A UConn Guide to the Big East | Page 3 | The Boneyard

A UConn Guide to the Big East

RichZ said:
Please refresh my memory.
I recall that Holy Cross was one of the original invitees, bu they declined.
Villanova and Pitt were invited after that. But did they join before or after the first BE basketball season, which as far as I'm concerned is the actual beginning of the BE.
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I love this graphic because it not only shows when people joined, it shows how few ended up the NBE.
44243
 
Last year they dumped JoeD 1080 & switched to ESPN radio. Will that remain via IMG once UConn is a Fox product?
 
This move back to the BE can only help Hurley's recruiting efforts! Well done UConn Athletic Department!
 
Redmen9194 said:
Welcome back Huskies! I've been following the discussion on here and there is a lot of misinformation regarding the conference you will be joining next year. So here is a little guide for you...

WHAT'S THE SAME -

1.) The Big East Tournament is still the best conference tournament in the country. We have the numbers to actually back it up. This last season, The Big East Tournament had the best average attendance out of every tournament in the country. In fact, every session was sold out except for one which got pretty close. Same was true for the year before when we were also number one in average attendance and beat out the Big Ten who played at the Garden the week prior and the ACC who was in Brooklyn. Even St. John's was selling out the Garden multiple times during the season and had huge attendance numbers there. In fact, despite attempts by the ACC and the Big Ten to get the Garden to host there tournaments in the future, the Garden extended the Big East Tournament contract and is in discussions with St. John's to schedule all Big East Conference games at MSG.

2.) The Love / Hate Relationship has survived. Like the old version, Big East fans root hard for their conference mates in the non-conference slate and in the NCAA tournament. But once conference play tips, the hatred is tough to top. It's still a street brawl every night, which brings me to number three....

3.) Big East refs still suck. Won't even get into it but look at a few games from last season. If Hurley likes getting ejected, he'll find a few reasons to do so.

4.) The basketball is excellent. The Big East has been in the top five of all conferences consistently since 2013. Two national championships, several players of the year, two number 1 seeds in the NCAA tourny in 2018, and a round robin schedule that has fostered real rivalries. We have never had a losing season against the schools playing in the Football Five conferences as a group and have generally put half our teams in the tourney on average.

WHAT'S CHANGED

1.) The obvious - membership. No more Cuse and Pitt. Now you will see Creighton, Xavier and Butler. They have been excellent additions and road wins in their arenas are hard to come by. Cintas is a mad house, Hinkle has some type of magic game in and out, and say hello to 18k Blue Jay fans in Omaha that fill stands each night. I know you guys think you are going to waltz in and start winning championships right away with that UConn ego (hate part is creeping in here), but it will be very tough. You'll see.

2.) FOX. The Fox coverage of the Big East is phenomenal. Now, the rub is that the ratings are not as strong as ESPN. But who cares? The real question is can I see my team on national TV whether I'm in Storrs or in Los Angeles. St. John's had just about every single game on TV last season - conference and non-conference. The Fox channels are available across the country. No more ESPN3 or ESPN+. So when you tell a kid his family can watch every game from the comfort of home if they want, that's a good thing. And FOX markets the Big East in a big way. I'm sure the commercials featuring UConn will be over the top. So don't worry about TV - you're in a better spot than you were for sure.

3.) The Commish - Val Ackerman is the best commissioner in the sport. Not even close. She is quiet, but tough as they come and really advocates for the league. She secured the Garden extension while the Big Ten and ACC were at the doorstep, she was able to negotiate expansion of the league to take in a major program of national stature (there's that love I was mentioning), and you will see her at your games walking around talking to the fans. She does a great job.

That's basically it. The Big East is glad you are coming home. It's going to be a lot of fun for everyone.
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And a final reminder... WE HATE CREIGHTON WITH ALL OUR HEARTS
 
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RichZ said:
Please refresh my memory.
I recall that Holy Cross was one of the original invitees, but they declined.
Villanova and Pitt were invited after that. But did they join before or after the first BE basketball season, which as far as I'm concerned is the actual beginning of the BE.
Expand ...

The original 4 were Providence (Gavitt), St. Johns, Georgetown, and Cuse. They invited the others in for formation of the conference. Seton Hall, UConn, and BC accepted invites and were part of the first season (7 teams).

Rutgers turned down an initial offer as it felt closer to its Eastern Eight affiliation with Penn State. The eastern Eight at the time was Villanova, Duquesne, Penn State, West Virginia, George Washington, Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers.

Holy Cross was considered and there were discussions. They may or may not have been formally invited, but they did not have the interest and did not join.

Villanova joined in time for the start of the 2nd year, leaving the Eastern Eight for the new Big East. Villanova was a credible Div 1A football at the time (see Howie Long).

The formation of the Big East created a conflict for Penn State. JoePa floated forming a football centric eastern conference, but Cuse and BC prevented that by preferring to stay in the newly formed Big East. Without being able to pull them away, Penn State's back-up was to ask to join the Big East. The Big East was a basketball centric conference, and with Penn State's request they considered the expansion. Some thought Pitt would be a better basketball partner, and most thought that they should invite only one of the two rivals. Pitt was chosen over Penn State and joined in the conference's 4th year.
 
Zissou said:
The original 4 were Providence (Gavitt), St. Johns, Georgetown, and Cuse. They invited the others in for formation of the conference. Seton Hall, UConn, and BC accepted invites and were part of the first season (7 teams).

Rutgers turned down an initial offer as it felt closer to its Eastern Eight affiliation with Penn State. The eastern Eight at the time was Villanova, Duquesne, Penn State, West Virginia, George Washington, Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers.

Holy Cross was considered and there were discussions. They may or may not have been formally invited, but they did not have the interest and did not join.

Villanova joined in time for the start of the 2nd year, leaving the Eastern Eight for the new Big East. Villanova was a credible Div 1A football at the time (see Howie Long).

The formation of the Big East created a conflict for Penn State. JoePa floated forming a football centric eastern conference, but Cuse and BC prevented that by preferring to stay in the newly formed Big East. Without being able to pull them away, Penn State's back-up was to ask to join the Big East. The Big East was a basketball centric conference, and with Penn State's request they considered the expansion. Some thought Pitt would be a better basketball partner, and most thought that they should invite only one of the two rivals. Pitt was chosen over Penn State and joined in the conference's 4th year.
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Thanks. I remembered that Pitt was late to the party, but didn't realize that Nova missed the first year.
 
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What rivalries have grown and or/developed since 2013 within the Big East?

Based on your interactions with some of the new fan bases, and your familiarity with UConn fans, which new team do you think we have the biggest chance of developing a rivalry with?

@Redmen9194 @Zissou @unclejohn
 
Guapo said:
What rivalries have grown and or/developed since 2013 within the Big East?

Based on your interactions with some of the new fan bases, and your familiarity with UConn fans, which new team do you think we have the biggest chance of developing a rivalry with?

@Redmen9194 @Zissou @unclejohn
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I honestly think UConn-Providence might be a stronger rivalry this time around. In the early days of the Big East, Providence was better. Then UConn developed into a dominant program and was better. In the coming years I would guess that both programs will be very good and competitive.

What the Big East lacks right now is the black hat. We all loved to hate Cuse. There are fierce battles and great games, and we have rivalries, but we don't really have the hate these days. Seton Hall and their fans probably come closest at this time.

I don't see the new members (X, Creighton, Butler) as the greatest rivals. Great competitors, but not great rivals. We need more history with them.
 
Creighton is the great unknown, but the commitment to athletics is there. Facilities in pretty much every sport are notable and might be matched by other large programs, but are rarely bettered. NBA quality arena, maybe the best college soccer stadium in the country, play baseball where the champ is crowned every year and have a practice facility that fits with any major program.

Basketball specific we love to score and rarely play defense, so if you are in for a shootout you will like playing the Jays.
 
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Opinions differ, but Marquette, Creighton, Nova, and Xavier are generally regarded as the better fan bases in the Big East.

St John’s and Georgetown have the potential to rebound, but have been down.

UConn has also been down, but we expect a Big East boost to UConn (and Hurley).

Where will UConn rank in the Big East fan bases?
 
Zissou said:
Opinions differ, but Marquette, Creighton, Nova, and Xavier are generally regarded as the better fan bases in the Big East.

St John’s and Georgetown have the potential to rebound, but have been down.

UConn has also been down, but we expect a Big East boost to UConn (and Hurley).

Where will UConn rank in the Big East fan bases?
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Uconn will not like any of them.
 
Zissou said:
Opinions differ, but Marquette, Creighton, Nova, and Xavier are generally regarded as the better fan bases in the Big East.

St John’s and Georgetown have the potential to rebound, but have been down.

UConn has also been down, but we expect a Big East boost to UConn (and Hurley).

Where will UConn rank in the Big East fan bases?
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UConn will instantly be the largest fan base, by far, simply because of the nature of it being a state school
 
Guapo said:
UConn will instantly be the largest fan base, by far, simply because of the nature of it being a state school
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Largest, yes. UConn crowds have not been great though, so where would it rank today?
 
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Zissou said:
Largest, yes. UConn crowds have not been great though, so where would it rank today?
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Ticket sales are not the only indicator of the size of a fan base
 
Zissou said:
Opinions differ, but Marquette, Creighton, Nova, and Xavier are generally regarded as the better fan bases in the Big East.

St John’s and Georgetown have the potential to rebound, but have been down.

UConn has also been down, but we expect a Big East boost to UConn (and Hurley).

Where will UConn rank in the Big East fan bases?
Expand ...

I’m also excited about playing in real venues against legitimate home crowds again.

I’m really REALLY excited to get to Hinkle Fieldhouse.

What are some of the better away venues you’ve been to, or know the reputation of, in the Big East?
 
Guapo said:
Ticket sales are not the only indicator of the size of a fan base
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UConn fan base is large, no doubt. But where does it rank in “best fan bases”? Not largest, but best. Do you think UConn will be at capacity for any home games next year?
 
Guapo said:
I’m also excited about playing in real venues against legitimate home crowds again.

I’m really REALLY excited to get to Hinkle Fieldhouse.

What are some of the better away venues you’ve been to, or know the reputation of, in the Big East?
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Nova and St John’s have similar home arrangements. When playing in the NBA arenas the atmosphere is great. The on campus venues are average at best. Cintas (X) and Hinkle (Butler) have great home game experiences. Creighton basically fills a NBA type arena every game. Marquette plays all of their games in a brand new NBA arena walking distance from campus.

The Dunk has a home court presence.

Georgetown is an NBA arena but they have a disgruntled fan base that is only starting to come back, so less than electric at the moment. SH at the Pru is a good venue and they open the upper curtains for Nova games, but it is only OK for most of their home games. DePaul has a great new venue but they need to get competitive.

UConn facilities are OK, but I think I’d rank XL below average in conference.
 
Guapo said:
I’m also excited about playing in real venues against legitimate home crowds again.

I’m really REALLY excited to get to Hinkle Fieldhouse.

What are some of the better away venues you’ve been to, or know the reputation of, in the Big East?
Expand ...
Marquette plays in the Milwaukee Bucks new arena. (Fiserv Forum) It was built right next to the now torn down Bradley Center. It seats 17,341. Over 10k in the lower bowl.

Xavier just remodeled it's sharp looking arena. (Cintas Center) seats 10,500

Creighton plays in CHI Health Center. The Bluejays put 17k per night in that big arena. The arena always host NCAA Tourament games. The last one you might remember was Kansas beating Duke in overtime in 2018 to go to the Final Four.
Butler also remodeled Hinkle Fieldhouse. Took out many of the bleachers and added seats. Capacity went down because of that by 900. Hinkle seats 9,100.
Villanova also finished remodeling the Pavilion. Looks now like a 6,000 seat arena, instead of a gym.
 
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