Louisville trying to force UConn's and Rutger's hands at upcoming meeting

[upstater]

So you are a fan of the BC strategy. Commit now, move as fast as you can when the call comes?

Uconn is in a real bad position right now in the BE. You have almost 2 weeks of solid news stories about how much you want to join the (fill in the conference dujour), your best friend in all of this is Rutgers (who no one wants for their athletic success but for their theoretical eyeballs for TV; does anyon know what their ratings actually are?) and you have ceded the appearance of leadership in the conference to Louisville. I thought Uconn would have taken leadership at some point. Put together a plan that not only protects its interests but that can also lead the conference thru its inevitable break-up and rebuilding. Instead, Uconn is at a meeting where people are demanding its pledge of support/loyalty and dragging it along feeling that whatever they get, they will give up as soon as someone calls. Hope is a lousy business plan.

Who cares? No one is going to kick UConn out.

 

[upstater]

Find me stories where Louisville is begging for an invite? There is a difference between being mentioned and begging. Uconn's profile in the BE has been hurt by its public posturing.

Every school in the BE has committed money to be in the conference with upgrades to stadiums, facilities, coaching, etc. Uconn is not unique and that argument holds no water. The conference composition that Uconn wanted is gone so they should do whatever they can to be in the conference they really wanted to be part of? I guess that is your argument. If the true argument is that Uconn needs to be in a BCS conference, then they should start leading the re-building of a BCS conference because hoping for an invitation to another BCS conference remains a bad business plan.

A bad business plan is committing to a high exit fee when you know an invitation is coming in the near future. Now that's bad planning. No one is kicking UConn out of the BE, nor is the BE going to be able to keep its BCS bid in the future.

 

[gars44]

I would like to know the agenda for Sunday before I cast any aspersions. Is Louisville honestly trying to keep the conference together (it seems to be broken beyond repair)? Or, are the Big East football schools planning on seceding & merging with the Big-12 minus whatever? If it's the former, adding just Temple won't cut it.

Coach, I agree that more needs to be done, but (1) agreeing to stay together and (2) adding Temple constitutes a darn good start. Baby steps. If we can keep the thing together and add Temple, that sends a big message. We can worry about adding UCF and Memphis and Houston at the next President's meeting.

 

[gars44]

May I add that Temple was voted out by a Miami-led coalition that felt they were a drain on BE football because Temple at the time did not have a decent stadium, did not have fan support, did not have a commitment to football, and overall, were not up to par with other teams in the league. Well, we all know how committed Miami was. Miami's secret desire was to take BC and Syracuse with it to the ACC. Miami must be very happy now with the addition of Syracuse and Pitt. To the point, Temple has turned the thing around for itself pretty well. Much has changed. They humbled the BE champs last year. They humiliated MD this year. I would welcome them.

 

[gars44]

Nelson, Herbst thinks differently. Is it possible that she posseses superior information and is acting accordingly? If she thought what would happen is as you say, wouldn't she be singing a different tune?

She is singing a different tune. Did you read her email? And, she's going to the meeting this time. I suspect, with hat in hand.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

A bad business plan is committing to a high exit fee when you know an invitation is coming in the near future. Now that's bad planning. No one is kicking UConn out of the BE, nor is the BE going to be able to keep its BCS bid in the future.

We have made the case to the ACC, asked nicely and even publicly begged for an invitation. If the ACC wanted to invite UConn, it would have invited UConn. Unless I missed the press release, the ACC has not invited UConn. Given that the objective of the raid was to destroy the Big East as cheaply as possible, why would the ACC invite UConn when UConn's refusal to commit to the league could finish the Big East off without the ACC spending another dime?

Louisville, WVU, TCU and Cincinnati are on the cusp of being invited to the Big 12, and they appear to still want to work with us. UConn is on the cusp of going no where at all, and UConn is refusing to commit. This strategy started at stupid, and could transition to catastrophic if Herbst tells everyone to buzz off at the meeting without an ACC invitation in her hand.

 

[TRest]

She is singing a different tune. Did you read her email? And, she's going to the meeting this time. I suspect, with hat in hand.

I believe you are correct. Pendergast was on TIC yesterday, and all I could sense was "we aren't going anywhere, better learn to like it."

 

[TRest]

Coach, I agree that more needs to be done, but (1) agreeing to stay together and (2) adding Temple constitutes a darn good start. Baby steps. If we can keep the thing together and add Temple, that sends a big message. We can worry about adding UCF and Memphis and Houston at the next President's meeting.

It sends a big message, all right, but not a good one.

 

[Waquoit]

Nelson, Herbst thinks differently. Is it possible that she posseses superior information and is acting accordingly? If she thought what would happen is as you say, wouldn't she be singing a different tune?

It sounds to me that she is singing a much different tune now than she was two weeks ago.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Uconn's profile has been hurt by stating the obvious? I cannot see a future conference roster that would retain BCS status absent a miraculous couple of seasons by one of its members, so taking the lead in putting together a new conference will still result with the same crappy candidates. We are now the sole remaining charter member of the BE that also plays football. Staying in the rebuilt BE is an absolute disaster for the future of the football program, although it may be inevitable.

TCU finished #2 in the country last year. Your post is a FAIL.

 

[upstater]

We have made the case to the ACC, asked nicely and even publicly begged for an invitation. If the ACC wanted to invite UConn, it would have invited UConn. Unless I missed the press release, the ACC has not invited UConn. Given that the objective of the raid was to destroy the Big East as cheaply as possible, why would the ACC invite UConn when UConn's refusal to commit to the league could finish the Big East off without the ACC spending another dime?

Louisville, WVU, TCU and Cincinnati are on the cusp of being invited to the Big 12, and they appear to still want to work with us. UConn is on the cusp of going no where at all, and UConn is refusing to commit. This strategy started at stupid, and could transition to catastrophic if Herbst tells everyone to buzz off at the meeting without an ACC invitation in her hand.

You're delusional.

I don't even know what this means: "Given that the objective of the raid was to destroy the Big East as cheaply as possible, why would the ACC invite UConn when UConn's refusal to commit to the league could finish the Big East off without the ACC spending another dime?"

What does that mean?

Here you are claiming Cincy is much wanted but no one wants UConn.

It's just bizarre.

Seriously, you can respond to my posts from now on, but I'll be ignoring yours. It's just a waste of my time.

 

[gars44]

A bad business plan is committing to a high exit fee when you know an invitation is coming in the near future. Now that's bad planning. No one is kicking UConn out of the BE, nor is the BE going to be able to keep its BCS bid in the future.

I disagree about the bid. The BE may not "deserve" the bid, but it is going to keep the bid. It will be in the nature of a mercy bid, for the next round only, but enough to allow the conference to remain viable. Combination of mercy and anti-trust/congressional investigation type of considerations. WVA, Louisville, TCU, Navy, Air Force, Politics, and Mercy - would be enough to keep it.

 

[upstater]

It sounds to me that she is singing a much different tune now than she was two weeks ago.

I'll say it again. Whether they commit to a higher exit fee or not, they aren't kicking UConn out, so what's the point of a higher exit fee.

Why a higher exit fee? Can someone explain?

 

[noeynox]

Ill believe TCU is is still coming when they actually play a Big East game in conference.

Temple will save us all.

 

[upstater]

I disagree about the bid. The BE may not "deserve" the bid, but it is going to keep the bid. It will be in the nature of a mercy bid, for the next round only, but enough to allow the conference to remain viable. Combination of mercy and anti-trust/congressional investigation type of considerations. WVA, Louisville, TCU, Navy, Air Force, Politics, and Mercy - would be enough to keep it.

Utah and BYU will have a BCS bid, so forget about Orrin Hatch.
The league is done.

 

[gars44]

It sends a big message, all right, but not a good one.

The new league is not ideal, but it beats the heck out of oblivion.

 

[tduconn]

I don't think UConn should be calling Temple's kettle black. Temple has done a remarkable job of turning the program around from where it was when it was kicked out. The fan attendence is "up and coming" (30k + for Villanova, 57+ for Penn State). Their OOC schedule is quite good......Maryland away, and Penn State at home. By the way, when was the last time UConn secured a game against Penn State....at home or away?

Its the same old story......if you invest in a program by getting better coaches, get better recruits, put a better product on the field, and play name BCS opponents........fans eyes open a little more.

I think Temple is doing a good portion of the above, and is the next up and coming program on the east coast. I don't think we should readily look down at teams in a MAC league because they have placed players in the NFL (Pitt Steelers QB?)that have been quite successful. WMU will be a big challenge for UConn today.

IF it has to be a renewed BE FB league........go for Temple and UCF (which is quite good also), hopefully TCU stays........hopefully others stay.......but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[gars44]

I'll say it again. Whether they commit to a higher exit fee or not, they aren't kicking UConn out, so what's the point of a higher exit fee.

Why a higher exit fee? Can someone explain?

Yes, I'll volunteer for this one. In order for us to expand the football side with Navy, Air Force, perhaps TCU, and others, we have to be a solid, firm piece of land to tie up to. No one is going to commit to a volcanic island about to explode. So the conference has to commit to being a conference for a period of time, without the constant threat of teams leaving every summer, or winter, or fall. If Uconn can't commit to this, then neither will anyone else, and we very likely will be much worse off than we are right now. So, no, they are not kicking us out, but we can't have one foot out the door either.

 

[gars44]

Utah and BYU will have a BCS bid, so forget about Orrin Hatch.
The league is done.

It's not just Utah.

 

[businesslawyer]

We have made the case to the ACC, asked nicely and even publicly begged for an invitation. If the ACC wanted to invite UConn, it would have invited UConn. Unless I missed the press release, the ACC has not invited UConn. Given that the objective of the raid was to destroy the Big East as cheaply as possible, why would the ACC invite UConn when UConn's refusal to commit to the league could finish the Big East off without the ACC spending another dime?

Louisville, WVU, TCU and Cincinnati are on the cusp of being invited to the Big 12, and they appear to still want to work with us. UConn is on the cusp of going no where at all, and UConn is refusing to commit. This strategy started at stupid, and could transition to catastrophic if Herbst tells everyone to buzz off at the meeting without an ACC invitation in her hand.

But you're posting as if we've been trying to get into a bigger conference, actively, for years. We've been trying for two friggin weeks. Two weeks. To get a conference to act on a hundred years decision.

Is it possible that Herbst shot her mouth off prematurely and was easily played. Sure, it's possible. Anything is possible. I tend not to criticize people for being idiots before I'm sure they are, but hey -- I guess that's just me. It works for coaches too. Is it safe for you to conclude she knows nothing more of the ACC's short and intermediate term plans than you do? (Hint -- that was a rhetorical question.) I know this is close to existential to UConn sports, but you and others are going to have to wait to see what happens to know what has been happening.

That having been said, the right thing to do is to move forward with rebuilding the Big East even if we are fairly certain we won't be a part of it for very long. It is, at worst, a safety net, and we owe it to our partners. It will be interesting to see what type of an exit penalty we agree to.

 

[weyuo]

[Why not give ND an ultimatum? Put it to ND that they are either in the BE with all sports, including football, or they are out completely./QUOTE]

All that would do is push ND closer to signing with either the ACC or Big 10+. The best way to entice ND into joining in football would be to have the football schools secede from the Big East and form a new conference. Add regional schools that if not immediately competitive will be within a decade (UMass and Temple come to mind but there are others I'm sure). Add Navy. Work on Pitt and Syracuse to rethink their positions. Talk to Maryland and Penn St about forming a new league. Tell ND they can have their precious NBC TV contract till it runs out in 2015(I believe that's when it runs out) but after that they come under the umbrella of whatever conference network package the new league can attract.

Start a new league. Invite ND to be a charter member. Make the league financially attractive by adding regional teams that are competitive(or are committed to be within the next few years) and are located in enough TV markets that saturation of the North East is achievable. That's how you pry Notre Dame off the fence and into your corner.

 

[RS9999X]

Herbst handled it properly up to now.

Herbst quieted the boo birds. She was proactive. Now it's time to get on with BE business or run the risk of looking like that shameless Ho Missouri.

Boise or bust!

Navy, Air Force, and ECU are added. WVU leaves. Nova upgrades. Boise is added. TCU leaves. Houston and UCF are added.

ND/Big East are in a BCS AQ playoff with the MAC.

It's all good.

 

[gars44]

But you're posting as if we've been trying to get into a bigger conference, actively, for years. We've been trying for two friggin weeks. Two weeks. To get a conference to act on a hundred years decision.

Is it possible that Herbst shot her mouth off prematurely and was easily played. Sure, it's possible. Anything is possible. I tend not to criticize people for being idiots before I'm sure they are, but hey -- I guess that's just me. It works for coaches too. Is it safe for you to conclude she knows nothing more of the ACC's short and intermediate term plans than you do? (Hint -- that was a rhetorical question.) I know this is close to existential to UConn sports, but you and others are going to have to wait to see what happens to know what has been happening.

That having been said, the right thing to do is to move forward with rebuilding the Big East even if we are fairly certain we won't be a part of it for very long. It is, at worst, a safety net, and we owe it to our partners. It will be interesting to see what type of an exit penalty we agree to.

Maybe Susan did jump the gun. She seems to be the type of person who is used to the feel of success. She probably has come to expect that if she puts her mind and effort to a project she is going to get her way. She is not accustomed to the word, "no." (She is "the most interesting woman in the world.") If she miscalculated this time, I'll give her a pass. I'll bet she re-evaluates quickly and gets us to the right place.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I don't believe that she is going hat in hand to this meeting. One truth is that hte conference does need some provisional government and history has demonstrated that the leadership we've had is not up to the task.

We also have not been begging. I realize that there is a poster here who for more than a year now has been attempting to gain attention by posting incessantly about the value of markets, believing that the upcoming television contract Marinatto was boasting about would be the ultimate evidence to vindicate him (even though many of us believed that the contract would never materialize) and now he irrationally is viewing UConn's realization that the BE has too limited of a future to be more than a temporary home as some personal attack on him.

If we do get an invitation to the ACC or B1G, it won't happen immediately and we will need to maintain a home for at least a few years. One thing that needs to be addressed (which is why having all oif the presidents and only the presidents at this meeting is necessary) is what the remaining conference membership sees as the best course of action. I am expecting some announcement Sunday evening along the lines of: "The narcotics trade will ber allowed but controlled. don Corleone will provide protction, and ther we have our peace.".

I imagine that Louisville's stance is to maintain an eastern presence (UConn amd Rutgers) while also ensuring stability (B-12). If there is some legitimate show of solidarity among the BE football programs, this could be sufficient leverage to coax the B-12 into expanding to 16. I'm guessing that UL's best case scenario at the moment is B-12 membership with UConn and Rutgers and they see this as the best way to get there.

If the Temple rumors are true (I believe to some extent they can be but I would be surprised if the announcement comes before some resolution on who is and is not going to the B-12 is reached) this is a very good sign. It tells me that Marinatto (with his ridiculous ideas, such as looking solely at football only members as an answer) has basically been removed from power already. I can't see this becoming official until after the catholic members have some assurances on remaining football membership as adding Temple for all sports will not be something an all catholic athletic conference would want.

 

[TRest]

TCU finished #2 in the country last year. Your post is a FAIL.

Do we get to claim TCU's BCS finish to bolster the BE's BCS standing for the coming years? I recall the ACC was able to use the BE teams from the year before and the BE was able to use Louisville's from the year before. Why would the BE be able claim TCU's finish from 2010 when it starts playing (maybe) in the BE in 2012? Also, why are you so angry?

 

[gars44]

Do we get to claim TCU's BCS finish to bolster the BE's BCS standing for the coming years? I recall the ACC was able to use the BE teams from the year before and the BE was able to use Louisville's from the year before. Why would the BE be able claim TCU's finish from 2010 when it starts playing (maybe) in the BE in 2012? Also, why are you so angry?

T, we would get to claim it, as the contract applies to current constituents. As to the second question, that's kind of what I think everyone wants to know.

 

[CTBballfan243]

All UCONN needs to do is say we are commited to the BIG East. Then if the ACC offers jump to the ACC. No different than Miami, BC, Syracuse or Pitt. What's the big deal. UCONN should do what ever it takes to protects there best interests. "Do on to others before they do on to you." Everyone is committed to the Big East until something better comes along. The Big East is the girl friend who is a 6, you're committed to her until the 7 or 8 comes along.

 

[UConniki]

Big12 @ 9 teams, sec @ 13, seems logical and more than likely they expand sooner than acc does. Lville, wvu, cinn, tcu ect. all have a better chance of going to another league before Uconn ( more options ). And if they do , where does that leave Uconn exactly ? Lville is being talked about the most, they could tell B east, not staying, but they are not! they seem like they are willing to stay, ( its almost a gift ). If we were in their place, staying wouldnt be being talked about. Why ? Cause were Uconn and we just won a NC in mens bball, and we almost always win in wonans bball. I'm as shocked as everyone else that doesn't seem to matter much, (who wouldn't want the defending mens bball NC in their league ?) but it obviously doesn't. Times and things have changed. We need to change or be left behind . JC got us to the top, unfortunately, according to espn , in the wrong sport! The only sport that matters is football, maybe not to us , but to the people making the decisions.

 

[Excalibur]

Good post, but you are in a minority on this board. Most people on this board think that if UConn begs hard enough, then UConn will get into the ACC.

You are NEVER allowed to claim that someone twisted your words again.

 

[ctchamps]

Mike DeCourcy
Sporting News
TSNMike

"Meanwhile, a source close to the Big East said that league is expected to vote on offering Temple full membership in the league at its secretive presidents’ meeting Sunday in Washington, along with demanding a more firm commitment from restless members Connecticut and Rutgers.

The Big East lost longtime members Syracuse and Pitt to the ACC in mid-September. UConn and Rutgers openly have discussed their eagerness to be invited to the ACC, as well, but no offer appears to be forthcoming for either, and schools that are committed to Big East membership—most notably Louisville—would like to see the current members provide the league with a clearer future.

________________

First Pitino runs his mouth, now this. I'm not sure if the one minute man is the source for this, but obviously UofL and UConn are on a collision course.

You have to wonder where the secrets are.

Personally I think UConn should be non committal during this meeting. Asking Temple for an invite is intriguing. But to base UConn's future decisions only on this would be premature. It doesn't address anything regarding splitting or staying together with the BB schools. Nor does it address what the final configuration of the football schools will be if they split. It doesn't answer who are their targets. Nor does it guarantee they can get those schools even if they are offered. It closes up the option of a merger with the B12 if that conference falls apart, a much better option, imo, than a hodgepodge of unknowns. UConn isn't solidifying loyalty by caving in to demands of a put up or shut up approach. Talk about begging.

Even the case made that exit fees demonstrate group loyalty is flawed. A high exit fee would handicap Uconn more than say Louisville if the rumors are accurate where both universities could end up, given the higher media contract for the B12 than the ACC. Furthermore no one is arguing that FSU would concern itself with the elevated exit fee the ACC imposed if the SEC invited FSU and FSU decided it had enough of the ACC.

Could a non committal by UConn push schools like Louisville to leave. I'm sure if that scenario develops they will use UConn as an excuse. But they have already been pressing for a move whether they are forthright about admitting it or not. I would say this is where the secrets are lying.