I just looked at this week's AP rankings. 45 schools received votes - none of them named UConn. Their football team was pitiful this year, with a lone FBS win to their credit. Are they toast?

I grew up about 150 miles from the UConn campus, and was a rabid sports fan. Yet I barely knew UConn existed. If not for the formation of the Big East, they would probably still be playing football at the FCS level and basketball in a regional one-bid league. Is that where they are headed now?

As the Big East was in danger of imploding, a number of schools from C-USA jumped aboard while the BE still had AQ status in a BCS that hadn't yet given way to the CFP. If those schools had known then what they know now, would they have opted to join the three northeastern schools that remained, or would they have just thrown a lifeline to Cincy, inviting them to rejoin C-USA?

Maybe they would have also invited UConn to join them, counting on the Huskies to bring basketball tournament riches their way. But the jury is still out on whether they can maintain their status as a basketball blueblood without the Big East providing a strong recruiting lure. Frankly, I doubt it, and not because Ollie isn't a good coach. I doubt Calhoun could keep them contending for national championships in their present state.

Realistically, what are their options going forward?

Here comes another "The American ruined UCONN" craptastic thread. UCONN should have never moved up FBS football...etc etc... Should have stayed with the Big East...blah blah blah..


If UCOnNN recruits well and coaches well...they will be fine...no matter what conference they are in.

Mods lock this thread. The discussion is over.

(02-02-2015 03:04 PM)ken d Wrote:  I just looked at this week's AP rankings. 45 schools received votes - none of them named UConn. Their football team was pitiful this year, with a lone FBS win to their credit. Are they toast?

I grew up about 150 miles from the UConn campus, and was a rabid sports fan. Yet I barely knew UConn existed. If not for the formation of the Big East, they would probably still be playing football at the FCS level and basketball in a regional one-bid league. Is that where they are headed now?

As the Big East was in danger of imploding, a number of schools from C-USA jumped aboard while the BE still had AQ status in a BCS that hadn't yet given way to the CFP. If those schools had known then what they know now, would they have opted to join the three northeastern schools that remained, or would they have just thrown a lifeline to Cincy, inviting them to rejoin C-USA?

Maybe they would have also invited UConn to join them, counting on the Huskies to bring basketball tournament riches their way. But the jury is still out on whether they can maintain their status as a basketball blueblood without the Big East providing a strong recruiting lure. Frankly, I doubt it, and not because Ollie isn't a good coach. I doubt Calhoun could keep them contending for national championships in their present state.

Realistically, what are their options going forward?

I think this year is probably just an abberation for UConn.

I think frankly the CUSA teams knowing then what they know now still jump. AAC is still light years better than CUSA. Ken Pom- AAC 8, CUSA 16. RPI- it's AAC 8, CUSA 17. And in football- next year AAC adds Navy while CUSA loses bowl eligible UAB and picks up Charlotte.

UConn is fine. Both of their last 2 titles, last year and then the prior one with Calhoun, I am sure they were unranked.
They were 9-9 in the Big East then won the conference tourney. They could win the conference tourney this year, they host it.

UGH! THEY JUST WON A NATIONAL TITLE! THEY ARE THE DEFENDING CHAMPS!
When Kentucky lost in the first round NIT after winning a title, you thought they were toast too?
Every program has off/rebuilding years

Yes, you can't be a power program in basketball if you're not in a power conference.
Gonzaga from the WCC sure isn't #2 or anything. You don't have 5 of the top 25 from non-BCS leagues (counting the new Big East as an old BCS league).

UConn will take that shiny 2014 NAtional Championship trophy on the recruiting trail and they'll be back.

First it was that the Big East would dry up and blow away without football. Now it's that UConn is doomed because of the AAC. Take a breath, people.

(02-02-2015 03:53 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  Yes, you can't be a power program in basketball if you're not in a power conference.

Gonzaga from the WCC sure isn't #2 or anything.

That's a good example -- there have been a few "Gonzaga is a has-been" threads on this board. None in recent weeks, though...

(02-02-2015 03:21 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-02-2015 03:04 PM)ken d Wrote:  I just looked at this week's AP rankings. 45 schools received votes - none of them named UConn. Their football team was pitiful this year, with a lone FBS win to their credit. Are they toast?

I grew up about 150 miles from the UConn campus, and was a rabid sports fan. Yet I barely knew UConn existed. If not for the formation of the Big East, they would probably still be playing football at the FCS level and basketball in a regional one-bid league. Is that where they are headed now?

As the Big East was in danger of imploding, a number of schools from C-USA jumped aboard while the BE still had AQ status in a BCS that hadn't yet given way to the CFP. If those schools had known then what they know now, would they have opted to join the three northeastern schools that remained, or would they have just thrown a lifeline to Cincy, inviting them to rejoin C-USA?

Maybe they would have also invited UConn to join them, counting on the Huskies to bring basketball tournament riches their way. But the jury is still out on whether they can maintain their status as a basketball blueblood without the Big East providing a strong recruiting lure. Frankly, I doubt it, and not because Ollie isn't a good coach. I doubt Calhoun could keep them contending for national championships in their present state.

Realistically, what are their options going forward?

I think this year is probably just an abberation for UConn.

I think frankly the CUSA teams knowing then what they know now still jump. AAC is still light years better than CUSA. Ken Pom- AAC 8, CUSA 16. RPI- it's AAC 8, CUSA 17. And in football- next year AAC adds Navy while CUSA loses bowl eligible UAB and picks up Charlotte.

I think UConn will be just fine, especially in basketball. I think C-USA will also be fine as they proved in FB this past season. They were 1 step better in the CFP rankings than the AAC in a season that many on this board figured C-USA would be at the bottom of the barrel. C-USA is just getting started in it's new alignment and doing pretty well. Charlotte will suffer growing pains but has a very good shot at success as an FBS school. Some people here have no vision at all.

(02-02-2015 03:04 PM)ken d Wrote:  I just looked at this week's AP rankings. 45 schools received votes - none of them named UConn. Their football team was pitiful this year, with a lone FBS win to their credit. Are they toast?

I grew up about 150 miles from the UConn campus, and was a rabid sports fan. Yet I barely knew UConn existed. If not for the formation of the Big East, they would probably still be playing football at the FCS level and basketball in a regional one-bid league. Is that where they are headed now?

As the Big East was in danger of imploding, a number of schools from C-USA jumped aboard while the BE still had AQ status in a BCS that hadn't yet given way to the CFP. If those schools had known then what they know now, would they have opted to join the three northeastern schools that remained, or would they have just thrown a lifeline to Cincy, inviting them to rejoin C-USA?

Maybe they would have also invited UConn to join them, counting on the Huskies to bring basketball tournament riches their way. But the jury is still out on whether they can maintain their status as a basketball blueblood without the Big East providing a strong recruiting lure. Frankly, I doubt it, and not because Ollie isn't a good coach. I doubt Calhoun could keep them contending for national championships in their present state.

Realistically, what are their options going forward?

That is interesting, the Big East was a major catalyst that turned them from an America East type program to a national power. And now they're losing to my Houston Coogs on a regular basis, as down as they've been recently (yes, recently, the Penders era was solid).

(02-02-2015 04:01 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(02-02-2015 03:53 PM)johnbragg Wrote:  Yes, you can't be a power program in basketball if you're not in a power conference.

Gonzaga from the WCC sure isn't #2 or anything.

That's a good example -- there have been a few "Gonzaga is a has-been" threads on this board. None in recent weeks, though...

Their current trend is so boringly stable. The Tourney is a crapshoot but you'd think eventually they'd advance to a Final Four or at least the second weekend, which they haven't done in 6 years (counting this year TBD of course). They have mastered the art of being relevant and irrelevant on a yearly basis. I think this will be an important tournament for them coming up.

The ability to compete against the northeastern majors, both in football and basketball, will be a tall order. But Uconn can certainly be a scrappy underdog and hang and be somewhat competitive. I see Umass and Uconn doing their fair share of damage to the majors.

Rutgers, BC, Penn State and Syracuse will continue to sop up all the choice recruits. For football, it's harder to recruit 85 kids. In hoops, 2 or 3 players can make or break a team/season. I can see Umass, Uconn, even Harvard, PC, St. John's, Seton Hall, and a few other mid majors popping up from time to time and making some noise.

Finding meaningful games is something that they are struggling mightily with. know that Rutgers thinks their fb program is "beneath" them and won't schedule a home and home. BC and Syracuse have no interest. Can't really blame them, much like WVU and Marshall, nothing to gain.

I know their board and fans are super concerned about the stigma that's attached to their athletic program. While it's not quite the same in importance, girls basketball has a real loyal following. So long as Geno Auriemma is around, you'll see them compete.

As far as the rumor of them cutting sports, I'm sure all athletic departments are looking for cost savings. The huge institutional subsidy that Uconn gets is startung to percolate into a problem, but this is a concern for most mid majors and a bunch of power schools, too.

(02-02-2015 03:34 PM)tigerjamesc Wrote:  UGH! THEY JUST WON A NATIONAL TITLE! THEY ARE THE DEFENDING CHAMPS!
When Kentucky lost in the first round NIT after winning a title, you thought they were toast too?
Every program has off/rebuilding years

Yeah, it's a bit premature to write off the basketball program for sure. As long as they play teams like Cincinnati, Memphis, Temple, Houston, etc. I don't see that really holding them back (the AAC will always get multiple NCAA bids, IMO).

we can reopen this discussion in 5 -10 years. If Uconn still hasnt been ranked in that time frame, there might be an issue. Until then, they will be fine

(02-02-2015 03:21 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(02-02-2015 03:04 PM)ken d Wrote:  I just looked at this week's AP rankings. 45 schools received votes - none of them named UConn. Their football team was pitiful this year, with a lone FBS win to their credit. Are they toast?

I grew up about 150 miles from the UConn campus, and was a rabid sports fan. Yet I barely knew UConn existed. If not for the formation of the Big East, they would probably still be playing football at the FCS level and basketball in a regional one-bid league. Is that where they are headed now?

As the Big East was in danger of imploding, a number of schools from C-USA jumped aboard while the BE still had AQ status in a BCS that hadn't yet given way to the CFP. If those schools had known then what they know now, would they have opted to join the three northeastern schools that remained, or would they have just thrown a lifeline to Cincy, inviting them to rejoin C-USA?

Maybe they would have also invited UConn to join them, counting on the Huskies to bring basketball tournament riches their way. But the jury is still out on whether they can maintain their status as a basketball blueblood without the Big East providing a strong recruiting lure. Frankly, I doubt it, and not because Ollie isn't a good coach. I doubt Calhoun could keep them contending for national championships in their present state.

Realistically, what are their options going forward?

I think this year is probably just an abberation for UConn.

I think frankly the CUSA teams knowing then what they know now still jump. AAC is still light years better than CUSA. Ken Pom- AAC 8, CUSA 16. RPI- it's AAC 8, CUSA 17. And in football- next year AAC adds Navy while CUSA loses bowl eligible UAB and picks up Charlotte.

This year may be an aberration. That's why I said the jury is still out. We probably won't know for at least a few more years whether their ability to recruit top talent was dependent on being in America's premier basketball conference. That's not to denigrate the AAC. But let's face it. They aren't the old BE. Frankly, when it comes to hoops, I also have to wonder if Cincy can stay at the level they returned to by joining the Big East ten years ago. Between their glory days in the Oscar Robertson era and then, they were fairly ordinary.

As for the AAC being better than C-USA, sure it is, since those teams left C-USA. If they hadn't, there probably wouldn't even be an AAC today.

Another "let's bash UConn" thread. Imagine that.

As a UConn alum, I'm not worried. The future looks good.

- We're in the top 20% of FBS academically.
- Basketball has two great coaches and unmatched success in this century.
- Diaco is (slowly) improving football from the ground up.
- We're a state flagship school, in the nation's wealthiest state.

I could go on and on ...

(02-02-2015 06:31 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  Another "let's bash UConn" thread. Imagine that.

As a UConn alum, I'm not worried. The future looks good.

- We're in the top 20% of FBS academically.
- Basketball has two great coaches and unmatched success in this century.
- Diaco is (slowly) improving football from the ground up.
- We're a state flagship school, in the nation's wealthiest state.

I could go on and on ...

If you were really sure the future is bright, you wouldn't be so quick to perceive this as a "let's bash UConn" thread. I don't have a dog in that fight, if there even is such a fight. If you believe UConn athletics doesn't face a threat, God bless you. But I'll bet the UConn AD isn't as sure as you are.

It is amusing to see this considering how many of these UConn guys resort to comparing their "vaunted" UConn program against anyone who dares say they aren't in a great position in terms of realignment. Too funny.

Yeah, UConn has the potential to have great teams, we have seen that. What they are proving though is that they are no longer one of those elite programs that is ALWAYS ranked.

(02-02-2015 06:50 PM)ken d Wrote:  

(02-02-2015 06:31 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  Another "let's bash UConn" thread. Imagine that.

As a UConn alum, I'm not worried. The future looks good.

- We're in the top 20% of FBS academically.
- Basketball has two great coaches and unmatched success in this century.
- Diaco is (slowly) improving football from the ground up.
- We're a state flagship school, in the nation's wealthiest state.

I could go on and on ...

If you were really sure the future is bright, you wouldn't be so quick to perceive this as a "let's bash UConn" thread. I don't have a dog in that fight, if there even is such a fight. If you believe UConn athletics doesn't face a threat, God bless you. But I'll bet the UConn AD isn't as sure as you are.

On this board, I've seen so many threads and posts providing UConn with unsolicited advice.

It's remarkable that this little old G5 school receives so much attention.

Tournament victories since 1999

Notre Dame: 6

Butler: 17

VCU: 8

North Carolina: 34

UConn: 38

I think they'll be ok. That, and they'll be in the Big Ten in a few years.

(02-02-2015 03:04 PM)ken d Wrote:  I just looked at this week's AP rankings. 45 schools received votes - none of them named UConn. Their football team was pitiful this year, with a lone FBS win to their credit. Are they toast?

I grew up about 150 miles from the UConn campus, and was a rabid sports fan. Yet I barely knew UConn existed. If not for the formation of the Big East, they would probably still be playing football at the FCS level and basketball in a regional one-bid league. Is that where they are headed now?

As the Big East was in danger of imploding, a number of schools from C-USA jumped aboard while the BE still had AQ status in a BCS that hadn't yet given way to the CFP. If those schools had known then what they know now, would they have opted to join the three northeastern schools that remained, or would they have just thrown a lifeline to Cincy, inviting them to rejoin C-USA?

Maybe they would have also invited UConn to join them, counting on the Huskies to bring basketball tournament riches their way. But the jury is still out on whether they can maintain their status as a basketball blueblood without the Big East providing a strong recruiting lure. Frankly, I doubt it, and not because Ollie isn't a good coach. I doubt Calhoun could keep them contending for national championships in their present state.

Realistically, what are their options going forward?

I don't get the question - is your question about UConn's future, or about whether ECU, Houston, etc would have joined the American if they knew UL and Rutgers were leaving?

UConn basketball will be fine. Your conference matters much less in basketball than in football. See Memphis, Marquette, Wichita, George Mason, Creighton, etc. Even attracting a coach is not a big problem - Louisville hired Rick Pitino in 2000, when they were still in C-USA. SMU hired Larry Brown.

UConn football, on the other hand, is a different story. In a minor conference your success depends largely on your local recruits (unless you're Boise). Given UConn's location/recruiting region, I don't see them competing regularly.

I think in both football and basketball the American will have a decent/good top half of the conference and an abysmal bottom half. Right now Cincinnati and Memphis are the only schools in the top half for both sports.

(02-02-2015 07:10 PM)SeaBlue Wrote:  Tournament victories since 1999

Notre Dame: 6

Butler: 17

VCU: 8

North Carolina: 34

UConn: 38

I think they'll be ok. That, and they'll be in the Big Ten in a few years.

No they won't. They have a good shot at being the G5 institution that gets the last golden ticket but it isn't very likely to be The Big Ten.