Non-Key Tweets

[NYUConn]

I agree in that I'm sure it would deter the hockey contingent. However, to me, nearly 600 pages of Non-Key Tweets (half of which are B1G related) have brainwashed me to believe that we cannot turn down that offer if it is presented to us. We would need to keep in the B1G's good graces for any chance of a permanent invite down the line. Just my 2 cents though. I see it from both perspectives.

Yeah, I mean from a purely competition perspective it would be a disaster. Lose our natural rivals and recruiting base.

Also, I don't necessarily buy into the fact that joining the B1G as a hockey affiliate will somehow lead to an all-sports invite. For example, if we join the B1G in Hockey and it leads to a million or 2 million folks in UConn land signing up for the B1G network to watch the games, why would the conference then turn around and invite us? If they have the cable boxes without us as an all-sports member, where is the incentive for them to further split up the pie by making us No. 15?

 

[pj]

For the reason ND left the HE is the same reason we should stay.

No way UConn leaves Hockey East unless there is another shoe about to drop.

 

[CL82]

I agree in that I'm sure it would deter the hockey contingent. However, to me, nearly 600 pages of Non-Key Tweets (half of which are B1G related) have brainwashed me to believe that we cannot turn down that offer if it is presented to us. We would need to keep in the B1G's good graces for any chance of a permanent invite down the line. Just my 2 cents though. I see it from both perspectives.

EDIT: I'm by no means a real hockey fan. I'm a casual UConn hockey fan at best, much like soccer and baseball. To me, football/basketball lead my way of thinking.

I hear you, but I'm thinking it's a why buy the cow if you can get the milk for free, kind of a thing.

It would be a mistake to give the BTN an entry into the the Hartford/New Haven DMA and surrounding areas without a full membership. Now if this was step one of a binding agreement, I'm all in.

 

[hardcorehusky]

So, playing devil's advocate here- BTN measures ratings in Northeast with UCONN Hockey games and some package of women's games and men's games (Big home games) to see first hand the power of UCONN nation. Thoughts?

 

[specialisthusky]

So, playing devil's advocate here- BTN measures ratings in Northeast with UCONN Hockey games and some package of women's games and men's games (Big home games) to see first hand the power of UCONN nation. Thoughts?

They get their ratings, get the BTN in the DMA, and have no incentive to invite anything but hockey.

 

[CallMeBruce]

They get their ratings, get the BTN in the DMA, and have no incentive to invite anything but hockey.

There's no way that UConn Hockey gets the Big Ten network onto the basic cable tier. That's specialty programming.

 

[djct1999]

I was under the impression that UConn's investment in hockey in the first place had B1g written all over it. If they add hockey, one has to think the ultimate marriage is in the works as well.

 

[FDNY99]

I agree in that I'm sure it would deter the hockey contingent. However, to me, nearly 600 pages of Non-Key Tweets (half of which are B1G related) have brainwashed me to believe that we cannot turn down that offer if it is presented to us. We would need to keep in the B1G's good graces for any chance of a permanent invite down the line. Just my 2 cents though. I see it from both perspectives.

EDIT: I'm by no means a real hockey fan. I'm a casual UConn hockey fan at best, much like soccer and baseball. To me, football/basketball lead my way of thinking.

No problem if we are getting a full member share of BTN and B1G revenue...or getting our "buy in" share of the BTN $ along with a full member B1G revenue. BUT there is no way this works without that. Right now with ND gone...men's hockey may actually be a break even sport $ wise...heck it may even turn a slight profit (and I definitely mean slight). This is where UConn needs to be....not taking on HUGE travel debt for something (full B1G membership) that may never come to fruition. I'd MUCH rather see that $ which would be wasted on traveling as a B1G hockey member (what ever amount it turned out to be) put towards bond payments for a new on-campus facility.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Outside of Flug and a couple of other random Minnesota people there's absolutely no traction behind UConn to the B1G as hockey-only team 8. The majority of those with real connections in the sport are pointing to ASU.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

If this rumor is true and UConn is talking to the B1G about some form of membership, hopefully full admission and not just hockey, I heard that Michigan's new AD knows a lot about UConn's value proposition.

Out of curiosity, say if UConn beat Michigan St in the conference quarterfinals and then won the B1G conference championship with 10 losses, what seed would have UConn gotten in the Dance? I would guess somewhere between a 4 and a 6 seed and not a 9 seed. Imagine if UConn was the 5 Seed in the West bracket replacing Baylor. UConn takes out Yale in the first round and then faces the 4 Seeded Tripping Blue Devils in Providence in the second round. That scene would have been nuts. Coach K would have a fit playing UConn at a 'neutral' court in Rhode Island. From there, while Oregon, A&M and Oklahoma are good teams; but, beatable. UConn could have made it to the Final 4 before likely falling to Kansas (again) in the semi-finals. To dream a little dream...

 

[buddy]

I agree with you FDNY, but I would find it hard to believe that UConn would snub even a one sport offer of any sort from the B1G. I think they would have to accept the invitation and then work on full admission once they have one foot in the door. But.... this appears to be sheer speculation as you guys seem to have ASU already penned in the to B1G for hockey.

 

[specialisthusky]

There's no way that UConn Hockey gets the Big Ten network onto the basic cable tier. That's specialty programming.

You are probably correct, but that risk remains overwhelmingly not worth it IMO.

Not to mention the whole Hockey East being the SEC of college hockey with perfect geography for us.

 

[Kolumbo]

No sense putting the cart before the horse here but if hockey means anything, and apparently it does, the B1G would be very smart to invite UConn. Imagine Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan coming in to play double headers of hoops and hockey. That's how the B1G grows its hockey brand, recruiting in the bread basket of New England. Kids growing up playing hockey in CT and New York see B1G teams coming to town, I don't how much they will care that they don't have the history of boston schools. They are thinking Buckeyes, Wolverines, and Huskies!

 

[Stinger92860]

The B1G may provide the additional revenue and cover some of the increased travel costs. Didn't they provide Maryland with a travel stipend? Maybe we can also get some other sport scheduling with them.

 

[FDNY99]

No sense putting the cart before the horse here but if hockey means anything, and apparently it does, the B1G would be very smart to invite UConn. Imagine Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan coming in to play double headers of hoops and hockey. That's how the B1G grows its hockey brand, recruiting in the bread basket of New England. Kids growing up playing hockey in CT and New York see B1G teams coming to town, I don't how much they will care that they don't have the history of boston schools. They are thinking Buckeyes, Wolverines, and Huskies!

If you want to think that way it would be Wolverines, Gophers and Badgers (if Minnesota and Wisconsin can ever get back at it again). Truth be told most of the B1G schools recruit out in the mid-west/west with Minnesota being the main producer of talent. The gopher's roster has 5 non-Minnesota kids on it (2 from Michigan, 1 from Alaska, and 1 from Sweden, 1 from Wisconsin)..although the kid form Alaska really doesn't count because ehe went to hs at Shattuck St Mary's in MN.

 

[FDNY99]

The B1G may provide the additional revenue and cover some of the increased travel costs. Didn't they provide Maryland with a travel stipend? Maybe we can also get some other sport scheduling with them.

Hockey isn't football or basketball....they aren't going to bend over backwards to bring UConn in. Unless it's for all sports it isn't a good idea.

 

[Kolumbo]

If you want to think that way it would be Wolverines, Gophers and Badgers (if Minnesota and Wisconsin can ever get back at it again). Truth be told most of the B1G schools recruit out in the mid-west/west with Minnesota being the main producer of talent. The gopher's roster has 5 non-Minnesota kids on it (2 from Michigan, 1 from Alaska, and 1 from Sweden, 1 from Wisconsin)..although the kid form Alaska really doesn't count because ehe went to hs at Shattuck St Mary's in MN.

I know what you mean. I just meant kids watch football and think of conferences in those terms. Being able to play hockey and study engineering at Michigan might be a little more exciting than going to Northeastern. If they recruit primarily in the midwest, perhaps it's because they don't yet have a foothold in the northeast.

 

[FDNY99]

I know what you mean. I just meant kids watch football and think of conferences in those terms. Being able to play hockey and study engineering at Michigan might be a little more exciting than going to Northeastern. If they recruit primarily in the midwest, perhaps it's because they don't yet have a foothold in the northeast.

You have to take football out of the equation here. Kids that play hockey on this level have one thing in mind...making it to the NHL. Why would schools come this far east when they have a state like Minnesota and can go over the border into Canada to get kids. Boston Metro area kids grow up wanting to play for BC, BU, Harvard etc...and no matter what wanting to playing the Bean Pot.

 

[HuskyHawk]

No sense putting the cart before the horse here but if hockey means anything, and apparently it does, the B1G would be very smart to invite UConn. Imagine Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan coming in to play double headers of hoops and hockey. That's how the B1G grows its hockey brand, recruiting in the bread basket of New England. Kids growing up playing hockey in CT and New York see B1G teams coming to town, I don't how much they will care that they don't have the history of boston schools. They are thinking Buckeyes, Wolverines, and Huskies!

I have no doubt, absolutely none, that the B1G would rather have UConn than ASU for hockey. But I also have no doubt that it would be a move that was very positive for the B1G and hugely negative for UConn, so it won't happen. All or nothing.

 

[jostar1]

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire · 4h4 hours ago
UCONN was mentioned again twice this morning as candidate for #8 in B1G HCKY.
1) Star & Tribune - "UCONN is established and good acedemics"

Steve Lance ‏@Slance66 · 4h4 hours ago
@flugempire Why would UConn do that? Leave a better, local league? They wouldn't.

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire
@Slance66
I don't know if UCONN wants to...you may be absolutely correct. Only be assured B1G has talked with Susan Herbst.

 

[SAMCRO]

Since we are playing fantasy land, who would accept this scenario?
UConn to B1G in Hockey, and in return they get 2H and 2A football games per season v. rotating B1G schools; AND
UConn to ACC in Olympic sports, and in return gets 2H and 2A football games per season v. rotating ACC schools; AND
UConn Independent in football and are the first option considered if either B1G or ACC conference is unable to fill their allotment of bowls and UConn is bowl eligible. UConn football home game TV rights are optioned to the visiting teams conference TV network and UConn gets paid a little something for it; AND
UConn signs an ACC GOR with a clause that they can get out of the GOR without penalty if another P5 conference offers them full membership with football included.

This guarantees UConn 8 football games per season (same as today), they bring in an FCS and find 3 more "OOC" teams. Problem solved.

 

[NYUConn]

Since we are playing fantasy land, who would accept this scenario?
UConn to B1G in Hockey, and in return they get 2H and 2A football games per season v. rotating B1G schools; AND
UConn to ACC in Olympic sports, and in return gets 2H and 2A football games per season v. rotating ACC schools; AND
UConn Independent in football and are the first option considered if either B1G or ACC conference is unable to fill their allotment of bowls and UConn is bowl eligible. UConn football home game TV rights are optioned to the visiting teams conference TV network and UConn gets paid a little something for it; AND
UConn signs an ACC GOR with a clause that they can get out of the GOR without penalty if another P5 conference offers them full membership with football included.

This guarantees UConn 8 football games per season (same as today), they bring in an FCS and find 3 more "OOC" teams. Problem solved.

My head hurts.

 

[businesslawyer]

Since we are playing fantasy land, who would accept this scenario?
UConn to B1G in Hockey, and in return they get 2H and 2A football games per season v. rotating B1G schools; AND
UConn to ACC in Olympic sports, and in return gets 2H and 2A football games per season v. rotating ACC schools; AND
UConn Independent in football and are the first option considered if either B1G or ACC conference is unable to fill their allotment of bowls and UConn is bowl eligible. UConn football home game TV rights are optioned to the visiting teams conference TV network and UConn gets paid a little something for it; AND
UConn signs an ACC GOR with a clause that they can get out of the GOR without penalty if another P5 conference offers them full membership with football included.

This guarantees UConn 8 football games per season (same as today), they bring in an FCS and find 3 more "OOC" teams. Problem solved.

Yes. This. Because if the ACC wants anything its to have us be a member in basketball, to play us in football and to solve all our problems.

(Or, maybe, if the ACC wanted that we'd be in the ACC already.) Seriously, what is wrong with some of you? The ACC does not want us. If they do want us, they will invite us. But they are not going to pay us and put us on their network to co-brand us with the Big Ten. And if you say "but aren't they now doing that for Notre Dame," the answers are (i) yes, but no matter how many times some of you make this comparison we are not Notre Dame when it comes to market power, and (ii) I doubt the ACC is happy about what Notre Dame is doing but they probably don't have the contractual power to stop it.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Yes. This. Because if the ACC wants anything its to have us be a member in basketball, to play us in football and to solve all our problems.

(Or, maybe, if the ACC wanted that we'd be in the ACC already.) Seriously, what is wrong with some of you? The ACC does not want us. If they do want us, they will invite us. But they are not going to pay us and put us on their network to co-brand us with the Big Ten. And if you say "but aren't they now doing that for Notre Dame," the answers are (i) yes, but no matter how many times some of you make this comparison we are not Notre Dame when it comes to market power, and (ii) I doubt the ACC is happy about what Notre Dame is doing but they probably don't have the contractual power to stop it.

He did call it "fantasy land"

 

[junglehusky]

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire
@Slance66
I don't know if UCONN wants to...you may be absolutely correct. Only be assured B1G has talked with Susan Herbst.

But that can't be right because I read on this board that Susan doesn't care about sports. Even though she had a quote that the athletics programs are the "front porch" of the university. And was encouraging people to go to football games. And then UConn did the #UConn6thBorough campaign. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut the smart people know it's all an elaborate act and she would be happy if all the sports programs went the way of BC basketball and football.

#boneyardin'

 

[FAIRTIDES]

Since we are playing fantasy land, who would accept this scenario?
UConn to B1G in Hockey, and in return they get 2H and 2A football games per season v. rotating B1G schools; AND
UConn to ACC in Olympic sports, and in return gets 2H and 2A football games per season v. rotating ACC schools; AND
UConn Independent in football and are the first option considered if either B1G or ACC conference is unable to fill their allotment of bowls and UConn is bowl eligible. UConn football home game TV rights are optioned to the visiting teams conference TV network and UConn gets paid a little something for it; AND
UConn signs an ACC GOR with a clause that they can get out of the GOR without penalty if another P5 conference offers them full membership with football included.

This guarantees UConn 8 football games per season (same as today), they bring in an FCS and find 3 more "OOC" teams. Problem solved.

Not to channel "billybud," and invoke mythology, but you've just redefined "Sisyphean."

 

[FDNY99]

But that can't be right because I read on this board that Susan doesn't care about sports. Even though she had a quote that the athletics programs are the "front porch" of the university. And was encouraging people to go to football games. And then UConn did the #UConn6thBorough campaign. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut the smart people know it's all an elaborate act and she would be happy if all the sports programs went the way of BC basketball and football.

#boneyardin'

More like #Chief00in..

 

[TGW93]

My hope - or prayer if you will - is that it isn't about #8, it is about #16.

 

[SAMCRO]

Yes. This. Because if the ACC wants anything its to have us be a member in basketball, to play us in football and to solve all our problems.

(Or, maybe, if the ACC wanted that we'd be in the ACC already.) Seriously, what is wrong with some of you? The ACC does not want us. If they do want us, they will invite us. But they are not going to pay us and put us on their network to co-brand us with the Big Ten. And if you say "but aren't they now doing that for Notre Dame," the answers are (i) yes, but no matter how many times some of you make this comparison we are not Notre Dame when it comes to market power, and (ii) I doubt the ACC is happy about what Notre Dame is doing but they probably don't have the contractual power to stop it.

Not to channel "billybud," and invoke mythology, but you've just redefined "Sisyphean."

Re-read my first sentence...

 

[The Viking]

My hope - or prayer if you will - is that it isn't about #8, it is about #16.

Who is 15?