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Message: [QUOTE="HuskyHawk, post: 1698835, member: 1414"] I try to have a realistic perspective, and I think most people here do. Do I think UConn to the Big Ten is likely? No. Is it absurd? No. Here is why. [LIST] [*]UConn helps fill coverage gaps for the B1G in a sizable market and SNY pulled in very impressive basic tier carriage fees in that market. UConn fans will pay to see the games. [*]UConn is the only even theoretical B1G candidate that plays D1 hockey (none of the ACC or Big 12 teams) and they need more teams (and schools in hockey markets). Don't say "hockey" doesn't matter, it does to the BTN. [*]UConn is shy on research and endowment but academics otherwise line up and it is trending better on research [*]UConn women's hoops is a force of nature for any conference with a network. Its worth millions all by itself. [*]Basketball success with national brand name. Very recognizable. [/LIST] Does that mean that we're a stronger candidate than Texas, or UVA or UNC? No. Definitely not. But UConn is arguably more valuable to the B1G than to any other league, because of the BTN and hockey. Meanwhile, looking at the other leagues (Big 12 or ACC...not including Notre Dame), you may note that 3 of my bullets involve market value to a network they don't have, or a sport they don't sponsor. If either of them get or plan to get a network, then UConn's value over other G5 schools is really significant. It's not close. With no network? Then issues like geography and football culture (derailed us vs. Louisville once before) can outweigh other advantages UConn has. UConn and BYU are well ahead of anyone else in G5 by most metrics. BYU comes with issues however. If you don't see that, then you being willfully blind. [/QUOTE]

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