Does "Life" exist in the Big Ten Realignment Universe?

[HoopsFan21]

I was using some humor. Stony Brook is a great university. So is Case Western Reserve. So is the University of Chicago that has IVY league quality academics. But a school has to have an athletic program that is robust. Chicago, for example, now has football. But it has Division 3 football. Good Academics are a requirement-but in an Athletic conference. I believe that UConn and VT are in play in both areas.

UChicago was a founding member of the B1G. I know they left before most of us were alive, but they still maintain an academic affiliation to the B1G I believe.

 

[dayooper]

UChicago was a founding member of the B1G. I know they left before most of us were alive, but they still maintain an academic affiliation to the B1G I believe.

The University of Chicago is part if The Big10s academic wing, the CiC. They dropped football completely a while back, but are playing DIII now.

 

[Ldandy]

The one thing UCONN really has going for it as a potential B1G Option is its current conference affiliation. The AAC has a short term TV Deal and small buyout.

The one thing UCONN really has going against it as a potential B1G Option is that nobody else worth adding is in the same boat.

 

[Plains&Lakes]

The one thing UCONN really has going for it as a potential B1G Option is its current conference affiliation. The AAC has a short term TV Deal and small buyout.

The one thing UCONN really has going against it as a potential B1G Option is that nobody else worth adding is in the same boat.

In addition to a whole lot of other pluses, I agree with UCONN's low cost separation. To this, I would add the relative intangible of a low cost of emotional separation-severe regional or conference separation such as UNC would likely have.

As for your clear point that there seems to be no one that is worth adding, almost no one saw Nebraska or Maryland making their moves to the Big Ten when they did. Depending on the ACC and Big 12 GOR situations, there could be several schools that could change there position from their current public posture. But likely, the first time that you hear from it will be in a press conference.

If there is extra money to be had (and guaranteed to any new teams), potential schools will be made aware of it through low-key intermediaries. UCONN needs just ONE school. I'd never bet against the entire field in this situation. Why? Because there are so many schools that would be better off in the Big Ten than where they are now.

The Big Ten does not want any publicity and of course, neither do any schools giving or receiving feelers. I note that on many boards that people express scenarios that something has to happen. Maybe it does. But I think the stronger likelihood that a school just decides.

 

[UConnNick]

I suspect he will be the next president of the NCAA

Just so the NCAA can stick it to UCONN yet again!

 

[Ldandy]

In addition to a whole lot of other pluses, I agree with UCONN's low cost separation. To this, I would add the relative intangible of a low cost of emotional separation-severe regional or conference separation such as UNC would likely have.

As for your clear point that there seems to be no one that is worth adding, almost no one saw Nebraska or Maryland making their moves to the Big Ten when they did. Depending on the ACC and Big 12 GOR situations, there could be several schools that could change there position from their current public posture. But likely, the first time that you hear from it will be in a press conference.

If there is extra money to be had (and guaranteed to any new teams), potential schools will be made aware of it through low-key intermediaries. UCONN needs just ONE school. I'd never bet against the entire field in this situation. Why? Because there are so many schools that would be better off in the Big Ten than where they are now.

The Big Ten does not want any publicity and of course, neither do any schools giving or receiving feelers. I note that on many boards that people express scenarios that something has to happen. Maybe it does. But I think the stronger likelihood that a school just decides.

I suppose that anything is possible, however I don't see it happening any time soon. The ACC is an interesting study IMO. Some teams like FSU and Clemson would leave in a heartbeat for an SEC invite, but know one is never coming. Other schools like BC, Pitt, Wake etc. know their options are limited, so they are very happy to be there. Finally a handful of schools like UVA, UNC and Duke have so much of their identity tied up in the conference, that leaving would be a VERY difficult sell regardless of the potential dollars lost.

The Big 12 is a likelier candidate for poaching because of its history of instability and small size. That said no one seems inclined to want to challenge a GOR over there either. I think Kansas would be very receptive come the end of their contract, however I'm not sure they bring enough money to the table to offset what they would take. A UCONN/ KU pairing would definitely put the conference over the top on the basketball side, and is something that should carry some real weight in discussions on realignment.