The gap between the Big 10 and the ACC isn't even close. The Big 10 has better schools, better tradition, more money, larger fan bases, etc.
Breaking through into the middle group of the Big 10 would nearly be impossible. Simply put, we just don't have those resources our disposal.
Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Nebraska as the top tier.
Iowa, Michigan State, Purdue, as the middle tier
Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern, Minnesota as the lower tier.
I mean, where do you realistically think we'd fall?
fact check.
Better schools - do you mean academics? No, they do not
Better tradition - too qualitative to answer, it's an opinion
More Money - I'd mark this even - 6 ACC schools have endowments over $1 billion, most Big 10 schools do too
I'd say UConn would be mid-tier in the short term, aspire for the top tier long term