Michigan Man tells me UConn is B1G....

[tzznandrew]

I never get excited any time I hear this unsupported chatter from people who are about as far from official sources as it gets.

However, the truth is that there were little peeps and whispers and rumors, like this, about Rutgers joining the B1G for about 20 years before it happened.

So, I wouldn't go looking for hotel reservations in Iowa City anytime soon, but more chatter is far better than less chatter, so please keep it coming.

On an unrelated note, is that an exact quote from Shawn Corchesne (in your signature)? Really?

Agreed on this. Also, @sdhusky has been around a while, so I don't think he's making it up.

The murmurs have been getting louder and louder abut UConn to the B1G. Nothing is inevitable, but I've felt more hope about a move since some time around @Skiblets post a few months ago.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Like when I plop $3 on a $270 million jackpot?

Exactly! You're in just not all the way in.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Go B1G, or go home ... to the B1G!

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Go B1G, or go home ... to the B1G!

Love, Love, Love the way you phrase a choice!

 

[SixRings]

Here's the thing, we can't go directly from being out to being in, we have to pass through different stages of being in, kind of like going from being a cub scout to an eagle scout. I'm not sure how many stages of in we need to go through or what stage we're in but I'm almost positive we're no longer completely out of the B1G.

Agreed. Temery can't put the B1G logo on the website yet but I've been telling my friends and neighbors we've been in for a short while now. Going to the Hamptons episode.

 

[Towney007]

Nah I think where there's smoke, there's fire. I'd say there's certainly a lot of interest from the B1G. There's just been so many of these kinds of things - little interjections and people with influence and semi influence to make me think there isn't something to the UConn to the B1G stuff... I feel that way for a few reasons.

1.) I know I keep peddling my story about my boss - but he's on the exec. board for Wisconsin's boosters and at least as far as that school's concerned - they're clammoring for UConn to the B1G. I guess they also did an alum survey about schools to add and UConn wasn't just the top choice - but the top choice by far among Wisconsin alums. He's no joke, either. He was President of the Booster Club for years. He's still on the executive board. So I feel pretty confident Wisconsin is on board. If they are, I'm sure others are.

2.) Seriously look at the number of big name B1G schools they're adding to the schedules of nearly all the sports teams - especially the significant ones. Ohio State, Maryland... they'll get Michigan down at the battle of Atlantis. They're already adding Illinois and Indiana to their football schedules in 2019-2020. The Women's hoops team is also playing Ohio State, Maryland and Nebraska. To me, that's not a mistake. You obviously don't want to drive the bus off the cliff either, but...

3.) It just makes a lot of freaking sense. So what if Rutgers has more media share for football in NYC? Why not have all of it? Esp. if the plan is to launch a network. If you want to do TV, you want NYC and if you want NYC - especially in the higher ratings winter/spring months - then UConn hoops is where it's at.

There's def. some hope and prayer there, but to me it just seems absurd that Uconn doesn't get added relatively soon.

 

[pj]

To me it was clear as soon as Louisville was picked by the ACC that we were going to end up in the B1G. And there's no explanation for the absence of rumors of UConn to B12 (when crazy choices like Memphis and Boise State are rumored) except the same explanation for why there were never rumors of Rutgers to the ACC when they were grabbing many small market schools. Rutgers was ticketed to the B1G, and so are we now.

We bring as much money to the B1G as their per-school average, so we pay for ourselves. We bring growth potential in a region of 35 million people that is almost unpenetrated by college sports. We have a respected brand and numerous recent championships. The only reasons they would pass on us is (a) AAU and (b) lack of partner. With deregulation (b) goes away, and it's hard to believe (a) will be decisive when every university president is grasping for money.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

3.) It just makes a lot of freaking sense. So what if Rutgers has more media share for football in NYC? Why not have all of it? Esp. if the plan is to launch a network. If you want to do TV, you want NYC and if you want NYC - especially in the higher ratings winter/spring months - then UConn hoops is where it's at.

Add onto that, while Rutgers is theoretically more able to capture the NYC DMA due to their closer proximity, they suck at everything except being a PR nightmare. Do you want Kyle Flood as the face of your athletic department, or Kevin Ollie?

 

[Athlete94]

DON'T try and steal the Carwash's street Cred! I stand by my WF insider/donor, more so than a guy who knows a guy who had dinner with a guy who played for .... When we are B1G bound, no free car washes for you!

 

[Towney007]

To me it was clear as soon as Louisville was picked by the ACC that we were going to end up in the B1G. And there's no explanation for the absence of rumors of UConn to B12 (when crazy choices like Memphis and Boise State are rumored) except the same explanation for why there were never rumors of Rutgers to the ACC when they were grabbing many small market schools. Rutgers was ticketed to the B1G, and so are we now.

A lot to unpack there, but I kind of generally agree with you. I'm really in over my head in this discussion because i'm not nearly as well versed in NCAA economics as I should be - but to me the only REAL appeal of the ACC move is some sort of 'old Big East' division where they can try to replicate - to a semi-reasonable degree - the old Big East model within their own conference. You'd essentially have a Division with Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, Clemson, NC State, Florida State, Virginia, Georgia Tech with a Division of UConn, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, Boston College, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Miami. There's a lot to like there - but I'm not sure what the old Big East Schools really get out of the deal from a dollars and cents standpoint in football. Why move, right? Plus the conference already has a piece of Boston, a piece of New York and a huge hunk of Pennsylvania. I'm just not sure what we bring to the table, there.

The Big XII would be a total desperation move on their part, IMO. No doubt it helps their basketball, but football is, always has been and always should be the priority there. Boise State, BYU... seem to fit more there - geographically and otherwise. Heck, I'd see SMU being a better fit there than us. The Pac 12 is a no-go.

To me it's always been the B1G. Chicago, New York, Washington, Detroit. Seems pretty straight forward to me. I could absolutely see Cincinnati being competition for a spot there - but I don't feel like there's much of a comparison between the two if given the choice. We bring a bigger market, more upside... everything...

 

[OkaForPrez]

Nah I think where there's smoke, there's fire. I'd say there's certainly a lot of interest from the B1G. There's just been so many of these kinds of things - little interjections and people with influence and semi influence to make me think there isn't something to the UConn to the B1G stuff... I feel that way for a few reasons.

1.) I know I keep peddling my story about my boss - but he's on the exec. board for Wisconsin's boosters and at least as far as that school's concerned - they're clammoring for UConn to the B1G. I guess they also did an alum survey about schools to add and UConn wasn't just the top choice - but the top choice by far among Wisconsin alums. He's no joke, either. He was President of the Booster Club for years. He's still on the executive board. So I feel pretty confident Wisconsin is on board. If they are, I'm sure others are.

2.) Seriously look at the number of big name B1G schools they're adding to the schedules of nearly all the sports teams - especially the significant ones. Ohio State, Maryland... they'll get Michigan down at the battle of Atlantis. They're already adding Illinois and Indiana to their football schedules in 2019-2020. The Women's hoops team is also playing Ohio State, Maryland and Nebraska. To me, that's not a mistake. You obviously don't want to drive the bus off the cliff either, but...

3.) It just makes a lot of freaking sense. So what if Rutgers has more media share for football in NYC? Why not have all of it? Esp. if the plan is to launch a network. If you want to do TV, you want NYC and if you want NYC - especially in the higher ratings winter/spring months - then UConn hoops is where it's at.

There's def. some hope and prayer there, but to me it just seems absurd that Uconn doesn't get added relatively soon.

Took me 10 seconds of disbelief @nomar had written all of this to realize it wasn't written by nomar.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

A lot to unpack there, but I kind of generally agree with you. I'm really in over my head in this discussion because i'm not nearly as well versed in NCAA economics as I should be - but to me the only REAL appeal of the ACC move is some sort of 'old Big East' division where they can try to replicate - to a semi-reasonable degree - the old Big East model within their own conference. You'd essentially have a Division with Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, Clemson, NC State, Florida State, Virginia, Georgia Tech with a Division of UConn, Syracuse, Pitt, Louisville, Boston College, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Miami. There's a lot to like there - but I'm not sure what the old Big East Schools really get out of the deal from a dollars and cents standpoint in football. Why move, right? Plus the conference already has a piece of Boston, a piece of New York and a huge hunk of Pennsylvania. I'm just not sure what we bring to the table, there.

The Big XII would be a total desperation move on their part, IMO. No doubt it helps their basketball, but football is, always has been and always should be the priority there. Boise State, BYU... seem to fit more there - geographically and otherwise. Heck, I'd see SMU being a better fit there than us. The Pac 12 is a no-go.

To me it's always been the B1G. Chicago, New York, Washington, Detroit. Seems pretty straight forward to me. I could absolutely see Cincinnati being competition for a spot there - but I don't feel like there's much of a comparison between the two if given the choice. We bring a bigger market, more upside... everything...

Cincinnati doesn't really fit their academic profile, doesn't bring anything new in terms of DMAs, and would only serve to piss off and make things more difficult for Ohio State. That is not the case with us, though we might piss off Rutgers a bit. Don't think Jim Delaney gives two craps about doing that right now though.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Cincinnati doesn't really fit their academic profile, doesn't bring anything new in terms of DMAs, and would only serve to piss off and make things more difficult for Ohio State. That is not the case with us, though we might piss off Rutgers a bit. Don't think Jim Delaney gives two craps about doing that right now though.

Why would we piss off Rutgers ,I would think they would welcome us?
We give them a litgitmate rival especially to contest NYC.
If Cuse and even BC thought there was a prayer of us going to the B1G they would become huge supporters of us to the ACC.
They become marginlized with us in the B1G and whether people on this board don't understand what a problem that is ,the people at those institutions understand.
UConn to the ACC is a much better than for them and they no it.
Their opposition to us was really stupid.

 

[tzznandrew]

To me it was clear as soon as Louisville was picked by the ACC that we were going to end up in the B1G. And there's no explanation for the absence of rumors of UConn to B12 (when crazy choices like Memphis and Boise State are rumored) except the same explanation for why there were never rumors of Rutgers to the ACC when they were grabbing many small market schools. Rutgers was ticketed to the B1G, and so are we now.

Did we forget about how publicly Herbst was out there advocating for the ACC? If they were B1G bound then, that wouldn't be the case.

However much things may have changed, I don't think there was any sense in 2011 (?) that things were going to work out.

 

[pj]

Did we forget about how publicly Herbst was out there advocating for the ACC? If they were B1G bound then, that wouldn't be the case.

However much things may have changed, I don't think there was any sense in 2011 (?) that things were going to work out.

Haven't forgotten. Sure, the ACC was adding then and the university sought the bird in hand versus the speculative B1G in the bush. But, once the ACC went with Louisville, everything changed. The B1G had time to warm up to us and the ACC was in a corner - ESPN wasn't giving them any more money for more additions. We make too much sense for the B1G for them not to see that and grab us. They will.

 

[CTGoonie]

I keep thinking if there is an invite coming it has to be soon because Delany wants us in their bball tourney at MSG in 2018. That means we need to make things official before the end of the year. Unless, of course they've already privately announced they are leaving like Jurich did with UL.

If we haven't privately told the AAC we are leaving what's the harm in doing so now? If it turns out we have nowhere to go it's not like they will kick us out.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Cincinnati doesn't really fit their academic profile, doesn't bring anything new in terms of DMAs, and would only serve to piss off and make things more difficult for Ohio State. That is not the case with us, though we might piss off Rutgers a bit. Don't think Jim Delaney gives two craps about doing that right now though.

UConn's potential inclusion in the B1G should not ruffle Rutgers' feathers. First and foremost, Rutgers knows it can't dominate NYC by itself and having a partner in NYC can only help them when up against the ACC's presence in NYC (Syracuse & ND primarily). Plus, Rutgers views itself as a football first school (ignoring reality for a moment) while UConn is a basketball first school. The only contention I can see is in football recruiting as being able to play Rutgers once a year will likely improve UConn's ability to recruit football wise in the state. Also, UConn would likely see Rutgers as its primary, overall rival while Rutgers still sees Penn St as it's primary rival, though Penn St does not share the same feelings. Rivalries can't be forced, so that would take care of itself over time.

 

[Adios]

I keep thinking if there is an invite coming it has to be soon because Delany wants us in their bball tourney at MSG in 2018. That means we need to make things official before the end of the year. Unless, of course they've already privately announced they are leaving like Jurich did with UL.

If we haven't privately told the AAC we are leaving what's the harm in doing so now? If it turns out we have nowhere to go it's not like they will kick us out.

It's because of what the whole institution has accomplished thus far. They had us on their minds for a while with a "who knows" attitude but 2014 really changed things. And the fact Connecticut is a very beautiful state.

ACC's loss is the Big Ten's gain. Hope they enjoy the wonderful cities of Louisville and Syracuse. They can stop by CT and visit on the way to BC.

 

[SAMCRO]

Did we forget about how publicly Herbst was out there advocating for the ACC? If they were B1G bound then, that wouldn't be the case.

However much things may have changed, I don't think there was any sense in 2011 (?) that things were going to work out.

Agree, and have heard the same from 2 unrelated people in 2 different AD's offices (one ours, one FSU). From UConn friend, nothing B1G was on the table at that time for UConn, and leadership was not happy about not being selected. Apparently there were early assurances given to UConn by some on Tobacco Rd, and they got trumped by FSU & Clemson predominantly, with UM and BC opposed to UConn also. From my FSU friend, supposedly Tobacco Road and UVa were pro-UConn; while FSU, Clem, UM, BC pro UL, and committed to not get UConn the votes necessary (so, willing to block any expansion unless they got their way). They were able to convince neutral parties to vote UL's way, and once Tobac Rd realized UConn wasn't going to happen, they worked out a compromise and voted UL (no clue what the compromise was). This was not about Jurich out-maneuvering WM and SH...as he liked to claim that UConn was "written in pen" initially...not true), this was determined inside the ACC and it was a power play between Tobacco Road and FSU & Clemson. The latter won out getting a southern school. For FSU & Clem it was not "personal" with UConn, it was about pushing back and not being dictated to by Tpbac Rd, for BC and UM it was personal. I don;t know if this is true or not, just what i was told.

 

[UConn9604]

Agree, and have heard the same from 2 unrelated people in 2 different AD's offices (one ours, one FSU). From UConn friend, nothing B1G was on the table at that time for UConn, and leadership was not happy about not being selected. Apparently there were early assurances given to UConn by some on Tobacco Rd, and they got trumped by FSU & Clemson predominantly, with UM and BC opposed to UConn also. From my FSU friend, supposedly Tobacco Road and UVa were pro-UConn; while FSU, Clem, UM, BC pro UL, and committed to not get UConn the votes necessary (so, willing to block any expansion unless they got their way). They were able to convince neutral parties to vote UL's way, and once Tobac Rd realized UConn wasn't going to happen, they worked out a compromise and voted UL (no clue what the compromise was). This was not about Jurich out-maneuvering WM and SH...as he liked to claim that UConn was "written in pen" initially...not true), this was determined inside the ACC and it was a power play between Tobacco Road and FSU & Clemson. The latter won out getting a southern school. For FSU & Clem it was not "personal" with UConn, it was about pushing back and not being dictated to by Tpbac Rd, for BC and UM it was personal. I don;t know if this is true or not, just what i was told.

This is the best explanation of our behavior, I think, at the time when Louisville was selected. My guess is that when Syracuse and Pitt were picked, we were told, just chill out, you're next, we've got some moves planned but you're next. (Those moves probably involved considering Rutgers or even trying to grab Penn State.) Those assurances were probably amplified when DeFilippo ran his mouth and Blaudschun published what came out.

Let's put it this way: after Syracuse and Pitt were picked, we went head over heels and publicly acted like we wanted to go to the ACC. Where did Louisville and WVU turn? The Big 12. They were probably each told, sorry, guys, there's no room for you on this train by the ACC.

Herbst and Manuel aren't by nature passive people. There has to be a reason why Jurich appeared to have visibly outhustled them. On paper, this wasn't a fair fight, so Jurich probably channeled his inner Bob Dylan: when you've got nothin', you've got nothin' to lose.

 

[businesslawyer]

Why would we piss off Rutgers ,I would think they would welcome us?
We give them a litgitmate rival especially to contest NYC.
If Cuse and even BC thought there was a prayer of us going to the B1G they would become huge supporters of us to the ACC.
They become marginlized with us in the B1G and whether people on this board don't understand what a problem that is ,the people at those institutions understand.
UConn to the ACC is a much better than for them and they no it.
Their opposition to us was really stupid.

In fairness, their opposition to us was only really stupid if we go to the Big Ten. Since we haven't yet, I don't know how they can be viewed as stupid.

That having been said, as I've said many times before, we provide far less positives to either the Big Ten or the ACC by joining them than we provide negatives by joining the other.

 

[FDNY99]

UConn's potential inclusion in the B1G should not ruffle Rutgers' feathers. First and foremost, Rutgers knows it can't dominate NYC by itself and having a partner in NYC can only help them when up against the ACC's presence in NYC (Syracuse & ND primarily). Plus, Rutgers views itself as a football first school (ignoring reality for a moment) while UConn is a basketball first school. The only contention I can see is in football recruiting as being able to play Rutgers once a year will likely improve UConn's ability to recruit football wise in the state. Also, UConn would likely see Rutgers as its primary, overall rival while Rutgers still sees Penn St as it's primary rival, though Penn St does not share the same feelings. Rivalries can't be forced, so that would take care of itself over time.

If UCONN goes to the B1G I can actually see Maryland becoming a natural rival...between football, men's & women's basketball I can see it ramping up quickly.

 

[FDNY99]

Agree, and have heard the same from 2 unrelated people in 2 different AD's offices (one ours, one FSU). From UConn friend, nothing B1G was on the table at that time for UConn, and leadership was not happy about not being selected. Apparently there were early assurances given to UConn by some on Tobacco Rd, and they got trumped by FSU & Clemson predominantly, with UM and BC opposed to UConn also. From my FSU friend, supposedly Tobacco Road and UVa were pro-UConn; while FSU, Clem, UM, BC pro UL, and committed to not get UConn the votes necessary (so, willing to block any expansion unless they got their way). They were able to convince neutral parties to vote UL's way, and once Tobac Rd realized UConn wasn't going to happen, they worked out a compromise and voted UL (no clue what the compromise was). This was not about Jurich out-maneuvering WM and SH...as he liked to claim that UConn was "written in pen" initially...not true), this was determined inside the ACC and it was a power play between Tobacco Road and FSU & Clemson. The latter won out getting a southern school. For FSU & Clem it was not "personal" with UConn, it was about pushing back and not being dictated to by Tpbac Rd, for BC and UM it was personal. I don;t know if this is true or not, just what i was told.

I have heard the same thing from people inside UCONN AD.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Do you think the guy gets his cat washed the same place as Conspiracy Kitty cleans up?

Reading between the lines, cats wash by licking themselves. Sometimes strippers do that. So "cat wash" is clearly code for a strip joint frequented by B1G luminaries, who for obvious reasons must hide their identities. Can't think of a better source than that.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Reading between the lines, cats wash by licking themselves. Sometimes strippers do that. So "cat wash" is clearly code for a strip joint frequented by B1G luminaries, who for obvious reasons must hide their identities. Can't think of a better source than that.

Like most here (pretty sure it's most anyway), I'm completely unfamiliar with the mores and folkways of strip joint life so, naturally, this explanation is eminently logical. The signs are all there people. The bandwagon is filling up. Better reserve your seat now. Can't wait for our first Big Ten media day!

 

[SAMCRO]

Reading between the lines, cats wash by licking themselves. Sometimes strippers do that. So "cat wash" is clearly code for a strip joint frequented by B1G luminaries, who for obvious reasons must hide their identities. Can't think of a better source than that.

That's why they named the project and non-disclosure agreement that all individuals looped in inside UConn and B1G offices needed to sign before working on it... "Project Electric Blue"

 

[RegisteredUconn]

In fairness, their opposition to us was only really stupid if we go to the Big Ten. Since we haven't yet, I don't know how they can be viewed as stupid.

That having been said, as I've said many times before, we provide far less positives to either the Big Ten or the ACC by joining them than we provide negatives by joining the other.

I think there's a bigger point here. We're not the prize; neither was Rutgers. The prize is the region and its sixty million plus sets of eyeballs.

I'm sure the B1G has been reading the tea leaves for decades. I'm sure they've known that demographic trends don't favor them. I'm sure they've brainstormed options including standing pat...all of which had risks.

Go West? Lots and lots of empty land to cross to get there. And once they do, an entrenched opposition to attempt to dislodge. Maybe they could form a partnership with the existing players. Tried that. Didn't work out.

Go South? Holy crap! Brutal competition everywhere you look. Not only that, "carpetbagger" still enjoys a rather poor reception in the region.

Go East? Little competition, that's for sure. Big potential market? Check. Problems? Plenty. Inertia to overcome. Little relevance in big time football since Roger Staubach left Navy. Got some selling to do there. What about product? Yeah, that's not a regional strength. Can't pluck some local brand names. Gonna have to build the product. That's gonna take time.

So the decision was go East and build or stand pat and sell their existing buggy whips for as long as people would buy them. Maryland and Rutgers tell us what decision they made. Rutgers (as, to a lesser degree, is Maryland) is a project. Rutgers is the B1G's Hasheem Thabeet. They expect Rutgers to pay off but realize some pigs need a whole lot of lipstick.

I don't believe the B1G has ventured east with a half-assed plan. Rutgers and Maryland aren't enough ammo. I think they have us and a Virginia school in their sights. That provides a platform to open up the East. That's a plan.

The last question is How? Shock and awe or set up an outpost first, learn some lessons, fine tune the approach? Again, Rutgers and Maryland answer that. The B1G East isn't ready for us yet. But the plan's still the plan.

 

[Kolumbo]

Seniors in high school have never known the UCONN Men's basketball team as anything other than a National Championship caliber program.
If UCONN plays RU every year as B1G foes, in 10 years you have a bunch of high school kids who grew up knowing this B1G rivalry played right here in CT, NJ, or NY. Much more accessible than Michigan Ohio State. Not the UCONN - RU we know it as. That would be a very powerful, valuable draw.
I saw a one Dick Blumenthal marching in a parade yesterday and given my time spent reading this board, all kinds of thoughts were running threw my head. I didn't say a word.

 

[Excalibur]

I have heard the same thing from people inside UCONN AD.

You have heard it because it is 100% true. FSU and Clemson led the charge, and the neutral parties in the ACC feared what would happen if they did not acquiesce to the demands of the conference's 2 biggest football powers.

 

[Kolumbo]

In fairness, their opposition to us was only really stupid if we go to the Big Ten. Since we haven't yet, I don't know how they can be viewed as stupid.

That having been said, as I've said many times before, we provide far less positives to either the Big Ten or the ACC by joining them than we provide negatives by joining the other.

I disagree. It was stupid even though UCONN is still in the gulag. There are many reasons/opinions which suggest UCONN vs. BC is much more valuable than BC alone. UCONN to either conference is a great loss to the other. This has been debated ad nauseam but to be fair, I think it can easily be seen as being stupid.