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

[DarthGrumpy]

"Contiguous States" is a phrase that works in the land of rectangular states as a way of saying we don't want one member to be too far from the next nearest member. So if you don't mind looking at facts instead of cliches:

1. Connecticut misses being contiuous with New Jersey by a whopping 17 miles or so, which is relevant to absolutely nothing.

2. In terms of distances -- far more important -- Oklahoma would be 333 miles from its bridge in Lawrence. And the bridge from Lawrence to Lincoln, Nebraska is another 194 miles. Norman is a whopping 450 miles currently from its nearest Big Ten city in Lincoln. Storrs to Piscataway is 184 miles.

The B1G really likes TV sets, just ask Rutgers. How many TV sets are in between the 700 or so miles spanning Norman OK (OK pop 3.9 million), Lawrence KS (KS pop 2.9 million), and Lincoln NE (NE pop 1.9 million) and how many TV sets are within the 190 miles in between Rutgers and Storrs (NYC pop 8.4 million, downstate NY population 1.2 million, CT pop 3.5 million)? That is value that the B1G wants.

 

[Fishy]

Reminder - this is the key tweet thread.

The half-assed commentary thread can be found elsewhere - go there.

 

[RustyHusky]

I know some of my fellow Husky fans like to think that UConn is the center of the universe, but unfortunately we're not. If you don't think the B1G would want Oklahoma or Kansas over us IF THE BIG XII COLLAPSES (which I think it will), then I don't know what to tell you. It's not ALL about TV sets, you also have to have a brand equity and those two packaged together would bolster football AND basketball for the conference with a household name in each and give the conference a western branch to go along with Nebraska.

 

[pj]

I know some of my fellow Husky fans like to think that UConn is the center of the universe, but unfortunately we're not. If you don't think the B1G would want Oklahoma or Kansas over us IF THE BIG XII COLLAPSES (which I think it will), then I don't know what to tell you. It's not ALL about TV sets, you also have to have a brand equity and those two packaged together would bolster football AND basketball for the conference with a household name in each and give the conference a western branch to go along with Nebraska.

The B1G has extensive experience with this trade-off, having taken Nebraska for its football brand and seen it revert to the mean in terms of football reputation/performance while bringing in much less money than the B1G average, and having also taken Rutgers and made a fortune off them despite a lack of any sports brand equity.

UConn brings similar basketball and academics to Kansas but brings Rutgers-like potential market-wise due to its central location in New York - New England.

Not saying it wouldn't be a close decision but if B1G could choose, it would rank UConn ahead of Kansas.

 

[Stinger92860]

I know some of my fellow Husky fans like to think that UConn is the center of the universe, but unfortunately we're not. If you don't think the B1G would want Oklahoma or Kansas over us IF THE BIG XII COLLAPSES (which I think it will), then I don't know what to tell you. It's not ALL about TV sets, you also have to have a brand equity and those two packaged together would bolster football AND basketball for the conference with a household name in each and give the conference a western branch to go along with Nebraska.

Explain Rutgers to the B1G.

 

[djct1999]

I think we're going to see the BigXII collapse, and I don't think that's good for us unless conferences go to 20...at which point, we make sense for the B1G or ACC.

Movement is always good. On another point of yours, UConn isnt the center of the universe, just the northeast. That alone has value. Much more than say Kansas, as a stand alone. The Jayhawks are every bit a pawn in this, like us.

 

[Ha Who]

I suppose my fellow posters count as key tweeters

 

[kyleslamb]

Explain Rutgers to the B1G.

He could counter that with a remark about Nebraska. It definitely wasn't about television sets with Nebraska. Nebraska has under a million households in the entire state.

I think his point is completely accurate. It's not about television sets, it's ultimately about finances and research prowess. There are different ways to get there. For Rutgers, it happened to be that television sets was the path. But for an Oklahoma, for instance, it might be more about inventory and advertising.

 

[Stinger92860]

He could counter that with a remark about Nebraska. It definitely wasn't about television sets with Nebraska. Nebraska has under a million households in the entire state.

I think his point is completely accurate. It's not about television sets, it's ultimately about finances and research prowess. There are different ways to get there. For Rutgers, it happened to be that television sets was the path. But for an Oklahoma, for instance, it might be more about inventory and advertising.

We are agreeing on Oklahoma due to Football. We are questioning Kansas.

 

[businesslawyer]

We are agreeing on Oklahoma due to Football. We are questioning Kansas.

This. No one is questioning the fact that Oklahoma could be ahead of us based solely on football. Just the logic of one poster saying "Oklahoma and Kansas" as if his lumping the two of them together in his mind ends the inquiry into whether or or Kansas makes more sense.

 

[mavblues]

I'd like to see exactly what their "road map" looks like.

1) Pay head coach $3MM per year
2) ????????
3) PROFIT!

 

[RustyHusky]

I don't see the B1G taking Oklahoma and UConn in an environment where they're ABLE to get Oklahoma. If the BigXII cracks open as I suspect, suddenly it puts some nice options out on the table. The B1G's last move was almost purely TVs. Now, I think they're going to want content and while we offer it in basketball...if Kansas is on the table, and you're already looking west at Oklahoma, I think they would take the Jayhawks over us. Michigan State vs. Kansas would be a prime time highly touted basketball game, and while so too would MSU vs. UConn....we're talking about a world where the BigXII is collapsing and there's readily available options out west that aren't slouches in terms of brand equity and content.

 

[RustyHusky]

Also mods, I'm OK if we move this conversation to a separate thread to keep from muddying up the Key Tweets thread.

 

[SAMCRO]

If it is about content, as you believe, then it's even a bigger advantage UConn. FB and MBB are a wash between UConn/Kansas. Then you include WBB, M&W Hockey, Field Hockey, M&W Soccer and the scales tilt severely UConn's way.

No clue how it all ends up, and think both are long shots, but...

 

[kyleslamb]

We are agreeing on Oklahoma due to Football. We are questioning Kansas.

Why? Kansas is comparable to Connecticut.

The entire state of Connecticut currently has just under 1.3 million households. The state of Kansas has almost 1.1 million. They both move the needle in a big way with basketball. Neither has been terribly successful with football. Currently Kansas is also an AAU member, so there's that. But the big thing is that they're a natural bridge to Oklahoma as well.

You really shouldn't be questioning Kansas. They too are a great fit for the Big Ten. And this is coming from a guy who's beat the UConn-Big Ten drums as loudly as anyone on the internet, I think.

 

[gioff23]

Reminder - this is the key tweet thread.

The half-assed commentary thread can be found elsewhere - go there.

There was a key tweet? Just about the entire thread is half assed. Likely every post it, but who has time to read 82 pp of supposed key tweets.

 

[billybud]

Dana Holgorsen says he wants east-west, six team divisions in the Big 12.

“So I think you need to do what everybody else is doing, add two, have an East and a West division, and then you’re not playing everybody every year. If everybody else is going to play eight conference games, we should probably play eight conference games and then play four non-conference games that are regional.”

“I think we need to go get a couple more in this area — whether it’s UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis, Central Florida or South Florida,” said Holgorsen. “I don’t need to be the expert on who, but I think we need to add two.”

 

[pj]

Why? Kansas is comparable to Connecticut.

The entire state of Connecticut currently has just under 1.3 million households. The state of Kansas has almost 1.1 million. They both move the needle in a big way with basketball. Neither has been terribly successful with football. Currently Kansas is also an AAU member, so there's that. But the big thing is that they're a natural bridge to Oklahoma as well.

You really shouldn't be questioning Kansas. They too are a great fit for the Big Ten. And this is coming from a guy who's beat the UConn-Big Ten drums as loudly as anyone on the internet, I think.

We agree that Kansas is a great fit for the Big Ten, and so is UConn. The question is, if you could only take one, which would you prefer? Kansas and Connecticut are identical. Kansas is a bridge to Oklahoma, UConn is a bridge to New York City and Boston. And if Oklahoma is joining, do you need a bridge to it?

 

[Dooley]

Dana Holgorsen says he wants east-west, six team divisions in the Big 12.

“So I think you need to do what everybody else is doing, add two, have an East and a West division, and then you’re not playing everybody every year. If everybody else is going to play eight conference games, we should probably play eight conference games and then play four non-conference games that are regional.”

“I think we need to go get a couple more in this area — whether it’s UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis, Central Florida or South Florida,” said Holgorsen. “I don’t need to be the expert on who, but I think we need to add two.”

I'm impressed Holgy mentioned UConn. A football coach in a football conference that desperately needs to add two football schools to hold a Championship Game so they can increase their odds of a football playoff participant...mentioned UConn.

I've always said that sports are cyclical and now that we appear to be shifting back up again, it's nice to see football people take notice.

 

[Stinger92860]

Why? Kansas is comparable to Connecticut.

The entire state of Connecticut currently has just under 1.3 million households. The state of Kansas has almost 1.1 million. They both move the needle in a big way with basketball. Neither has been terribly successful with football. Currently Kansas is also an AAU member, so there's that. But the big thing is that they're a natural bridge to Oklahoma as well.

You really shouldn't be questioning Kansas. They too are a great fit for the Big Ten. And this is coming from a guy who's beat the UConn-Big Ten drums as loudly as anyone on the internet, I think.

Because 350k of those 1.3m households are located in the New York City DMA and the average income per household of those 350k homes in Fairfield County is one of the highest in the country. I am not saying Kansas is bad, just that we are a better choice in most metrics.

 

[jostar1]

Dana Holgorsen says he wants east-west, six team divisions in the Big 12.

“So I think you need to do what everybody else is doing, add two, have an East and a West division, and then you’re not playing everybody every year. If everybody else is going to play eight conference games, we should probably play eight conference games and then play four non-conference games that are regional.”

“I think we need to go get a couple more in this area — whether it’s UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis, Central Florida or South Florida,” said Holgorsen. “I don’t need to be the expert on who, but I think we need to add two.”

Just the fact that UConn isn't automatically counted out for the Big12 is a plus.

 

[CL82]

Kansas Men's National Basketball Championships:
1952, 1988, 2008

Connecticut Men's National Basketball Championships:
1999, 2004, 2011, 2014

Forgive me if I'm a little hesitant to declare men's basketball a wash. Kansas is certainly a good men's basketball program. We are a better one.

 

[kyleslamb]

Because 350k of those 1.3m households are located in the New York City DMA and the average income per household of those 350k homes in Fairfield County is one of the highest in the country. I am not saying Kansas is bad, just that we are a better choice in most metrics.

I think UConn is a better choice, but I don't think it's a very wide difference. Further, you have to remember that those 350,000 households in New York DMA you speak of are currently already on expanded basic with the Big Ten Network, now, so UConn wouldn't be bringing those as new households to the footprint. They can certainly be leveraged for a higher rate, so it undoubtedly adds value, but the Big Ten is now already on in most of those homes.

I prefer Connecticut to Kansas as a Big Ten guy. I don't think there's as much of a difference as you're suggesting, though. I also don't think we should assume Oklahoma would come without another Big 12 mate. Having Nebraska already there helps, but Kansas coming along would greatly enhance the possibility of landing Oklahoma. That is very germane to the discussion.

 

[pj]

Kansas and UConn are about as close to a pick 'em as you can get in realignment terms. They have almost identical profiles athletically, academically, and in their home market. You have to look to synergies and access to neighboring markets that distinguish them.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

KU is AAU, no? Advantage Jayhawks, unfortunately.

 

[pj]

AAU -- but legacy AAU. Their metrics on AAU standards are identical to UConn's. They wouldn't be granted AAU status if they applied today, but like UConn, they would be within a factor of two of qualifying.

I don't think AAU status would matter given the similarity of the profiles.

 

[Adios]

Jim Delany has said countless times that the Big Ten is expanding east... I think that may help us over Kansas, too.

 

[upstater]

I think UConn is a better choice, but I don't think it's a very wide difference. Further, you have to remember that those 350,000 households in New York DMA you speak of are currently already on expanded basic with the Big Ten Network, now, so UConn wouldn't be bringing those as new households to the footprint. They can certainly be leveraged for a higher rate, so it undoubtedly adds value, but the Big Ten is now already on in most of those homes.

How do you figure this?

The cable systems are inside Connecticut. DMA is only relevant for broadcast.

The amount of money that sports channels have charged inside of CT for UConn tier 3 rights dwarfs what the BTN charges in the heart of Rutgers and PSU territory.

As for basketball, B12 ball was just weaker than BE ball. Easier to come out on top so many times when your chief comp was Texas or Oklahoma.

 

[jostar1]

Renu Khator ‏@UHpres · Dec 1
Wonderful to have Gordon Gee, president of West Virginia University, on our campus.

1. 

 

[Seaa Blue]

WV to the AAC?