Jim Delaney pops the expansion balloon

[huskymedic]

Not for nothing, and this discussion has made me think about it, wouldn't it be a great experience to have a deal with Yale for UConn to play a few games at the Yale Bowl (a game probably against Yale itself probably has to be included, but I'm thinking trying to schedule a game against a high-profile opponent who might enjoy the atmosphere)?

I would have bet $1k that we'd end up here (again).

 

[whaler11]

I would have bet $1k that we'd end up here (again).

What odds are you giving on another thread about the 'cancelled' ND series.

 

[juan]

http://snyuconn.com/uconn/football/big-ten-expansion-not-dead-yet/

 

[Fishy]

If the AAU is really that big of a deal to the Big Ten, then expansion is dead because where --- are they gonna expand?

No one, but no one, is leaving the SEC. The grant of rights puts the ACC and Big 12 out of poaching range. There's nothing else.

I'm sure we'll get a 750-word rebuttal on why this isn't the case, but if the Big Ten wants to expand, there's UConn on one side and thin air on the other.

So just tell us whose d--- we gotta suck to get into the AAU and let's light this rocket.

 

[Afroabe224]

http://snyuconn.com/uconn/football/big-ten-expansion-not-dead-yet/

I don't think UConn is in a bad position B1G wise. We are obviously one of the best remaining targets and the AAU is on the way with all of the new investments. The biggest thing is finding a suitable partner to make 16. I think Delany made it clear the East Coast is a priority so I think down the road it could be a serious possibility as long as there is another school (or 3) that makes sense for the B1G. Give it a couple of years!

 

[UConn Dan]

Assume we get AAU. Who is B1G going to pair with us? There's no flagship left without a GOR. I still think there's a 1% chance at Mizzou though. The CIC money is too much to overlook.

 

[GopherHawk]

Assume we get AAU. Who is B1G going to pair with us? There's no flagship left without a GOR. I still think there's a 1% chance at Mizzou though. The CIC money is too much to overlook.

Two Things.

There is talk that because of SECN, they may sign a GOR.

The CIC does not make the schools money. It facilitates the cooperation needed to land more grants. Quite often schools go together to apply for a grant. The CIC helps with this, which in a round about way gets you more money.

 

[emshorts]

@DanWolken
7 hours ago
RT @ESPN_BigTen: Delany asked if expansion is dead. "Dead is a strong word."

 

[ScottBonz]

I do hold out slight hope here. Everyone keeps tip toeing around dead, not dead, etc. The one thing I take out of all of this is that there is still conversation about realignment. I have to feel if the main stream media keeps talking about it and the talking heads from the conference keep responding to the questions to the national media, there has to be something to it. How many articles have there been recently about breaking away from the NCAA. I feel like ADs/Delany what just tell the reporters not to waste their breath if they weren't valid questions. Hell, McMurphy is still tweeting about it. I don't think he would add to the rumor mill if there wasn't at least some substance to the overall conversation on continuing conference realignment. It may not be the talk we want but there is none the less plenty of talk.

 

[B1GALUM]

I do hold out slight hope here. Everyone keeps tip toeing around dead, not dead, etc. The one thing I take out of all of this is that there is still conversation about realignment. I have to feel if the main stream media keeps talking about it and the talking heads from the conference keep responding to the questions to the national media, there has to be something to it. How many articles have there been recently about breaking away from the NCAA. I feel like ADs/Delany what just tell the reporters not to waste their breath if they weren't valid questions. Hell, McMurphy is still tweeting about it. I don't think he would add to the rumor mill if there wasn't at least some substance to the overall conversation on continuing conference realignment. It may not be the talk we want but there is none the less plenty of talk.

Agreed.

Indiana Athletics Director Fred Glass on expansion: “If we stay at 14, I’d be a happy camper. But if there’s some people who are interested that the commissioner and the leadership of the conference think makes sense, I think it would be foolish not to be open to that.” http://thegazette.com/2013/05/15/indiana-ad-everyone-has-expansion-fatigue/

UCONN needs to press their case why they make sense and how they fit this goal set forth by Jim Delany.

“I can’t speak for others, but we’ve been focused on making a home in a new region, making new members feel at home in this region,” Delany said Wednesday. “Everything we’ll do competitively and in television and in bowls is to bring, as quickly as we can, a level of comfort. “The Eastern corridor is the richest corridor in the world from the standpoint of financial institutions, political institutions, media institutions, and we’re new to it. So if we can build relationships, make friends and be impactful and relevant over time, that’s the goal.” http://btn.com/2013/05/15/delany-on-expansion-dead-is-a-strong-word/

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Lack of fans.

Even when we were winning 8 games a year and splitting BE Championships, we had trouble packing a 40,000 person stadium. Ask most local Connecticut residents about UConn Football and their eyes glaze over.

I don't know what we need to do to get more butts in the seat, but until we have that, nothing else is going to matter.

It would have been helpful if the prior AD (who was the incumbent during the brief and minimal successful period we had in football) had done something to promote the program.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Agreed.

Indiana Athletics Director Fred Glass on expansion: “If we stay at 14, I’d be a happy camper. But if there’s some people who are interested that the commissioner and the leadership of the conference think makes sense, I think it would be foolish not to be open to that.” http://thegazette.com/2013/05/15/indiana-ad-everyone-has-expansion-fatigue/

UCONN needs to press their case why they make sense and how they fit this goal set forth by Jim Delany.

“I can’t speak for others, but we’ve been focused on making a home in a new region, making new members feel at home in this region,” Delany said Wednesday. “Everything we’ll do competitively and in television and in bowls is to bring, as quickly as we can, a level of comfort. “The Eastern corridor is the richest corridor in the world from the standpoint of financial institutions, political institutions, media institutions, and we’re new to it. So if we can build relationships, make friends and be impactful and relevant over time, that’s the goal.” http://btn.com/2013/05/15/delany-on-expansion-dead-is-a-strong-word/

Great info. UCONN needs to position itself to be part of the B1G. Just about all the UCONN fans want B1G over the ACC. I just hope UCONN does not stay in the AAC too long. I get the feeling AAC association will be detrimental to our overall athletic program. UCONN academics are already better than half of the B1G. UCONN athletic budget is right there with some of the B1G schools. We got the media markets and we bring two top notch basketball programs. Our football stadium can easily go to 65K if we join the B1G. Susan has us on the path to AAU in the near future. All we need now is B1G sending us an invite.

 

[CL82]

I choose to believe that statements like Delaney's are an indicator that realignment is not over and that we are on the B1G's radar. I choose to believe that because the alternative is so bleak that I would require meds on a daily basis.

 

[pj]

We are definitely the most prominent object on their radar. The challenge is being invited into the armada.