NBE should stay at 10 teams and go to a 9 game football schedule

[WestHartHusk]

The problem is there is no way Warde is going to be able schedule "3 majors" per year. He seems to have a hard time scheduling one.

This is an argument for firing Warde, not scheduling three good out of conference games. We should still be able to do by leveraging bball while we are still relevant.

 

[Fishy]

Define significant improvement? Not making the NCAAT in 15 seasons?

Not to mention they just had talks of voting to disband the FBS program they just started last season.

UMass would be no more a 'rival' than the boring FCS games vs. URI and Maine of years past.

His reference was to their basketball program - there's no question that they're better than Tulsa in hoops. Tulsa has had some decent records over the past half-decade, but they get there by going about .500 in conference and playing the weakest out of conference schedule possible.

UMass is no world-beater, but they're certainly a step up from Tulsa and easily the caliber of some of the crap we partner with now...Providence, etc.

Obviously, though, Tulsa is far, far better as a football program.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

His reference was to their basketball program - there's no question that they're better than Tulsa in hoops. Tulsa has had some decent records over the past half-decade, but they get there by going about .500 in conference and playing the weakest out of conference schedule possible.

UMass is no world-beater, but they're certainly a step up from Tulsa and easily the caliber of some of the crap we partner with now...Providence, etc.

Obviously, though, Tulsa is far, far better as a football program.

I should have qualified my post and said I don't want either of these programs.

I also disagree that UMass is even on the same level of Providence or Seton Hall. Just look at the lack of success for the 3 programs and then take into account UMass was doing that in theA10.

 

[Vuce]

Umass is not awful but if and when LaSalle makes the NCAA tourney this year only two other teams from the A-10 - Fordham and Duquesne - will have gone longer since making their last appearance in March Madness. That is pretty bad. You name another school in that league - St. Joe's, St. Bonnies, URI, GW, etc all have had at least once appearance since Umass was last seen there. So, no, we should not take Umass, Tulsa or anyone else. More mouths to feed will just lessen the already meager $$ we get and will not bring any extra $$ to the contract. No thanks.

 

[metsfan2323]

I also disagree that UMass is even on the same level of Providence or Seton Hall. Just look at the lack of success for the 3 programs and then take into account UMass was doing that in theA10.

Maybe you should take into account that UMASS has the recruiting handicap of being in the A10. Providence and Seton Hall have been able to tell recruits they would be competing in the best basketball conference in the country and in spite of that they have been awful for most of the last 15 years.

 

[RS9999X]

I'd take Charlotte over either of them, Charlotte is upgrading their stadium and football to Div I. Basketball is getting on track again after cleaning house.

NCAA appearnces 1988, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005

Tulane, USF, UCF, Houston, SMU, Tulsa (South)
Charlotte, ECU, Memphis, Temple, UConn, Cincy (North)

Navy will reject the NNNBE. UMass will implode over funding

Yes, 3 Yankee teams.

 

[Fishy]

I don't care who they add.

They can't add anyone who will make it much better and they can't add anyone who can make it much worse. I'm going to laugh at anyone who worries that adding teams will cut the revenue.

 

[UCFBfan]

I'm going to laugh at anyone who worries that adding teams will cut the revenue.

So then explain how splitting our new tv deal with 10 teams would be the same then splitting it with 12 teams?? The new deal is done so they sure as heck won't be reworking it if we add Tulsa/UMass/etc....

 

[noeynox]

Seriously? It just doesn't matter. Two million vs 1.5 million. Neither amount is making or breaking your program. Not that IM claiming those numbers are accurate but there is,no sense worrying about what teams add or dilute value. The contract is,done. Aresco accomplished jack with his experience and contacts.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I don't care who they add.

They can't add anyone who will make it much better and they can't add anyone who can make it much worse. I'm going to laugh at anyone who worries that adding teams will cut the revenue.

I get that the incremental revenue that will be will be minimal, say a few hundred thousands, but that is an offensive coordinator right there. I realize that if we don't get out of the NBE, irrevocable harm will be done to the program, but for the next few years at least why make the situation worse?

 

[whaler11]

They won't add anyone unless the rake is the same per team. They have their deal, no one is going to give money up to add Tulsa or UMass. Nothing to sweat.

 

[Fishy]

I get that the incremental revenue that will be will be minimal, say a few hundred thousands, but that is an offensive coordinator right there. I realize that if we don't get out of the NBE, irrevocable harm will be done to the program, but for the next few years at least why make the situation worse?

Revenue is fine for the next number of years - likely a good bit higher than it has been.

 

[upstater]

Revenue is fine for the next number of years - likely a good bit higher than it has been.

Yep, they have to figure out how to cut up a pie of over $130 million at this point. $68m in NCAA credits between all the teams (new and old Catholics) and $70+m between the chosen few in exit fees.

 

[WestHartHusk]

They won't add anyone unless the rake is the same per team. They have their deal, no one is going to give money up to add Tulsa or UMass. Nothing to sweat.

What is the basis of your fiduciary trust in Aresco? In his world C7 + L'Ville + UConn is worth 1/3 the C7.

 

[whaler11]

What is the basis of your fiduciary trust in Aresco? In his world C7 + L'Ville + UConn is worth 1/3 the C7.

Aresco doesn't pick the teams, the schools vote you know.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Yep, they have to figure out how to cut up a pie of over $130 million at this point. $68m in NCAA credits between all the teams (new and old Catholics) and $70+m between the chosen few in exit fees.

That 70 million is split up between UCONN/Cincy/SF right? Also, what happens if the C7 leave early? Would they pay an exit fee?

 

[WestHartHusk]

Well I still haven't seen who voted in Tulane, have you? Aresco has created a little network of beggars in this conference who will vote with him - we already know Orlando, Memphis and NOLA are on speed dial and the rest of the conference has probably given up at this point. For all we know he got a few bucks out of the Tulana add which would be the first reasonable explanation of that train-wreck.

 

[Durks07]

Aresco doesn't pick the teams, the schools vote you know.

Then who picks or suggests the school to vote on? Do the schools in a conference call Aresco and say "hey, so we were thinking that Tulane is a great option for this conference. We vote yes as a group. Go inform them that they are in the Big East. Hurry, before the SEC adds them...."

 

[upstater]

That 70 million is split up between UCONN/Cincy/SF right? Also, what happens if the C7 leave early? Would they pay an exit fee?

I don't think anyone knows. Lawyers are probably involved. And no, the Catholics don't pay an exit fee, unless they leave early, I guess. But there are so many assets to split up, and potential lawsuits, that they will probably cut a deal.

 

[whaler11]

Then who picks or suggests the school to vote on? Do the schools in a conference call Aresco and say "hey, so we were thinking that Tulane is a great option for this conference. We vote yes as a group. Go inform them that they are in the Big East. Hurry, before the SEC adds them...."

I haven't seen how it happened either but we all know that the membership votes. Who votes on what is murky, but some subset of schools granted Tulane admission.

Maybe they bought into MARKETS. Maybe Aresco convinced them of something. But unless he's be granted a lordship over the league we are unaware of there was some procedure that allowed Tulane in.

 

[whaler11]

I don't think anyone knows. Lawyers are probably involved. And no, the Catholics don't pay an exit fee, unless they leave early, I guess. But there are so many assets to split up, and potential lawsuits, that they will probably cut a deal.

Hopefully we hear at some point exactly how it breaks out. I can only imagine everyone wants it over as soon as possible - hard to imagine that USF, Cinci and UConn don't do the best - but really no reason to have faith in that.

 

[BFieldHusky]

I don't think anyone knows. Lawyers are probably involved. And no, the Catholics don't pay an exit fee, unless they leave early, I guess. But there are so many assets to split up, and potential lawsuits, that they will probably cut a deal.

I believe you are right about the C7. But if you are the Big East, why cut a deal? Bring on the lawsuit...the Big East is going to win. Those schools agreed to the current by laws that are in place.

 

[Durks07]

I haven't seen how it happened either but we all know that the membership votes. Who votes on what is murky, but some subset of schools granted Tulane admission.

Maybe they bought into MARKETS. Maybe Aresco convinced them of something. But unless he's be granted a lordship over the league we are unaware of there was some procedure that allowed Tulane in.

The procedure was, "hey guys, we need a lukewarm body. I mean, we could do worse..."

As for the "market" idea, I'm not convinced that Tulane games are carried on the campus itself. Let's not pretend that the "market" argument isn't a cheap excuse to justify adding liquid garbage.

 

[whaler11]

The procedure was, "hey guys, we need a lukewarm body. I mean, we could do worse..."

As for the "market" idea, I'm not convinced that Tulane games are carried on the campus itself. Let's not pretend that the "market" argument isn't a cheap excuse to justify adding liquid garbage.

Sorry MARKET was sarcasm. The procedure still involves a vote. Tulane didn't get to decide to join on their own.

 

[Durks07]

Sorry MARKET was sarcasm. The procedure still involves a vote. Tulane didn't get to decide to join on their own.

Ok, I was afraid you might have thought (in a moment of weakness) that there was a "good" reason Tulane was added. Yes, there is a "process." But it is a SHAM. Period.

Tulane was voted into the Big East unanimously, but Big East officials confirmed that the Catholic schools were not happy about it (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8742607/seven-catholic-schools-leaning-leaving-big-east-sources-say).

“I was not pleased that we issued an invitation to Tulane without any diligence to what effect that would have on our basketball product, the draw on our RPI and other such things” -Marquette Athletic Director Larry Williams http://www.nola.com/tulane/index.ssf/2012/12/tulane_reels_a_bit_with_news_o.html. For God's sake, a Tulane booster had to say that tulane wasn't the iceberg that sank the Titanic (Big East). The Catholics aren't even trying to hide their disdain for that move, but it somehow was a "unanimous" decision. It is clear that the voting process is staged. As soon as there are enough votes, the no votes change to yes votes so as not to insult the new member on the way in. The process isn't real. There is no better way to put it.

 

[J187Money]

No doubt about it.

It's unclear how much better the strategy would have been if the bulk of the good products (ND, Rutty, Boise, C-7 good teams, Ville) were still here to show to the large population bases. You can't show large population bases mediocrity and expect a lot of people to buy into it.

However, in the spirit of being the guy that looks at the glass as "1/4 full", I see an opportunity for UConn here. In football, these are teams that we can beat, and in many cases, teams that we should beat regularly. Putting up large win totals in front of large population bases can't hurt our image, especially with recruits from those cities. It would be like the "Boise effect" but doing it in New Orleans and Houston instead of Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

On the basketball side, it could have an even greater impact. We're already a household name, and I expect that we will see many 25+ win seasons in this league. The inner-city basketball recruits in all of these large population centers will continue to be exposed to the UConn brand. I believe that UConn bball will still be able to thrive and remain a "blue-blood", even in this new crappola situation.

Those are my thoughts. The money sucks. The teams are alright. The short-term opportunity is there for the taking. Time for UConn to take it...

I don't love this either. But if this is what we end up with...win a LOT of games.