I think we can all accept that the population growth of the Mid-Atlantic is outpacing the growth of New England (which is more in decline), however we should all keep this in mind: Just because New England isn't growing doesn't mean NYC isn't (
http://www.inquisitr.com/573020/new-york-city-population-reaches-new-heights-tops-8-3-million/). New York is growing, and despite whatever population trends may occur, it is hard to imagine that NYC's population will ever diminish to the point where population growth in Place X trumps the value of NYC.
While I remain unsure whether the B1G is the end destination for UConn, let's remember a few things. 1) Adding Maryland and Rutgers creates more mouths to feed. They have to divide their revenue amongst more members than before. So, if Rutgers cannot deliver NYC's market they only give the B1G New Jersey (pop: 8,864,590). This would leave the B1G network on the outskirts of a media market with 8,336, 697 people. Add Connecticut to that number, that totals 11,927,044 people.
One of the main theories for the B1G's attraction to UVA is that they create a "critical mass" in D.C. If this is true, why would Delany allow NYC potentially to fallow. PSU didn't get the B1G on basic cable in NYC. Unless the B1G believes that Rutgers does create that "critical mass," then it really seems illogical to add a member to divide the revenue with that doesn't touch the NYC market. I'm not saying UConn is ahead of UVA and UNC, but the population trends don't favor the region, but I just don't believe they hurt UConn nearly as much as we believe.
Just ask this question: Considering that the combined population of CT, NJ, and NYC is over 20 million, would the B1G want one school that can bring less than half that for sure, and MAYBE 8 million more, or two schools that can give the B1G all of it?