Are We Being Disingenuous?

[itgoeslike]

That point is painfully obvious, then again nothing is less common than common sense. These northern schools lost an important bridge with Maryland leaving.
UConn's addition would serve only to enhance these teams. Than again envy isn't one of the deadly sins for no reason.
The ACC addition of Louisville was akin to the Big East addition of Marquette.
nice and it placated the BB schools ,but strategically insignificant.

Perhaps it's homerism emboldened by the occasional cocktail, but at times I like to equate ACC inaction with their inside knowledge that UConn is in queue for a Big Ten invite in the coming year(s). If that's not the case, and UConn is indeed invited by the Big Ten out of the blue, the ACC will have blown a great opportunity to secure the Northeast. Instead, if the reason is that ESPN doesn't want to pay more for something they already own, then they blew it by limiting the potential of a media property they are heavily invested in.

 

[chitown76]

Illinois is a basketball state a guy named Michael Jordan kind of changed everything here so I love UCONN as a school and I can't think of another school I'd rather have in the big so I guess I'm biased. If Illinois can be a basketball school in the big, If Indiana can be a basketball school in the big so can UCONN.

 

[chitown76]

Ask Boatright he must have really loved UConn to come out there. I understand why he chose UConn now.

 

[UConn9604]

I think there are two possible views of the competitive environment in college sports. One is that pie is limited. If Connecticut gets a share some programs will have to give up portion of "their share." The other view is that success grows the entire pie. Everyone wins when any program succeeds. There is truth in both models. Competition for players follows the former model. That may be focus of some of our former conference mates.

I agree, and even if you accept the argument/premise that football dominates these decisions by an order of about 80%-20%, with our basketball, the Big Ten would get the very best program(s!) in the nation, which extracts more out of that 20% than any other institution in America, as well as access to a new and untapped above-average-sized market that is easily accessible to a lot of its alumni.

As for the other 80%, namely, football, we're no worse of a program than Maryland or Rutgers right now, and certainly no worse than any 2-3 of Indiana, Purdue, Illinois or Northwestern in any given year.

We make so much sense as an addition that I am blind to any potential downside (and this is probably my fault).

 

[Duncan Idaho]

While in the Big East we were very competitive against the neighboring schools in FB. Think about that. We were a D1AA football program that in a relatively short period of time had winning records against Pitt and Cuse. BC will continue to lobby against our inclusion for reasons stated by their previous AD. Just think what we could do with that B1G revenue? We have the potential to be huge. That's their fear.

 

[chitown76]

Perhaps it's homerism emboldened by the occasional cocktail, but at times I like to equate ACC inaction with their inside knowledge that UConn is in queue for a Big Ten invite in the coming year(s). If that's not the case, and UConn is indeed invited by the Big Ten out of the blue, the ACC will have blown a great opportunity to secure the Northeast. Instead, if the reason is that ESPN doesn't want to pay more for something they already own, then they blew it by limiting the potential of a media property they are heavily invested in.

Or maybe the ACC already knows UCONNS is going to the big it all adds up perfect to me when the state started pumping money into the educational part of the school that really made me look real close at what UConn is doing as a whole. Football drives some of these conferences but the big has another thing that pays 100's of millions of dollars a year and that's the cic.

 

[chitown76]

While in the Big East we were very competitive against the neighboring schools in FB. Think about that. We were a D1AA football program that in a relatively short period of time had winning records against Pitt and Cuse. BC will continue to lobby against our inclusion for reasons stated by their previous AD. Just think what we could do with that B1G revenue? We have the potential to be huge. That's their fear.

The big wants like minded research flagship schools if football isn't you're thing that's cool look at Maryland they are more basketball than football the big looks at what can be in the future not what is right now

 

[FAIRTIDES]

Fear, jealousy, and parochialism. The order of importance depends on the day.

I think the two private schools, BC and Cuse, see it as a business issue. To both, it must seem that UCONN snapped its fingers to produce a new stadium and football facilities that, at the time (we're lagging in indoor water falls and in-laid Thai teak wood floors) , were comparable to any in the country. Suddenly, the new kid in the neighborhood had nicer Athletic Department stuff and was, according to USN & WR, jumping the line academically. And it was doing this with resources that many "privates," not named Stanford or one of the Ivies, find it hard to match. I believe the two privates think they have to kill us before we eat them. If that's the case, they're wrong and short sighted. But here we sit.

I don't understand Pitt, at all. They shouldn't see us as, at all, threatening. Miami? We'll have to wait for Shalala to retire, expire, get fired.......... To her, it's personal. Finally, I think VT would be fine once the football program becomes a "buy" instead of its perceived "sell" for whatever you can get.

 

[NickyNewark]

This is a painful topic to me, but why do none of our old Big East compatriots seem to want us in the ACC? Cuse, Pitt, Miami, BC, VaTech. It's not even apathy; it seems like they actively oppose us. We have more support from the UVAs and UNCs and old line ACC teams. Even Maryland would probably welcome us into the B1G more than our former Big East crew would shake our hands at their new conference confab. How come? What did we do to piss them off? How did this deplorably situation arise? At least it seems Rutgers more or less supports us. Then again, it might just be me.

It looks to me like its basically in regards to the NE the same old story about privates wanting to maintain the "old" status quo and desperately trying to remain "superior"? Throw in a little fear of you're rapid success and they see the writing on the wall!?! RU for the most part will understand and relate as will most peer schools in the B1G where State school's have long been the norm and work together for the common good instead of bickering,undermining and otherwise trying to give state schools a complex....I think that day of the privates has seen there heyday come and go here in the modern NE esp with the economy floundering like it has.

 

[NickyNewark]

Or maybe the ACC already knows UCONNS is going to the big it all adds up perfect to me when the state started pumping money into the educational part of the school that really made me look real close at what UConn is doing as a whole. Football drives some of these conferences but the big has another thing that pays 100's of millions of dollars a year and that's the cic.

I believe that to be the truth! Like the fact RU was telling FB recruits in "09"/"10" on they might be finishing in the B1G before they graduated and at high level RU events/parties guests would "leak" they were privy to same info "off the record" by high level admin's !?! All signs point that thats the case here.

 

[SubbaBub]

Perhaps it's homerism emboldened by the occasional cocktail, but at times I like to equate ACC inaction with their inside knowledge that UConn is in queue for a Big Ten invite in the coming year(s). If that's not the case, and UConn is indeed invited by the Big Ten out of the blue, the ACC will have blown a great opportunity to secure the Northeast. Instead, if the reason is that ESPN doesn't want to pay more for something they already own, then they blew it by limiting the potential of a media property they are heavily invested in.

I disagree, because of the bird in the hand argument. If the ACC invites UCONN we accept unless the B1G also offers immediately. The CR world changes by the minute sometimes. There is no long term strategy for us other than make ourselves as pretty as possible and take the first invite offered.

 

[SubbaBub]

I think the two private schools, BC and Cuse, see it as a business issue. To both, it must seem that UCONN snapped its fingers to produce a new stadium and football facilities that, at the time (we're lagging in indoor water falls and in-laid Thai teak wood floors) , were comparable to any in the country. Suddenly, the new kid in the neighborhood had nicer Athletic Department stuff and was, according to USN & WR, jumping the line academically. And it was doing this with resources that many "privates," not named Stanford or one of the Ivies, find it hard to match. I believe the two privates think they have to kill us before we eat them. If that's the case, they're wrong and short sighted. But here we sit.

I don't understand Pitt, at all. They shouldn't see us as, at all, threatening. Miami? We'll have to wait for Shalala to retire, expire, get fired..... To her, it's personal. Finally, I think VT would be fine once the football program becomes a "buy" instead of its perceived "sell" for whatever you can get.

So fear, jealousy, and parochialism?

Pitt was about self preservation. They wanted no part of us coming in late an stealing their spot. They were waiting for the ink to dry on their invite. I don't think they'd vote no this time around.

 

[upstater]

I think the two private schools, BC and Cuse, see it as a business issue. To both, it must seem that UCONN snapped its fingers to produce a new stadium and football facilities that, at the time (we're lagging in indoor water falls and in-laid Thai teak wood floors) , were comparable to any in the country. Suddenly, the new kid in the neighborhood had nicer Athletic Department stuff and was, according to USN & WR, jumping the line academically. And it was doing this with resources that many "privates," not named Stanford or one of the Ivies, find it hard to match. I believe the two privates think they have to kill us before we eat them. If that's the case, they're wrong and short sighted. But here we sit.

I don't understand Pitt, at all. They shouldn't see us as, at all, threatening. Miami? We'll have to wait for Shalala to retire, expire, get fired..... To her, it's personal. Finally, I think VT would be fine once the football program becomes a "buy" instead of its perceived "sell" for whatever you can get.

And the irony is that UConn's administration helped broker reconciliation between the Catholics and the football schools inside the BE. It acted as a mediator. Meanwhile, UConn's HOF coach Jim Calhoun was sending recruits he had no spot for to other schools in the conference. He called Rick Barnes at PC and pitched Austin Croshere to him.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

And the irony is that UConn's administration helped broker reconciliation between the Catholics and the football schools inside the BE. It acted as a mediator.

Was that to our credit or our detriment?

 

[RegisteredUconn]

It looks to me like its basically in regards to the NE the same old story about privates wanting to maintain the "old" status quo and desperately trying to remain "superior"? Throw in a little fear of you're rapid success and they see the writing on the wall!?! RU for the most part will understand and relate as will most peer schools in the B1G where State school's have long been the norm and work together for the common good instead of bickering,undermining and otherwise trying to give state schools a complex....I think that day of the privates has seen there heyday come and go here in the modern NE esp with the economy floundering like it has.

I'm not sure how changing conferences to compete with the likes of Duke and Carolina in basketball or FSU and Clemson in football helps Syracuse with its status quo and/or superiority issues. If anything, membership in the ACC will hasten the Orange's march toward obscurity, not ease it.

 

[06029]

Was that to our credit or our detriment?

Uconn brokered a deal because it was in its best interests at the time. Uconn at that time was led by Perkins who knew FB was inevitable and needed the FB schools as much as the BB schools.

The disingenuous question of the OP is really a perception of fans/posters rather than reality, isn't it? As has been pointed out by some of the all knowing posters on this board, it may not be the AD's and presidents of the ex-BE schools that have Uconn issues (save BC) and may still be working/saying the right things in meetings/behind the scenes. But we have no way of actually knowing that. The fans of ex-BE schools don't talk up Uconn because Uconn is not on the schedule and no longer impacts them in any way. So is it dissing Uconn or just apathy? I certainly don't think those that post here should be viewed as representing the larger fan base or the schools.

 

[NickyNewark]

I'm not sure how changing conferences to compete with the likes of Duke and Carolina in basketball or FSU and Clemson in football helps Syracuse with its status quo and/or superiority issues. If anything, membership in the ACC will hasten the Orange's march toward obscurity, not ease it.

Yeah RegisteredUconn maybe i didnt get my thought across as well as I'd like but I think I was thinking in re to trying to leave you guys on the outside of the P5 so hoping you're success would decline and wither making them feel more secure regionally!?! But you're right about that ACC afiliation may bite them in the !?! If they lose a FSU,NC or Va watch out.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Most of what I've read attributes why our former mates have, universally, turned their backs on us to a poor little rich girl problem: they hate us because we're just too good. Seriously? It's all them and none of it is us? Louisville got picked because we're just so scary good? That just sounds delusional

 

[Calamitous]

This is a painful topic to me, but why do none of our old Big East compatriots seem to want us in the ACC? Cuse, Pitt, Miami, BC, VaTech. It's not even apathy; it seems like they actively oppose us. We have more support from the UVAs and UNCs and old line ACC teams. Even Maryland would probably welcome us into the B1G more than our former Big East crew would shake our hands at their new conference confab. How come? What did we do to piss them off? How did this deplorably situation arise? At least it seems Rutgers more or less supports us. Then again, it might just be me.

90% sure VT doesn't oppose UConn. Both share common mission academically. The other 3 I'm not sure why they continually block. Plus Tech and Louisville don't have a great relationship. UofL led the charge to kick us out of the Metro.

If it makes you feel better, VT tried in the 50s - rejected; tried in early 70s when South Carolina left - rejected; tried when GT was admitted in late 70s - rejected; tried in late 80s/early 90s when FSU entered - rejected; tried one more time in 2003 and was left out by Shalala and her SU and BC counterparts - but this time got in thanks to the Virginia governor and UVa's help. We were rejected 4 out of 5 tries (maybe more attempts) by a conference that was geographically suited for Tech. Now we stand as one of only 3 land grant schools in that conference. I think Tech will welcome a UConn entry.

 

[pj]

If UConn was approached by the B1G to consider membership, it was not until the very moment that the UConn-to-ACC talks blew up and L'ville-to-ACC replaced them. The ACC deal seemed in place and then suddenly a few days before it was to be announced we started seeing media stories that L'ville was under consideration, coming up fast, and then in just a few days the L'ville deal was done. One possibility was that the southern football schools / BC / Cuse group did a power play and got the "southern" "football" school. The other possibility is that the B1G asked UConn to slow down and consider the B1G as an alternative, UConn went back to the ACC and either told them or made the contract negotiations more difficult, and the ACC got upset over UConn's slowdown, wanted a deal to conclude immediately to kill the perception that the ACC was wounded and might disintegrate after the Maryland departure, and figured L'ville was as good as UConn for them and available right away.

I think the first possibility is more likely, in my reading of the tea leaves. But I do think UConn has risen up the B1G's priority list since then. If we weren't approached at the time, we probably have been since.

 

[Calamitous]

Most of what I've read attributes why our former mates have, universally, turned their backs on us to a poor little rich girl problem: they hate us because we're just too good. Seriously? It's all them and none of it is us? Louisville got picked because we're just so scary good? That just sounds delusional

The way I see it, UConn should have replaced UMCP. But FSU and Clemson were threatening to leave if another football school didn't come along -- enter UofL. I don't know about you, but Louisville is as much a basketball school as they come. True, their football program has had some good moments, but not any better than GT, UVa or UNC in the 90s. UL will be average in football in several years. The ACC has a way of making a great football program mediocre.

The really strong ACC bball schools (Duke, UNC and SU) should welcome UConn with open arms from the competitive side of things. The only thing I can think of is that BC and SU are afraid from a football recruiting standpoint. They also may be a little afraid that UConn will take them over as top dog of the NE.

 

[The Funster]

If I were a betting man I'd say BC was an active influence in blocking us every chance they had. However, this last time the ACC moved for Louisville simply because they looked like a better FB program at the time. L'ville was selected to appease FSU and Clemson.

 

[Cleanface]

If UConn was approached by the B1G to consider membership, it was not until the very moment that the UConn-to-ACC talks blew up and L'ville-to-ACC replaced them. The ACC deal seemed in place and then suddenly a few days before it was to be announced we started seeing media stories that L'ville was under consideration, coming up fast, and then in just a few days the L'ville deal was done. One possibility was that the southern football schools / BC / Cuse group did a power play and got the "southern" "football" school. The other possibility is that the B1G asked UConn to slow down and consider the B1G as an alternative, UConn went back to the ACC and either told them or made the contract negotiations more difficult, and the ACC got upset over UConn's slowdown, wanted a deal to conclude immediately to kill the perception that the ACC was wounded and might disintegrate after the Maryland departure, and figured L'ville was as good as UConn for them and available right away.

I think the first possibility is more likely, in my reading of the tea leaves. But I do think UConn has risen up the B1G's priority list since then. If we weren't approached at the time, we probably have been since.

A big part of me honestly believes that the B1G reached out to UCONN when all this was percolating RE UofL/UCONN to the ACC, MD leaving for the B1G, etc etc etc, and said, "hey hey hey, slow down bros. Forget about the ACC...just hang tight. We got you."

UCONN just fits the ACC so well, brings NYC, is another solid State Flagship to pair with the dwindling few left in the ACC, etc etc. It makes no sense for the ACC to NOT invite UCONN, unless UCONN knows (or found out) it's on deck in the B1G's back pocket.

Before the B1G invited Rutgers I had the sense that RUTG was going to be the next move for the conference. They would have been a great fit for the ACC as well. It just seemed like there was an air of silence among the RUTG administrators. No urgency, just patience. I get that same feeling from UCONN now. Like everyone knows something, but nobody is saying anything.

I don't know, maybe I'm way off, but the ACC not inviting UCONN makes no sense whatsoever. UofL football isn't that great. I mean, it has been decent recently but they are not some big time traditional power. Not sure. Football makes sense too RE FSU/CLEM etc, pushing for Louisville, but my senses hint at something else.

The only thing I can think of is that BC and SU are afraid from a football recruiting standpoint. They also may be a little afraid that UConn will take them over as top dog of the NE.

And what happens if UCONN goes B1G?

 

[itgoeslike]

The notion that UConn is the problem because Louisville was selected may be misunderstood. At the time, the ACC made the choice for strategic reasons, which were to upgrade the football product (perceived or real), take a team off the board that was a finalist for Big12 membership, and appease FSU's desire to counter Tobacco Road's recent basketball and Northern tilt.

The selection was aided in part by some of our former regional conference mates who thought that UConn's demise would be hastened by our exclusion. However, UConn's recent, continued success has given pause to some of the opposition (BC perhaps being the only exception). Additionally, as far as the football-first schools go, there really aren't any teams left (aside from ND) that would upgrade the football product significantly (no, Texas is not an option). I tend to agree with our VT guest that their university would now support an invite on many different levels. While FSU and Clemson may not do back flips over a UConn invite, they likely wouldn't be totally against it. It's possible that they could lobby for Cincy, but I don't think it's a hill to die on for them.

 

[upstater]

Most of what I've read attributes why our former mates have, universally, turned their backs on us to a poor little rich girl problem: they hate us because we're just too good. Seriously? It's all them and none of it is us? Louisville got picked because we're just so scary good? That just sounds delusional

Louisville is in the middle of the country.

Let me explain it to you this way.

Once upon a time, BC basketball was a few seconds from the Final 4. BC basketball had star players named John Garris, Michael Adams, Jay Murphy, John Bagley, etc. These players were all from Connecticut. Then, Jim Calhoun came along, and not only did he start grabbing those Conn. players that used to go to BC and Villanova, but he started grabbing players from NYC and Boston. Shortly after that, BC lost 27 straight games to UConn.

On the football side, Mass. players like Alfred Fincher, Yawin Smallwood, Jerome Todman, etc., came to play in Storrs, and ended up in the NFL.

The same dynamic exists with Syracuse. Cuse used to grab future NFLers like Floyd Little, Dwight Freeney, Tebucky Jones and many others for a very long time.

Louisville? Louisville does not compete for New England/New York talent as much.