harvard are all out-recruiting you, that is a substantial and noticeable red flag for the immediate future (next four years), especially coming off a historically awful season. But, like a reckless gambler, the state and university will continue to throw money away thinking the next hand will hit blackjack.

Honestly, by the time 2024-2025 comes around, UConn Men's Basketball may be a shell of what it once way. It may not even be desirable for the Big East (or any other conference) - much like their Football program is now (which is considered radioactive).

You really believe that Dan Hurley won’t uphold the UConn standard? The Huskies have a Top 10-15 class already with room for more.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Yeah, with this latest news we could probably lock this thread up, but some won't let it die. That dumpster fire up in Storrs is going to morph into a complete train wreck in a few years. Truth be told, they need us, even though they are completely loathed to say it, we certainly don't need them.

UConn's new President has publicly declared his stance on preserving football and building its athletics membership from within the American. With National Signing Day yesterday, UConn Football hauled in the #126 recruiting class in the country, easily last in the AAC. When programs like Rice, Portland State, South Alabama, Georgia Southern and Harvard are all out-recruiting you, that is a substantial and noticeable red flag for the immediate future (next four years), especially coming off a historically awful season. But, like a reckless gambler, the state and university will continue to throw money away thinking the next hand will hit blackjack.

Honestly, by the time 2024-2025 comes around, UConn Men's Basketball may be a shell of what it once way. It may not even be desirable for the Big East (or any other conference) - much like their Football program is now (which is considered radioactive).

You really believe that Dan Hurley won’t uphold the UConn standard? The Huskies have a Top 10-15 class already with room for more.

Kevin Ollie had the #8 National Class in 2016, and that led nowhere.

It has been beaten to death here and other places, but part of the rise of UConn to a national basketball program was due, in part, to the geographic competition in the old Big East. Between Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Villanova, Georgetown, Boston College, UConn, St. John's, Seton Hall, and Providence, you had a wealth of Northeastern programs that managed to keep much of the elite area talent home. Every game had competitive value, but it also had historical value and rivalry as well. Calhoun has even said that it is very unlikely UConn gets to its spot without being in the old Big East, against those rivals. UConn has two geographic opponents, not rivals, in the AAC: Temple and Cincinnati. Everything else is deep down South, and there is no argument that can promote UConn basketball fans and recruits getting excited for UCF, USF, SMU, Houston, Tulsa, Wichita State, ECU and Tulane. But, it is what it is. I won't even get into the institutional differences that UConn has compared to the rest of the AAC.

[stever20]

but here's the thing. Even if UConn returns to the Big East- it's not the same thing for UConn. They have no history at all with Xavier, Butler, Creighton- and very little with DePaul and Marquette. I mean for a UConn fan- what's the difference between UConn/Wichita and UConn/Creighton?

I think one thing now is that recruiting overall is a lot more national than it used to be.

Also with Ollie and #8 class- sure great class, but he couldn't coach worth a lick. Hurley a whole hell of a lot better coach than he was.

[Xudash]

Kevin Ollie had the #8 National Class in 2016, and that led nowhere.

It has been beaten to death here and other places, but part of the rise of UConn to a national basketball program was due, in part, to the geographic competition in the old Big East. Between Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Villanova, Georgetown, Boston College, UConn, St. John's, Seton Hall, and Providence, you had a wealth of Northeastern programs that managed to keep much of the elite area talent home. Every game had competitive value, but it also had historical value and rivalry as well. Calhoun has even said that it is very unlikely UConn gets to its spot without being in the old Big East, against those rivals. UConn has two geographic opponents, not rivals, in the AAC: Temple and Cincinnati. Everything else is deep down South, and there is no argument that can promote UConn basketball fans and recruits getting excited for UCF, USF, SMU, Houston, Tulsa, Wichita State, ECU and Tulane. But, it is what it is. I won't even get into the institutional differences that UConn has compared to the rest of the AAC.

Also, do they still charter flights? If so, for how long? Their financial performance doesn't warrant such expenditures. Does Hurley fly private jets for recruiting trips? Will the perks of a well managed program start disappearing from UCONN basketball due to sacrifices made on the alter of football?

Nothing. Nothing is sustainable in UCONN's AD based on the numbers floating around now.

[ProprietyofLeyluken]

Kevin Ollie had the #8 National Class in 2016, and that led nowhere.

It has been beaten to death here and other places, but part of the rise of UConn to a national basketball program was due, in part, to the geographic competition in the old Big East. Between Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Villanova, Georgetown, Boston College, UConn, St. John's, Seton Hall, and Providence, you had a wealth of Northeastern programs that managed to keep much of the elite area talent home. Every game had competitive value, but it also had historical value and rivalry as well. Calhoun has even said that it is very unlikely UConn gets to its spot without being in the old Big East, against those rivals. UConn has two geographic opponents, not rivals, in the AAC: Temple and Cincinnati. Everything else is deep down South, and there is no argument that can promote UConn basketball fans and recruits getting excited for UCF, USF, SMU, Houston, Tulsa, Wichita State, ECU and Tulane. But, it is what it is. I won't even get into the institutional differences that UConn has compared to the rest of the AAC.

Two things... That 2016 class “led to nowhere” because staff upheaval led to transfers. As Jon Rothstein said, it was a player retention issue which had nothing to do with conference affiliation. Those players committed to the AAC just like Danny Hurley did.

Secondly, If the players currently committing to the program are Top 100 recruits (Bouknight, Gaffney, and Akok) How is their performance (or lack there of) somehow contingent on playing Syracuse in conference versus OOC??? UConn still plays the majority of the teams you mentioned...

I’m trying to grasp the logic.UConn has drawn good crowds this year in a rebuilding year.
Suracuse and BC play in a bigger footprint now too.
Would UConn rather play in the ACC? Sure.. But I don’t see how the Institutional Fit argument is less applicable to a “Holy” League.

[CPJays]

The OC that Edsall took a pay cut to keep around a month ago just bailed on them the day after signing day. A signing day where their class is ranked below Harvard's.

[vtwarrior]

Kevin Ollie had the #8 National Class in 2016, and that led nowhere.

It has been beaten to death here and other places, but part of the rise of UConn to a national basketball program was due, in part, to the geographic competition in the old Big East. Between Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Villanova, Georgetown, Boston College, UConn, St. John's, Seton Hall, and Providence, you had a wealth of Northeastern programs that managed to keep much of the elite area talent home. Every game had competitive value, but it also had historical value and rivalry as well. Calhoun has even said that it is very unlikely UConn gets to its spot without being in the old Big East, against those rivals. UConn has two geographic opponents, not rivals, in the AAC: Temple and Cincinnati. Everything else is deep down South, and there is no argument that can promote UConn basketball fans and recruits getting excited for UCF, USF, SMU, Houston, Tulsa, Wichita State, ECU and Tulane. But, it is what it is. I won't even get into the institutional differences that UConn has compared to the rest of the AAC.

Two things... That 2016 class “led to nowhere” because staff upheaval led to transfers. As Jon Rothstein said, it was a player retention issue which had nothing to do with conference affiliation. Those players committed to the AAC just like Danny Hurley did.

Secondly, If the players currently committing to the program are Top 100 recruits (Bouknight, Gaffney, and Akok) How is their performance (or lack there of) somehow contingent on playing Syracuse in conference versus OOC??? UConn still plays the majority of the teams you mentioned...

I’m trying to grasp the logic.UConn has drawn good crowds this year in a rebuilding year.
Suracuse and BC play in a bigger footprint now too.
Would UConn rather play in the ACC? Sure.. But I don’t see how the Institutional Fit argument is less applicable to a “Holy” League.

They took away their bongs and had to give back the computers they stole.....

Whoops..... that was the 2012 class......So confusing......

And if we get around to talking about Cincinnati.....Their players have problems with "coat hangers" and "drug deals".....But that was under Huggy Bear......

Certainly taking the some of the worst examples in "these programs" history.....

Clearly they do not FIT.....

Do not ADMIT!