Big East OOC thread '25/'26

[ecasadoSBU]

UConn joining the NBE does much more for the NBE than it does for UConn. The NBE suddenly gets 2 recent National Champions in basketball, a standout baseball program, two re-energized soccer sides etc.
The NBE brings nothing to the table in comparative to the P4s
Uconn owes squat to the NBE - the only move that the NBE could have made was to add UConn

Hindsight is 20/20 Pal. That's assuming that UConn would've won those 2 national championships if it remained in the American. No team has won a national championship out of the American other than UConn which was fresh off the Big East with JC recruited kids. We, however, have plenty of data to know what happened to UConn after it settled in the American - it took a nose dive in MBB and CFB.

Statements like these is why so many folks can't stand the UConn fan-base. You guys can be really obnoxious at times. A small dose of humility and gratitude for how things have worked out would do wonders for this fanbase

But again. this conversation is a moot point. @gtcam go get us the elusive Power-4 invite and we will gladly jump on heartbeat!

 

[John]

UConn joining the NBE does much more for the NBE than it does for UConn. The NBE suddenly gets 2 recent National Champions in basketball, a standout baseball program, two re-energized soccer sides etc.
The NBE brings nothing to the table in comparative to the P4s
Uconn owes squat to the NBE - the only move that the NBE could have made was to add UConn

They bring nostalgia and a new mid-west annex.

 

[gtcam]

Hindsight is 20/20 Pal. That's assuming that UConn would've won those 2 national championships if it remained in the American. No team has won a national championship out of the American other than UConn which was fresh off the Big East with JC recruited kids. We, however, have plenty of data to know what happened to UConn after it settled in the American - it took a nose dive in MBB and CFB.

Statements like these is why so many folks can't stand the UConn fan-base. You guys can be really obnoxious at times. A small dose of humility and gratitude for how things have worked out would do wonders for this fanbase

But again. this conversation is a moot point. @gtcam go get us the elusive Power-4 invite and we will gladly jump on heartbeat!

I made a valid point
Don't know who "you guys" are but we are not Pal or Dude
Your 1st paragraph has nothing to do with my statement at all - I have no desire for UConn to stay in the AAC at all. My point remains - the NBE had no choice but to add a marque program and UConn was available.
BTW - The AAC football is much better than what the NBE or Independant offers
Another one of those "JC recruited" kids quack - who the hell do you think was JC's main recruiter.
Do your homework

 

[freescooter]

Thank you very much for this post. It never occurred to anyone in the UConn universe that being in the Big 10 might be better than being in the Big East. You are truly a genius of conference realignment.

Thanks Nelson. Glad you and your friends finally understand the nobody, not a single soul, is advocating for return to the American. When we discuss getting out of the New Big East it is always in the context of getting into a P4 conference. So now that you and your little friends understand, can we assume you will drop the argument that people who want to get out of the NEWBE are advocating returning to the American? No? I didn’t think so.

 

[ecasadoSBU]

I made a valid point
Don't know who "you guys" are but we are not Pal or Dude
Your 1st paragraph has nothing to do with my statement at all - I have no desire for UConn to stay in the AAC at all. My point remains - the NBE had no choice but to add a marque program and UConn was available.
BTW - The AAC football is much better than what the NBE or Independant offers
Another one of those "JC recruited" kids quack - who the hell do you think was JC's main recruiter.
Do your homework

Not sure your original point is really that valid.

Uconn likely doesnt win those national championships without the Big East membership esp if it remained in the American where it was strugling mightily.

The Big East may or may have not won those championships either. But there was recent history that made it clear the Big East could produce national championships without UConn: Villanova won 2 national championships right before.

The Big East was winning anyway even prior to Uconn's addition. UConn was not winning prior to it joining the Big East. The Big East was pulling a higher percentage of bids prior to UConn's arrival. It has actually lost ground since then

If American CFB is better than being independent UConn would've stayed in the American, No?

The facts are there. I dont know why you guys are trying so hard on pushing this narrative.

Just be glad we are in the Big East and no longer in that dark period that was the American

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Thanks Nelson. Glad you and your friends finally understand the nobody, not a single soul, is advocating for return to the American. When we discuss getting out of the New Big East it is always in the context of getting into a P4 conference. So now that you and your little friends understand, can we assume you will drop the argument that people who want to get out of the NEWBE are advocating returning to the American? No? I didn’t think so.

You are advocating a return to the American from the standpoint that you want out of the Big East and the American and maybe the A10 are the only other options. Without a seismic shock to the structure of college sports, UConn getting invited to join the Big 10 is about as likely as UConn getting invited to join the NBA.

 

[freescooter]

As Cuse, BCU and Pitt might tell you, be careful what you wish for. Think that extra P5 money makes them feel better about their irrelevant hoops programs? There’s no reason we couldn’t suffer the same fate.

So let’s see if I have this? When we were in the American our basketball program was a failure. 2014 didn’t happen apparently. If we go to a P4 conference our basketball program will be a failure. So the ONLY solution is to stay in the New Big East in perpetuity! Is that about it?

 

[freescooter]

Not sure your original point is really that valid.

Uconn likely doesnt win those national championships without the Big East membership esp if it remained in the American where it was strugling mightily.

The Big East may or may have not won those championships either. But there was recent history that made it clear the Big East could produce national championships without UConn: Villanova won 2 national championships right before.

The Big East was winning anyway even prior to Uconn's addition. UConn was not winning prior to it joining the Big East

If American CFB is better than being independent UConn would'ce stayed in the American, No?

The facts are there. I dont know why you guys are trying so hard on pushing this narrative.

Just be glad we are in the Big East and no longer in that dark period that was the American

Total failure in the American. I mean 2014 we were the lowest seed to win it all since Villanova in 1985. It was a complete embarrassment.

 

[freescooter]

You are advocating a return to the American from the standpoint that you want out of the Big East and the American and maybe the A10 are the only other options. Without a seismic shock to the structure of college sports, UConn getting invited to join the Big 10 is about as likely as UConn getting invited to join the NBA.

Just stop. I’m advocating continuing to work toward a spot in a P4. I’d prefer the ACC myself but the B12 would work as obviously the B10 would too, but that is unlikely. I know if we leave the NBE there is no more MSG and guys like you will be so sad. 😭.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

UConn's 2014 National Championship remains the only National Championship by a school outside of the major conferences since UNLV's championship in 1990. Prior to that, there were Louisville (1980 and 1986) and Marquette (1977) were the only other National Championships going back to Texas Western in 1967. That makes 5 schools that did it in almost 60 years, and an argument could be made that the Metro should be considered a major conference, which would take Louisville's titles off the list. Even with the tighter definition, Kevin Ollie did something no other coach has done in 35 years (and counting), and only 3 other coaches, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame, have done in 58 years (and counting).

Something to consider for the Big East bashers who think there is no difference between the A10 or AAC and Big East.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Just stop. I’m advocating continuing to work toward a spot in a P4. I’d prefer the ACC myself but the B12 would work as obviously the B10 would too, but that is unlikely. I know if we leave the NBE there is no more MSG and guys like you will be so sad. 😭.

The most likely way UConn joins the ACC before the 2030's is through a full ACC/Big East merger, since that would cover much of the cost of UConn joining. And the most likely way that occurs is if the Big East is strong and justifies a merger.

But keep rooting for the Big East to fail. See where that gets us.

 

[superjohn]

I made a valid point
Don't know who "you guys" are but we are not Pal or Dude
Your 1st paragraph has nothing to do with my statement at all - I have no desire for UConn to stay in the AAC at all. My point remains - the NBE had no choice but to add a marque program and UConn was available.
BTW - The AAC football is much better than what the NBE or Independant offers
Another one of those "JC recruited" kids quack - who the hell do you think was JC's main recruiter.
Do your homework

Not sure your original point is really that valid.

Uconn likely doesnt win those national championships without the Big East membership esp if it remained in the American where it was strugling mightily.

The Big East may or may have not won those championships either. But there was recent history that made it clear the Big East could produce national championships without UConn: Villanova won 2 national championships right before.

The Big East was winning anyway even prior to Uconn's addition. UConn was not winning prior to it joining the Big East. The Big East was pulling a higher percentage of bids prior to UConn's arrival. It has actually lost ground since then

If American CFB is better than being independent UConn would've stayed in the American, No?

The facts are there. I dont know why you guys are trying so hard on pushing this narrative.

Just be glad we are in the Big East and no longer in that dark period that was the American

This whole conversation/arguing is idiotic and it's constant on this board. Of course we should be in a power 4 football conference but that option hasn't been given to us. Our only two options were staying in the AAC or joining back up with the Big East. Of course we should've joined back up with the Big East.

The Big East is down this season but it doesn't suck at basketball, it's never sucked at basketball. As you point out the conference was doing pretty great on the court without us. If/when an invite to the P4 happens for UConn they immediately sign the deal.

I don't undertand why this is talked about every day here in a bunch of different threads when 98% of people agree on we're in the right place for now because it's the only option and we won't be here if/when a P4 invites us.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

The most likely way UConn joins the ACC before the 2030's is through a full ACC/Big East merger, since that would cover much of the cost of UConn joining. And the most likely way that occurs is if the Big East is strong and justifies a merger.

But keep rooting for the Big East to fail. See where that gets us.

I think there's a decent chance that two or more teams leave the ACC before 2030 because the conferences know that you want to add new schools before negotiating new TV deals because that provides more leverage than waiting until after negotiations start. So, 2028 would be the timing of a potential UConn to ACC scenario.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

This whole conversation/arguing is idiotic and it's constant on this board. Of course we should be in a power 4 football conference but that option hasn't been given to us. Our only two options were staying in the AAC or joining back up with the Big East. Of course we should've joined back up with the Big East.

The Big East is down this season but it doesn't suck at basketball, it's never sucked at basketball. As you point out the conference was doing pretty great on the court without us. If/when an invite to the P4 happens for UConn they immediately sign the deal.

I don't undertand why this is talked about every day here in a bunch of different threads when 98% of people agree on we're in the right place for now because it's the only option and we won't be here if/when a P4 invites us.

98% of the board does not agree, because you are not defining what the board is debating correctly. The two sides are:

1) Hijack every thread where any Big East school is mentioned to trash the conference and spiral the thread into CR.
2) Don't do that.

I would say the split on this board is more 30/70 between those options.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I think there's a decent chance that two or more teams leave the ACC before 2030 because the conferences know that you want to add new schools before negotiating new TV deals because that provides more leverage than waiting until after negotiations start. So, 2028 would be the timing of a potential UConn to ACC scenario.

In that scenario, Pitt/Syracuse/BCU/whoever are merging into a Big East, so we would want a strong Big East. There is not a single scenario where a weak Big East helps UConn, so it baffles me why so many people trash the conference endlessly.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

In that scenario, Pitt/Syracuse/BCU/whoever are merging into a Big East, so we would want a strong Big East. There is not a single scenario where a weak Big East helps UConn, so it baffles me why so many people trash the conference endlessly.

I'm not saying anyone would want a weak Big East because that would weaken OUR negotiations with any conference situation...
That said, I see the ACC losing enough teams to need to backfill but not so many teams that they'd have to merge with the Big East. If they lose 4 or 6 teams, that still leaves a viable football conference with still-strong-enough basketball programs to make a re-done ESPN contract viable and attractive enough to UConn, USF, etc. to join a remade ACC.

 

[lonsharkin51]

So let’s see if I have this? When we were in the American our basketball program was a failure. 2014 didn’t happen apparently. If we go to a P4 conference our basketball program will be a failure. So the ONLY solution is to stay in the New Big East in perpetuity! Is that about it?

No. If we get a P5 invite, we have to take it, but there’s no guarantee that it’ll work out the way we want it to.

 

[buddy]

Found this today while going through some files. The real Big East. Not the imposter.

 

[HooperScooper]

You and your straw men.

Not even worth engaging with him. It's like the old childhood "I know you are but what am I" routine.

 

[RuffRuff]

The SEC has an identical winning percentage against the major conferences and the BE has a better winning percentage this year than last year. The ACC is no better than the Big East. They have three second weekend teams; we have two but only 11 total members. Our #3 team (SH) beat their #4 team. Our #4 team (Butler) beat their #5 team (UVA) and the BE has a WINNING record against the ACC (and that is without having to face St. John’s or UConn at all).

This spin is so putting lipstick on the BE. The ACC has 9 teams in the top 43 in the KP. The BE has 3. The ACC is MUCH better than the big east. Just stop man.

It.is.not.good.

Yes there are some warming rivalries and we have deep relationships with this group. But if we moved to the ACC we’d get many of those with Cuse, Ville, Pitt, Miami, etc along with UNC and Duke. And we can do 2 OOC games in MSG.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

This spin is so putting lipstick on the BE. The ACC has 9 teams in the top 43 in the KP. The BE has 3. The ACC is MUCH better than the big east. Just stop man.

It.is.not.good.

Yes there are some warming rivalries and we have deep relationships with this group. But if we moved to the ACC we’d get many of those with Cuse, Ville, Pitt, Miami, etc along with UNC and Duke. And we can do 2 OOC games in MSG.

The ACC isn’t much better in KenPom. It is a little better in KenPom.

 

[auror]

This spin is so putting lipstick on the BE. The ACC has 9 teams in the top 43 in the KP. The BE has 3. The ACC is MUCH better than the big east. Just stop man.

It.is.not.good.

Yes there are some warming rivalries and we have deep relationships with this group. But if we moved to the ACC we’d get many of those with Cuse, Ville, Pitt, Miami, etc along with UNC and Duke. And we can do 2 OOC games in MSG.

I always judge conferences on the top 43 of KenPom.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I always judge conferences on the top 43 of KenPom.

I judge conferences based on their record against Hofstra, Central Connecticut State and Quinnipiac.

 

[Waquoit]

We don't care about the "goal"...

Tl:dr

 

[Waquoit]

As Cuse, BCU and Pitt might tell you, be careful what you wish for. Think that extra P5 money makes them feel better about their irrelevant hoops programs? There’s no reason we couldn’t suffer the same fate.

We have six nattys. One in the pathetic AAC. The only one that tire fire will ever get. UConn knows what it's doing. There's a few reasons for ya right there, Spike.