Case for Independence - BYU

[NEforceUConn]

I think going C7 and Indy FB is virtuous (a quality many Universities lack). UConn knows CR is not done and there will be many changes over the next 2 years. Why not be truthful and admit UConn will accept an ACC or B!G invite. The C7 knows that going in and if in 6 months UConn is in the ACC then no hard feelings by anyone. If after CR is over in 2 or more years and UConn is left out then UConn moves FB to the MAC (fb only). End of statement.

I have more respect for institutions that tell the truth and do the right thing, that's why UConn should pursue this route. Now the schools that only care about themselves and have no morals are: ND, Pitt, Cuse, BCU, and WVU.

 

[captainron2]

I think going C7 and Indy FB is virtuous (a quality many Universities lack). UConn knows CR is not done and there will be many changes over the next 2 years. Why not be truthful and admit UConn will accept an ACC or B!G invite. The C7 knows that going in and if in 6 months UConn is in the ACC then no hard feelings by anyone. If after CR is over in 2 or more years and UConn is left out then UConn moves FB to the MAC (fb only). End of statement.

I have more respect for institutions that tell the truth and do the right thing, that's why UConn should pursue this route. Now the schools that only care about themselves and have no morals are: ND, Pitt, Cuse, BCU, and WVU.

 

[captainron2]

The problem is that the C7 know that UConn and Cinn, will jump at the first chance they get, and the ony way this gets consideration is if there is a long term deal that is iron clad unbreakable. If not, what's in it for them?

 

[freescooter]

I still don't get why it would be a good move anyway. It isn't like were talking about the Big East with Louisville, Syracuse, Pitt et al. this is joining a league with Providence, Seton Hall St Johns and Depaulwho among them have 1 NCAA trip since the last expansion of the Big East. OooH they might add Dayton!! Please.

 

[HuskyHawk]

The problem is that the C7 know that UConn and Cinn, will jump at the first chance they get, and the ony way this gets consideration is if there is a long term deal that is iron clad unbreakable. If not, what's in it for them?

They would end up with the Big East name and MSG contract. They would have two high level programs for as long as it takes for those schools to get invites to a Big 5 conference. This is a no-brainer/slam dunk for the C7. There is no downside for them in any way whatsoever. They can always find two more basketball schools. They could add Creighton and SLU and go to 14 now, and slide to 12 if we leave.

The questions are (1) whether UConn and Cinci could find a home for football in the MWC, (2) whether this move would be in the best interest of furthering our efforts to obtain a Big 5 invite and (3) which option is the best at preserving basketball and promiting football. As for independence, we wouldn't be able to field a decent schedule, so it won't work.

 

[frankthetank]

Here's the main rule to surviving as an independent in today's world: is your fan/alumni base tied to something *other* than geography/market/home state?

Notre Dame = Irish Catholics
BYU = Mormons
Navy and Army = Military

They can survive as independents in today's world because being in a regional conference really doesn't do anything for their respective alumni and fan bases. These are legitimately national fan bases. Even then, it can still be tough being an independent, as shown by Navy still apparently committing to coming to the Big East.

Schools like Idaho and New Mexico State aren't independents by choice and they don't have the national fan bases can't deal with that environment.

UConn simply doesn't fit the profile of a school where it makes sense to be an independent. (To be sure, even schools such as Texas and Ohio State don't have the profiles to be independent, either.) I'm not saying it's an easy call since I've been saying from the get go that the Catholic 7 was going to end up getting a much larger TV deal than expected in the now-football-centric conference realignment analysis and, no matter what stats people might throw out there about how the New Big East might be comparable on the court, the national media perception is *strongly* in favor of the Catholic 7 (just as any stats pointing out deficiencies of ACC football compared to Big East football are ultimately irrelevant). However, going independent for UConn would be a football program killer. Now, if you get a Boise State-type offer from the MWC (and Cincinnati does, too), then it at least becomes a little bit more interesting to think about having football in the MWC and basketball in the C7 (even if I personally don't believe that would happen at all).

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Maine
Unh
Fordham
Ccsu
Temple
Ohio
Udel
Townson
Buff
Army
Odu
East mich

Agreed. Alternating years might feature URI, UMass, Akron, Kent State. Yeah that was the promise that was sold to Connecticut when this whole move to D1 football was initiated in the mid-90's.