ESPN article - UCONN done chasing other conferences for realignment

[Big UConn]

Say what ?

I was wrong. I just counted them and the AAC had a total of 16 men's and women's NCAA championships, as did the ACC. So at the moment it is actually even. However, next year UConn will have 9 women's and possibly 4 men's NCAA championships, Cincinnati will have 2. So next year we take a slight dip losing Louisville, but that will be temporary. I personally think UConn will win every National Championship on the women's side so long as we have Stewart, then if we get Wilson and Durr, we will immediately add another four or five. Our men's team was severely hampered last year because of the tournament ban, but Ollie is going to take off this year. He's got enough for an national championship.

As for football, I am pretty sure I know what should be done, but I won't say here. However, if we beat Maryland and Michigan, and get to a bowl game, I will consider myself proven wrong.

 

[Icebear]

Beating MD and Michigan isn't happening. Maybe one not both. Probably neither.

 

[Big UConn]

Beating MD and Michigan isn't happening. Maybe one not both. Probably neither.

Sadly, you are probably right. However, if a miracle happens.......

 

[uconnfan68]

I am not a UConn fan (I attended that Catholic school in South Bend), but I do not think it's good for WCBB that UConn is 'banished' to the AAC. While UConn will certainly remain relevant with their coaching and recruiting, as a WCBB fan I feel cheated that only a fraction of UConn's schedule will be remotely challenging, and that most of those challenging games will be front-loaded in their schedule.

It was like that with the Big East for a long time too. They all raised the level of their game to compete, and now the AAC will also. Without all the football/tv money it just won't be as easy.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

It was like that with the Big East for a long time too. They all raised the level of their game to compete, and now the AAC will also. Without all the football/tv money it just won't be as easy.

The last line says it all. The difference between the "power conference" & AAC = revenue ops. May improve, won't be easy. And again, need to judge the "conference" not just UConn which has the best athletics program over-all in the new conference.

As to Tony's comment about other sports, I don't know how valid that is. The Big East was not a power in most other sports, but I'm not sure the AAC is, either. I follow - to some degree - Women's Volleyball, Softball, and Women's LAX. I suspect UConn will, or can be, near the top in the "Olympic" sports, but the same opportunity was probably available in the old BE, and I believe UConn had some success in some of the sports.

 

[EricLA]

I'm not sure I get the comments that UCONN was weak in "other" sports. The men's and women's soccer teams both routinely are ranked in the top 10. Women's field hockey has either won NC's, or been in the hunt for one. Women's polo has won a bunch of NC's. The men's baseball team made the NCAA's a few years back. I wouldn't say UCONN is a force in every sport that is offered, but certainly better than most schools out there...

 

[intlzncster]

Yup. Couldn't agree more. Perhaps the ACC can become a football only conference and their better teams could join the AAC for men's and women's basketball. That way the ACC could justifiably call themselves a power conference in basketball. I believe the AAC has more men's and women's basketball NCAA championships than the ACC, so the ACC could really gain some credibility in basketball by moving their basketball teams over to the AAC.

Really? Do you really believe this? The AAC has exactly 3 National championships in Men's basketball (all UConn - Lousiville is not a long term conference member). The ACC has a total of 12. No comparison.

Women's basketball does not rate in terms of determining power conference, no matter how much anyone here appreciates the sport. It is a nice little side dish, but not important in an of itself. Hence why ODU and La Tech had no influence on their conference's power. Ultimately money and exposure is what determines a power conference nowadays, for better or worse.

Any ACC team moving to the American, would lose out tremendously, both in terms of competition and national exposure. Look at the TV deals associated with each conference.

 

[Big UConn]

Really? Do you really believe this? The AAC has exactly 3 National championships in Men's basketball (all UConn - Lousiville is not a long term conference member). The ACC has a total of 12. No comparison.

Women's basketball does not rate in terms of determining power conference, no matter how much anyone here appreciates the sport. It is a nice little side dish, but not important in an of itself. Hence why ODU and La Tech had no influence on their conference's power. Ultimately money and exposure is what determines a power conference nowadays, for better or worse.

Any ACC team moving to the American, would lose out tremendously, both in terms of competition and national exposure. Look at the TV deals associated with each conference.

Careful what you say, buddy, this is a women's basketball board, and if you think women's basketball championships don't count, you are in the wrong place. And either you can't count or you are too lazy to look but UConn has 3 men's NCs, Cincinnati has 2 and Louisville has 3. That makes 8 men's NCs for the AAC. And yes, Louisville is still in the AAC. UConn has 8 women's NCAA championships and THEY DO COUNT. Total for the AAC = 16 NCAA NCs in basketball. If as you say, the ACC has 12 mens championships, they only have TWO women's (so I can see why you think they don't count.) If your count on the men's championships is correct, then the ACC has two less NCAA NCs than the AAC.

Like I say, join the AAC and join a power basketball conference.

 

[intlzncster]

Careful what you say, buddy, this is a women's basketball board, and if you think women's basketball championships don't count, you are in the wrong place. And either you can't count or you are too lazy to look but UConn has 3 men's NCs, Cincinnati has 2 and Louisville has 3. That makes 8 men's NCs for the AAC. And yes, Louisville is still in the AAC. UConn has 8 women's NCAA championships and THEY DO COUNT. Total for the AAC = 16 NCAA NCs in basketball. If as you say, the ACC has 12 mens championships, they only have TWO women's (so I can see why you think they don't count.) If your count on the men's championships is correct, then the ACC has two less NCAA NCs than the AAC.
Like I say, join the AAC and join a power basketball conference.

I'm aware of what board it is. I've been posting here (and prior versions) since early 2000.

Doesn't matter what you or I think. It's national audiences and tv execs that define the terms, whether you and I like it or not. Try to argue women's basketball determines who is a power conference on any non WBB board in the country and you'll be shot down instantly. What is said on this board does not determine who is a power conference and who is not.

I forgot about the Cincy championships, and counting Louisville's is laughable, as they aren't really a member. They are just a place holder for a year. So 5 vs 12 (or 13 depending on who you ask). If you insist on counting in Louisville, we'll just have a recount next year and subtract them back out. Seriously, it's foolishness.

You are one of the few people in the world who think ACC basketball is worse than AAC. Go make the statement on the Men's board. I'll be interested to see the response.

 

[Big UConn]

Careful what you say, buddy, this is a women's basketball board, and if you think women's basketball championships don't count, you are in the wrong place. And either you can't count or you are too lazy to look but UConn has 3 men's NCs, Cincinnati has 2 and Louisville has 3. That makes 8 men's NCs for the AAC. And yes, Louisville is still in the AAC. UConn has 8 women's NCAA championships and THEY DO COUNT. Total for the AAC = 16 NCAA NCs in basketball. If as you say, the ACC has 12 mens championships, they only have TWO women's (so I can see why you think they don't count.) If your count on the men's championships is correct, then the ACC has two less NCAA NCs than the AAC.

Like I say, join the AAC and join a power basketball conference.

Oh, and by the way Intiz, when we lose Louisville, you lose Maryland and although you net one NC,

1. you are still behind by one NC, and

2. UConn will have another women's NC and possibly also another men's.

 

[jplotinus]

"UCONN done chasing other conferences..."

LOL. Only because they are fresh out of other conferences to chase!

UConn gambled, and lost. All they can do now is try to dominate the new conference and wait for the phone to ring.

UCONN will likely NOT dominate the new conference in football. The AAC consists in football schools that are far more steeped in football tradition, glory and heritage than UCONN is. Thus, the new conference could help UCONN.

UCONN will likely dominate in basketball as the converse is true with respect to bb, especially WCBB.

Do posters agree?

 

[intlzncster]

Oh, and by the way Intiz, when we lose Louisville, you lose Maryland and although you net one NC,

1. you are still behind by one NC, and

2. UConn will have another women's NC and possibly also another men's.

The first point I responded in my previous post above.

Re the second: that's great but no one can predict the future. The men's is a crapshoot, and the women's is usually determined by injuries or lack thereof. UConn's managed to lose a number of National Championships due to injury.

And why are you saying 'you' and 'we'? I'm a UConn fan.

 

[Big UConn]

I'm aware of what board it is. I've been posting here (and prior versions) since early 2000.

Doesn't matter what you or I think. It's national audiences and tv execs that define the terms, whether you and I like it or not. Try to argue womens basketball determines who is a power conference on any non WBB board in the country and you'll be shot down instantly.

Okay, let's argue it on this one.

The women's NCAA Championship Game in New Orleans was broadcast to a national audience and had over 17,500 fans in attendance. Even non-fans know about UConn's women's teams, and players like Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird and Maya Moore are known around the world. When UConn travels almost anywhere (except Syracuse) their women's team usually fills the building. UConn got its own TV deal with SNY because of women's BB. UConn women have about a dozen nationally broadcast games each year, and all games are on TV. Women's basketball is not yet as popular as men's but it is growing and more and more areas of the country are becoming interested in it as teams get competitive and players like Skylar Diggins, Elaine Della Donne, and Brit Griner become well known. No, it is not as popular yet as the men's game but any tv exec who ignores women's Basketball is an idiot.

 

[Big UConn]

UCONN will likely NOT dominate the new conference in football. The AAC consists in football schools that are far more steeped in football tradition, glory and heritage than UCONN is. Thus, the new conference could help UCONN.

UCONN will likely dominate in basketball as the converse is true with respect to bb, especially WCBB.

Do posters agree?

Absolutely!

 

[Big UConn]

The first point I responded in my previous post above.

Re the second: that's great but no one can predict the future. The men's is a crapshoot, and the women's is usually determined by injuries or lack thereof. UConn's managed to lose a number of National Championships due to injury.

And why are you saying 'you' and 'we'? I'm a UConn fan.

Really?

Pardon me then, but I am HARD CORE.

Belief in the UConn Huskies is fundamental to my being, my essence and my way of life.

If Geno says it, I believe it, and that is the end of it.

 

[intlzncster]

Okay, let's argue it on this one.

The women's NCAA Championship Game in New Orleans was broadcast to a national audience and had over 17,500 fans in attendance. Even non-fans know about UConn's women's teams, and players like Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird and Maya Moore are known around the world. When UConn travels almost anywhere (except Syracuse) their women's team usually fills the building. UConn got its own TV deal with SNY because of women's BB. UConn women have about a dozen nationally broadcast games each year, and all games are on TV. Women's basketball is not yet as popular as men's but it is growing and more and more areas of the country are becoming interested in it as teams get competitive and players like Skylar Diggins, Elaine Della Donne, and Brit Griner become well known. No, it is not as popular yet as the men's game but any tv exec who ignores that fact is an idiot.

You are talking about one game. What about regular season broadcasting metrics? MCBB ratings are radically higher on average. Also, just look at the money involved in the respective sports. Mens dominates womens in that category. Total number of fans? Men. Airtime? Men. TV execs want to make money, which is why they put more mens games on TV.

Also, there are only a handful of well known women BB players, and they aren't exactly known worldwide. Most people know the top 50+ players on the Mens side, with the number radically higher if you include the NBA. NBA players are demigods overseas.

 

[intlzncster]

Really?

Pardon me then, but I am HARD CORE.

Belief in the UConn Huskies is fundamental to my being, my essence and my way of life.

If Geno says it, I believe it, and that is the end of it.

Ahhh, you are a greater fan than everyone else. My mistake. Didn't realize there was such an extreme spectrum of fandom. "Hard Core" is the absolute end of the spectrum I suppose? The more you know.

This, of course, means you are not remotely biased in the least, no?

And I'm pretty sure Geno would say that WCBB does not effect power conference determination.

 

[Big UConn]

Ahhh, you are a greater fan than everyone else. My mistake. Didn't realize there was such an extreme spectrum of fandom. "Hard Core" is the absolute end of the spectrum I suppose? The more you know.

This, of course, means you are not remotely biased in the least, no?

And I'm pretty sure Geno would say that WCBB does not effect power conference determination.

And I'm pretty sure Geno would say that the women's game is just as exciting as the men's. In fact I think it is more so. The women's game is played below the basket like the game was meant to be played by normal people. Watching the ball be dunked all the time is boring. Also, most men players are dumber than bricks. NCAA men's basketball is nothing more than a two year training camp for the pros. Women normally stay for four years. They are real students, not semi-pros. Women's basketball is the greatest thing since pillow fights!

And of course I am biased!

 

[jplotinus]

And I'm pretty sure Geno would say that the women's game is just as exciting as the men's. In fact I think it is more so. The women's game is played below the basket like the game was meant to be played by normal people. Watching the ball be dunked all the time is boring. Also, most men players are dumber than bricks. NCAA men's basketball is nothing more than a two year training camp for the pros. Women normally stay for four years. They are real students, not semi-pros. Women's basketball is the greatest thing since pillow fights!

And of course I am biased!

I agree that the women play a truer and better brand of basketball than men. This has been true, for me, since the '80s. Men dominate the court in ways that were not intended. Now, the height metric for which the game was designed is more truly reflected among women, not men:

Centers - 6-4
Forwards - 6-1
Guards - 5-9

On the men's side, you have 6-11 "small forwards" and 6-8 "point guards."

The game wasn't designed for that kind of height dominance IMHO

Women play it better.

 

[reno tony]

Does anyone know if there has ever been a brand new conference formed and one of their members won a National Championship in the first year? In any sport at all. If not... I suggest that the UCONN women might set a new standard next season.

 

[reno tony]

I agree that the women play a truer and better brand of basketball than men. This has been true, for me, since the '80s. Men dominate the court in ways that were not intended. Now, the height metric for which the game was designed is more truly reflected among women, not men:

Centers - 6-4
Forwards - 6-1
Guards - 5-9

On the men's side, you have 6-11 "small forwards" and 6-8 "point guards."

The game wasn't designed for that kind of height dominance IMHO

Women play it better.

I agree 100%. But, I still like watching the highlight reels every week. I can certainly appreciate the athletic ability it takes for a 6'10" man to make some of those plays.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

To my mind, the term HARD CORE fan summons images of some of the posters
on the Summitt, renowned for their specious, irrational, and scurrilous comments.

Not an attractive image.

 

[EricLA]

To my mind, the term HARD CORE fan summons images of some of the posters
on the Summitt, renowned for their specious, irrational, and scurrilous comments.

Not an attractive image.

I do think there's a difference between hard core, and the rabid, crazed, insane, nasty, bitter, jealous and angry fans you referenced. But I do get your point!

 

[RadyLady]

I believe that the UConn Men's games were shown on SNY at least 1 year before the women's team came on board.

 

[intlzncster]

And I'm pretty sure Geno would say that the women's game is just as exciting as the men's. In fact I think it is more so. The women's game is played below the basket like the game was meant to be played by normal people. Watching the ball be dunked all the time is boring. Also, most men players are dumber than bricks. NCAA men's basketball is nothing more than a two year training camp for the pros. Women normally stay for four years. They are real students, not semi-pros. Women's basketball is the greatest thing since pillow fights!

And of course I am biased!

Agreed. But exciting has nothing to do with Power Conference status, which is what we are arguing here. The discussion doesn't have anything to do with the aesthetics of WCBB.