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Message: [QUOTE="UConnNick, post: 2740967, member: 1526"] Prior to the formation of the original Big East in 1979, it's not like any particular school or schools were national juggernauts in basketball. Yes, PC and Syracuse had been to one Final Four each in the 70's, and Villanova's one appearance was officially vacated due to Howard Porter's ineligibility in 1970. Other than that, Georgetown made one in 1943, which really doesn't count for much, considering it was the middle of WWII and the NIT was equal to, if not greater than the NCAAs in national perception. It was a collection of good regional programs. What the league accomplished afterward was a shared collective success. UCONN's problems in the early years were more due to the administration trying to run the athletic program with Ivy League-type admission standards, while up against other league schools that had no problem admitting marginally qualified athletes. As for being hated by fans of other OBE schools, that's a good thing. It means they still consider us relevant. Our being in the AAC has zero to do with the old Big East schools and everything to do with our collective university administrations being totally asleep at the wheel ever since the first OBE breakup in 2003. That is all about football and nothing else. As for that sport, we were a valuable member of the conference, making bowl games and the Fiesta Bowl. We were instrumental in helping the league retain its BCS status after all the defections. Football is the only sport that matters anymore. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach