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Message: [QUOTE="gtcam, post: 3191683, member: 2844"] It's good for mens basketball and both soccer teams - regardless of what Geno says, it won't mean much for the womens team Absolutely sucks for football and baseball The big thing for all sports is the cut down in travel and a chance to create more regional rivalries For basketball it is a definite step up in competition which translates into a longer road to go until the program will be where a majority of fans wants it to be IMHO, while I can surely appreciate the quick fix that many foresee for the basketball conference woes, in the long term, I feel being wed to the NBE for a significant time may prove to be a fatal mistake. The current members of the NBE are "basketball" schools. While the men's and women's basketball programs at UConn have proven to be most successful (pardons to field hockey), I don't consider UConn to be a "basketball" school. UConn (and the state) has invested a huge amount of funds for a huge football stadium, training center and other football related investments. Going independent in football will not be good. Football needs a conference and rivalries. The program has proven in the past that it can be formidable and I feel it can return to respectability soon, if given a conference slot. As a huge mens basketball fan and season ticket holder for over 50 years, I love the chance to play the likes of Nova, Georgetown, PC, St Johns et al on a yearly basis. But as a business person and UConn fanatic, I am not sure this is the smartest move to make - in the long run. To pay upwards of $10 Million as an exit fee is hard to swallow now and it won't be made up by basketball revenue. Baseball may also feel a negative reaction as far as recruitment is concerned. The AAC is a really strong a viable baseball conference. Those trips to Florida, the Carolinas and Texas are so vital for exposure. I also would like to know, what religious figure will UConn have sitting on the bench at basketball games? Every team it faces in the NBE will have one!! (Not serious but just wondering) As a UConn mens basketball fan, right now I say Yah. - As a UConn fan, if this is a longterm situation, I say Nah [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach