UConn to the Big East? Rumors and Discussion Thread...

[gosports1]

This deal doesn't get done unless Fox also officially (or unofficially) makes concessions for UConn Football to help them schedule as an independent, because they aren't going to C-USA, MAC, MWC, or Sun Belt.

My guess is that Fox is trying to work with the Big 12 and B1G to arrange for some type of scheduling arrangement year-to-year that guarantees UConn play two teams from each conference. That would be four total games accounted for a schedule. Then, UConn would be able to schedule yearly games with Army, UMass and BYU - that gets them to seven games. Finally, you schedule three or four games each year against regional schools to help create regional interest and for recruiting purposes - Syracuse, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Virginia, etc. You could fill it out with one final FCS game against a Villanova, Delaware, James Madison, Richmond, etc.

A schedule like that absolutely does not devalue their football program (an argument can be made that it could even strengthen it). If they get to 6 wins, they are automatically eligible for a bowl game. Maybe Fox even agrees to televise some game(s) to sweeten the deal.

What's the end result? Getting UConn back into the Big East increases an already strong national prestige, entrenches the conference in New York City, increases prestige of basketball conference (which is already really high) and positions the current membership for a potential increase in pay via next TV contract. The other factor to consider is that it likely means we will start averaging six teams into the tournament instead of five. Obviously, UConn wins because it dramatically increases their conference prestige and fan interest with more regional rivals, and gets them properly rewarded for their basketball success.

Maybe UConn could leverage their BB to get schools to play them in FB? would a home and home or home and MSG be worth it to say SMU, Houston etc to schedule UConn? this is a general question nit directed at you warrior

[gosports1]

does anyone here actually know for certain what the fox contract states? I realize they can be renegotiated but rumor has it fox would provide same $ per school with expansion. Is that only if the BE went to 12 or is it for each addition up to 12 (and not beyond)?

[kayako]

What are the disadvantages of the round robin format? Just curious.

This is just my opinion:

1. Double round-robin format itself isn't the problem, but having 20 conference games probably isn't ideal for Villanova. Not sure about other teams in the league, but every program has x amount of cupcakes, rpi/buy games, local games, recruiting games, special games, and marquee (for the season ticket holders) games they'd like to play.

2. ACC going to 20 games shouldn't be the reason we follow suit. Should we add 5 teams, too?

3. More conference games = worse overall record. Basically, teams won't be able to pad their records as much as they do now. It doesn't make sense, but we still hear things like "only X number of teams made the tournament with 13 losses."

[FenwayFriar]

Barstool Sports says no to UConn:

http://www.barstoolsports.com/barstoolu/the-big-east-never-needed-uconn-and-they-still-dont-now/

[Bill Marsh]

Barstool Sports says no to UConn:

http://www.barstoolsports.com/barstoolu/the-big-east-never-needed-uconn-and-they-still-dont-now/

The article is written from the Big East POV. And I agree with it. Adding UConn doesn't make sense for the Big East. This isn't 1979.

But this move never made sense from the UConn POV either. They lose money by making the move, which doesn't help their budget deficit. And unless they're ready to give up on their P5 dream without waiting for the next round of realignment, then they need to keep their football in the strongest possible position, which is the AAC.

[BEwannabe]

That writer gets paid to write? Far better opinions and easier reads here!

[paulxu]

What are the disadvantages of the round robin format? Just curious.

This is just my opinion:

1. Double round-robin format itself isn't the problem, but having 20 conference games probably isn't ideal for Villanova. Not sure about other teams in the league, but every program has x amount of cupcakes, rpi/buy games, local games, recruiting games, special games, and marquee (for the season ticket holders) games they'd like to play.

2. ACC going to 20 games shouldn't be the reason we follow suit. Should we add 5 teams, too?

3. More conference games = worse overall record. Basically, teams won't be able to pad their records as much as they do now. It doesn't make sense, but we still hear things like "only X number of teams made the tournament with 13 losses."

Thanks Kayako. These are really reasons, as you note early, that pertain to a 20 game conference schedule, not to why one shouldn't play a round robin.
The other writer said round robin shouldn't stop us from adding conference members, but said it had other disadvantages.
I'm still wondering what those might be.

[Xudash]

Barstool Sports says no to UConn:

http://www.barstoolsports.com/barstoolu/the-big-east-never-needed-uconn-and-they-still-dont-now/

Anyone bother to read through the comments section?

Damn.

[Westbrook#36]

Barstool Sports says no to UConn:

http://www.barstoolsports.com/barstoolu/the-big-east-never-needed-uconn-and-they-still-dont-now/

Anyone bother to read through the comments section?

Damn.

Beware, if UConn does rejoin the BE that's just a small sample of how insufferable their fans can be. College basketball was invented in the early 1990's by St. James Calhoun, the patron saint of thugs and laptop thieves.

[kayako]

Beware, if UConn does rejoin the BE that's just a small sample of how insufferable their fans can be. College basketball was invented in the early 1990's by St. James Calhoun, the patron saint of thugs and laptop thieves.

As others have mentioned, instant villains in this conference.