You said...
"The idea that theBig 12 wants UConn is laughable. The idea that the SEC wants UConn is laughable. The idea that the Pac-12 wants UConn is laughable. There's probably the slimmest of slim hopes that the Big 10 is interested, but the ACC is likely the only probable option"...
I said...
"The process is very fluid. 3 weeks ago, people actually did laugh at the Big10 wanting Rutgers."
Since you don't understand, I'll explain.
Your comment seemed to suggest that uconn going anywhere but the ACC is laughable. You did provide the slimmest of hopes for the Big10, but the gist was that Uconn's only realistic option is the ACC. And that may be true, TODAY...
But, three weeks ago, the perception of Rutgers joining the Big10 was no different than Uconn's. I'm sure someone can find many posts where we've debated the concept and who actually delivers the NY market and whether Uconn or Rutgers was a target for the ACC. Reality is different, obviously.
So if that can happen for Rutgers, why can't the same happen for Uconn.
It's a pardigm... Uconn has modeled itself after the ACC schools. Perception is that we are looking to become an ACC school... Herbst mentioned publically that we would welcome an ACC invite. All I'm suggesting is that Uconn publically and through closed channels make it known we are aggressively looking to better our situation in whataver conference that is, and that Uconn has a lot to offer today, tomorrow, and well into the future academically, athletically, and financially. Uconn needs to create the perception that we are not only open to an ACC invite, but that our main goal is to better our current position in whatever conference is looking to expand in the northeast where 14M people call home.
And lastly, the ACC presidents went into the evening not sure who to invite between UofL and Uconn. In the morning, positions changed and UofL was invited. How can you suggest the vote or the decision wasn't overnight.
You're twisting words here. I'm not laughing that UConn is not in a major conference. I want to see UConn in a major conference. But I'm also being realistic. The Pac 12 is not going to come calling. Nor is the SEC. And unless I'm really misreading the situation, nor is the Big 12. I hope I don't have to explain why. These claims should be self-evident.
It seems your defense to the above seem to be "anything can happen". Sure, any can happen. Do I need to quote Lloyd Christmas here? I guess I do:
Lloyd: What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me... ending up together?
Mary: Well, Lloyd, that's difficult to say. I mean, we don't really...
Lloyd: Hit me with it! Just give it to me straight! I came a long way just to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances?
Mary: Not good.
Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?
Mary: I'd say more like one out of a million.
[
pause]
Lloyd: So you're telling me there's a chance... *YEAH!*
I'll sit here and admit anything
could happen. But there's a difference in financial strategy between: (1) investing well and saving money; and (2) throwing all your money in the lottery. Both could work, but one's a lot better strategy and much more likely to pay off. None of which is to suggest that UConn completely shuts off any of these conferences. Nor do I think UConn has done that, either now or in the past. Most of these discussions, if they occur, are more informal and behind closed doors. There's no need to publicly exclaim, "We want to be the Big 10!". It serves no real purpose other than to make the University look bad if it does not happen. But if someone wants to use back channels, much like Maryland did with the Big 10, then go for it. I have no problem with that and I'm not sure why people believe this has not happened with any of the major conferences.
As to Rutgers to the Big 10, I think you're underselling that connection. Rutgers had been talked about before, even if most did not believe it would actually happen. The Rutgers-Big 10 connection was much stronger, even 3 weeks ago, then it ever was for UConn. I think you're misreading that entire situation. None of which is to suggest that UConn permanently close doors on the Big 10, but the odds were always longer for UConn than for Rutgers.
As to the ACC scenario, I still think many are simply misreading the situation. The ACC was essentially backed into adding someone. While it's possible to field a 13 team football schedule, it makes way more sense with 14. This scenario is different from the Big 10, who is not forced into doing anything. They can sit back and pick and choose. Putting that aside, the mere fact that an immediate consensus was not reached with ACC presidents does not mean this was some sort of spur of the moment decision. People were aware of the merits of both schools and each school had its supporters. I'm of the belief that many of the southern ACC schools were not fans of UConn due to location and short football history. Whether that was the right move, I can't say. It's not the choice I would have personally made. But it's what the ACC did, when they talked it out and reached a consensus.
Still, I don't believe that this was Louisville "outmaneuvering" UConn. To paraphrase Don Amore, I can't fathom that this decision was based on elements like who makes the best impression in an interview. All the candidate schools have histories, track records, and brands that have been built over decades. Its either a conference wants a school, or it doesn’t. It's not a sales pitch that does it, but the decades of merit that came before it. This is a very long-term, big-picture issue. And I agree with that reasoning.
UConn can’t ever change its location or its market. And it can’t build new buildings or raise its national football profile overnight. This is a long game, not a short game. I do not buy the idea that UConn failed to get an invite entirely due to actions in the last several days (or even weeks). The elements for this decision were put in place years ago. Because this is a long game, I scoff at the idea that some new strategy will radically change UConn's outcome in the near future. UConn's future was set years ago. And again, either a conference wants you or it doesn't. You're not going to quick talk anyone into anything. But I won't stop anyone at UConn who wants to try.
But if I'm dividing resourses, I'm aiming most of them for the ACC, since anyone else is a long shot. Geography alone should knock out anyone that's not the Big 10 or ACC. And I honestly don't know why the Big 10 will grab up a non-AAU smaller sized UConn over some of the potential bigger fish in the ACC. The Big 10 waited almost two decades to add Nebraska. It knows how to be patient. But don't worry, if the Big 10 really does want UConn. The Big 10 will let UConn know. Look at Rutgers.
