Any new rumors on the ACC invite?

[Richmondhsky]

They definitely would and fashion themselves more a football school than basketball school anyway. VTech would probably go as well, in spite of their recent denials of interest. The targets would be UNC and UVA, when they most likely decide to stay put, the SEC goes to the back up plan of VTech and NC St. I don't see why they would add any schools that are in states they are already in when the largest and wealthiest markets for them to add are in NC and VA.

Not even in the realm of possibility. Academics are at the fore front of both UVA and UNC. Tech worked too hard and pulled too many political favors to finally get into the ACC for them to move. I would agree that the Tech fans and game day environment are the closest to the SEC.

One cannot over emphasize the cultural issues as well as the admission standards at these schools never mind keeping them in school. UNC with Butch went to the SEC model and look what they got from that. In my opinion, the only way for this to occur would be for a BE type meltdown in the ACC which won't happen...of course that would be true of every conference.

 

[UCPusky]

Shifting from a SEC raid on the ACC - how about the B1G courting Maryland and Virginia? I wouldn't call it an ACC meltdown but the ACC would certainly lose two of its finer academic institutions in the middle of any future geographic footprint.

While I'm throwing out scenarios, if 16-team conferences are the end game of major conference realignment, what about B1G shoring up East Coast presence with some combination of ND/VA/MD/Rutgers/UConn?

 

[businesslawyer]

The ACC's fear is Maryland and UVA to the Big Ten and FSU and Clemson or Va Tech to the SEC.

 

[UCPusky]

The ACC's fear is Maryland and UVA to the Big Ten and FSU and Clemson or Va Tech to the SEC.

Exactly!

 

[John Greene]

I agree VT would need to consider it. NC State should jump if given the chance, but will never win. While UVA is in a southern state, it would very likely not want to hitch it's wagon to that horse. It recruits students heavily in the northeast, as do Duke (9% from NY) and UNC. I don't see UVA splitting from Maryland. I think one of the reasons the ACC expanded to Boston, and now Syracuse and Pittsburgh was to remove some of the perception that it is a southern league and attract more students from the Northeast.

You may have this backward. I think if you research both Syracuse and BC statements about their decisions you will find that they both saw an opportunity to attract more students from the Southeast. The popolation is growing there whereas in the Northeast it is stagnant and aging. Don't know about Pitt's angle on this since it is a state affiliated school.

 

[gars44]

Please no ACC. Please. What we have brewing with the Mountain West is far superior.

 

[John Greene]

Please no ACC. Please. What we have brewing with the Mountain West is far superior.[/quote
What am I missing? Why is a hybrid conference with 4? types of membership spread over three time zones "far superior". Not saying it is awful but lets be real.

 

[Revrat]

Why is it not? Time zones don't matter because there will not be alot of travel. What are time zones good for? TV contracts all day long for football East to West. This is an attractive conference for TV. Great quality second tier teams. By that I mean they are not Alabama or LSU but they are not Indiana and Purdue either. We have great markets and solid programs. With this league these programs will improve their recruting too. I really like it alot. It's not too shabby for basketball either. Imaging the Big East tourney with National interest across the country.

 

[metsfan2323]

Why is it not? Time zones don't matter because there will not be alot of travel. What are time zones good for? TV contracts all day long for football East to West. This is an attractive conference for TV. Great quality second tier teams. By that I mean they are not Alabama or LSU but they are not Indiana and Purdue either. We have great markets and solid programs. With this league these programs will improve their recruting too. I really like it alot. It's not too shabby for basketball either. Imaging the Big East tourney with National interest across the country.

The Big East has a time zone advantage, games start at noon and end at midnight. Not a bad thing at all. People need to get over the distance aspect of the football conference. The plane rides are only marginally more expensive and adding western schools means we won't cannibalize our recruiting efforts.

 

[gars44]

This would be a national conference that I think a lot of kids would like to play in. Interesting locations. It must be just me, but I am so sick of ACC games and destinations (except for Miami, of course). I'm starting to get to the point where I'm watching games to root for someone to lose. Everything about North Carolina and the American south in general bores me. I like Provo, and Boise, and Las Vegas and San Diego and Dallas. In the east we wouldn't be playing more than two or three cross over games per year. We'd then have a playoff. Do it at the home stadium of the team with the best record. Something different.

 

[John Greene]

This would be a national conference that I think a lot of kids would like to play in. Interesting locations. It must be just me, but I am so sick of ACC games and destinations (except for Miami, of course). I'm starting to get to the point where I'm watching games to root for someone to lose. Everything about North Carolina and the American south in general bores me. I like Provo, and Boise, and Las Vegas and San Diego and Dallas. In the east we wouldn't be playing more than two or three cross over games per year. We'd then have a playoff. Do it at the home stadium of the team with the best record. Something different.

Provo, San Diego,& Vegas would all rank high on anyones list. Dallas & Houston, not so much for me. Been there too often, Boise? not sure I ever want to go. But that seems beside the point as far as I am concerned. In each case except for BYU and maybe Boise we are partnering with a distant second or third at best. This is what makes me unsettled. Where you see lots of potential I see lots of questions. It may just be age, who knows?

 

[HuskyHawk]

You may have this backward. I think if you research both Syracuse and BC statements about their decisions you will find that they both saw an opportunity to attract more students from the Southeast. The popolation is growing there whereas in the Northeast it is stagnant and aging. Don't know about Pitt's angle on this since it is a state affiliated school.

I think that is the case as well, and BC said the same. But the northeast produces more high SAT students who are drawn to expensive private and public schools.

 

[John Greene]

I think that is the case as well, and BC said the same. But the northeast produces more high SAT students who are drawn to expensive private and public schools.

I certainly don't have the computer skills to do this but wouldn't it be interesting to see what the geographic spread is between private and public schools in the BE & ACC.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Provo, San Diego,& Vegas would all rank high on anyones list. Dallas & Houston, not so much for me. Been there too often, Boise? not sure I ever want to go. But that seems beside the point as far as I am concerned. In each case except for BYU and maybe Boise we are partnering with a distant second or third at best. This is what makes me unsettled. Where you see lots of potential I see lots of questions. It may just be age, who knows?

I agree with you. I see a disaster of a conferene. Time zones don't matter? To whom? I'm sure as hell not going to be happy about games starting at 9 or 10 PM. I also find the schools to be unexciting. Houston has a good squad right now, and probably won't next year. Boise is very good, but hasn't done it against good competition. SMU has some former glory. UCF has new scandals/violations.

As I said before, any public school with either a geographic indicator or a city in the name is automatically second tier. Louisville is 2nd tier to Kentucky. Cincy 2nd tier to OSU. Boise St. is second tier to Idaho, although not on the football field. USF and UCF are second tier to UF and FSU. Houston is third tier compared to UT or A&M, and second tier to schools like Baylor and TCU.

So this conference presents with two flagship state universities, UConn and Rutgers, plus a solid private university in SMU. We're stranded on the island of misfit toys.

 

[Revrat]

I think it's hilarious how people can scoff at Houston and say sure they have a good squad now but what about the future. What they are is bettter than any team in the current Big East. Same with Boise. For us to complain about these schools like somehow they don't belong with UConn is a freaking joke. We can only hope to get to number ten in the BCS any time soon. With an Auto bid and a nice TV contract they are not going to get worse

 

[metsfan2323]

As I said before, any public school with either a geographic indicator or a city in the name is automatically second tier. Louisville is 2nd tier to Kentucky. Cincy 2nd tier to OSU. Boise St. is second tier to Idaho, although not on the football field. USF and UCF are second tier to UF and FSU. Houston is third tier compared to UT or A&M, and second tier to schools like Baylor and TCU.

.

USC, UCLA, Cal Berkeley, Auburn (defending national champ) are second tier by your definition. Are tech schools second tier too? How about Michigan State, are they second tier to Michigan? NC State has to be second tier. What the heck is Texas A&M? Clemson?

Not to be rude but you are being narrow minded.

 

[businesslawyer]

USC, UCLA, Cal Berkeley, Auburn (defending national champ) are second tier by your definition. Are tech schools second tier too? How about Michigan State, are they second tier to Michigan? NC State has to be second tier. What the heck is Texas A&M? Clemson?

Not to be rude but you are being narrow minded.

Thank you. I think the benefits of the new conference are being overstated, and some of the issues minimized, but to reduce all of that to simplistic statements about the names of universities ....

 

[Rumrunner]

Houston is at best the fifth school athletically in the state of Texas. To boot it is a low-quality academic institution. In fact, it will be the WORST academic institution in all of AQ land. It is a commuter school. To think that long-term these attributes will not impact Houston's ceiling is idiotic.

UCF is the same as USF. USF is still a distant fourth in the state of Florida. As an aside, guess the attendance at USF's opening men's basketball game.

UCF will likely be hit with loss of institutional control. So for the next five years, watch UCF football sink lower. As for UCF basketball, see USF.

Is it more likely that the Big East brand is exported successfully to Houston, UCF and SMU, or will their mediocrity be merely imported into the Big East? DePaul is in the third largest city in the country, surrounded by fertile recruits. How has that worked out?

By the way, USF's announced attendance was 2,700 for their opener. There were fewer than 700 actually in attendance.

This hodge podge disparate group of schools is only a quick fix band aid.

Geographically it makes no sense. The institutions make no sense (Boise,Houston,UCF,USF academically putrid, urban commuter schools - oh joy.)

The Big East is one homely pig. The bright red lipstick smeared across its thin lips hasn't changed that.

 

[BlueMAB]

Houston is at best the fifth school athletically in the state of Texas. To boot it is a low-quality academic institution. In fact, it will be the WORST academic institution in all of AQ land. It is a commuter school. To think that long-term these attributes will not impact Houston's ceiling is idiotic.

UCF is the same as USF. USF is still a distant fourth in the state of Florida. As an aside, guess the attendance at USF's opening men's basketball game.

UCF will likely be hit with loss of institutional control. So for the next five years, watch UCF football sink lower. As for UCF basketball, see USF.

Is it more likely that the Big East brand is exported successfully to Houston, UCF and SMU, or will their mediocrity be merely imported into the Big East? DePaul is in the third largest city in the country, surrounded by fertile recruits. How has that worked out?

By the way, USF's announced attendance was 2,700 for their opener. There were fewer than 700 actually in attendance.

This hodge podge disparate group of schools is only a quick fix band aid.

Geographically it makes no sense. The institutions make no sense (Boise,Houston,UCF,USF academically putrid, urban commuter schools - oh joy.)

The Big East is one homely pig. The bright red lipstick smeared across its thin lips hasn't changed that.

The alternative to these schools at this point is what, exactly?

 

[huskyrob1]

I could use a pick-me-up.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

No ACC news but the big BE news yesterday was John Marinatto walked into Balducci's and ordered a lo-cal vegetable salad w/ tofu sticks.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The alternative to these schools at this point is what, exactly?

Nobody said there is one. But there are an awful lot folks saying, embrace it, it's wonderful, and better than the old BE. Nonsense.

Displaying current Sagarins or whatever is pointless. Rumrunner described the problem, although to be fair, Louisville and Cincy share it. I think those two DO fit in this conference, as does USF. By the way, UCF is fairly selective and is decent academically, but still trails the big two in Florida and always will.

By way of response the UCal schools are all top tier. But San Jose St, Fresno, San Diego st. etc. are next tier. As for any school with "State Name State", those are almost always a half notch below "University of State" schools. Michigan trumps Mich State, which trumps Western Michigan. Kansas trumps K State, which trumps Wichita State. Ohio State and Penn State are the exceptions, as U Penn and Ohio U are private. Does Central CT get the same state funding and investment as UConn?

 

[upstater]

Provo, San Diego,& Vegas would all rank high on anyones list. Dallas & Houston, not so much for me. Been there too often, Boise? not sure I ever want to go. But that seems beside the point as far as I am concerned. In each case except for BYU and maybe Boise we are partnering with a distant second or third at best. This is what makes me unsettled. Where you see lots of potential I see lots of questions. It may just be age, who knows?

Provo?

 

[scdono]

Houston is at best the fifth school athletically in the state of Texas. To boot it is a low-quality academic institution. In fact, it will be the WORST academic institution in all of AQ land. It is a commuter school. To think that long-term these attributes will not impact Houston's ceiling is idiotic.

UCF is the same as USF. USF is still a distant fourth in the state of Florida. As an aside, guess the attendance at USF's opening men's basketball game.

UCF will likely be hit with loss of institutional control. So for the next five years, watch UCF football sink lower. As for UCF basketball, see USF.

Is it more likely that the Big East brand is exported successfully to Houston, UCF and SMU, or will their mediocrity be merely imported into the Big East? DePaul is in the third largest city in the country, surrounded by fertile recruits. How has that worked out?

By the way, USF's announced attendance was 2,700 for their opener. There were fewer than 700 actually in attendance.

This hodge podge disparate group of schools is only a quick fix band aid.

Geographically it makes no sense. The institutions make no sense (Boise,Houston,UCF,USF academically putrid, urban commuter schools - oh joy.)

The Big East is one homely pig. The bright red lipstick smeared across its thin lips hasn't changed that.

Rumrunner:

I read your narrative each day and wonder if you live in another universe? Are you really a Big East/UConn fan? Yes, the situation is dire but as a UConn fan who wants to see a relevant football program, we need to keep the BCS AQ status. You apparently don't get this. I think you're really a Big 12 troll creating negative comments.

 

[gars44]

Nobody said there is one. But there are an awful lot folks saying, embrace it, it's wonderful, and better than the old BE. Nonsense.

Displaying current Sagarins or whatever is pointless. Rumrunner described the problem, although to be fair, Louisville and Cincy share it. I think those two DO fit in this conference, as does USF. By the way, UCF is fairly selective and is decent academically, but still trails the big two in Florida and always will.

By way of response the UCal schools are all top tier. But San Jose St, Fresno, San Diego st. etc. are next tier. As for any school with "State Name State", those are almost always a half notch below "University of State" schools. Michigan trumps Mich State, which trumps Western Michigan. Kansas trumps K State, which trumps Wichita State. Ohio State and Penn State are the exceptions, as U Penn and Ohio U are private. Does Central CT get the same state funding and investment as UConn?

I just don't get all the academic nonsense. Academically, I'll bet you absolutely have no discourse or relationship with what should we call them (?) fans? supporters? followers ? of St. Johns or Georgetown or Villanova basketball. Or fans of Louisville, or Rutgers or Syracuse football. I mean, is there really some association between football fans of different schools (not including Yale and Harvard) that makes some relevant difference in people's lives? I'm not at all being sarcastic, and I'm not trying to play dumb, but I really don't get the significance of Houston being a "commuter" school, or anything else for that matter.

My point is this. Uconn is not a desirable football program. We are a new entrant into big time college football. We were given a huge bone in the Big East. So huge, that most of the established programs did not at the time, and still do not, consider us worthy of playing in their league. Fact. And so they all bail whenever possible. We are forming a conference with similarly situated entities from a football vantage. Perhaps not an academic vantage.

But what does that matter?

I guess I feel for those who consider academics such an important factor in who is in their football league, and I can't help but think they wish for something that simply is not. Uconn did not have an established football program when you applied, and that was not an important factor at the time. Now we are trying to establish that program. We need to be in a conference that has some draw to potential recruits and fans. That is what is important. We can't compete for recruits in the ACC. I should say, we can probably compete with BC and Syracuse and Pitt. That's not where I want this program to be.

 

[gars44]

I agree with you. I see a disaster of a conferene. Time zones don't matter? To whom? I'm sure as hell not going to be happy about games starting at 9 or 10 PM. I also find the schools to be unexciting. Houston has a good squad right now, and probably won't next year. Boise is very good, but hasn't done it against good competition. SMU has some former glory. UCF has new scandals/violations.

As I said before, any public school with either a geographic indicator or a city in the name is automatically second tier. Louisville is 2nd tier to Kentucky. Cincy 2nd tier to OSU. Boise St. is second tier to Idaho, although not on the football field. USF and UCF are second tier to UF and FSU. Houston is third tier compared to UT or A&M, and second tier to schools like Baylor and TCU.

So this conference presents with two flagship state universities, UConn and Rutgers, plus a solid private university in SMU. We're stranded on the island of misfit toys.

What schools do you find "exciting?" Uconn basketball was never exciting, until we became exciting. (genuflection to my hero, JC). Exciting is winning. But to my question, who is exciting in your book?

 

[upstater]

I just don't get all the academic nonsense. Academically, I'll bet you absolutely have no discourse or relationship with what should we call them (?) fans? supporters? followers ? of St. Johns or Georgetown or Villanova basketball. Or fans of Louisville, or Rutgers or Syracuse football. I mean, is there really some association between football fans of different schools (not including Yale and Harvard) that makes some relevant difference in people's lives? I'm not at all being sarcastic, and I'm not trying to play dumb, but I really don't get the significance of Houston being a "commuter" school, or anything else for that matter.

My point is this. Uconn is not a desirable football program. We are a new entrant into big time college football. We were given a huge bone in the Big East. So huge, that most of the established programs did not at the time, and still do not, consider us worthy of playing in their league. Fact. And so they all bail whenever possible. We are forming a conference with similarly situated entities from a football vantage. Perhaps not an academic vantage.

But what does that matter?

I guess I feel for those who consider academics such an important factor in who is in their football league, and I can't help but think they wish for something that simply is not. Uconn did not have an established football program when you applied, and that was not an important factor at the time. Now we are trying to establish that program. We need to be in a conference that has some draw to potential recruits and fans. That is what is important. We can't compete for recruits in the ACC. I should say, we can probably compete with BC and Syracuse and Pitt. That's not where I want this program to be.

I don't understand the academics argument at all. It's totally irrelevant. Given the state of higher education today, commuter schools aren't a bad thing. in fact, U Miami is a commuter school as well if you look at the demographics. I know many of the SUNYs and Cals are as well. There is nothing wrong with being a commuter school these days.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

The Tar Heels probably wouldn't because of the optics of it. The NC St. Wolfpack would have to realize that it was a once in a lifetime chance to get out of UNC's shadow and would probably take it. UVA and VTech are harder to predict, I think both would be tempted to take the invite. UVA has not been very relevant in the ACC's recent history though so I think they'd be tempted to join a league with most of the other state flagship schools of the south.

Common logic would dictate that NC St would want to make the jump to the SEC. It would give them a clear advantange in football over all other original ACC members and it could give them an environment where they could legitimately rebuild their basketball program.

I don't know what the decision makers at NC St believe but a large portion of their fan base is still delusional to the point where they believe they can regain their rightful position as the top program on tobacco road (something they haven't enjoyed since the last few years of the southern conference).

 

[HuskyHawk]

What schools do you find "exciting?" Uconn basketball was never exciting, until we became exciting. (genuflection to my hero, JC). Exciting is winning. But to my question, who is exciting in your book?

We simply perceive conferences differently. I see them as associations of universities, an association which in part, ascribes certain qualities to each participating school (apart from sports). The Ivy league is just an athletic conference at its most simple, and yet when people say "Ivy League School" nobody thinks of sports. Big Ten brings up connotations of strong traditions, solid academics and research credentials, and very good athletics. The Big East has mostly garnered a reputation for outstanding basketball, as played by northeastern universities that have solid academics and were mostly private and/or Catholic. That academic reputation took a hit when WVU, USF, Louisville and Cincinnati were added and BC left. It would be utterly demolished by the new league. I am concerned about the kind of reputation and image the new league would project.

I like UConn hoops more than football. I care more about the university itself than I do about our football success. As such, I want the university (not the football team) to find a home in an all-sports conference that projects the image UConn is trying to cultivate. As I said, barring an invite from B1G or ACC, I don't see it how we pull that off. So I'm resigned to this fate. But that doesn't mean I need to be excited about playing in a conference that I think will project a negative image on its members, as a sad-sack collection of mediocre to poor schools that nobody else wanted. No amount of success on the football field will change that.

 

[HartbeatHusky]

But that doesn't mean I need to be excited about playing in a conference that I think will project a negative image on its members, as a sad-sack collection of mediocre to poor schools that nobody else wanted. No amount of success on the football field will change that.

So it's official. The new conference should be called the Sad Sack Conference. That has a cool ring to it.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

We simply perceive conferences differently. I see them as associations of universities, an association which in part, ascribes certain qualities to each participating school (apart from sports). The Ivy league is just an athletic conference at its most simple, and yet when people say "Ivy League School" nobody thinks of sports. Big Ten brings up connotations of strong traditions, solid academics and research credentials, and very good athletics. The Big East has mostly garnered a reputation for outstanding basketball, as played by northeastern universities that have solid academics and were mostly private and/or Catholic. That academic reputation took a hit when WVU, USF, Louisville and Cincinnati were added and BC left. It would be utterly demolished by the new league. I am concerned about the kind of reputation and image the new league would project.

I like UConn hoops more than football. I care more about the university itself than I do about our football success. As such, I want the university (not the football team) to find a home in an all-sports conference that projects the image UConn is trying to cultivate. As I said, barring an invite from B1G or ACC, I don't see it how we pull that off. So I'm resigned to this fate. But that doesn't mean I need to be excited about playing in a conference that I think will project a negative image on its members, as a sad-sack collection of mediocre to poor schools that nobody else wanted. No amount of success on the football field will change that.

Dude, you seriously need to face reality. It is all about football right now and nothing else. It is also about TV markets. I do believe other stuff takes a backseat to football. It would be nice to get into a conference with all similar schools, but reality is it is totally out of UCONN's control. UCONN football is not in any position right now to dictate anything. In the long run, perhaps but not right now.

I look at all the new schools like growth stocks. They all got potential to be huge with a BCS label. Traditions and winning can be achieved over time. Boise is living proof of that.

These new schools bring excellent academics: BYU, SMU, Air Force, Navy
These news schools bring questionable academics: Boise, Houston and UCF

It is not the ideal situation, but UCONN will be in a league with schools that are looking to grow their football programs. We don't have some 800 lb gorilla in the league that overshadows everyone. UCONN will get a chance to compete and earn some nice TV $$$$$. At end of the day, it will keep UCONN on the national stage until the next realignment hits. That's all we can ask for right now.