National sentiment

[Towney007]

Well in the end, it's a perfect storm scenario that the university didn't seem ready to handle or were prepared for.

Football hurt hoops. Hoops hurt football. Hoops couldn't stay relevant/good enough for long enough to buy football time to get better and get on solid footing. Football's existence and pulling us into the American basically made it so that every mistake hoops made hurt 15 times as much. When the bottom fell out on both, there just wasn't enough draw to the conference to sustain fan attendance and then before you know it - you're staring at a crisis.

And the administration really just didn't have an answer for 2-3 years. We're spoiled up here. Building programs and (for the most part) sustaining them has been easy for us. Now - not as much. We didn't know how to take a shot. But I think we do now. Live and learn - we survived - so now onwards and upwards for everyone.

 

[CL82]

I would agree with you if we had some sort of pedigree, history, or tradition as a perennial football power ... We had a fluke Fiesta Bowl appearance after an 8-4 season in a down year in the BE and got trounced by Oklahoma.

I post this periodically. Connecticut has won 25 conference championships, 15 shared and 10 outright.

Season	Coach	Conference	Overall record	Conference record
1901	T. D. Knowles	Athletic League of New England State Colleges	8–2	1–0
1924	Sumner Dole	New England Conference	6–0–2	3–0
1926†	Sumner Dole	New England Conference	7–1	2–1
1928†	Sumner Dole	New England Conference	4–1–3	1–0–2
1936	J. Orlean Christian	New England Conference	7–2	2–0
1937†	J. Orlean Christian	New England Conference	6–2–1	1–0
1942	J. Orlean Christian	New England Conference	6–2	2–0
1945	J. Orlean Christian	New England Conference	7–1	2–0
1949†	J. Orlean Christian	Yankee Conference	4–4–1	2–0–1
1952†	Robert Ingalls	Yankee Conference	5–3	2–1
1956	Robert Ingalls	Yankee Conference	6–2–1	3–0–1
1957†	Robert Ingalls	Yankee Conference	5–4–1	3–0–1
1958	Robert Ingalls	Yankee Conference	7–3	4–0
1959	Robert Ingalls	Yankee Conference	6–3	4–0
1960†	Robert Ingalls	Yankee Conference	5–4	3–1
1968†	John Toner	Yankee Conference	4–6	4–1
1970	John Toner	Yankee Conference	4–4–2	4–0–1
1971†	Robert Casciola	Yankee Conference	5–3–1	4–1–1
1973	Larry Naviaux	Yankee Conference	8–2–1	5–0–1
1982†	Walt Nadzak	Yankee Conference	5–6	3–2
1983†	Tom Jackson	Yankee Conference	5–6	4–1
1986†	Tom Jackson	Yankee Conference	8–3	5–2
1989†	Tom Jackson	Yankee Conference	8–3	6–2
2007†	Randy Edsall	Big East	9–4	5–2
2010†	Randy Edsall	Big East	8–5	5–2

Clearly we aren't Alabama, but really who is? We've had a lot of success over the years but if you don't follow the program you won't know that.

 

[Waquoit]

It's always been a s***t show with UConn women in the tourney they're after Geno no matter what league he's in that's not new. I don't need the papers I saw him get out coached a couple times the last couple years how about we go in that direction rather than try to blame it on a league? Doesn't matter where they are ranked or number in the tourney it's womens college basketball there's only 4-6 teams who have any legit shot. Just win you have a great team. League means zero to a program like Geno's they could go to the Ivy and win NC's.

You think Geno is going overseas for players these days because he wants to? He's forced into it because the negative recruiting against the crappy league they're in has gained traction. No program is conference-proof. You ever hear of La Tech?

 

[tzznandrew]

You say that as if UConn had gone 28-2, run the conference schedule each of the last 3 seasons, only to get a 5 seed in the South region.

You guys are looking for a scapegoat. You found one and are piling on.

One year we went into the tournament with 7 losses. That team won the title, but got a freaking 7 seed. For contrast:

2002-2003 got 5 seed with 9 losses and a similar tournament championship blow out.
2003-2004 got a 2 seed with 6 losses
2004-2005 got a 2 seed with 7 losses
2007-2008 got a 4 seed with 8 losses
2012-2013 got a 9 seed with 13 losses --> same seed as our 2015-2016 that had 10 losses but won a conference tournament!

If we went 28-2 we'd likely get a 2 or a 3 seed. But look at what was getting 2 seeds for UConn in the Big East? What about the fact that Xavier got a 1 seed with 5 losses in 2018?

 

[Husky25]

You think moving from the old Big East to the American *helped* to make it easier for basketball recruiting?

I didn't say that (incidentally UConn didn't move. The American IS the old Big East, but that's semantics.).

Do you think the idea of playing Tulsa appeals more to recruits or Villanova?

Apples and oranges, but you know that. Tulsa provides better competition than DePaul does though.

And while Hurley got a top 20 class, he also lost a guy to *Illinois*.

Did Calhoun never lose a recruiting battle? Is Illinois really that terrible? Before John Groce, and even for his first couple seasons, Illinois was pretty good.

Again - it's not football's FAULT that hoops has sucked.

There. You said it (Yes, I purposely took it out of context), but this is not what Basketball onlys think.

I get the argument. I just don't think it is based in reality. Alas, perception is reality, which is how the #2 team in the nation gets a 2 seed in the Tournament.

I truly have mixed emotions on this move. I think it is outstanding for basketball and the non-revenue generating sports, but I am a UConn fan and have an active rooting interest in both football AND basketball. As a UConn fan, I never understood the active negativity. Though my son is old enough to come to games and actually enjoy them, football gives me 6 full days events in the late summer and fall of adult-time to hang out with my friends. Basketball provides only a few hours. Maybe LAZ will allow tailgating in the church parking lot. Probably not too much fun in February.

The other thing is this is not the "Old" Big East. UConn's rivals from earlier in the decade and the last are in the ACC. These aren't PJ's (or even Amaker's) Pirates, Jarvis's Red Storm, Ewing's (the player) Hoyas, or Wade's Golden Eagles.

We'll see how football Independence works out. I have a feeling not too well. Obviously, they can set up scheduling alliances and I've read some longshot scenarios here and on Twitter that are just that. One posited that ESPN overplayed their hand with the ESPN+ arrangement, but they desperately want the UConn product and will force them on the ACC in 2025. That doesn't seem likely to me, but neither did this.

 

[Husky25]

No one is blaming the football program. But the conference that was best for them is horrible for our basketball programs. Call it s scapegoat all you want. Recruiting was an uphill battle in the AAC. We can start pulling in top 10 classes consistently in the Big Beast. We can damn near put a strangle hold on the north east. The football program isn’t directly responsible for the basketball programs plummet from grace. But the fact is that there is no conference available to us at the moment where both can simultaneously reach their full potential. So a decision had to be made on which program to put in position to reach their potential. The basketball program has proven its capable of reaching the elite goal in its respective sport. The football team hasn’t proven it can be consistently competitive. The decision was an easy one. And anyone who is “a fan of UConn” should understand that

Basketball-onlys all blame the football program. Recruiting was an uphill battle because of those doing the recruiting, developing, and retaining.

 

[Husky25]

One year we went into the tournament with 7 losses. That team won the title, but got a freaking 7 seed. For contrast:

2002-2003 got 5 seed with 9 losses and a similar tournament championship blow out.
2003-2004 got a 2 seed with 6 losses
2004-2005 got a 2 seed with 7 losses
2007-2008 got a 4 seed with 8 losses
2012-2013 got a 9 seed with 13 losses --> same seed as our 2015-2016 that had 10 losses but won a conference tournament!

If we went 28-2 we'd likely get a 2 or a 3 seed. But look at what was getting 2 seeds for UConn in the Big East? What about the fact that Xavier got a 1 seed with 5 losses in 2018?

It's probably a mistake, but I recall that UConn was serving their APR ban in '12-'13.

To what I believe is your overall point, the Big East used to be the best and deepest basketball conference in the country. The New Big East is not that. UConn was not dominating the AAC on the court year in and year out. They had a losing record the last 3 years. Yet it was the conference that was dragging them down.

 

[UConnDad]

Bottom line is I'm elated. Also received numerous texts from friends around the country excited about the move. These are people planning to go to the tourney and they don't root for a team in the Big East. I feel bad for the football crowd but you weren't at the games last year. Just hoping for a good final season in the American for hoops.

 

[John]

Bottom line is I'm elated. Also received numerous texts from friends around the country excited about the move. These are people planning to go to the tourney and they don't root for a team in the Big East. I feel bad for the football crowd but you weren't at the games last year

Well to be honest neither were the basketball fans.

 

[Fairfield_1st]

We were in the AAC for the sole benefit of the football program. The AAC was a strain on the basketball program.

You're putting too much blame on the conference. Ollie had decent classes, but he effed it up and players departed. Had we stayed in the Big East, he would have effed it up in that conference too. Next year's freshman class was ranked well (top 20 give or take) and was recruited to play in the AAC. So recruits would come to UConn in the AAC. Put the blame where it belongs on FHCKO.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

It would have been nice if the $110 million spent on the Rent, the $10-$15 million annually spent on football, the $60m spent on the Shenkman and Burton, had just been plowed into men's hoops over the last several years.

So now you tell us.

 

[SixRings]

There’s a lot of opinions here about the FB program. We had to try and to a degree we succeeded. As a BBall fan for all years since Perno I really took pride in our FB program in the early days and should have supported better. They produced a lot of pros and had an interesting history pretty quickly. People should keep that in mind. Maybe we’re spoiled. It hasn’t worked out and I’m sorry to see so many BBall fans lashing out. I know it was one of the determining factors that caused the AAC affiliation which has turned out terrible but man the school was flying high in 2011. In the end I’m just sooooo excited to get back to MSC for the tourney, to get get better recruits and to be a strong BBall team again. That tourney is going to be riddled with UConn fans in 2021 to a point I don’t think we’ve ever seen before. But I sure did like when we had strong teams in both sports and I respect what we accomplished in FB in a short time. Wish we could have both again.

 

[FartMan69]

Why does everyone search for a singular thing to blame? It was a legit perfect storm of bad luck and mismanagement on the parts of conference leaders and our own admin.

 

[TheChamps990411]

*UConn men’s basketball fans, you’re not a UConn fan if you actively want to torpedo the football program to get what you want. Big problem with this fanbase

I dont give a flying you know what about the football program. I am a UCONN MENS BASKETBALL fan. I have no ties to the university or any other sport. If mens hoops is successful im a happy camper and I make no apologies for it.

 

[tzznandrew]

It's probably a mistake, but I recall that UConn was serving their APR ban in '12-'13.

Yeah, meant 2011-2012

 

[jimva]

Because our football team is worthless. If we had a solid football program instead of the dumpster fire that it is we`dve been in a P5 conference a long time ago.

If we didn't sue the ACC we would have been in P5 long ago. A lot of self inflicted wounds. I think this decisions is the lesser of two bad decisions.

 

[StunningSteve]

I dont give a flying you know what about the football program. I am a UCONN MENS BASKETBALL fan. I have no ties to the university or any other sport. If mens hoops is successful im a happy camper and I make no apologies for it.

Ironically... Caring about football at UConn would have elevated Basketball (ACC).

Without the former, the latter is relegated.

If Benedict could've figured this out, every single issue UConn has would've turned completely around.

The school needs fewer T-shirt fans and more actual stakeholders.

 

[CL82]

If we didn't sue the ACC we would have been in P5 long ago. A lot of self inflicted wounds. I think this decisions is the lesser of two bad decisions.

Doubt it.

 

[billybud]

There is a difference between being a basketball first, last, and only school...and being a basketball school.

Duke is a poster boy for a basketball first school. But they have had winning football seasons the last five of six...with a 9 and a 10 win season.

I had hoped that UConn would go that way in the AAC...I now suspect that UConn basketball will challenge Villanova in the Big East and be very successful on the national stage.

Football? Oh, there will be football...but on a smaller stage, I think. Going indy without being a Notre Dame with a national draw will be tough.

I will draw criticism for this thought, but I wonder if, with budget shrinking, someday it will be questioned "why continue the expense of a football program?"

 

[Ha Who]

FIFY

BCU didn't want to compete against UConn per their AD. It had nothing to go with being butthurt over the lawsuit. "It was business, not personal."

You are correct about BCU. However, without the lawsuit the conference might have told themto bend over and take it. Being the face of the lawsuit and filing in Rockville instead of allowing Pitt to take the lead did not help

 

[whaler11]

There is a difference between being a basketball first, last, and only school...and being a basketball school.

Duke is a poster boy for a basketball first school. But they have had winning football seasons the last five of six...with a 9 and a 10 win season.

I had hoped that UConn would go that way in the AAC...I now suspect that UConn basketball will challenge Villanova in the Big East and be very successful on the national stage.

Football? Oh, there will be football...but on a smaller stage, I think. Going indy without being a Notre Dame with a national draw will be tough.

I will draw criticism for this thought, but I wonder if, with budget shrinking, someday it will be questioned "why continue the expense of a football program?"

There are literally two coaches who can win at Duke. The second this one retires they go back to being Duke.

 

[billybud]

BC was originally voted down...

Boston College and Syracuse were the Big East schools in the ACC's original expansion plans -- along with Miami -- but were voted down in favor of adding the Hurricanes and Hokies. Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State voted against adding Boston College at the time.

But 11 teams were awkward and thus BC made it in later.

Then There Were 12: Boston College Joins ACC

www.wral.com

 

[billybud]

There are literally two coaches who can win at Duke. The second this one retires they go back to being Duke.

maybe....but Zac Roper, OC, is a decent recruiter and QB developer and has been with the program for 11 years...

I think that they will do a nationwide search and then hire internally.

 

[Husky25]

Yeah, meant 2011-2012

No issues, really. I think you conveyed your overriding point.

 

[CL82]

You are correct about BCU. However, without the lawsuit the conference might have told themto bend over and take it. Being the face of the lawsuit and filing in Rockville instead of allowing Pitt to take the lead did not help

Shrug. Pitt, a co-plaintiff, got in without so much as a whimper. Defillipis said that "(BCU) wanted to be the New England team." It was always about territory.