Will B12 additions free UCONN to join Big East?

[billyjack]

I would not say there is a C7 hatred for UConn. I would love to see the Huskies on St. John's schedule - just not as a conference member. For over a decade, the Big East made moves based upon trying to appease the football schools. The football schools always wanted out - always. The Virginia Tech president made an offer to the Big East football schools in 2003 when Miami, Cuse and BC were about to bolt - essentially, he said Va. Tech would not accept any invite to leave the Big East if every other school pledged to do the same. He had zero takers on his offer. When Maryland announced it was leaving the ACC, UConn, Louisville and Cincy were falling over each other trying to get an invite. It was open, it was blatant, and it showed entire disregard for the seven hoops only schools who were bringing in schools like Houston, UCF, and Tulane solely to help the football schools. So when you say the Big East should grab UConn and not be concerned about it's football program, you are ignoring history and the problems that caused. Your conference looks weak when members are trying to leave. We have a good conference. We have ten schools that are committed to making the league work and who are in a destination conference rather than a feeder conference. The day UConn says good bye to FBS football is the day the Big East should send an invite to the Huskies. But there is no need to invite them, and there should be no inclination to do so.

Yeah but who is running the ship (conference) now? It would be 91% private, basketball-only schools if UConn is added. Those schools would have every say.

You're not ignoring history by adding a UConn. You are accepting the fact that they are a clear-cut must-add/return to the Big East basketball brand and you are giving fair warning to them that they aren't controlling the strings anymore.

First of all, UConn doesn't want to join us... "having said that"...

Politically, UConn never came close to running the conference. They were a great conference mate who really never rocked the boat. When they added football, their priorities apparently changed. After investing in football in '99, they did get completely and unfairly hosed by Miami, BC and Virginia Tech in '04.

But at this point, I'm still with Redmen9194 on this. They would have to abandon football. They turned into a football crackhead... specifically, in Dec 2012 (post-Louisville, when the Big East members should have circled their wagons and at least publicly stuck together) they simultaneously, (1) shamelessly and actively begged for an ACC invitation through any media outlet that would listen, while at the same time they (2) started a propaganda campaign against the C-7 for putting together a re-formuated Big East that they didn't want to be a part of. Nutty, multiple-personality behavior, which would absolutely kill the morale of the 10 of us, if we were subjected to the continual begging of them trying to bail on us.

What may cloud my vision is that I am unfortunately old enough to know that if it wasn't for PC, St John's, Georgetown and Syracuse constructing the conference in the first place; and Georgetown, St John's, and Villanova succeeding on the court in the early years, there is absolutely no way Connecticut would've had their great success (they'd be in a Yankee Conference type situation... ECAC New England... better than Sacred Heart, maybe on par with Vermont, not quite as good as URI). So, we created conditions for them to succeed, they tagged along as an original member, they found incredible success years later after others did the heavy lifting, and then they attempted to stab us in the back.

P.S. Once the BE teams were eliminated in the NCAA's last year, I did find myself rooting for UConn... also, I never had a problem with Calhoun...

[Noonzy]

OK Fess up-who is "Johnny" posting on the UConn board?

[GoldenWarrior11]

I would love UCONN back in the league as much as anyone, however consider:

A.) UCONN had the opportunity to breakaway with the C7 - and they didn't. They chose to stay behind in a "best of the rest" conference with hopes of either 1.) securing a P5 bid or 2.) building football up to a respectable level and then getting an invite.

2.) The Big East had the opportunity to invite them with the C7 - and they didn't. They, most likely, resisted any offer due to the threat of being a football school. What would UCONN do with football? They won't go independent - UMASS is now scheduling as an Independent and it is a nightmare for them. The only schools that independence works for is Notre Dame, BYU, Army and Navy (who will be joining the American for football). Moving football to the MAC is just as unlikely because that conference still has a sour taste from the UMASS mess (who was a football-only member).

3.) What has changed since December 2012 that would warrant a new discussion? UCONN won a national championship in the AAC. Football still stinks for them, but they are at least building for an opportunity for an invite by someone at some point.

In my opinion, UCONN is never coming to the Big East. They are committed to football, period.

[bmorex]

First of all, UConn doesn't want to join us... "having said that"...

Politically, UConn never came close to running the conference. They were a great conference mate who really never rocked the boat. When they added football, their priorities apparently changed. After investing in football in '99, they did get completely and unfairly hosed by Miami, BC and Virginia Tech in '04.

But at this point, I'm still with Redmen9194 on this. They would have to abandon football. They turned into a football crackhead... specifically, in Dec 2012 (post-Louisville, when the Big East members should have circled their wagons and at least publicly stuck together) they simultaneously, (1) shamelessly and actively begged for an ACC invitation through any media outlet that would listen, while at the same time they (2) started a propaganda campaign against the C-7 for putting together a re-formuated Big East that they didn't want to be a part of. Nutty, multiple-personality behavior, which would absolutely kill the morale of the 10 of us, if we were subjected to the continual begging of them trying to bail on us.

What may cloud my vision is that I am unfortunately old enough to know that if it wasn't for PC, St John's, Georgetown and Syracuse constructing the conference in the first place; and Georgetown, St John's, and Villanova succeeding on the court in the early years, there is absolutely no way Connecticut would've had their great success (they'd be in a Yankee Conference type situation... ECAC New England... better than Sacred Heart, maybe on par with Vermont, not quite as good as URI). So, we created conditions for them to succeed, they tagged along as an original member, they found incredible success years later after others did the heavy lifting, and then they attempted to stab us in the back.

P.S. Once the BE teams were eliminated in the NCAA's last year, I did find myself rooting for UConn... also, I never had a problem with Calhoun...

I never said they would want to join the BE...

As I said in my original post, a lot of IFs would have to occur for this "UConn to the Big East" to be a possibility. I will continue to say that I doubt that it will happen.

I admit I don't know much about UConn's football history nor the history of the Big East, especially during its founding years in the late 70's and 80's. I am making an assumption here, but I would guess that most UConn FANS (of the school) probably care more about their basketball program than that of football. If the football isn't successful in the depleted AAC, and their basketball starts to suffer because of that, I could see their alumni and boosters start to get frustrated.

Again, going back to my main point in my OP, if all those "if's" happen, it would be asinine for the Big East not to consider a national brand like the Huskies. Just reading through the first few pages of this thread, it seems like a lot of C7 fans' opinions are being clouded due to their disdain/past experiences with UConn rather than what they could bring to the conference.

[REDMEN1415]

I'd like to see the breakdown of who is for/against UConn joining the Big East based on their fandom (i.e. Creighton/Butler/Xavier vs. C7).

I don't think UConn dropping football is likely at all, but IF they get tired of the AAC and IF they can park their football in a different conference OR IF they drop it back to FCS, I don't see why the Big East wouldn't want them. They are a national basketball name. Period.

I think a lot of you C7 guys are showing your hatred for UConn because of past rivalries. That is overshadowing your opinion. They would be a slam dunk invite if they wanted to be here.

Yeah sure, they'd be a "slam dunk" invite. Then a P5 conference comes knocking, and say to us, hey ty very much for letting park here for a few year, and helping us leave the AAC (a crappy conf).
They they stay there, would the top recruits continue to go there? Nah. If we saved them and they came here, then yes the top recruits would continue to go there, so why save there asses when they'd leave us in a heart beat? Seriously tell me?

I want nothing to do with that school. I won't waste my time talking about them so this is my last post on this topic, so say what you want.

[billyjack]

First of all, UConn doesn't want to join us... "having said that"...

Politically, UConn never came close to running the conference. They were a great conference mate who really never rocked the boat. When they added football, their priorities apparently changed. After investing in football in '99, they did get completely and unfairly hosed by Miami, BC and Virginia Tech in '04.

But at this point, I'm still with Redmen9194 on this. They would have to abandon football. They turned into a football crackhead... specifically, in Dec 2012 (post-Louisville, when the Big East members should have circled their wagons and at least publicly stuck together) they simultaneously, (1) shamelessly and actively begged for an ACC invitation through any media outlet that would listen, while at the same time they (2) started a propaganda campaign against the C-7 for putting together a re-formuated Big East that they didn't want to be a part of. Nutty, multiple-personality behavior, which would absolutely kill the morale of the 10 of us, if we were subjected to the continual begging of them trying to bail on us.

What may cloud my vision is that I am unfortunately old enough to know that if it wasn't for PC, St John's, Georgetown and Syracuse constructing the conference in the first place; and Georgetown, St John's, and Villanova succeeding on the court in the early years, there is absolutely no way Connecticut would've had their great success (they'd be in a Yankee Conference type situation... ECAC New England... better than Sacred Heart, maybe on par with Vermont, not quite as good as URI). So, we created conditions for them to succeed, they tagged along as an original member, they found incredible success years later after others did the heavy lifting, and then they attempted to stab us in the back.

P.S. Once the BE teams were eliminated in the NCAA's last year, I did find myself rooting for UConn... also, I never had a problem with Calhoun...

I never said they would want to join the BE...

As I said in my original post, a lot of IFs would have to occur for this "UConn to the Big East" to be a possibility. I will continue to say that I doubt that it will happen.

I admit I don't know much about UConn's football history nor the history of the Big East, especially during its founding years in the late 70's and 80's. I am making an assumption here, but I would guess that most UConn FANS (of the school) probably care more about their basketball program than that of football. If the football isn't successful in the depleted AAC, and their basketball starts to suffer because of that, I could see their alumni and boosters start to get frustrated.

Again, going back to my main point in my OP, if all those "if's" happen, it would be asinine for the Big East not to consider a national brand like the Huskies. Just reading through the first few pages of this thread, it seems like a lot of C7 fans' opinions are being clouded due to their disdain/past experiences with UConn rather than what they could bring to the conference.

Yes, I agree, if all the "ifs" fall in our favor, then they'd be great for the Big East.

[hoyahooligan]

I'd like to see the breakdown of who is for/against UConn joining the Big East based on their fandom (i.e. Creighton/Butler/Xavier vs. C7).

I don't think UConn dropping football is likely at all, but IF they get tired of the AAC and IF they can park their football in a different conference OR IF they drop it back to FCS, I don't see why the Big East wouldn't want them. They are a national basketball name. Period.

I think a lot of you C7 guys are showing your hatred for UConn because of past rivalries. That is overshadowing your opinion. They would be a slam dunk invite if they wanted to be here.

Yeah sure, they'd be a "slam dunk" invite. Then a P5 conference comes knocking, and say to us, hey ty very much for letting park here for a few year, and helping us leave the AAC (a crappy conf).
They they stay there, would the top recruits continue to go there? Nah. If we saved them and they came here, then yes the top recruits would continue to go there, so why save there asses when they'd leave us in a heart beat? Seriously tell me?

I want nothing to do with that school. I won't waste my time talking about them so this is my last post on this topic, so say what you want.

You're ignoring the fact that if Uconn were to come back to the BE it would be because they no longer have any option to be added to a Football 5 or Football 4 conference. We're not talking about adding them tomorrow. We're basically saying if the game of musical chairs were to stop and Uconn had no seat at the table would you take them back. And I think we ought to at that point. There wouldn't be the risk of them leaving again because all the spots would be taken.

[redmen9194]

If you don't know the history of the Big East as it existed up until July 1, 2013, then you don't understand why the Big East was reformed on July 1, 2013 and why a football playing UConn cannot be a Big East member. The C7 did not break away from the old Big East just so they could start some new venture and see how it would go. If a school plays FBS football, then football drives all decisions for that school. I don't care who you are. Duke, Kentucky, UConn are all great basketball programs, but football pays their bills and then some in a way basketball does not. This was an absolute disadvantage for the Big East hoops schools. Even just one football school is a problem, especially if that school is looking to be in an "all sports conference". Now you may say just make their exit fee tremendous or who cares if they eventually go. This conference needs stability, something it has not had for the last 25 years. WE DO NOT NEED UCONN. Our schools are primed to do well going forward. We have great recruiting classes, great venues, great histories and great teams. You don't add a school who is looking to leave - I don't care who they are. The C7 has been there and done that and it's not a good thing. I will say this, St. John's, Georgetown, Villanova, Seton Hall and Providence saw this on the horizon and made sure when the 2005 expansion occurred they brought in two hoops only schools (Marquette and DePaul) and made sure that the football side or hoops side could leave as a group without penalty. Notre Dame helped with that as well. Those two moves made the new conference possible. If those two things were not done, the American would be the Big East.

[stever20]

I'd like to see the breakdown of who is for/against UConn joining the Big East based on their fandom (i.e. Creighton/Butler/Xavier vs. C7).

I don't think UConn dropping football is likely at all, but IF they get tired of the AAC and IF they can park their football in a different conference OR IF they drop it back to FCS, I don't see why the Big East wouldn't want them. They are a national basketball name. Period.

I think a lot of you C7 guys are showing your hatred for UConn because of past rivalries. That is overshadowing your opinion. They would be a slam dunk invite if they wanted to be here.

Yeah sure, they'd be a "slam dunk" invite. Then a P5 conference comes knocking, and say to us, hey ty very much for letting park here for a few year, and helping us leave the AAC (a crappy conf).
They they stay there, would the top recruits continue to go there? Nah. If we saved them and they came here, then yes the top recruits would continue to go there, so why save there asses when they'd leave us in a heart beat? Seriously tell me?

I want nothing to do with that school. I won't waste my time talking about them so this is my last post on this topic, so say what you want.

You're ignoring the fact that if Uconn were to come back to the BE it would be because they no longer have any option to be added to a Football 5 or Football 4 conference. We're not talking about adding them tomorrow. We're basically saying if the game of musical chairs were to stop and Uconn had no seat at the table would you take them back. And I think we ought to at that point. There wouldn't be the risk of them leaving again because all the spots would be taken.

That's the thing- it's not like it's going to happen in the next 2-3 years. It's going to be more like 5-6 years... IF not longer.

And one thing about the AAC- the more and more exposure schools are going to get- the better they are going to be. So I wouldn't just count the AAC being dreadful any time soon. They will get 3-4 teams in the tourney easily, and some of their weaker schools could even push to make it 4-5. I don't think folks here realize how poor CUSA's tv contract was with exposure.

[Amase2]

OK Fess up-who is "Johnny" posting on the UConn board?

Without even knowing what you're talking about, I'm sure I could tell you.