Enjoy MAC football. You guys and UMass enjoy your Civil Conflict.

(12-09-2014 07:29 PM)HuskyU Wrote:  Perhaps UCONN should just cut a deal with ESPN/SNY and go independent in all sports.

I'd like to see 7 of the current AAC members start an Olympic sports only league with football indi only. Play a few more P 5 games each season with an independent schedule. We d make more $ for our new Olympic only sports league vs our current Aresco contract plus get to make some extra $ as a football independent playing more P5 schools. ECU thrived in the 90's with this set up. "The lucky eight" would have to hope for some bowl at large selections but if byu can do it, surely a group of regionally aligned 8 schools can do it. UCONN, Cinci, Temple, Memphis, SMU, Houston, ECU and UMASS. Ok, big east homer, blast me. I'm ready.

(12-10-2014 09:10 AM)firmbizzle Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 07:37 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  It boggles my mind that UConn wasn't invited to the ACC years ago. It certainly deserved to be and seems a perfect fit.

They were a better cultural fit than Louisville. Our league would be much different if the ACC had picked UConn and Texhoma had left for the PAC12.

But Louisville brought better football to the ACC. UConn want into the P5...build a better football program. Otherwise drop football and join the Big east.

Either way they should lose there arrogance.

(12-10-2014 10:29 AM)Chappy Wrote:  I don't see how going to the Big East helps UConn.

The AAC (right now) is not ideal for Cincy, Connecticut or South Florida fans who were used to the old Big East, but joining a bunch of privates schools and risking the welfare of the football program seems short sighted, especially with the growth potential the AAC has if the Big 12 doesn't take any AAC schools.

Cincinnati, Memphis and Temple are historically powerful basketball schools. Tulsa has a nice basketball history as well. SMU has shown they are willing to invest, and Larry Brown has turned them around in no time. Houston is trying to follow suit. South Florida's new coach has impressed me early.

If UConn wants to ditch football, then a move to the Big East might make sense. But given their current sports, they are in the best available situation.

Now, IF the AAC lost Cincinnati and Memphis to the Big 12, then it would make sense for UConn to leave, because their basketball program would then be at risk.

I think if the AAC lost any two schools to the Big 12 it would become a VERY serious issue for UConn.

(12-10-2014 10:51 AM)Tigers2B1 Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 10:29 AM)Chappy Wrote:  I don't see how going to the Big East helps UConn.

The AAC (right now) is not ideal for Cincy, Connecticut or South Florida fans who were used to the old Big East, but joining a bunch of privates schools and risking the welfare of the football program seems short sighted, especially with the growth potential the AAC has if the Big 12 doesn't take any AAC schools.

Cincinnati, Memphis and Temple are historically powerful basketball schools. Tulsa has a nice basketball history as well. SMU has shown they are willing to invest, and Larry Brown has turned them around in no time. Houston is trying to follow suit. South Florida's new coach has impressed me early.

If UConn wants to ditch football, then a move to the Big East might make sense. But given their current sports, they are in the best available situation.

Now, IF the AAC lost Cincinnati and Memphis to the Big 12, then it would make sense for UConn to leave, because their basketball program would then be at risk.

I think if the AAC lost any two schools to the Big 12 it would become a VERY serious issue for UConn.

I agree. Especially Memphis and Cinci, since they are the two best basketball programs in UConn's conference.

I don't think any of this is seriuosly considered, UNLESS teams are poached.

(12-10-2014 10:53 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 10:51 AM)Tigers2B1 Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 10:29 AM)Chappy Wrote:  I don't see how going to the Big East helps UConn.

The AAC (right now) is not ideal for Cincy, Connecticut or South Florida fans who were used to the old Big East, but joining a bunch of privates schools and risking the welfare of the football program seems short sighted, especially with the growth potential the AAC has if the Big 12 doesn't take any AAC schools.

Cincinnati, Memphis and Temple are historically powerful basketball schools. Tulsa has a nice basketball history as well. SMU has shown they are willing to invest, and Larry Brown has turned them around in no time. Houston is trying to follow suit. South Florida's new coach has impressed me early.

If UConn wants to ditch football, then a move to the Big East might make sense. But given their current sports, they are in the best available situation.

Now, IF the AAC lost Cincinnati and Memphis to the Big 12, then it would make sense for UConn to leave, because their basketball program would then be at risk.

I think if the AAC lost any two schools to the Big 12 it would become a VERY serious issue for UConn.

I agree. Especially Memphis and Cinci, since they are the two best basketball programs in UConn's conference.

I don't think any of this is seriuosly considered, UNLESS teams are poached.

IMO this is how most UCONN fans feel.

(12-10-2014 09:08 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 08:33 AM)First Mate Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 07:13 PM)jwawker Wrote:  The author of the article says the AAC is gradually killing UConn men's basketball and it should go back to its regional roots, in the Big East. Obviously being in the AAC did not hurt UConn in 2013-14 but he does make some valid points. Football is years away from being where it was under Randy Edsall, and as several AAC schools have already found out, the weather at the Rent in the fall can be downright frightful, adding to the difficulty of ever attracting top recruits to New England.

http://sportzedge.com/2014/12/09/its-tim...-big-east/

Bu-bye Uconn. We hardly knew ya. This stupid attitude is why the Old Big East failed. Didn't they just win the national title in BBall last year (in the AAC)? Talk about a quick trigger.....

Football runs the show. Get with the program Uconn or step off back into the scrub MAC.

Isn't that the whole point of the article? The article wants UConn to evaluate whether it wants to be associated with the AAC or the MAC, or neither.

Football doesn't run the show. Power 5 football runs the show. UConn was at a time winning BCS conference championships as recent as 4 years ago and is now losing to the worst football team in the nation thus making it the worst football team in the nation in a conference with 0 regional rivals, 0 historical rivals, and 7 conference members over 1,000 miles away from campus.

If Cinci and Memphis leave - UConn will absolutely consider another option.

Shrug.

This conference has never made sense from regional standpoint. It has never made sense from a rivalry standpoint. The schools all have little in common. In fact, the AAC has always been a collection of universities that really only have ONE thing in common--they are all striving to compete at the top level and are among those that would be considered for P5 membership if expansion is ever considered by a power conference. In matters of budget, facilities, name recognition---they are reasonably similar and would all be reasonable candidates for future P5 expansion.

In that sense, the realistic goal of attaining P5 membership is only characteristic that binds the membership and is the one thing that makes them "peers", yet it also the same characteristic that will always make the group inherently unstable. It is what it is.

(12-10-2014 10:51 AM)Tigers2B1 Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 10:29 AM)Chappy Wrote:  I don't see how going to the Big East helps UConn.

The AAC (right now) is not ideal for Cincy, Connecticut or South Florida fans who were used to the old Big East, but joining a bunch of privates schools and risking the welfare of the football program seems short sighted, especially with the growth potential the AAC has if the Big 12 doesn't take any AAC schools.

Cincinnati, Memphis and Temple are historically powerful basketball schools. Tulsa has a nice basketball history as well. SMU has shown they are willing to invest, and Larry Brown has turned them around in no time. Houston is trying to follow suit. South Florida's new coach has impressed me early.

If UConn wants to ditch football, then a move to the Big East might make sense. But given their current sports, they are in the best available situation.

Now, IF the AAC lost Cincinnati and Memphis to the Big 12, then it would make sense for UConn to leave, because their basketball program would then be at risk.

I think if the AAC lost any two schools to the Big 12 it would become a VERY serious issue for UConn.

Nah, if the Big 12 added Tulsa and Tulane I doubt UConn would care.

Losing Memphis and Cinci would send serious shock waves through the UConn campus, I can't see them sticking around with what remains unless we would add two new BBall schools. If the AAC losses two prime members it may kill the conference, certainly destroy future revenues.

(12-10-2014 11:53 AM)wavefan12 Wrote:  Losing Memphis and Cinci would send serious shock waves through the UConn campus, I can't see them sticking around with what remains unless we would add two new BBall schools. If the AAC losses two prime members it may kill the conference, certainly destroy future revenues.

We've heard that one event or another was going to 'kill' our conference... and yet here we are. Here is what happens, if you lose some teams, you pick replacements from the next level down. If we lose 2 teams, there are several possible replacement options. No, I'm not saying we'd be as good of a conference... no, it's not equal quality replacements.. but there are replacements with lots of potential. There will still be a conference. And we'll still play games, and still have a great time. And that's just how it works.

The sad truth is, there are just too many programs (many in our conference) that 'deserve' to be in the P5. Not all will make it. If another 2 get in, good for them. Uconn, Memphis, Cinci, Boise, BYU, UCF, Houston, USF... there will still be quality life outside the P5. Not as much money, perhaps no direct path to the NCG (but yes a clear path to an access NYD bowl). Life goes on.

(12-10-2014 12:07 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 11:53 AM)wavefan12 Wrote:  Losing Memphis and Cinci would send serious shock waves through the UConn campus, I can't see them sticking around with what remains unless we would add two new BBall schools. If the AAC losses two prime members it may kill the conference, certainly destroy future revenues.

We've heard that one event or another was going to 'kill' our conference... and yet here we are. Here is what happens, if you lose some teams, you pick replacements from the next level down. If we lose 2 teams, there are several possible replacement options. No, I'm not saying we'd be as good of a conference... no, it's not equal quality replacements.. but there are replacements with lots of potential. There will still be a conference. And we'll still play games, and still have a great time. And that's just how it works.

The sad truth is, there are just too many programs (many in our conference) that 'deserve' to be in the P5. Not all will make it. If another 2 get in, good for them. Uconn, Memphis, Cinci, Boise, BYU, UCF, Houston, USF... there will still be quality life outside the P5. Not as much money, perhaps no direct path to the NCG (but yes a clear path to an access NYD bowl). Life goes on.

Ya but UConn is an outlier, losing the two best BBall programs could be a game changer for them. But FBall drives the bus and the AAC would still be their best FBall option so they might just stay as opposed to some hybrid Big East model.

What's funny to me is that the B12 essentially will be saying "Hey we don;t want you but welcome to the B12." Guess it doesn't really matter.

(12-10-2014 12:07 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 11:53 AM)wavefan12 Wrote:  Losing Memphis and Cinci would send serious shock waves through the UConn campus, I can't see them sticking around with what remains unless we would add two new BBall schools. If the AAC losses two prime members it may kill the conference, certainly destroy future revenues.

We've heard that one event or another was going to 'kill' our conference... and yet here we are. Here is what happens, if you lose some teams, you pick replacements from the next level down. If we lose 2 teams, there are several possible replacement options. No, I'm not saying we'd be as good of a conference... no, it's not equal quality replacements.. but there are replacements with lots of potential. There will still be a conference. And we'll still play games, and still have a great time. And that's just how it works.

The sad truth is, there are just too many programs (many in our conference) that 'deserve' to be in the P5. Not all will make it. If another 2 get in, good for them. Uconn, Memphis, Cinci, Boise, BYU, UCF, Houston, USF... there will still be quality life outside the P5. Not as much money, perhaps no direct path to the NCG (but yes a clear path to an access NYD bowl). Life goes on.

One internet rumor floating around is Marshall, Rice, Middle Tenn, and FAU, are being looked at as possible replacements. lol...Hows that make you feel?

IF the Big 12 expands to 12 I really think someone bends and BYU is one of the two. If that's the case the other one has to be Cincinnati IMO. Good football, basketball, TV market, and location. Recruiting? Don't know.

(12-10-2014 12:18 AM)Pony94 Wrote:  Memphis and Tulane. Houston and SMU are working in tandem on contingency plans

I am curious: are you suggesting that if a team or two left, some other schools might be looking at other options, beyond if they are picked for a P5 conference? Like joining the MWC or something?

(12-10-2014 02:10 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 12:18 AM)Pony94 Wrote:  Memphis and Tulane. Houston and SMU are working in tandem on contingency plans

I am curious: are you suggesting that if a team or two left, some other schools might be looking at other options, beyond if they are picked for a P5 conference? Like joining the MWC or something?

The conference as a whole had better have a contingency plan. If not they whole thing deserves to implode if a team or two is lost. There is really only one option IMO that makes sense if one or two teams are poached. A national conference of the best of the rest needs to form. Either we try and poach from the MWC or some schools take the lead and orchestrate it.

(12-10-2014 12:20 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 12:07 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 11:53 AM)wavefan12 Wrote:  Losing Memphis and Cinci would send serious shock waves through the UConn campus, I can't see them sticking around with what remains unless we would add two new BBall schools. If the AAC losses two prime members it may kill the conference, certainly destroy future revenues.

We've heard that one event or another was going to 'kill' our conference... and yet here we are. Here is what happens, if you lose some teams, you pick replacements from the next level down. If we lose 2 teams, there are several possible replacement options. No, I'm not saying we'd be as good of a conference... no, it's not equal quality replacements.. but there are replacements with lots of potential. There will still be a conference. And we'll still play games, and still have a great time. And that's just how it works.

The sad truth is, there are just too many programs (many in our conference) that 'deserve' to be in the P5. Not all will make it. If another 2 get in, good for them. Uconn, Memphis, Cinci, Boise, BYU, UCF, Houston, USF... there will still be quality life outside the P5. Not as much money, perhaps no direct path to the NCG (but yes a clear path to an access NYD bowl). Life goes on.

One internet rumor floating around is Marshall, Rice, Middle Tenn, and FAU, are being looked at as possible replacements. lol...Hows that make you feel?

Well, what do you want me to say? I'd rather have Cinci/Memphis, etc., sure... but it's beyond my control. I didn't want to lose Pitt, WV, LV, Rutgets, etc etc either, but it happened. IMHO, Houston, UCF, et al are great conference mates. New guys will have to step up. All we can do is keep playing ball. I guess the vitriol got beat out of me the last two years...

(12-10-2014 01:15 PM)Tigers2B1 Wrote:  IF the Big 12 expands to 12 I really think someone bends and BYU is one of the two. If that's the case the other one has to be Cincinnati IMO. Good football, basketball, TV market, and location. Recruiting? Don't know.

This is actually what I'm betting on... Cinci and BYU. And we just replace Cinci. Maybe we can pull in Army or something to keep it interesting. Keep calm and play AAC ball!

(12-10-2014 03:53 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 01:15 PM)Tigers2B1 Wrote:  IF the Big 12 expands to 12 I really think someone bends and BYU is one of the two. If that's the case the other one has to be Cincinnati IMO. Good football, basketball, TV market, and location. Recruiting? Don't know.

This is actually what I'm betting on... Cinci and BYU. And we just replace Cinci. Maybe we can pull in Army or something to keep it interesting. Keep calm and play AAC ball!

Cincy would be hard to replace...big loss to Basketball and football.

(12-10-2014 03:55 PM)No Bull Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 03:53 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 01:15 PM)Tigers2B1 Wrote:  IF the Big 12 expands to 12 I really think someone bends and BYU is one of the two. If that's the case the other one has to be Cincinnati IMO. Good football, basketball, TV market, and location. Recruiting? Don't know.

This is actually what I'm betting on... Cinci and BYU. And we just replace Cinci. Maybe we can pull in Army or something to keep it interesting. Keep calm and play AAC ball!

Cincy would be hard to replace...big loss to Basketball and football.

Not if we went national.

(12-10-2014 03:43 PM)FrancisDrake Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 02:10 PM)adcorbett Wrote:  

(12-10-2014 12:18 AM)Pony94 Wrote:  Memphis and Tulane. Houston and SMU are working in tandem on contingency plans

I am curious: are you suggesting that if a team or two left, some other schools might be looking at other options, beyond if they are picked for a P5 conference? Like joining the MWC or something?

The conference as a whole had better have a contingency plan. If not they whole thing deserves to implode if a team or two is lost. There is really only one option IMO that makes sense if one or two teams are poached. A national conference of the best of the rest needs to form. Either we try and poach from the MWC or some schools take the lead and orchestrate it.

Either that or get some hoops schools in here.
Regardless, the C-USA model will be a no-go.