Big East basketball- why isn’t it growing like the rest of wbb?

[Dogdude]

I think it's more simple than that. This is mostly the effect of NIL and its crushing effect on small private schools that are historically underfunded coupled with the fact that their primary mission is education. That their men's sports are funded disproportionally with women's is total discrimination, but in any event, they can't afford to compete in this new world, so why bother? They field teams for the benefit of the students who want an athletic outlet, not with any hopes of T.V. glory or championships. They're more concerned with graduating students that can successfully enter the job market. They know they're not fooling anyone that they're fielding a world championship caliber team.

Type A competitive fans will say that they should drop out of the league, but does it really matter? As many have suggested before, outside of the top 35 teams in the entire country, everyone else is playing for personal satisfaction. And, frankly, that's exactly what 99.9% of all young athletes should be playing for. They play for their own health and happiness, not for our approval.

That women's sports in general don't get the media coverage is quite true, but it's improving. As an aside, The whole streaming model is having its own growing pains as well. Personally I'd like a clearing house of streamers that each university could put together, where I would pay UConn $100 to bundle the women's games into one stream. I'd get nothing else for that 100, but I wouldn't need to subscribe to all the different services. In fact, for a fundraiser, I'd pay even more.

Anyway, back to the OT. If you can't afford the Ferrari, you don't even walk into the showroom. You stick with what you can do, and for the small colleges, that's education. That's what they're doing, and good for them.

 

[cancontent]

I think it's more simple than that. This is mostly the effect of NIL and its crushing effect on small private schools that are historically underfunded coupled with the fact that their primary mission is education. That their men's sports are funded disproportionally with women's is total discrimination, but in any event, they can't afford to compete in this new world, so why bother? They field teams for the benefit of the students who want an athletic outlet, not with any hopes of T.V. glory or championships. They're more concerned with graduating students that can successfully enter the job market. They know they're not fooling anyone that they're fielding a world championship caliber team.

Type A competitive fans will say that they should drop out of the league, but does it really matter? As many have suggested before, outside of the top 35 teams in the entire country, everyone else is playing for personal satisfaction. And, frankly, that's exactly what 99.9% of all young athletes should be playing for. They play for their own health and happiness, not for our approval.

That women's sports in general don't get the media coverage is quite true, but it's improving. As an aside, The whole streaming model is having its own growing pains as well. Personally I'd like a clearing house of streamers that each university could put together, where I would pay UConn $100 to bundle the women's games into one stream. I'd get nothing else for that 100, but I wouldn't need to subscribe to all the different services. In fact, for a fundraiser, I'd pay even more.

Anyway, back to the OT. If you can't afford the Ferrari, you don't even walk into the showroom. You stick with what you can do, and for the small colleges, that's education. That's what they're doing, and good for them.

That type of streaming model does exist to an extent with the BIG10 conference's BIG10+ service. Subscribers can choose specific sports, their team, etc. Personally, I'm surprised other conferences didn't look into doing something similar.

 

[Kat]

The way BY folks complain after a typical Big East blowout, you'd think that the last think they'd ever want would be a truly competitive league of opponents. Under those circumstances, there might even be a chance of, gulp, losing a game or two.

 

[YKCornelius]

As far as football and basketball are concerned, UConn could be the exception that proves the rule. It is possible to have an excellent basketball program without a (good) football team.

Concur. It is indeed. Just ask Mark Few and his outstanding Gonzaga program.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Perhaps I am out of line in asking but : Doesn’t this board/forum Contribute to the problem by somewhat ignoring Big East wbb?

I have frequently wondered why there is no annual thread regarding the Big East wbb on this board or even in the general forum. While things like standings are rarely in doubt regarding UConn, there should be interest in who’s 2 or 3 or so and has a shot or shots at NCAA bids. Who are the best non-UConn players in the conference? Etc, etc.

I have been tempted to open a “Big East WBB 2025-26” thread like those of the P-4 Conference threads ( on this board rather than the General). But, I think it would be overstepping my bounds. Please feel free to delete this post without offense being taken if you feel it is inappropriate for an outsider.

The general forum produces a pretty fair amount of content on other teams nationally, but it does tend to focus on competitive teams. Right now a thread on the Big East would not have much excitement in it. The Portal has sucked talent out of the BE. I love @cferraro04 Game Analysis because the other BE teams get highlighted there. But it still might be something to consider for next season if one or more of our savants would actively manage it and the word gets dropped on other BE campuses and forums.

 

[Dogdude]

Concur. It is indeed. Just ask Mark Few and his outstanding Gonzaga program.

True enough, but these programs were top notch before revenue sharing and NIL deals. They'll still be great due to recognition. But trying to grow a program without major expense right now? Not impossible, but... Look how fast UConn football loses their good players to the portal. Is there any point to trying to recruit when your best line is, "Hey if you get good, another program will snatch you away! We sometimes feed the big guys!"

 

[FanSince17]

Yep, good point. Those Southern schools are in football country. In some locations women's basketball just barely beats out pickleball as a spectator sport.

As far as football and basketball are concerned, UConn could be the exception that proves the rule. It is possible to have an excellent basketball program without a (good) football team.

Do you mean "exception to the rule", which means to me, that you can succeed in women's basketball without significant football? If that's what you mean, I'm all in. It seems like these BE schools could benefit mightily from a solid WBB program. They could fill their small campus arenas, make a lot of noise, sneak into the Dance, and be a major headache for visiting teams. Build it and they will come. Like how Geno started out. Plus, most of them have a smattering of history. Just look at Creighton and to a lesser degree, Nova and Marquette. I'm sorry, maybe I'm a rock head, I don't get it.

 

[FanSince17]

Concur. It is indeed. Just ask Mark Few and his outstanding Gonzaga program.

Gonzaga is a fabulous analogy to UConn WCBB, except they haven't won a championship. Too much information: prior to 2017, I followed Gonzaga Men. Traveled cross country twice to see them. Did a teacher program on Lewis and Clark at GU. Awesome. Blogged on their site, "The Slipper Still Fits". Crappy league, big games are early, when other teams are just getting started, smallish hometown, except Spokane is basketball crazy (Stockton and family owns that town), a lot of excellent international recruiting. When they made all those Sweet 16's with Dan Monson and all those boys as assistants, they had tough, hard-nosed, fundamentally sound warriors. Casey Calvary, Santangelo, Dickau.
That formula can be followed IMO. BE WCBB. Come on, wake from your slumber. What did all of that excitement do for Gonzaga University. OMG. I can hear Bing Crosby crooning in the background.

 

[HuskyNan]

villanova beat uconn at the civic center 4
years ago
and was very competitive with Maddy S as well

The Huskies were down to 5 players and one of them, Dorka, was playing injured. But to your point, Villanova had a good year in 2021-22 with a team led by Maddy and Lucy Olsen. Then Maddy graduated and Lucy was lured away to Iowa, which is one of my points, that the best non-UConn BEast players leave for more exposure and/or more money

Thread 'Villanova post game thread'

Feb 9, 2022

First off, congrats to Villanova. They must be thrilled.

For me, I'm sort of Zen about this. The season has been SO hard - so many injuries, illnesses, missed games, changes, etc. I hardly think there is another team in the country who has been hit as hard as we have with all the issues. No Paige and no Aubrey. No Caroline was known, but no Olivia? It apparently was too much for the team tonight. We've not had any consistency with who practices, and then who is available to play for almost any game. Constantly changing.

I hope the fans take a pause and think before posting. As much as...

• EricSD
• Replies: 377
• Forum: UConn Women's Basketball Forum

• 
• 

 

[FanSince17]

The Huskies were down to 5 players and one of them, Dorka, was playing injured. But to your point, Villanova had a good year in 2021-22 with a team led by Maddy and Lucy Olsen. Then Maddy graduated and Lucy was lured away to Iowa, which is one of my points, that the best non-UConn BEast players leave for more exposure and/or more money

Thread 'Villanova post game thread'

Feb 9, 2022

First off, congrats to Villanova. They must be thrilled.

For me, I'm sort of Zen about this. The season has been SO hard - so many injuries, illnesses, missed games, changes, etc. I hardly think there is another team in the country who has been hit as hard as we have with all the issues. No Paige and no Aubrey. No Caroline was known, but no Olivia? It apparently was too much for the team tonight. We've not had any consistency with who practices, and then who is available to play for almost any game. Constantly changing.

I hope the fans take a pause and think before posting. As much as...

• EricSD
• Replies: 377
• Forum: UConn Women's Basketball Forum

• 
• 

View attachment 115291

OK, nice post!
You just reload. Everybody for whatever reason, graduation, injury, transfer, quitting the team, flunk out, 100 other reasons, has to reload. Recruit players that can play for you, boom, keep it moving. I played at a wonderful D3 program. We won 20 games every year. I stayed and turned down the NIL $. Ha Ha . Retool!, reload. There are women in America that can play at Villanova and play competitive basketball. The men have won forever. Howard Porter, Hank Siemientowski (sp). My idol- Jay Wright.

 

[Bigboote]

Just a comment on WBB coverage in general rather than the Big East.

Yesterday I was looking for games to watch in the next few days. The only game on regular cable yesterday was Morgan State-Towson. Every other game was on paid streaming services, most of them on ESPN+, which is $30/month. A couple of years ago, I almost certainly would've been able to see Richmond-URI, which I REALLY wanted to see. I saw 5-6 Richmond games last year; this year ONE is on TV, the rest ESPN+. Three years ago I was able to see any South Dakota or South Dakota State game I wanted to see. Yes, their league coverage is now all ESPN+ (I was glad to see the Jacks play Texas last week).

I've been able to see damn few decent games this season other than UConn's. I'm glad to pay $8/month to see the Huskies. But it seems to me that they're making women's games harder to see rather than easier.

 

[Zonepress]

for what it’s worth my package on cable
has acc big 10 and sec networks
lots of wbb

 

[HuskyNan]

Geesh. And the SEC has a contract with ESPN.

 

[Boreifs]

Just a comment on WBB coverage in general rather than the Big East.

Yesterday I was looking for games to watch in the next few days. The only game on regular cable yesterday was Morgan State-Towson. Every other game was on paid streaming services, most of them on ESPN+, which is $30/month. A couple of years ago, I almost certainly would've been able to see Richmond-URI, which I REALLY wanted to see. I saw 5-6 Richmond games last year; this year ONE is on TV, the rest ESPN+. Three years ago I was able to see any South Dakota or South Dakota State game I wanted to see. Yes, their league coverage is now all ESPN+ (I was glad to see the Jacks play Texas last week).

I've been able to see damn few decent games this season other than UConn's. I'm glad to pay $8/month to see the Huskies. But it seems to me that they're making women's games harder to see rather than easier.

If one has Hulu, Espnplus is included.

 

[BBallF]

I think this is all part of a much bigger dynamic. In 2025 the SEC had 14 teams in the men's NCAA basketball tourney an all time record. In 2000, they had 4. Follow the money, the players definitely have. Now, with the House settlement, the actual revenue sharing payments by the school are capped but NIL payments from a third party entity are not. Supposedly, any NIL payment or contract over $600 is subject to review by a College Sports Commission which is run by the conferences. NIL plus the transfer portal has been a nightmare. If the athletes are being paid like employees, the argument goes why not have contracts or a single CBA that regulates their employment with an antitrust exemption? There is also no limit on the number of times a player can transfer now.

In my view, if the BE teams had the money the SEC schools have received from football alone ( all sports SEC revenue in 2023-20324 was $808 million), you would see the BE's primary sport, basketball, improve dramatically, both men and women and that astounding revenue conference sharing is directly responsible for 14 men's teams in the Big Dance. It means better players, better coaches, better travel, etc. That's not going to happen to the BE so the hope is that the House cap with direct college payments will make an eventual difference. There is also a concern about NIL funding and scandal. Viewed from any perspective, the system is not reverting back especially now after House. It is not just about money though. Once you are lucky enough to have it, if there is no emphasis on women's hoops, it will make little difference so yes the commitment is a huge factor in all of this but the framework we are working with in the BE may unfortunately dictate the result.

 

[FanSince17]

I think this is all part of a much bigger dynamic. In 2025 the SEC had 14 teams in the men's NCAA basketball tourney an all time record. In 2000, they had 4. Follow the money, the players definitely have. Now, with the House settlement, the actual revenue sharing payments by the school are capped but NIL payments from a third party entity are not. Supposedly, any NIL payment or contract over $600 is subject to review by a College Sports Commission which is run by the conferences. NIL plus the transfer portal has been a nightmare. If the athletes are being paid like employees, the argument goes why not have contracts or a single CBA that regulates their employment with an antitrust exemption? There is also no limit on the number of times a player can transfer now.

In my view, if the BE teams had the money the SEC schools have received from football alone ( all sports SEC revenue in 2023-20324 was $808 million), you would see the BE's primary sport, basketball, improve dramatically, both men and women and that astounding revenue conference sharing is directly responsible for 14 men's teams in the Big Dance. It means better players, better coaches, better travel, etc. That's not going to happen to the BE so the hope is that the House cap with direct college payments will make an eventual difference. There is also a concern about NIL funding and scandal. Viewed from any perspective, the system is not reverting back especially now after House. It is not just about money though. Once you are lucky enough to have it, if there is no emphasis on women's hoops, it will make little difference so yes the commitment is a huge factor in all of this but the framework we are working with in the BE may unfortunately dictate the result.

Just thought of this: How come the Ivy League always has a few competitive teams, including Princeton always? None of these rules apply. There are kids out there that just want to have a great college experience. Think about how incredible Kaitlyn Chen's college experience was.
These are very decent schools in the BE.

 

[HuskyNan]

Just thought of this: How come the Ivy League always has a few competitive teams, including Princeton always? None of these rules apply. There are kids out there that just want to have a great college experience. Think about how incredible Kaitlyn Chen's college experience was.
These are very decent schools in the BE.

The Ivy League attracts players that want an Ivy League education. Seton Hall, St John’s, Providence, DePaul, et al aren’t even in the academic universe of an Ivy League school. The Ivy League doesn’t give basketball scholarships, they give academic ones so the really good basketball players need to be academically excellent as well

Probably not the best example

 

[GoUconn7961]

Aside from UConn, the men’s side of the BE isn’t doing that great this season either. Not from a lack of funds though. The league needs a shake up. The departure of Syracuse, West Virginia, and Notre Dame really took its toll on the league.

 

[VA Huskie]

Sad. I dislike the truths contained in your reply but thank you for it. I pick up some BE awareness through your posts (and a few others) but a central thread would be nice. In my mind, the BE is the P-5 conference of women's basketball. Other than UConn, when/who was the last non-P-4 who made it to the elite 8?

If I could relegate about 23 conferences to D-I(B), the Big East would be the 5th selection out of 8 conference who would remain D-I(A).

Good luck with Providence though you won't need it. Despite the talent disparity, they played us tougher than a couple of P-4s and a few conference leaders of non-p's

My suggestion would be that you set up a BE thread on the General board and see what happens. If it goes in the wrong direction, Nan can always shut it down. Personally, I’m much more interested in the Power 4 conferences and UConn than in the other BE schools.

 

[huskyd]

There are some persistent drum beaters that insist on putting the Big East down and they suck up most of the oxygen in the room. But those of us who watch other BEast teams play non-UConn games can see some incremental improvements here and there. I try to point out how some teams are doing better and pretty much get shouted down by those who, apparently, know everything and don’t need those darn facts. So I stopped posting about the league.

I know there are infrequent posters who get intimidated by the more aggressive posters and while they might chime in with comments about UConn’s BEast sister teams, don’t want to expose themselves to the scorn and ridicule that seems to erupt when someone tries to discuss the conference. Hence, no threads

Not sure any of us is responsible for jacking-up the BE. Nor do I think there's a Silent Majority that thinks well of the league. It would be great to have an occasional game break out between us and the rest of the BE to keep us attentive (excited is too much to hope). When you stick your nose in something stinky, you should not be blamed for noting it. If it stinks, it stinks. Sorry; that's life.

 

[ec33]

Because BEast schools are funding men’s bball at the expense of wbb and Olympic sports

In fairness, the media deal that creates the funds centers almost entirely around men's basketball.

 

[Stagnant]

It was growing until the portal and NIL took off and became more of a factor. Now the big east is a good feeder league for young players to grow their profile before transferring to their next school.

 

[Dogdude]

The Ivy League attracts players that want an Ivy League education. Seton Hall, St John’s, Providence, DePaul, et al aren’t even in the academic universe of an Ivy League school. The Ivy League doesn’t give basketball scholarships, they give academic ones so the really good basketball players need to be academically excellent as well

Probably not the best example

I see what you're saying here. All I would add is that there are a lot of kids looking to get an education that would never be accepted into an ivy league school. So for them, basketball might just be a way in the door. And while the BE schools outside of UConn might occasionally get a player with pro aspirations, I would think (not sure if I'm right or wrong...) that the majority know their limits, and are there to further their career aspirations out side of pro ball. I love the players with the skills and talent to try for the pros as much as I love the players looking to build a life in wherever their talents take them.

 

[BBallF]

The Ivy League attracts players that want an Ivy League education. Seton Hall, St John’s, Providence, DePaul, et al aren’t even in the academic universe of an Ivy League school. The Ivy League doesn’t give basketball scholarships, they give academic ones so the really good basketball players need to be academically excellent as well

Probably not the best example

Exactly. A degree from Princeton, Harvard, Yale etc is worth a lot more lifetime than any NIL payments in women's hoops.

 

[Skeets]

Exactly. A degree from Princeton, Harvard, Yale etc is worth a lot more lifetime than any NIL payments in women's hoops.

True in almost all cases, but don't try to sell that to Paige, Clark, or a few others.