Key tweets, and it's all gone to Hell.

[Chuck]

Why do people constantly reference "UCF/USF," as if they are the same program, joined at the hip, or somehow a package deal? They have only been in the same conference since 2013.

I do it because they may as well use the same presentation and just tweak the demographic numbers of the school and Orlando / Tampa. I don't think they are joined at the him or are a package. It's pretty hard to distinguish their strengths and weaknesses (although I'm sure their students/alums would disagree with my analysis).

 

[CL82]

ThisIsUConnCountry ‏@MattSchonvisky 3m3 minutes ago
After presentations conclude, committee & Bowlsby will present candidates that fit criteria to be voted on to the board #Big12Expansion

Interesting. So the function of this presentation is to cull those schools that don't meet a baseline? That's good.

 

[MattMang23]

Interesting. So the function of this presentation is to cull those schools that don't meet a baseline? That's good.

Somehow, I can't help but think that the baseline will be moved such that we are on the wrong side of it.

 

[amory]

Interesting. So the function of this presentation is to cull those schools that don't meet a baseline? That's good.

i guess? but...

HOW ARE WE ONLY AT THIS POINT?

 

[CL82]

i guess? but...

HOW ARE WE ONLY AT THIS POINT?

In my opinion, it's either because the B12 is looking for ESPN and Fox to pay them off not to expand or because they are an incredibly disfunctional conference. Perhaps both.

 

[Sea Goat]

The Turner article has made its way to the Big 12 forums and doesn't exactly make folks excited for you all. If you actually read the article, it's not that bad - his summary is he doesn't think the Big 12 will take anybody, not that UConn isn't as or more qualified that anybody else. But all people are going to see is "Even the former UConn AD doesn't believe his old school can make the grade!!!" Believe me, that's all anybody in Big 12 land will see.

While Big 12 presidents aren't going to be swayed by random article...it's kind of odd that your local paper would put out essentially a negatively titled piece against the best interests of the university at this time that, in this environment, would be sure to get picked up and re-tweeted and posted to death right as UConn is about to make their final push.

Altavilla is a rank embarrassment to the news reporter corp. He uses a source, who claims to like UConn, but trashes it with 26 year old information.
It's like asking Dom Perno about UConn BB.

Did Altavilla ask Turner if he had been to UConn lately?

Has Turner seen the growth and improvement that has occurred? When was the last time Turner was on campus?

Re: travel - did Altavilla ask Turner if the I-291 connector made travel to UConn from our airport easier? Turner left UConn before I-291 was even opened.

Did Altavilla check on Turner's job experience and reviews since he left UConn and find out that he was reviled at NC State? Turner has had a checkered and controversial past with his job history in general.

Nobody seems to have thought much of him as an AD, so now he's a consultant. We all know what that means - no one wants to hire you full time.

I love people who say they're rooting for you and then MF you at every turn.

(Oh and BTW - who was Turner close to? Mark Emmert, who hired him at Washington.)

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Don't know if this is key enough to be in the Top Shelf tweets but here.

 

[Santini35]

Don't know if this is key enough to be in the Top Shelf tweets but here.

Link to article from Iowa State Daily

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Probably not a deciding factor, but evidence that there's potential unrest that would occur if BYU is selected. Could possibly lead to not enough votes. Don't know exactly how to interpret that impacting our chances, but my gut says it wouldn't be good as it makes the four-team expansion less likely, and that's undoubtedly our best shot at getting in.

 

[Marty Jackson]

Probably not a deciding factor, but evidence that there's potential unrest that would occur if BYU is selected. Could possibly lead to not enough votes. Don't know exactly how to interpret that impacting our chances, but my gut says it wouldn't be good as it makes the four-team expansion less likely, and that's undoubtedly our best shot at getting in.

east baby!!! uconn, UH, cincy, and USF...

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

east baby!!! uconn, UH, cincy, and USF...

Not a chance in hell that happens with USF or UCF - far more likely they just would decide to go by two and take UC-UH.

 

[BKarchitect]

Don't sleep on CSU and Air Force. If the Big 12 thought it was fine to go west to Utah - then Colorado makes even more sense. It's contiguous, there's a lot of Big 12 alumni there and it's a populous and one of the fastest growing states in the nation.

I used to be more bullish on CSU - state land grant school that is rapidly growing, 30,000+ enrollment, excellent R&D metrics for the presidents and beautiful new stadium on the way. But I'm warming up to the AFA too. They support their football team, have a national fan base to draw from, are ranked 55th in the Leerfield Cup (UConn is 57...BYU is 30, those are the top 3 among candidate schools) and would add pomp and prestige and great academics out the wazoo.

If you ask me whom I'd rather the University of Kansas share a conference with - Central Florida or the United State Air Force Academy...it is a complete no-brainer.

Speaking as a Big 8/12 fan, I'd WAY rather have one of the Colorado schools than one of the Florida schools although I understand if most of you disagree.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Probably not a deciding factor, but evidence that there's potential unrest that would occur if BYU is selected. Could possibly lead to not enough votes. Don't know exactly how to interpret that impacting our chances, but my gut says it wouldn't be good as it makes the four-team expansion less likely, and that's undoubtedly our best shot at getting in.

I'd have to disagree with the "we need BYU for 4" theory. By most reports it seems that 2 is more likely than 4. I think eliminating BYU and having the discussion between UH/UC/UConn is a more favorable scenario. In that sense, we have to just not finish last. I guess UCF has a shot but I'm not on that bandwagon.

 

[huskymedic]

I don't often agree w/ GS and he's definitely not a Key tweet but...

GREG @GSw a i m 2 mins ago
Saw one writer say #Big12 will add #BYU,#UConn for football only. Taking Huskies for football is like dating Brooklyn Decker for her mind!!

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

I'd have to disagree with the "we need BYU for 4" theory. By most reports it seems that 2 is more likely than 4. I think eliminating BYU and having the discussion between UH/UC/UConn is a more favorable scenario. In that sense, we have to just not finish last. I guess UCF has a shot but I'm not on that bandwagon.

If the choices are going two or going zero, then yes of course BYU being out helps. But BYU being in still means that four is on the table and a plausible compromise between the faction who would want UH included and the faction who would want BYU included.

 

[huskymedic]

View attachment 15425
Don't know if this is key enough to be in the Top Shelf tweets but here.

Link to article from Iowa State Daily

Espin: Iowa St. students against BYU in Big 12

 

[sportsart]

How's this for an omen. I just spoke to a new business colleague in Dallas and his name is Tom Myers. We're in folks. Done deal.

 

[ninety-nine]

I don't often agree w/ GS and he's definitely not a Key tweet but...

GREG @GSw a i m 2 mins ago
Saw one writer say #Big12 will add #BYU,#UConn for football only. Taking Huskies for football is like dating Brooklyn Decker for her mind!!

Actually, what if the Big 12 wanted to do that, and create a scheduling alliance with UConn for M+W basketball? That would create a strong out-of-conference scheduling boost for both parties, without necessitating UConn involvement with the non-revenue sports (unless they want to schedule some of those as well).

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'd have to disagree with the "we need BYU for 4" theory. By most reports it seems that 2 is more likely than 4. I think eliminating BYU and having the discussion between UH/UC/UConn is a more favorable scenario. In that sense, we have to just not finish last. I guess UCF has a shot but I'm not on that bandwagon.

I continue to believe that BYU will be out and it will be four teams. If it is two, I think it is UConn and UC. They need four teams to get to Houston, but they are better off going all in on Eastern teams, so I think they pair a Florida school with Houston.

 

[UConn Dan]

I continue to believe that BYU will be out and it will be four teams. If it is two, I think it is UConn and UC. They need four teams to get to Houston, but they are better off going all in on Eastern teams, so I think they pair a Florida school with Houston.

I think also think BYU is out.

I also think that the Big 12 is still looking for the networks to give them more money without expanding as their first option.

If they do expand, then I think it will only be two and I think it will be UConn and Houston. Though I don't think that's the smartest move for the Big 12, instead of Houston s/b either BYU (if they change their position) or Cinci. I really think we are number 11 if expansion happens.

 

[UConn990411]

It's baffling to me that so many people view UCF (or USF) as a valuable commodity.

They're a distant fourth in the state of Florida with limited potential. They're not going to help the B12 break into that market.

 

[King Husky]

I continue to believe that BYU will be out and it will be four teams. If it is two, I think it is UConn and UC. They need four teams to get to Houston, but they are better off going all in on Eastern teams, so I think they pair a Florida school with Houston.

But at the end of the day, everyone realizes 2 is better than none, so one side may finally just cave and accept 2, even if it is not one of their top choices.

 

[CL82]

It's baffling to me that so many people view UCF (or USF) as a valuable commodity.

They're a distant fourth in the state of Florida with limited potential. They're not going to help the B12 break into that market.

... and yet Houston is considered a leader in the hunt. Go figure.

 

[MattMang23]

It's baffling to me that so many people view UCF (or USF) as a valuable commodity.

They're a distant fourth in the state of Florida

To be fair, it is a little different to be fourth in Florida than first in Wyoming, for example. Fourth in Florida is not terrible. That said, they are so distant (which you pointed out) that they have a lot of work to do to be relevant. But I do see the fascination. The Big East fell victim to it, too.

 

[noeynox]

... and yet Houston is considered a leader in the hunt. Go figure.

Houston has had good teams under 3 of the last 4 coaches. They fired a guy after one year for winning only 8 games. I think they're overkill for an already Texas heavy league, but they are neither a one hit wonder like UCF or program that was terrible and got hot under one coach like Memphis and then left.