In Retrospect Was Leaving the AAC for the New Big East the Best Move? | The Boneyard

In Retrospect Was Leaving the AAC for the New Big East the Best Move?

Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Messages
1,951
Reaction Score
4,015
So many basketball fans thought that leaving the AAC for the New Big East was the long-term solution for UConn basketball. With unexpected tournament losses for both the men's and women's teams this year, it does not appear to be the case so far. And football season as an independent has yet to start, and things look bumpy at best. Should UConn revisit its decision?
 
Joined
Aug 30, 2011
Messages
7,302
Reaction Score
23,617
So many basketball fans thought that leaving the AAC for the New Big East was the long-term solution for UConn basketball. With unexpected tournament losses for both the men's and women's teams this year, it does not appear to be the case so far. And football season as an independent has yet to start, and things look bumpy at best. Should UConn revisit its decision?

You are kidding right? You are asking if our basketball teams would be better off in the AAC? For real?

The only sport potentially hurt by the move was football but so far the damage to football seems to be minimal and the slightly easier schedule might help get the football program out of the pit it has been in.
Some thought baseball might get hurt but that is nonsense. Nobody was committing to our baseball team because they wanted to play Tulane and Houston. The move was made to help basketball (it has helped recruiting and most basketball fans love it) and to reduce travel costs for all sports.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 5, 2015
Messages
324
Reaction Score
1,730
So many basketball fans thought that leaving the AAC for the New Big East was the long-term solution for UConn basketball. With unexpected tournament losses for both the men's and women's teams this year, it does not appear to be the case so far. And football season as an independent has yet to start, and things look bumpy at best. Should UConn revisit its decision?
Unexpected tournament losses? Sure a loss in the Final Four hurts, but with all the underclass men it may be the last time they lose in three years.

The men battled health issues all year. If whole team was healthy all year they’re minimally a Sweet 16 team.

The women won the Big East, the men finished third (higher than any regular season finish in the AAC), what exactly more were you looking for in first year back in the Big East? Also do you think Men’s recruiting would be so strong if they were still in the AAC?

As far as football long term I think the move to independence will pay off, but to speculate if it was a mistake before they’ve even played a game outside the conference is silly. But, there’s not a single game on the 2021 that I look at and would rather be playing an AAC school. That to me is already a promising start.
 

CL82

2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Champions
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
56,511
Reaction Score
206,271
So many basketball fans thought that leaving the AAC for the New Big East was the long-term solution for UConn basketball. With unexpected tournament losses for both the men's and women's teams this year, it does not appear to be the case so far. And football season as an independent has yet to start, and things look bumpy at best. Should UConn revisit its decision?
Thank you for your interest in Connecticut basketball.
 

Fishy

Elite Premium Poster
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
17,955
Reaction Score
129,170
So many basketball fans thought that leaving the AAC for the New Big East was the long-term solution for UConn basketball. With unexpected tournament losses for both the men's and women's teams this year, it does not appear to be the case so far. And football season as an independent has yet to start, and things look bumpy at best. Should UConn revisit its decision?

lol.

God, it is way to easy to register for this website.
 
Joined
May 7, 2015
Messages
761
Reaction Score
2,782
So many basketball fans thought that leaving the AAC for the New Big East was the long-term solution for UConn basketball. With unexpected tournament losses for both the men's and women's teams this year, it does not appear to be the case so far. And football season as an independent has yet to start, and things look bumpy at best. Should UConn revisit its decision?

Blown Away What GIF by The Lonely Island
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2017
Messages
2,007
Reaction Score
4,570
1. Basketball is UConn's identity with a rebuilding Blue Blood Men's program and a Dynasty Women's program. The Big East is a better basketball conference than the American.
2. Football in the American was a bust. The shotgun footprint without real rivalries was a recruiting disadvantage.
3. Football in the American was a bust. The TV coverage proved to be low exposure and low profile.
4. Football in the American was a bust. The first TV contract was a bust. UConn stuck around on the promise of a "P6" second TV contract to give the conference a chance, but the second contract was also a bust.
5. As a Big East member and a football independent, UConn will have a better basketball schedule AND a better football schedule.
6. History, Tradition, Home. UConn is a founding member of the Big East and its best history is with the Big East.
7. East Carolina, Tulsa, and Tulane. Comparatively the Big East added Xavier, Butler, and Creighton, three higher level basketball programs with great home courts and basketball traditions.
8. Providence, St. Johns, Seton Hall and Villanova are as close or closer than UConn's closest American mate.
9. Olympic / non-revenue sports. Credible rivals in a reasonable geographic footprint.
10. Big Fox, FS1, FS2. All of our games are on cable TV. Streaming may be the future, but it is still not an equal in the present.
11. Madison Square Garden, the world's greatest conference tournament in the world's greatest arena. UConn adds to the Big East claim to its NYC home, and the NYC conference home strengthens UConn's community.
12. Villanova. In the Big East, UConn has another Blue Blood program as a conference mate and rival. Both programs have won 3 National Championships as Big East members. The Big East is a real brand with identity, history, tradition, and titles.
 
Joined
Aug 26, 2011
Messages
1,718
Reaction Score
5,214
1. Basketball is UConn's identity with a rebuilding Blue Blood Men's program and a Dynasty Women's program. The Big East is a better basketball conference than the American.
2. Football in the American was a bust. The shotgun footprint without real rivalries was a recruiting disadvantage.
3. Football in the American was a bust. The TV coverage proved to be low exposure and low profile.
4. Football in the American was a bust. The first TV contract was a bust. UConn stuck around on the promise of a "P6" second TV contract to give the conference a chance, but the second contract was also a bust.
5. As a Big East member and a football independent, UConn will have a better basketball schedule AND a better football schedule.
6. History, Tradition, Home. UConn is a founding member of the Big East and its best history is with the Big East.
7. East Carolina, Tulsa, and Tulane. Comparatively the Big East added Xavier, Butler, and Creighton, three higher level basketball programs with great home courts and basketball traditions.
8. Providence, St. Johns, Seton Hall and Villanova are as close or closer than UConn's closest American mate.
9. Olympic / non-revenue sports. Credible rivals in a reasonable geographic footprint.
10. Big Fox, FS1, FS2. All of our games are on cable TV. Streaming may be the future, but it is still not an equal in the present.
11. Madison Square Garden, the world's greatest conference tournament in the world's greatest arena. UConn adds to the Big East claim to its NYC home, and the NYC conference home strengthens UConn's community.
12. Villanova. In the Big East, UConn has another Blue Blood program as a conference mate and rival. Both programs have won 3 National Championships as Big East members. The Big East is a real brand with identity, history, tradition, and titles.
All those are true but are we really better off not playing directional Florida schools, Tulsa or east carolina? ???
 
  • Like
Reactions: VCE

Waquoit

Mr. Positive
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
32,181
Reaction Score
82,193
UConn is closer to joining a P5 conference now than they were a year ago. The home games are better in FB and BB. As a fan, it seems like the right call more and more everyday. A no-brainer, even.
 
Joined
Sep 18, 2011
Messages
4,923
Reaction Score
19,065
The new AAC media contract meant that it didn't make economic sense (or marketing sense) anymore for UConn to stay in the AAC. And, the contract really disrespected the value of UConn women's basketball as the value is probably greater than the combined media value of ECU, Tulsa, and Tulane, if not more. Honestly, I think UConn has been leaving huge money on the table with UConn women's basketball rights.

As for football, the move to independence makes more sense than staying in the AAC since the AAC does not have an automatic bid to the playoff and the football schedule is going to be much more interesting and exciting for UConn football fans. I think most people on this board would rather see UConn play more P5 games. And, playing local schools like UMass and Army is more exciting that playing Tulane and ECU.
 
Joined
Sep 20, 2014
Messages
253
Reaction Score
842
There's six pages over on the AAC fanboys forum on this exact topic. I chimed in with one simple fact. It's the new media deal. For my $.02 if the money had been what the last real Big East money was I think UConn would have stayed.
 
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
2,581
Reaction Score
8,428
So many basketball fans thought that leaving the AAC for the New Big East was the long-term solution for UConn basketball. With unexpected tournament losses for both the men's and women's teams this year, it does not appear to be the case so far. And football season as an independent has yet to start, and things look bumpy at best. Should UConn revisit its decision?
No. UConn belongs in the Big East
 

Drew

Its a post, about nothing!
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
7,711
Reaction Score
27,151
You are kidding right? You are asking if our basketball teams would be better off in the AAC? For real?

The only sport potentially hurt by the move was football but so far the damage to football seems to be minimal and the slightly easier schedule might help get the football program out of the pit it has been in.
Some thought baseball might get hurt but that is nonsense. Nobody was committing to our baseball team because they wanted to play Tulane and Houston. The move was made to help basketball (it has helped recruiting and most basketball fans love it) and to reduce travel costs for all sports.
The move absolutely hurts the baseball team from a competition standpoint. I’m not pretending UConn didn’t make the right move for the school as a whole but the AAC is regularly a top 4 baseball league with multiple top 25 teams. The Big East is a 1 bid league.
 

Drew

Its a post, about nothing!
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
7,711
Reaction Score
27,151
There's six pages over on the AAC fanboys forum on this exact topic. I chimed in with one simple fact. It's the new media deal. For my $.02 if the money had been what the last real Big East money was I think UConn would have stayed.
UConn would still be in the AAC if the women’s basketball team wasn’t being put on ESPN+ for essentially every game. The move to consolidate to ESPN with a long term 12 year deal and guaranteed ESPN+ coverage for UConn football, women’s hoops, and men’s hoops moving forward meant UConn had to do something. If the AAC got the same $$ and kept CBSSN/ESPN coverage and allowed UConn to retain the SNY women’s basketball stuff we’re likely still in the AAC.
 

Waquoit

Mr. Positive
Joined
Aug 24, 2011
Messages
32,181
Reaction Score
82,193
UConn would still be in the AAC if the women’s basketball team wasn’t being put on ESPN+ for essentially every game.
That's all it would have been worth as the recruiting would continue to suffer.
 

Goatmeat

Puncher of Goats
Joined
Feb 29, 2020
Messages
241
Reaction Score
1,001
The move absolutely hurts the baseball team from a competition standpoint. I’m not pretending UConn didn’t make the right move for the school as a whole but the AAC is regularly a top 4 baseball league with multiple top 25 teams. The Big East is a 1 bid league.
The baseball team is collateral damage. No one cares about college baseball other than the diehards. It is irrelevant in this discussion if conference realignment.
 
Joined
Mar 24, 2012
Messages
17,538
Reaction Score
36,440
What about lacrosse? Why no lacrosse? The Northeast is ripe with talent. The Big East is a good lacrosse conference. Why no lacrosse?

This comes up every once in a while. It's a simple matter of money. UConn doesn't have the funds for it at this time, not with the athletic department running the large yearly deficits that it does. If some big donor wants to bankroll men's lacrosse at UConn, then I would think the athletic department would be rather happy to have the sport.

Anyway, It took UConn many, many years to build new facilities for baseball, soccer, and softball, and they still have to build a new hockey facility. Can't see the UConn athletics money crunch clearing up anytime soon for them to get around to adding additional sports, at least not without some sort of big time donor who is big into that particular sport.
 
Last edited:

Drew

Its a post, about nothing!
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
7,711
Reaction Score
27,151
The baseball team is collateral damage. No one cares about college baseball other than the diehards. It is irrelevant in this discussion if conference realignment.
Yeah. I never said otherwise.
 
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
2,429
Reaction Score
4,540
What about lacrosse? Why no lacrosse? The Northeast is ripe with talent. The Big East is a good lacrosse conference. Why no lacrosse?
Does lacrosse generate income? If not, it is highly unlikely that UConn will be fielding a lacrosse team anytime soon, unless the huge crowds at the lacrosse games are willing to pay big money for tickets.
 

Online statistics

Members online
586
Guests online
3,642
Total visitors
4,228

Forum statistics

Threads
155,771
Messages
4,031,102
Members
9,864
Latest member
Sad Tiger


Top Bottom