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Non-Key Tweets

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
@PAL88888 Delany,BTN,21st Century Fox, Big Ten Presidents would take in both VPI & UVA...but UVA has shown no interest at this time

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
@PAL88888 10 of the 14 Big Ten schools are peers of VPI...only 2 ofACC schools are peers. VT is a Big Ten school ready to bolt in 2020-24

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
@ChiTownLionPSU @NebGradDubDub @DCGSONS2 @theDudeofWV @posas13 PSU wants to play big research institutions who have recruiting gr in east Co

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
@ChiTownLionPSU @NebGradDubDub @DCGSONS2 @theDudeofWV @posas13 PSU wanted NJ&MD..and wants into state of VA..so does 21st century Fox

PAL ‏@PAL88888 · 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire Won't B1G add more teams before 2017 to aid contract negotiations? Why wait until 2020?

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
@PAL88888 Only add if it gets high branded CF school to help teir 1 negotiations (Oklahoma) very doubtful Big Ten adds before 2019.
 
Matt Maisel ‏@Matt_Maisel 8h8 hours ago
Fmr PSU prez Rodney Erickson deposition: "I was very concerned about possible actions of the Big Ten if we didn't opt for consent decree"

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire 7h7 hours ago
@Matt_Maisel @ChiTownLionPSU Reality Big Ten & PSU need each other as ACC value fads. PSU value needs to be respected by B1G.Reconcilation

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire 2h2 hours ago
@theDudeofWV Will the Big 12 get 6 new members from the West(NDSU ) to fill out their Wrestling conference to 10 schools? I heard NDSU is in

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 1h1 hour ago
@flugempire So what happens if the B12 decides to pay school athletes $10k per semester? See the point.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 1h1 hour ago
@flugempire Is NDSU going to pay each wrestler $20k per year? If they do then TIx says all athletes at NDSU must be paid same.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 1h1 hour ago
@theDudeofWV No doubt WVU/OU/OSU/ISU would have a major advantage over other 6....but Big 12 wants an automatic qualifier for Natty tourny

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 1h1 hour ago
@theDudeofWV I will check back with contact....

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 1h1 hour ago
@flugempire Unlikely any non P5 schools are included. Olympic sport model for college will certainly change. Too much uncertainty.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 1h1 hour ago
@flugempire Who says B12 has wrestling 5 years from now? Obannion will kill a few men's sports.

BISONATION.info ‏@BISONATION 1h1 hour ago
@theDudeofWV @flugempire NDSU has not problem raising that money, probably easier from them to do than Iowa State

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 1h1 hour ago
@BISONATION @flugempire TIX says NDSU would have to pay each scholarship athlete the same.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 1h1 hour ago
@theDudeofWV Just more incentive for Boren to talk with Delany some more when it comes to the future. Big Ten Wrestling sells tickets &BTN

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 1h1 hour ago
@flugempire OU isn't going to leave the B12 especially because of wrestling.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 59m59 minutes ago
@flugempire And I'll say this. The B1G people I speak to say the conf only has eyes for ACC schools.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 38m38 minutes ago
@theDudeofWV Of course Oklahoma is not leaving the Big 12 because of wrestling....but the gap in resources for wrestling is syptomatic

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 37m37 minutes ago
@theDudeofWV And as you know my Big Contacts all say its the eastern seaboard again for Big Ten 15 & 16....no disagreement on this subject

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 36m36 minutes ago
@flugempire That gap will be vast between P5 & G5.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 35m35 minutes ago
@flugempire More money for B1G in ACC land plus more exposure for recruiting.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 37m37 minutes ago
@theDudeofWV Talk to anyone at OU/OSU/ISU involved in their wrestling program...BTN is main reason foe recent Big Ten Wrestling dominance

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 36m36 minutes ago
@flugempire Greg. When $ is an issue Olympic sports aren't considered. It will get worse in the wake of O'Bannion.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 36m36 minutes ago
@theDudeofWV The dominance is not just in wins...but in ticket sales....dual matches being broadcast through multiple wrestling states..ect

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 33m33 minutes ago
@theDudeofWV I agree...but dont scoff at the importance of wrestling to OU. Big 12 is looking to keep them happy with wrestling expansion

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 32m32 minutes ago
@theDudeofWV But overall I agree. Big 10 targeting East Coast. Just dont take OU for granted. Wrestling is in Sooners culture....deep

ME: The "PSU Protection Theory" sounds more and more plausible the more I read into it. Hmmm...
 
pj said:
To really capture a big market, just merge Northern Illinois with Univ of Illinois - Chicago and call it the Northern University at Chicago Illinois
Expand ...

UIC faculty take the plunge.

Jimmy-Fallon-Jumps-into-Freezing-Lake-Michigan-for-Charity-Video-430179-2.jpg
 
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Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
"@McMurphyESPN: .@jefflongUA on future conference realignment on @SiriusXMCollege: “Maybe little bit of shakeup but not major” Huuummm...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
"@SiriusXMCollege: AUDIO: @CFBPlayoff Comm. Chairman Jeff Long Says Conference Expansion isn't done.......this is kind of a big deal

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
How many discussions do you believe Jeff Long has had with Big 12 officials in regards to precedents set in 1st year of CFP? I say many...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
This is why I find Jeff Long's comment today on "maybe little shake up...nothing major" so very interesting. The comment could be about...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...the Sun Belt conf expansion possibilities or example. But it's Jeff Long saying this...AD of Arkansas. Why? Why would he say this...?

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
Do you all think Jeff Long has been discussing possible conference expansion with the Sun Belt conference? Who has Mr Long been talking to..

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...outside of his own SEC? We know the answer to this obvious question. Although I don't believe the Big 12 leadership has the vision or...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...want (UT/OU looking at exits 10 years down the road). to actually expand the conference to 12 in next 10 years.....you can't blame....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...fan bases from UCF/UCONN/MEMP/CINCY/BYU/ and others from latching on to MrLong's statement. But you know what really perks my ears up?...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
How easily Mr Long could have answered the question of future expansion in a different direction. Long's answer is a reaction to what ...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
....something that was mentioned to him in at least in theory (Big 12 expansion needed for CFP) Long's answer to simple question interesting

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
@Epfourteen Long could have answered 1) No expansion 2) I don't know 3) How would I know 4) Not that I know of. 5) Can't happen now

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
@Epfourteen However....I think McMurphy quoting this statement from Mr Long in an interview is very interesting. Long's answer not expected

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 1h 1 hour ago
@frankthetank111 The chosen words Long used seems to indicate he perceives some info he has heard more than just rumor. It's interesting

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 54m 54 minutes ago
@theDudeofWV @frankthetank111 ..you can make a logical connection to Long and him perceiving a shake up may happen Big 12 due to ....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 53m 53 minutes ago
@theDudeofWV @frankthetank111 ..recent communication between Long & Big 12 leadership on CF playoff selection and precedents going forward
 
Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 2h 2 hours ago
@mkw_14 @theDudeofWV @frankthetank111 If you listen to the interview Long's answer of a little shake up was in relation to new CFPlayoffs..

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 2h 2 hours ago
@mkw_14 @theDudeofWV @frankthetank111 ...and the impact of new TV revenues . Listen to interview...not about Sunbelt or CUSA.

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 17m 17 minutes ago
I dont believe the Big 12 is expanding at this time (Big 12 making big mistake...imo) but Long's perception on possible expansion today...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 16m 16 minutes ago
...in interview on Sirus was not about SunBelt or Conf USA. Listen to Long's statement in interview. This is not about what I think will....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 15m 15 minutes ago
....will happen or should. This is not about what Chris thinks will happen or should. This interview gives insight to Jeff Long's perception

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 14m 14 minutes ago
....on what he believes could happen based upon shifting sand/landscape due to the not felt yet of the total impact of CFP and new Rev...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 13m 13 minutes ago
...that some conferences have "coming in". Long's words...not mine. Its very interesting to me the perception Jeff Long has in all of this.

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 11m 11 minutes ago
And as for fan bases of potential candidates to the Big 12 or Big Ten in getting their hopes up...well....1) There hopes are already up...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 10m 10 minutes ago
2) None of them are happy with me because I keep stating that I have not heard anything on imminent expansion in Big Ten...and dont....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 9m 9 minutes ago
...believe for one instant the Big 12 is wise enough and has enough forsight to expand at this time. But to just close the ears and not...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 8m 8 minutes ago
...listen to what Jeff Long had to say in an interview on the question of what he believes is the future of conference expansion...well...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 8m 8 minutes ago
Im not a big believer in doing just that. Long does not believe the land has been settled quite yet. Long has an interesting perception....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 6m 6 minutes ago
And most importantly Jeff Long sits on a very impoetant and unique perch on the information tree. Im listening...you all should as well.
 
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Christopher Lambert @theDudeofWV · 2h 2 hours ago
Please fans of Cincy, UCF, UCONN & others don’t jump to conclusions. Long wasn’t talking about the Big 12.

Christopher Lambert @theDudeofWV · 2h 2 hours ago
Nothing has changed in regards to Big 12 expansion. The current TV contract does not provide additional funds for expansion.

Christopher Lambert @theDudeofWV · 2h 2 hours ago
@flugempire Greg. You know me. You know my sources. You know how hard I work to verify. Long wasn’t talking about the Big 12.

Christopher Lambert @theDudeofWV · 2h 2 hours ago
@flugempire There was no talk about expansion in Dallas. They affirmed 10 & the direction of the conf thru this TV contract.

Christopher Lambert @theDudeofWV · 2h 2 hours ago
I hate being the one to throw a wet blanket on the hopes of AAC schools.
 
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Little bit hard to read; but, UConn sticks out like a beacon of academic hope in the American while PAC, XII, and SEC all have small number of very good schools intertwined with some mediocre or worse partners. As expected, ACC and the B1G are the best academically. Take out each conference's worst school, Louisville and Nebraska, and they are tied with an average of 20. So, Louisville, ranked at 159 versus Nebraska at 73, singlehandedly assures the ACC's second place finish with an average of 35 versus the B1G at 29.

Within the P5, UConn would be #4 in the ACC, #7 in the B1G, #2 in the XII, #4 in the PAC and #3 in the SEC. Only if academics counted for more in this whole mess...
 
Mr. Conehead said:
View attachment 8484

Little bit hard to read; but, UConn sticks out like a beacon of academic hope in the American while PAC, XII, and SEC all have small number of very good schools intertwined with some mediocre or worse partners. As expected, ACC and the B1G are the best academically. Take out each conference's worst school, Louisville and Nebraska, and they are tied with an average of 20. So, Louisville, ranked at 159 versus Nebraska at 73, singlehandedly assures the ACC's second place finish with an average of 35 versus the B1G at 29.

Within the P5, UConn would be #4 in the ACC, #7 in the B1G, #2 in the XII, #4 in the PAC and #3 in the SEC. Only if academics counted for more in this whole mess...
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Impressive work!
Kansas & Kentucky surprise me. Not that their rankings are bad, I just thought they'd be better.
It really is amazing that UCONN has reached this level academically. Maryland, Rutgers....UCONN. Make it so.
ACC's grab of Louisville is comical when you look at the academic side of things. That is where the B1G stands far above the ACC.
 
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UCONN13KC said:
Impressive work!
Kansas & Kentucky surprise me. Not that their rankings are bad, I just thought they'd be better.
It really is amazing that UCONN has reached this level academically. Maryland, Rutgers....UCONN. Make it so.
ACC's grab of Louisville is comical when you look at the academic side of things. That is where the B1G stands far above the ACC.
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Not only comical, but it will haunt them...
 
Sea Goat said:
Not only comical, but it will haunt them...
Expand ...


I missed it before; but out of the P5 and the American combined, Louisville is the third worst school only behind Memphis and K State. I knew Louisville was not a good academic school; but, wow.
 
Mr. Conehead said:
I missed it before; but out of the P5 and the American combined, Louisville is the third worst school only behind Memphis and K State. I knew Louisville was not a good academic school; but, wow.
Expand ...
I never knew K State was that bad. I'm equally surprised that ECU isn't behind Louisville.
 
UCONN13KC said:
Impressive work!
Kansas & Kentucky surprise me. Not that their rankings are bad, I just thought they'd be better.
It really is amazing that UCONN has reached this level academically. Maryland, Rutgers....UCONN. Make it so.
ACC's grab of Louisville is comical when you look at the academic side of things. That is where the B1G stands far above the ACC.
Expand ...
That's what makes them so hypocritical, when they were boasting about Miami and BC academics way back when. You have to give Louisville athletics credit though. They are always in the mix and one can see why it made them so attractive.
 
of the 5 million viewers who watched the Thursday night Louisville-FSU match, do you think that 50 decided to flip the channel because of the academic ratings of the schools involved?

I still think that in an athletic conference, it is athletics first.....
 
.-.
billybud said:
of the 5 million viewers who watched the Thursday night Louisville-FSU match, do you think that 50 decided to flip the channel because of the academic ratings of the schools involved?

I still think that in an athletic conference, it is athletics first.....
Expand ...

To you and I, they most certainly are. To those running the schools (those that make the decisions), academics is more important than anything else. They want to be associated with their academic peers and UL is not one (The ACC touts it's academics as part of their message to fans).

Do I think it's a big deal? No. The only thing I saw is that it showed a weakness in their resolve. They went against their ideals for a middling brand. Was it the correct move? If it kept FSU and Clemson in the fold, then yes. It would also show how fragile The ACC was, and to a lesser extent, still is.
 
dayooper said:
To you and I, they most certainly are. To those running the schools (those that make the decisions), academics is more important than anything else. They want to be associated with their academic peers and UL is not one (The ACC touts it's academics as part of their message to fans).

Do I think it's a big deal? No. The only thing I saw is that it showed a weakness in their resolve. They went against their ideals for a middling brand. Was it the correct move? If it kept FSU and Clemson in the fold, then yes. It would also show how fragile The ACC was, and to a lesser extent, still is.
Expand ...


Weakness in resolve for sure. When you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything.

The Louisville add smacked of desperation, pure and simple. The ACC historically had been known as a strong academic conference. The Louisville add tarnished that image. The Syracuse and Pitt adds didn't harm the ACC's academic reputation, although Syracuse is in decline. But Louisville? Well when you lay down with the dogs... Duke is in the same conference as Louisville? The ACC had a choice to replace UMD with UConn. Quite simply, they blew it.
 
Even FSU may be regretting adding Louisville as ESPN shows them metrics for a conference network. They won a power play but ended up shooting themselves in the foot.
 
pj said:
Even FSU may be regretting adding Louisville as ESPN shows them metrics for a conference network. They won a power play but ended up shooting themselves in the foot.
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FSU isn't exactly an academic powerhouse. Maybe they wanted a school they could look down on or beat in "As schools match wits".
UConn was just a better choice, plain and simple.
 
Guys, academics mean absolutely nothing at all when it comes to athletic conference affiliation.

I hate to agree with the FSU, but just stop, we're embarrassing ourselves here.
 
.-.
Academics are meaningless to everyone but the Big Ten.

Then again, they can afford to be choosy where the ACC has to flail around offering their ass to Notre Dame and swallowing a zipc0de's worth of fans in Kentucky to keep some of their demons at bay. Or the Big 12 taking TCU inside the footprint or West Virginia and whatever they bring.

One's building a network and a future and the other two are just bailing their dingys to keep afloat.
 
ConnHuskBask said:
Guys, academics mean absolutely nothing at all when it comes to athletic conference affiliation.

I hate to agree with the FSU, but just stop, we're embarrassing ourselves here.[/QUOTE
This is true, but..and no one cannot deny, when BC and Miami bolted for the ACC, the ACC was claiming academics mattered and they were raving how wonderful it was that such academic stallworths were joining the ACC. We all know it doesn't matter now. But that is what was stated way back when. FSU and BCU are low life pond scum. That won't change.
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I believe that academics has everything to do with athletic conference affiliation--at least with the B1G--and is the key to understanding their strategy and future plans.

I believe the B1G has made it clear, barring some strange and unlikely extraneous event (like ND and UT wanting in) that they a focused on two locations: NYC and DC. Why the full court press on the mid-Atlantic corridor? Because it's where the money and power is.

If it was about recruiting, they could target Texas or Florida or GTech. All better TV markets, too. But I don't think that's the strategy.

Most if not all of the research money comes directly from the centers of power--and those centers of power have generously bestowed big dollars on the Big Ten. The B1G graduates move to the power centers and feed the cycle.

However, with the demographic shift in the country, they need to expand the footprint and insure they have the clout in NYC and DC to keep the limited supply of research dollars flowing to the B1G--the consortium of the best research universities in the country. They want to imprint B1G into the sports zeitgeist of NYC and DC. They want the TV's in those local markets to be talking nightly about the local B1G teams.

That's part of the reason the push for Maryland, the deal with John Hopkins and the push into lacrosse--a hot and growing sport in the target market.

All things equal, I think the B1G wants UVa bad, bad, bad, and would prefer VTech or NC or both, to UConn. If UConn could somehow get UVa to the table, the entire deal closes.

The other conferences seem to be looking at TV money and TV money alone. B1G is thinking longer term--they did that (TV $) once, with Nebraska, and I think were headed down that road before they pulled up and reconsidered. Even if they get the money, it just gets recycled into the sports arms race--it doesn't help the university as a whole. And, frankly, a lot of the leadership figure football, at least as it's played now, is a dead man walking. For every coach coming into U Prez office asking for support, there's a physiology researcher or medical school brain coming in to say, "You've got to kill football. You're hurting these kids."

Research dollars, though, they go on and on and on--as long as you can be at the front of the line when they're dished out. B1G just wants the dollar-dishing power centers to think B1G first and it will help a lot if they plant flags in those power centers.

That is UConn's aspiration and ultimate hope. Geographically, almost ideal. Sports--great bb, the rest are projects. But that's okay with the B1G. For B1G sports fans, the Rutgers/Maryland additions were met with something ranging from indifference to overt despair and hostility. Both project schools, especially Rutgers. But they're great universities in the right locations--the sports will come along or not--it's only partially about TV--it's all about building a great research cartel. If the sports happens to entertain a few of us along the way, that's good, but it would be better if we ran the appropriations committee.

All of which is to say this: if UConn wants to be B1G, you may have great sports teams or totally sucky teams, but you will be a great and highly-respected university getting a healthy chunk of the total research spending in this country. And it's all, or mostly all, about academics.
 
TruDomGopher said:
is.

If it was about recruiting, they could target Texas or Florida or GTech. All better TV markets, too. But I don't think that's the strategy.

That is UConn's aspiration and ultimate hope. Geographically, almost ideal. Sports--great bb, the rest are projects. .
Expand ...

Nice post. I have a couple of comments.

The Hartford/New Haven DMA is ranked 30th overall with a population of @2.5 million. That's pretty attractive in and of itself but their is more to it than just this number. Fairfield County Connecticut is included in the NYC DMA and is comprised of about an additional million. Connecticut consistently is either the top or second wealthiest state on a household earnings basis. In addition without any pro sports and with no significant competition from other state colleges, UConn consistently has very good ratings. Texas Florida and Georgia residents have divided loyalties. That isn't the case in Connecticut. Connecticut athletics is attractive both under the traditional subscriber concept and the more forward looking advertiser based approach that the B1G is likely exploring. In addition, as Michigan State now knows well, UConn's reach extends beyond it's boarder to NYC and Madison Square Garden is a de facto UConn home court.

All that is just a quibble. I enjoyed your post, regardless.
Regarding the notion that Connecticut athletics " are projects, other than basketball" I suspect that you are not that familiar with the athletic department at UConn. Of our 20 national championships, only 13 our basketball related. While it is true that UConn football is rebuilding after an epically bad coaching hire, it wasn't all that long ago that we went to a BCS bowl. Baseball is spitting out successful pro's, as is football, soccer and, of course basketball. UConn is in its first year as a Hockey East school and it lead that prestigious league in attendance.
 
TruDomGopher said:
I believe that academics has everything to do with athletic conference affiliation--at least with the B1G--and is the key to understanding their strategy and future plans.

I believe the B1G has made it clear, barring some strange and unlikely extraneous event (like ND and UT wanting in) that they a focused on two locations: NYC and DC. Why the full court press on the mid-Atlantic corridor? Because it's where the money and power is.

If it was about recruiting, they could target Texas or Florida or GTech. All better TV markets, too. But I don't think that's the strategy.

Most if not all of the research money comes directly from the centers of power--and those centers of power have generously bestowed big dollars on the Big Ten. The B1G graduates move to the power centers and feed the cycle.

However, with the demographic shift in the country, they need to expand the footprint and insure they have the clout in NYC and DC to keep the limited supply of research dollars flowing to the B1G--the consortium of the best research universities in the country. They want to imprint B1G into the sports zeitgeist of NYC and DC. They want the TV's in those local markets to be talking nightly about the local B1G teams.

That's part of the reason the push for Maryland, the deal with John Hopkins and the push into lacrosse--a hot and growing sport in the target market.

All things equal, I think the B1G wants UVa bad, bad, bad, and would prefer VTech or NC or both, to UConn. If UConn could somehow get UVa to the table, the entire deal closes.

The other conferences seem to be looking at TV money and TV money alone. B1G is thinking longer term--they did that (TV $) once, with Nebraska, and I think were headed down that road before they pulled up and reconsidered. Even if they get the money, it just gets recycled into the sports arms race--it doesn't help the university as a whole. And, frankly, a lot of the leadership figure football, at least as it's played now, is a dead man walking. For every coach coming into U Prez office asking for support, there's a physiology researcher or medical school brain coming in to say, "You've got to kill football. You're hurting these kids."

Research dollars, though, they go on and on and on--as long as you can be at the front of the line when they're dished out. B1G just wants the dollar-dishing power centers to think B1G first and it will help a lot if they plant flags in those power centers.

That is UConn's aspiration and ultimate hope. Geographically, almost ideal. Sports--great bb, the rest are projects. But that's okay with the B1G. For B1G sports fans, the Rutgers/Maryland additions were met with something ranging from indifference to overt despair and hostility. Both project schools, especially Rutgers. But they're great universities in the right locations--the sports will come along or not--it's only partially about TV--it's all about building a great research cartel. If the sports happens to entertain a few of us along the way, that's good, but it would be better if we ran the appropriations committee.

All of which is to say this: if UConn wants to be B1G, you may have great sports teams or totally sucky teams, but you will be a great and highly-respected university getting a healthy chunk of the total research spending in this country. And it's all, or mostly all, about academics.
Expand ...

Are you by any chance Greg Flugaur (Twitter handle)? I only ask because of the Gopher similarities between your handle here and Flugaur's Twitter profile.

Regardless, I agree completely with what you said. UCONN's top 4 criteria to improving their CR profile are:
1. academics/research - push towards AAU acceptance (or, at least, falling well within range of majority of AAU institutions);
2. improving football - UCONN will never be an Alabama, Ohio St, or USC level football program, but it can be (and has been) a very competitive football program in a BCS/P5 model;
3. DMA/TV reach - Hartford/New Haven is #30 but UCONN also has presence in NYC DMA and is covered, albeit not as fervently as in CT, in Boston;
4. men's basketball - top 3-5 elite hoops program in the country...really only have to stay "scandal free" during our CR quest.

I think that UCONN leadership knows that academics/research are #1 and most important for B1G membership, hence the push to secure an additional $1.5B from our state to accelerate expanding our research profile. Some of the new construction funded by that $1.5B is nearly done and we've already seen it pay off with prestigious designations. I completely agree with your point about sports - sports are cyclical; some years are "up" years and some are "down" years. I have no doubt that our football program will improve back to respectability soon...at least, restoring the program to where it was before Paul Pasqualoni was hired by our former AD. But the push towards AAU is of most importance to UCONN. Once our research profile fits in well with other B1G schools, I think UCONN fits in very well in the B1G. We're a large, public flagship northern-based school that puts equal emphasis on academics within our athletic department while remaining competitive in all/most sports in most athletic years.

Anyway, I do think UCONN is putting on a full-court press for B1G membership. I have no idea who our partner would be but until one is identified, it is clear that UCONN's leadership is doing everything possible to address the 4 criteria listed above.
 
ConnHuskBask said:
Guys, academics mean absolutely nothing at all when it comes to athletic conference affiliation.

I hate to agree with the FSU, but just stop, we're embarrassing ourselves here.
Expand ...
Before CR, I didn't understand the connection. Now I think I do.
The B1G is clearly the most established in terms of its mission. You will continue to see speculation about large flagship U's possibly leaving the ACC, or the Big 12 for that matter, for the B1g. I highly doubt you will read about any B1G school leaving the B1g voluntarily. It won't happen.
Academics absolutely mean a great deal in the B1G.
 
.-.
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