(01-06-2020 03:38 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 02:22 PM)panite Wrote:  

(12-28-2019 06:04 AM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  

(12-27-2019 07:34 AM)panite Wrote:  

(12-22-2019 09:36 AM)esayem Wrote:  Um, I support UConn’s move and always have. I’m saying there is still a lot of butthurt AAC fans out there.

...and no, that will not happen.

Wouldn't be discussing this butthurt if UConn had originally left with the C7 teams. If they had the AAC would have kept their FB no questions asked as a FB only to match the incoming Navy FB only entrance into the league. It would have given the AAC the 12 teams they needed for the Championship Game the conference wanted in place to match the other P5 and G5 conferences.

I don't think the C7 would have gone for that though. I think they were done with the will they/wont they leave drama of FB schools. Now they know UConn isn't leaving for a P5 conference so UConn today is a much safer bet for the Big East than when the initial split occurred.

I'd keep an eye on how many ACC teams UConn eventually schedules for football once they get a few years out in their future schedules before cancelling UConn's behind the scene aspirations.

There's no question that UConn would leave for the ACC, Big Ten or any other P5 conference in a heartbeat. The Big East knows that for sure.

However, I do think what has changed is UConn's place in the perceived conference realignment pecking order. When conference realignment movement was at its peak in the early-2010s, there was a perception that UConn was "next in line" for a P5 spot. That seemed to change drastically over the past few years, partially because the Big 12 seemed to be the only P5 league even considering further expansion and UConn wouldn't be the same type of fit as it would theoretically be in the ACC or Big Ten.

As a result, the Big East knows that UConn is always going to be a flight risk on paper, but it's not the same *immediate* flight risk that it was when the Catholic 7 originally spit off to form the new Big East. At the same time, the Big East has established enough credibility and stability both on-the-court and branding-wise that it can take on that risk and be perfectly fine even if UConn ultimately leaves (as the Big East is perfectly fine in its current 10-team state without UConn). No one is going to "blame" the Big East as being unstable if UConn ends up getting a P5 invite going forward - everyone knows that could happen and are at peace with it as of now. That's a whole lot different than 7 years ago when the new league was formed and there was still an air of total instability around all of the remnants of the old Big East conference. No one was trusting each other at that time... and for good reason.

Very well put, Frank. I have posted in the past that there is a fundamental difference between, in general, a "power basketball conference" (which the Big East clearly is) and, more specifically, the P5 (of which, as we know, there are only five all-sports leagues and the BE is not one).

So — and much of this is perception — the Big East is a "different type of power" than the leagues in the P5. This is not a slap at the BE. There are only six "power hoops leagues" and the BE is one of those. But, as noted, it's not a conventional "power conference." I have cheered for DePaul (often with a cold Old Style beer in hand when I lived in Chicago) since late 1987, and I also have a soft spot for Georgetown (due to a dramatic family member illness from the past few years and how I made a personal connection with GU afterward). So I strongly admire the Big East and follow it. I want the BE to do well.

But the fact that UConn would immediately leave the BE for either the Big Ten or the ACC (and understandably so) is important to note.

(01-09-2020 08:28 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 03:38 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 02:22 PM)panite Wrote:  

(12-28-2019 06:04 AM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  

(12-27-2019 07:34 AM)panite Wrote:  Wouldn't be discussing this butthurt if UConn had originally left with the C7 teams. If they had the AAC would have kept their FB no questions asked as a FB only to match the incoming Navy FB only entrance into the league. It would have given the AAC the 12 teams they needed for the Championship Game the conference wanted in place to match the other P5 and G5 conferences.

I don't think the C7 would have gone for that though. I think they were done with the will they/wont they leave drama of FB schools. Now they know UConn isn't leaving for a P5 conference so UConn today is a much safer bet for the Big East than when the initial split occurred.

I'd keep an eye on how many ACC teams UConn eventually schedules for football once they get a few years out in their future schedules before cancelling UConn's behind the scene aspirations.

There's no question that UConn would leave for the ACC, Big Ten or any other P5 conference in a heartbeat. The Big East knows that for sure.

However, I do think what has changed is UConn's place in the perceived conference realignment pecking order. When conference realignment movement was at its peak in the early-2010s, there was a perception that UConn was "next in line" for a P5 spot. That seemed to change drastically over the past few years, partially because the Big 12 seemed to be the only P5 league even considering further expansion and UConn wouldn't be the same type of fit as it would theoretically be in the ACC or Big Ten.

As a result, the Big East knows that UConn is always going to be a flight risk on paper, but it's not the same *immediate* flight risk that it was when the Catholic 7 originally spit off to form the new Big East. At the same time, the Big East has established enough credibility and stability both on-the-court and branding-wise that it can take on that risk and be perfectly fine even if UConn ultimately leaves (as the Big East is perfectly fine in its current 10-team state without UConn). No one is going to "blame" the Big East as being unstable if UConn ends up getting a P5 invite going forward - everyone knows that could happen and are at peace with it as of now. That's a whole lot different than 7 years ago when the new league was formed and there was still an air of total instability around all of the remnants of the old Big East conference. No one was trusting each other at that time... and for good reason.

Very well put, Frank. I have posted in the past that there is a fundamental difference between, in general, a "power basketball conference" (which the Big East clearly is) and, more specifically, the P5 (of which, as we know, there are only five all-sports leagues and the BE is not one).

So — and much of this is perception — the Big East is a "different type of power" than the leagues in the P5. This is not a slap at the BE. There are only six "power hoops leagues" and the BE is one of those. But, as noted, it's not a conventional "power conference." I have cheered for DePaul (often with a cold Old Style beer in hand when I lived in Chicago) since late 1987, and I also have a soft spot for Georgetown (due to a dramatic family member illness from the past few years and how I made a personal connection with GU afterward). So I strongly admire the Big East and follow it. I want the BE to do well.

But the fact that UConn would immediately leave the BE for either the Big Ten or the ACC (and understandably so) is important to note.

You made the comment you have a soft spot for Georgetown due to a family illness. What did they do for your family?....just curious.
I love The University of Iowa and their hospital because of what they did for my sister and our family. She lived there on life support for the first 2 years of her life and they forgave all of our debts.
They made such a giant effect on on my family that I can’t ever shake the emotions I have for The Iowa Hawkeyes even though I attended and graduated from a lowly non cartel school and hate this rigged system.

(01-09-2020 11:08 PM)billybobby777 Wrote:  

(01-09-2020 08:28 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 03:38 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 02:22 PM)panite Wrote:  

(12-28-2019 06:04 AM)RutgersGuy Wrote:  I don't think the C7 would have gone for that though. I think they were done with the will they/wont they leave drama of FB schools. Now they know UConn isn't leaving for a P5 conference so UConn today is a much safer bet for the Big East than when the initial split occurred.

I'd keep an eye on how many ACC teams UConn eventually schedules for football once they get a few years out in their future schedules before cancelling UConn's behind the scene aspirations.

There's no question that UConn would leave for the ACC, Big Ten or any other P5 conference in a heartbeat. The Big East knows that for sure.

However, I do think what has changed is UConn's place in the perceived conference realignment pecking order. When conference realignment movement was at its peak in the early-2010s, there was a perception that UConn was "next in line" for a P5 spot. That seemed to change drastically over the past few years, partially because the Big 12 seemed to be the only P5 league even considering further expansion and UConn wouldn't be the same type of fit as it would theoretically be in the ACC or Big Ten.

As a result, the Big East knows that UConn is always going to be a flight risk on paper, but it's not the same *immediate* flight risk that it was when the Catholic 7 originally spit off to form the new Big East. At the same time, the Big East has established enough credibility and stability both on-the-court and branding-wise that it can take on that risk and be perfectly fine even if UConn ultimately leaves (as the Big East is perfectly fine in its current 10-team state without UConn). No one is going to "blame" the Big East as being unstable if UConn ends up getting a P5 invite going forward - everyone knows that could happen and are at peace with it as of now. That's a whole lot different than 7 years ago when the new league was formed and there was still an air of total instability around all of the remnants of the old Big East conference. No one was trusting each other at that time... and for good reason.

Very well put, Frank. I have posted in the past that there is a fundamental difference between, in general, a "power basketball conference" (which the Big East clearly is) and, more specifically, the P5 (of which, as we know, there are only five all-sports leagues and the BE is not one).

So — and much of this is perception — the Big East is a "different type of power" than the leagues in the P5. This is not a slap at the BE. There are only six "power hoops leagues" and the BE is one of those. But, as noted, it's not a conventional "power conference." I have cheered for DePaul (often with a cold Old Style beer in hand when I lived in Chicago) since late 1987, and I also have a soft spot for Georgetown (due to a dramatic family member illness from the past few years and how I made a personal connection with GU afterward). So I strongly admire the Big East and follow it. I want the BE to do well.

But the fact that UConn would immediately leave the BE for either the Big Ten or the ACC (and understandably so) is important to note.

You made the comment you have a soft spot for Georgetown due to a family illness. What did they do for your family?....just curious.
I love The University of Iowa and their hospital because of what they did for my sister and our family. She lived there on life support for the first 2 years of her life and they forgave all of our debts.
They made such a giant effect on on my family that I can’t ever shake the emotions I have for The Iowa Hawkeyes even though I attended and graduated from a lowly non cartel school and hate this rigged system.

That is wonderful what the U of Iowa did for your sister, 777. You can be a "fan" for life of the Hawkeye sports program, university and hospital and it would make full sense.

As to Georgetown (and thanks for asking) ... a few years ago, a very close relative was accepted for admittance as an undergrad to Georgetown. But, due to a severe and life-threatening health concern, my relative had to opt for a Plan B. As a show of support, I reached out to a key GU office and offered to undertake a volunteer task that was 1. helpful to the university and 2. very symbolic and important to me based on my professional background.

Georgetown was wonderful to work with and I was humbled by the experience. My relatives, after I told them, were so appreciative I had done this and that Georgetown had been so accommodating.

I have since taken some online classes offered by GU and casually root for the Hoyas in sports as 1. a further show of support for my relative (who is now much healthier and might still attend grad school at Georgetown) and 2. as a show of appreciation for the university.

ECU is a fine school (hey, you've got a medical school). I attended Middle Tennessee State, so I get the "directional school stigma."

And, yes, the system is, to an extent, rigged.

Keep up the fine posting. I enjoy reading your posts.

Reminder, the terms of the Big East/UConn contract state "that UConn will be responsible for paying the conference $30 million if it withdraws within the first six years of membership." If the school leaves "within a three-year period after that, $15 million is owed." After 10 years, UConn would owe $10 million. Now, if UConn gets a P5 invite, where it could conceivably be making anywhere from $30-$50 million annually at the peak of new payouts, four payments totaling $30 million (or $15, or $10) are necessary expenses to make that work.

What remains today, however, still was the case in 2010. UConn is not a power football program; it lacks high-level consistency, history of success, recruiting/viewing market and, perhaps most importantly, is not viewed as a peer by the P5 (much like how everyone in the G5 has been and presently viewed). It simply does not move the needle on its own (unlike every single P5 invitation from 2010-2013). Their independent route, which so many viewed as unlikely, is a pivot into a selective and unique category moving forward, where they are clearly not a P5 program, but, now, they have qualities that don't really make them a true G5 either. All of this is icing on the cake since basketball returns to an elite-level conference with historical (and geographic) affiliations, and other Olympic sports (like soccer, lacrosse and baseball) are, too, benefited.

In summary, UConn will continue to have a door to leave for the P5, and leave if given the opportunity. However, the likelihood of such a move remains very low, and the Big East is in a position where it has proven it can be a top basketball conference without UConn. The reunion of the Big East and UConn will be a strong association moving forward that will immensely benefit both parties. I don't see either side separating for a long time.

(01-10-2020 09:51 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Reminder, the terms of the Big East/UConn contract state "that UConn will be responsible for paying the conference $30 million if it withdraws within the first six years of membership." If the school leaves "within a three-year period after that, $15 million is owed." After 10 years, UConn would owe $10 million. Now, if UConn gets a P5 invite, where it could conceivably be making anywhere from $30-$50 million annually at the peak of new payouts, four payments totaling $30 million (or $15, or $10) are necessary expenses to make that work.

What remains today, however, still was the case in 2010. UConn is not a power football program; it lacks high-level consistency, history of success, recruiting/viewing market and, perhaps most importantly, is not viewed as a peer by the P5 (much like how everyone in the G5 has been and presently viewed). It simply does not move the needle on its own (unlike every single P5 invitation from 2010-2013). Their independent route, which so many viewed as unlikely, is a pivot into a selective and unique category moving forward, where they are clearly not a P5 program, but, now, they have qualities that don't really make them a true G5 either. All of this is icing on the cake since basketball returns to an elite-level conference with historical (and geographic) affiliations, and other Olympic sports (like soccer, lacrosse and baseball) are, too, benefited.

In summary, UConn will continue to have a door to leave for the P5, and leave if given the opportunity. However, the likelihood of such a move remains very low, and the Big East is in a position where it has proven it can be a top basketball conference without UConn. The reunion of the Big East and UConn will be a strong association moving forward that will immensely benefit both parties. I don't see either side separating for a long time.

Agree 110 percent and perfectly explained, GW11.

(01-10-2020 09:51 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Reminder, the terms of the Big East/UConn contract state "that UConn will be responsible for paying the conference $30 million if it withdraws within the first six years of membership." If the school leaves "within a three-year period after that, $15 million is owed." After 10 years, UConn would owe $10 million. Now, if UConn gets a P5 invite, where it could conceivably be making anywhere from $30-$50 million annually at the peak of new payouts, four payments totaling $30 million (or $15, or $10) are necessary expenses to make that work.

What remains today, however, still was the case in 2010. UConn is not a power football program; it lacks high-level consistency, history of success, recruiting/viewing market and, perhaps most importantly, is not viewed as a peer by the P5 (much like how everyone in the G5 has been and presently viewed). It simply does not move the needle on its own (unlike every single P5 invitation from 2010-2013). Their independent route, which so many viewed as unlikely, is a pivot into a selective and unique category moving forward, where they are clearly not a P5 program, but, now, they have qualities that don't really make them a true G5 either. All of this is icing on the cake since basketball returns to an elite-level conference with historical (and geographic) affiliations, and other Olympic sports (like soccer, lacrosse and baseball) are, too, benefited.

In summary, UConn will continue to have a door to leave for the P5, and leave if given the opportunity. However, the likelihood of such a move remains very low, and the Big East is in a position where it has proven it can be a top basketball conference without UConn. The reunion of the Big East and UConn will be a strong association moving forward that will immensely benefit both parties. I don't see either side separating for a long time.

I'm repeating myself, but the Big East's longest period of stability was between Pitt joining in 82/83 and the expansion set off by football in 91/92. The current lineup is tied for the second-longest stable period with the 05/06-11/12 lineup. I expect that the lineup that starts this summer eventually becomes the longest-running iteration of the conference and puts any notion of a "new" Big East to rest.

(01-10-2020 11:01 AM)Bogg Wrote:  

(01-10-2020 09:51 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  Reminder, the terms of the Big East/UConn contract state "that UConn will be responsible for paying the conference $30 million if it withdraws within the first six years of membership." If the school leaves "within a three-year period after that, $15 million is owed." After 10 years, UConn would owe $10 million. Now, if UConn gets a P5 invite, where it could conceivably be making anywhere from $30-$50 million annually at the peak of new payouts, four payments totaling $30 million (or $15, or $10) are necessary expenses to make that work.

What remains today, however, still was the case in 2010. UConn is not a power football program; it lacks high-level consistency, history of success, recruiting/viewing market and, perhaps most importantly, is not viewed as a peer by the P5 (much like how everyone in the G5 has been and presently viewed). It simply does not move the needle on its own (unlike every single P5 invitation from 2010-2013). Their independent route, which so many viewed as unlikely, is a pivot into a selective and unique category moving forward, where they are clearly not a P5 program, but, now, they have qualities that don't really make them a true G5 either. All of this is icing on the cake since basketball returns to an elite-level conference with historical (and geographic) affiliations, and other Olympic sports (like soccer, lacrosse and baseball) are, too, benefited.

In summary, UConn will continue to have a door to leave for the P5, and leave if given the opportunity. However, the likelihood of such a move remains very low, and the Big East is in a position where it has proven it can be a top basketball conference without UConn. The reunion of the Big East and UConn will be a strong association moving forward that will immensely benefit both parties. I don't see either side separating for a long time.

I'm repeating myself, but the Big East's longest period of stability was between Pitt joining in 82/83 and the expansion set off by football in 91/92. The current lineup is tied for the second-longest stable period with the 05/06-11/12 lineup. I expect that the lineup that starts this summer eventually becomes the longest-running iteration of the conference and puts any notion of a "new" Big East to rest.

I have followed Big East men's hoops somewhat closely since DePaul and Cincinnati joined in 2005 and have enjoyed seeing the league evolve, battle turmoil and successfully reinvent itself during that 15-year span. None of the 10 non-football BE schools is going anywhere and the chances of UConn leaving are remote (and that's not a criticism of UConn). Thus, Bogg's point about long-term BE stability is well made.

The college sports landscape is comprised of eight conferences of significance: the five P5 members, the American, the Mountain West and the Big East (some might add the Atlantic 10). Of those eight, four (the SEC, Big East, Big Ten and Pac-12) are almost assuredly not going to lose a member for many years to come.

The other four (ACC, American, MWC and Big 12) ... not so sure.

(01-10-2020 09:51 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  In summary, UConn will continue to have a door to leave for the P5, and leave if given the opportunity. However, the likelihood of such a move remains very low, and the Big East is in a position where it has proven it can be a top basketball conference without UConn. The reunion of the Big East and UConn will be a strong association moving forward that will immensely benefit both parties. I don't see either side separating for a long time.

Yes, Commissioner Ackerman struck a masterful deal with UConn, as she has done in so many other areas.

Basically, she managed to salve the one worry I've always had about UConn rejoining us - that even if they came back, they would always have a foot out the door, because a P5 conference is their ultimate ambition. But this deal assures that even if UConn does get to bolt for a P5, we will be handsomely compensated, and it is also a plus that we have 5 years of proving ourselves as a major hoops conference under our belts without them, so no one is going to be writing "Big East is Doomed" headlines if they do leave.

There is still one basic problem: Because the Big East is not the destination conference for UConn, the other members have to be wary of their intentions and hence the proposals they make in conference meetings and the like. They can't be assumed to have the long-run interests of the Big East at heart, because the Big East is not truly where their heart is. But ... we can live with that, just have to keep an eye on them, LOL.

(01-10-2020 03:59 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(01-10-2020 09:51 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  In summary, UConn will continue to have a door to leave for the P5, and leave if given the opportunity. However, the likelihood of such a move remains very low, and the Big East is in a position where it has proven it can be a top basketball conference without UConn. The reunion of the Big East and UConn will be a strong association moving forward that will immensely benefit both parties. I don't see either side separating for a long time.

Yes, Commissioner Ackerman struck a masterful deal with UConn, as she has done in so many other areas.

Basically, she managed to salve the one worry I've always had about UConn rejoining us - that even if they came back, they would always have a foot out the door, because a P5 conference is their ultimate ambition. But this deal assures that even if UConn does get to bolt for a P5, we will be handsomely compensated, and it is also a plus that we have 5 years of proving ourselves as a major hoops conference under our belts without them, so no one is going to be writing "Big East is Doomed" headlines if they do leave.

There is still one basic problem: Because the Big East is not the destination conference for UConn, the other members have to be wary of their intentions and hence the proposals they make in conference meetings and the like. They can't be assumed to have the long-run interests of the Big East at heart, because the Big East is not truly where their heart is. But ... we can live with that, just have to keep an eye on them, LOL.

And Quo (and based on a previous post you made and I'm just giving you some playful ribbing here), you will have to "root against UConn" when it is playing in the BE since the league is not a destination conference for the Husky program.

Just joking because you did root for my Memphis Tigers vs. Penn State (much appreciated), which somewhat contradicted your previous post about how as a USF fan you cheer against the AAC teams (since we're all looking to get out, which is true).

Regardless, your overall point about UConn is a strong one.

I will miss having UConn in the AAC but will enjoy having them in the Big East (which makes so much more sense than the American).

https://twitter.com/UConnFootball/status...7325453314

Four games against Buffalo, and a home and home with Utah State

(01-11-2020 12:16 AM)TDenverFan Wrote:  https://twitter.com/UConnFootball/status...7325453314

Four games against Buffalo, and a home and home with Utah State

That's what I am talking about.

(01-12-2020 09:07 PM)sierrajip Wrote:  

(01-11-2020 12:16 AM)TDenverFan Wrote:  https://twitter.com/UConnFootball/status...7325453314

Four games against Buffalo, and a home and home with Utah State

That's what I am talking about.

Four games with Buffalo helps UConn's regional travel costs as well as the long term schedules with Army and UMass. Now all they need is a long term commitment from Temple for FB with a mix of P5 regional schools (Rutgers, Syracuse, BC, and old BE foe Pitt) and they have pretty much cut the travel costs they complained about heading to Texas, the Midwest, and Florida without their fans traveling to Connecticut. The regional commitment mentioned above should also help the overall home attendance numbers too as the visiting fans can drive to those games rather then fly to Connecticut from long distances which the visiting teams apparently were not doing.