UCONN POLL

[Burrito]

As a Hoya fan, I'm more worried about JT3 remembering how to coach than I am about UConn joining the Big East. The Huskies are not going to be invited to the Big 12. Maybe they will be added to the ACC if Notre Dame ever commits to being a full member (and a 16th member is required). But I don't see that happening. I would have more sympathy for UConn if their fans weren't so annoying.

[cujaysfan]

sorry can't (won't) vote until a 'Hell No' option is added.

most of the reasons have been touched upon.

they don't belong - we don't need them.

continuing to grow the BE brand organically is the move - not expansion.

[stever20]

what is so funny about it- if UConn does become available- they are a 100% lock. Fox would pretty much demand it- and could grease the wheels to make it happen- like pay UConn to go Indy in football.

Fox and the Big East are partners, and would make any decision together based on how sensible it is. No demands or arm-twisting are necessary like you're implying.

Having said that, a scenario where Fox pays UConn to go indy in football with BE hoops might make sense for everyone. It would screw ESPN while further boosting our ratings. I'm not sure UConn has big enough cojones nor are they daring enough to pull something like indy football off though.

And having said that, looking back, the 10 of us showed some serious, huge, big time brass stones to take the leap to FS1 and break away from the football schools. Amirite?

Fox would lets just say strongly encourage it. And BE needs to start to at least think about 8 years from now. if BE refused to add UConn here when Fox wanted them- that's going to be remembered when the contract comes up in a few years. Fox would make it known pretty well that the Big East needs to add UConn.

Let's just say this- Fox would make it known pretty much to everyone that the Big East needs to add UConn.

[whiteandblue77]

The only schools that make sense for Big 10 expansion to 16 teams are UCONN and KU. Those are Delaney's two "bookend" schools IMO. ACC, as several pointed out, have a big inferiority football complex and would never take UCONN... EVER. Delaney brought in Rutgers and Maryland to pave the way for UCONN into the B1G (my own gut feeling). Everyone on this thread has been spot on when they say that if UCONN wants to drop football to FCS (which might become really big over the next century) forever then they fit into the Big East for all other sports. As a Creighton soccer fan I'd love them for that sport (and get revenge for the 2002 NC game )

[Burrito]

The Big 10 recently added two mediocre football programs in Rutgers and Maryland. Adding Kansas and UConn would just widen the gap with the SEC further.

[NJRedman]

The conference brand certainly does take a hit if a school comes and goes. It makes the conference look unstable to the outside world. Right now the Big East's biggest strength is the stability. Stability sends a message of strength and garners respect. Right now we do not have a single member looking to leave and there are several schools that would love the chance to join.

Maryland's departure from the ACC made the entire ACC look weak. It also caused several other schools to start looking for exit plans, cash grabs or dream about better opportunities. Departures create the perception of instability to the general public and among the fanbases of the schools in the conference. When everyone starts thinking that anyone else could be leaving, schools start looking for options for themselves instead of thinking about the conference as a whole. That attitude is exactly what killed the earlier version of the Big East. We do not need that scent of desperation.

As a Creighton fan, I have no ax to grind when it comes to UConn. I am not bitter over past dealings and am not jealous. It is true that I think they are naive when it comes to realignment (teams in the northeast do not, IMO, completely understand the obsession that schools in the south and midwest have with football and the corresponding financial investment related thereto), but that does not color my perception of adding them. Essentially the idea of putting large exit fees and entrance fees in place sounds nice, but I don't think the bribe is worth it regardless of the fees generated.

Apples to oranges. Which Big East schools would be looking to leave is UConn gets an invite to the ACC or B1G? Where would they go? We are the top dog in the non-FB world. Maryland went to the top dog in the FB world, losing UConn wouldn't cause that type of instability.

[Hall2012]

Would I take their basketball team? Without question.

Would I take their arrogant, entitled fans? No way in hell.

Ultimately, I wouldn't be upset if we took them back but I'd have to vote no.

[DeltaV]

For those worried about 'conference perception'...I'd guess over half of the US sports population who aren't obsessed with college basketball don't even realize that the UConn isn't in the Big East anymore.

And 3 months after they end up in the ACC, 90% won't remember where they had been previously. America is as ADD as a 12 year old with a two liter of Mt. Dew and a puppy; no one will care if they leave us. If it is advantageous, milk them for every penny we can get out of them.

[Gopher+RamFan]

Can't believe anyone is voting no on this!

It's a no brainer.

Does adding Uconn help the conference? Yes absolutely.
Would them coming and then leaving again hurt the conference? No not at all.
Do we need Uconn? No not at all, but that's not the question.

I think people who don't want them added are either still mad about the break up or are jealous of Uconn.

I could care less about the whole like minded institutions crap. This is purely a competitive and financial decision and adding Uconn helps with both.

So you're OK with the Big East being a stepping stone for these institution? While we're at it, lets add other schools that would benefit the conference in the short term until they get their footing.

Wichita State

Does adding WSU help the conference? Yes absolutely.
Would them coming and then leaving again hurt the conference? No not at all.
Do we need Wichita State? No not at all, but that's not the question.

VCU
Does adding VCU help the conference? Yes absolutely.
Would them coming and then leaving again hurt the conference? No not at all.
Do we need Wichita State? No not at all, but that's not the question.

Cincinnati
Does adding UC help the conference? Yes absolutely.
Would them coming and then leaving again hurt the conference? No not at all.
Do we need Wichita State? No not at all, but that's not the question.

I'd rather pick up Dayton than UConn. At least they want to be here and be committed to the success of the conference instead of their own well being. If we want to be treated like a power conference than we need to act like a power conference

UConn needs a Come to Jesus Moment. They think they have enough clout to dictate where they want to go. If that was the case they would be in either the ACC or B12 already.

Why would Dayton be more committed than VCU? Wichita St and Cincy both have football or football aspirations. VCU doesn't even have an FCS or any team. Where's VCU going?

Which is why the BE can sit and wait, until something forces their hand. UConn might want to join with a public partner, or they might not care. But if UConn is added, at least the moratorium on public schools is over - and its a possibility.

Agreed that comparing UConn to any other expansion candidate is ludicrous.

[BEX]

[quote="Hall2012"}
Would I take their arrogant, entitled fans? No way in hell.
[/quote]

And you wonder why X fans hate Dayton. You're starting to get it.