This is probably not a good time for this. Then again, I'm not sure when the right time might be. Our current conference affiliation and its potential affects on the program have been discussed on several occasions. Here is one more datum to add to the pile: ESPN no longer considers us worthy of tracking with the "important" programs. "Important" is my word, not theirs. I've applied it to those 65 teams (the so-called P5) for which ESPN daily tracks, ranks, and publishes four team statistics: points per game; rebounds per game; assists per game; and field goal percentage. By ignoring the American and other lesser conferences, ESPN can, for example, unashamedly assert that Baylor is 1st Overall in scoring at 89.5 points per game even though UConn is scoring 89.9 ppg.
I understand the "as long as we have Geno" and "winning is what matters" arguments. I agree with them. Perception plays its role as well though, particularly in the lifeblood of every program, recruiting. Every time we find ourselves marginalized, or diminished in the discussion ("oh UConn? Who cares, they're not #1" or "UConn? They lost, they're not that good anymore" or "Sure UConn clobbered Team X without Player Y. What's your point?") our perception in the eyes of the cumulative others is lessened. Perhaps the diminution is negligible, imperceptible even, but unless addressed, it is cumulative. Rome neither rose nor fell in a fortnight. Just sayin'.
