(06-08-2023 05:55 AM)Golden Jedi Knight Wrote:  

(06-07-2023 02:20 PM)UCONN13K Wrote:  

(06-07-2023 12:49 PM)Golden Jedi Knight Wrote:  

(06-06-2023 08:08 PM)UCONN13K Wrote:  

(06-06-2023 11:27 AM)Golden Jedi Knight Wrote:  My questions about UConn:

1. Would they even consider leaving the Big East?

2. Do they want to do ANYTHING to improve their football program?

3. Are they okay with trying to recruit outside of the Big East's mainly Northeastern U.S. region? (because that's what they would have to do in the Big XII - this was an issue they had with playing in the American Athletic Conference, according to them)

If UConn has any interest in leaving the Big East, they've got some questions to answer first to convince the skeptics.

1. Absolutely
2. Absolutely. See HC Jim Mora. UConn has also competed against and beaten plenty of P5 teams including WVU, Cincy, UCF, Houston, Baylor 2X, ND, South Carolina....
3. Already recruit Florida and watch your backyard

UConn will be a great fit for the Big 12 and you'll enjoy coming to the Northeast in the fall. No better experience than watching football in New England!

Look, it's great if there are a few UConn fans who want the school to join the Big XII. I'd love to say "Hey, come on in!" But I remember enough about UConn's history in the American that I'm not convinced the leadership at your school is thinking about going anywhere. I think you guys are set in the Big East. If I'm right about that, there's nothing wrong with you guys remaining a Big East member, in my view. You guys are in a much better position than a lot of other schools out there just with your men's basketball program and the history they've had. I know you guys have pulled off some great football wins before, and you've beaten UCF a couple of times, but I remember your time in the American too well. If I thought UConn wanted to be in the Big XII and wanted to truly improve in football, I'd be more supportive. Just not convinced.

UConn made the jump to 1-A and was on the rise in the Big East. Then CR happened and the Big East turned into the AAC, which sucked, and that was that. The AAC combined with a few bad coaching hires derailed everything. No question its time in the AAC was bad but hey, even the best P5 programs with P5 cash crap the bed. Let's not forget UCF went 0-12 in the AAC. It happens. Heck, UCF went 0-11 in the freaking MAC, you want to focus on that? Forget about the AAC. Take a look at UConn's budget to get an idea of how serious it is about football. In Jim Mora we trust and with a Big 12 type of deal, UConn will have the resources to get it done.

There's a big difference here that you're not pointing out. Even when UCF had lousy seasons under George O'Leary or any other coach, everyone here understood that the school was committed to building a better football program. One look around at the athletic facilities on our campus tells you that. It is no accident that our football stadium, basketball arena, baseball stadium, softball stadium, soccer fields, track, etc. are all located within close proximity of each other and of a number of on-campus shops, restaurants, areas for tailgating, and so forth. Everything here has been carefully planned with the goal of making this university feel like a power conference institution. That's great that you guys hired a familiar face like Jim Mora to be your head football coach, and I don't question that UConn has some big donors that have helped the university grow. What I question is the commitment of your leadership about pushing beyond just being basically a non-football school like the other Big East schools. I know you guys have a football program, but people think first of men's basketball, and to some extent women's basketball, when they think of UConn. If you truly want to be in the Big XII and have your football program be a part of it, your university is going to have to show that it's committed to making your football program draw more viewers on television, not to mention more butts in the seats, and have impressive facilities for all of your sports, but especially for football and basketball, the two biggest moneymakers in this country. If your university's leadership isn't willing to commit more to football, you'll have to hope that the Big XII lets you in for non-football sports only because I don't think they're going to invite a school that doesn't show it cares enough about football.

The frustrating aspect is that UConn has been committed to football and there are false narratives that UConn is not committed. The stadium is the HOT topic of discussion almost daily and without P5 funding, there is no easy solution. Yes, UConn went independent to save its other sports but the football schedule actually improved. Regarding other sports, brand new baseball field, brand new hockey rink, new basketball facilities, and additional facitlies in the works. No one here wants to join the Big 12 for non-football sports only and I think folks in the Big 12 have also stated that is not in the plans.