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Message: [QUOTE="Sea Goat, post: 4702279, member: 3716"] A little history - in 2011, we were "in" the ACC until BC commenced its chicanery. (I won't ruffle feathers by repeating why we got screwed, but we definitely did!) Further, in 2012, our AD sat on his ass when the Maryland slot came up and went to LV. Once those opportunities went by the wayside, we were destined for the conference desert known as the AAC. So where would we be if we got the nod from the ACC in 2011 or 2012? Probably thriving (to some extent) in football and elite in BB and even better in baseball. The football mess was created as a result of the ACC snubs and some terrible hiring decisions. Up until then, we were trending nicely. (5 straight wins over SU) But we got a hard lesson about AD's being important! We had a couple of bozos and ended up with a SU retread and an affable space cadet. Then, newly hired Dave B had a brain cramp and rehired our very own retread! Couple that with a terrible conference situation and the dark ages were upon us. DB's great move to hire Mora has solved the coaching problem and now we have to solve the conference problem too. As I have said [I]ad nauseam, [/I]the BE is a one dimensional conference. We are a misfit. It is a small Catholic school, BB dominant conference. We belong in a conference that has very good BB, football, baseball etc. In other words, we need a full service conference. Also, we belong with our own ilk. Other than small, 1-AA state schools, how many flagship, land grant state universities are in such a conference? In many states where there are at least two major public universities, they are both in P-5 conferences. Football is key - it drives the bus nationwide. Without a thriving program, we will start to wither on the vine. As the rich get richer, we will begin feeling the pinch because of the sheer economics of college football. I am not insensitive to the legacy and importance of UConn BB. I have great memories of UConn BB dating from the mid 60s, but real elite status has come only in the last 25 years. We certainly need a great home for it. Yes, a dozen years ago, the ACC was best option. But, the ACC has possibly become "fool's gold" now. (How quickly would Clemson and FSU bolt to the SEC if an invite came? GOR or no GOR, there is a deal to be made because it is all about the dinero.) Now for UConn, the Big 12 is not a bad choice. First, it is likely to increase, UConn's per year payout by about ten fold or to $30-40mm. Right now we seem to be able to squeeze the legislature to fund our Athletic Dept shortfall, but how long will that continue? For those of you worried about our "identity", I think a move to the Big 12 will be, at worse, neutral. We have an identity that is, in no way, dependent on being in the Big East. Nostalgia is fine to a point. (Who didn't love 4 games on Thursday in MSG during the BE tournament?) But, we need far more than a one dimensional conference. We are a nationwide brand and need a nationwide stage. Our BB program is secure in its position as a nationwide elite. Besides, the Big 12 did send 7 teams to the dance this year. So it is no slouch conference. In fact, 2 conference games against another designated national elite, Kansas, and others like Baylor, every year would be pretty awesome. Simply put, if we have the opportunity to make a move to a P-5 conference, I think we should take it. IMO, not doing so would likely amount to signing the death warrant for D-1 football and consigning UConn to a football-less conference in perpetuity. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach