The New Big East

[weyuo]

If we try hard enough I know we can get some positive juice going about the new conference. Maybe the over seers of this board can pin each schools name up and we can add interesting(positive) tidbits of info about their football past, present and future. Who did they pick up in recruiting? How will UConn fare against them this season? What's their campus like? The stadium? What's the trip to their place going to be like? What to expect? What's around to see and do?

 

[Nostical]

Picture Dresden, circa 1945.

 

[weyuo]

I'll be real interested in seeing the progress of SMU in particular. At one time they had a national power going and everyone knows of all the schools back then that were doing the same thing they were the ones that got caught cheating. It cost them big time and they are fighting to over come it so give them credit for trying. They had a tremendous following at one time. I would almost put money on it that the open date between Towson and Maryland will see UConn returning to SMU. For, if anyone remembers UConn was the first school SMU played when they re-formed their football program after the "Death Penalty". So, in a weird, symbolic way it would be fitting that we be the first ones they play coming into the Big East.

 

[metsfan2323]

I'll be real interested in seeing the progress of SMU in particular. At one time they had a national power going and everyone knows of all the schools back then that were doing the same thing they were the ones that got caught cheating. It cost them big time and they are fighting to over come it so give them credit for trying. They had a tremendous following at one time. I would almost put money on it that the open date between Towson and Maryland will see UConn returning to SMU. For, if anyone remembers UConn was the first school SMU played when they re-formed their football program after the "Death Penalty". So, in a weird, symbolic way it would be fitting that we be the first ones they play coming into the Big East.

Houston is having a huge recruiting year. Actually all of the schools joining the Big East have seen a bump in recruiting. The league is not nearly as bad as everyone makes it out to be.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I was taught that if I had nothing good to say.......

Have a good night fellas.

(This post was for you 97)

 

[weyuo]

The key to success in the new league will be who everyone plays in non conference and how well everyone does there. This week I plan on learning what I can about SMU. For one thing they play Baylor for the next umteen years just like we have been doing with Buffalo. They have TCU for the next few also. They pull off a couple stunning upsets in the next couple of years and all of a sudden the Big East doesn't look as much like an orphanage. We knock off Michigan this year or at least give them the fight of their life and maybe we turn a couple more heads in our direction.

Got to give some credit to SMU though...they made it to a bowl this year and won the thing(Hawaii Bowl). I bet June Jones gets that program humming soon enough. Now that would be a sweet bowl for the new Big East to get involved in.... any bowl in Hawaii trumps freezing in Yankee Stadium.

 

[B1GEast]

Picture Dresden, circa 1945.

try Hiroshima

 

[BlueDogs]

I appreciate the positivity. But, at some point it crosses over into delusion.

 

[weyuo]

Geez... SMU just picked up a JUCO All American running back. Traylon Shead, 6'2" 225lb.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I found myself being cautiously optimistic about a New Big East with Rutgers, Louisville and the C-7. Every single defection, I found some positive lining. I'm really, really struggling with this set up, but here's a stab at it.

Disclaimer: Yes, we all know the conference sucks. But if this is what we're stuck with, we can at least try to enjoy:

Basketball:

Playing Memphis, Cinci and Temple twice a year in hoops. Three nationally respected programs, that are normally tournament teams. The one thing that wasn't good about the Big East Basketball (note: this is literally the only bad thing) we didn't get to play home and homes with every team. Yes, I know this means Tulane, East Carolina twice a season will suck, but I'm trying to be positive.

USF, UCF, Houston all have potential to be decent hoop programs. USF damn near made the S-16 last year, UCF actually beat us last season and Houston has been a successful program before. All 3 are in talent rich areas and look to be financially committed to succeeding.

SMU went out and hired Larry Brown. I doubt he stays there for long, but again it shows financial commitment.

Tulane and ECU...well...I got nothing.

Football:

Cinci along with West Virginia was the dominant program in the BE the past few seasons. This will be a nice game every season.

Temple. They've gotten a lot better and we've played actually some decent games with them. I envisioned playing them being a nice MAC game in September, not a 'premiere' conference game, but I'll be one of the 18 people that will enjoy this game.

East Carolina has proven be a very successful program in the past and from everything I understand they pack a 50,000 seat stadium.

UCF, Houston, UCF, SMU. All programs in talent rich, big metropolitan areas that seem committed to fielding competitive programs. May be some decent road trips in this bunch.

Memphis and Tulane...I got nothing.

We should compete for conference titles every season and if we don't, it's unacceptable. These teams have potential, but we've won the Old New Big East and if we can't compete in C-USA, it will truly be an indictment on our program.

So, in conclusion, our situation sucks, we all know that. Hopefully we can remain nationally relevant by dominating hoops (likely), football (no reason we shouldn't with Cinci) and schedule some big out of conference games to show the season ticket holders some love. Either way, I'll be there at The Rent (can't promise with how many though...) and at XL and Gampel.

 

[ZooCougar]

Memphis is like a high school. With ashtrays.

 

[UConnDan97]

Geez... SMU just picked up a JUCO All American running back. Traylon Shead, 6'2" 225lb.

SMU just lost their leading rusher, but they are bringing back their QB Gilbert. Gilbert threw a ton of INT's, but he has a lot of tools and will look to have a better year next year. To be honest, I am surprised that June Jones hasn't brought that team to higher heights than he already has, because I have a really high opinion of him as a football guy. But they went to a bowl game last year and their fanbase and recruiting are starting to get revitalized. Look for SMU to continue their upward trend. They are not going to be an easy victory.

In fact, we can say that about a lot of the new Big East teams. As much as people think that we are mingling with the "dregs of society", there are some good football teams here. I saw UCF give Ohio State hell not too long ago, and they are really going to be a solid football team. Houston took a downswing last year, but who wouldn't after losing a QB like Keenum. Still, their fanbase and recruiting are also improving once again. And once ECU comes on board, they are going to be a tough team to beat as well.

With the exception of Tulane and Memphis, there are not going to be any easy wins in this league...

 

[zls44]

SMU just lost their leading rusher, but they are bringing back their QB Gilbert. Gilbert threw a ton of INT's, but he has a lot of tools and will look to have a better year next year. To be honest, I am surprised that June Jones hasn't brought that team to higher heights than he already has, because I have a really high opinion of him as a football guy. But they went to a bowl game last year and their fanbase and recruiting are starting to get revitalized. Look for SMU to continue their upward trend. They are not going to be an easy victory.

In fact, we can say that about a lot of the new Big East teams. As much as people think that we are mingling with the "dregs of society", there are some good football teams here. I saw UCF give Ohio State hell not too long ago, and they are really going to be a solid football team. Houston took a downswing last year, but who wouldn't after losing a QB like Keenum. Still, their fanbase and recruiting are also improving once again. And once ECU comes on board, they are going to be a tough team to beat as well.

With the exception of Tulane and Memphis, there are not going to be any easy wins in this league...

Basically, UConn is going from a BCS conference to the "good effort against Ohio State!" conference.

UConn needs to roll this conference. In every sport. No excuses.

 

[metsfan2323]

Basically, UConn is going from a BCS conference to the "good effort against Ohio State!" conference.

Or you can say we went from the 6th best conference to the 6th best conference.

 

[UConnDan97]

Basically, UConn is going from a BCS conference to the "good effort against Ohio State!" conference.

UConn needs to roll this conference. In every sport. No excuses.

I was trying to describe the quality of football that they play. Perhaps I should have just said that they were a 10-win team last year, but I didn't think that I would have to go that far. The point is that they are a good football team, in a great recruiting area, getting better every year. If you think that this is a free win, you are sadly mistaken...

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

Maybe I'm just not the fatalist type, but I can't help but think that if teams like Utah State, Houston, and Boise State can succeed in their respective conferences, we can have success nationally, too. Unfortunately, that means people need to put away the Kleenex and quit their crying and just support their team regardless of competition. We didn't get passed over by Louisville because Susan Herbst and Warde Manuel were in the Virgin Islands. We got passed over because Louisville wins more and has better attendance, period.

I am encouraged that our recruiting is on an #uptick and maybe we'll see some fruits of that this year. If not, Pasqualoni is gone and someone new will take a crack at it and Warde's job will be in the crosshairs as he decides who to fill that void.

But fans need to do their part. ECU isn't in the SEC but they manage to get people out and care about that program. Same with UCF. We need to stop making excuses and start packing stadiums.

 

[weyuo]

Maybe I'm just not the fatalist type, but I can't help but think that if teams like Utah State, Houston, and Boise State can succeed in their respective conferences, we can have success nationally, too. Unfortunately, that means people need to put away the Kleenex and quit their crying and just support their team regardless of competition. We didn't get passed over by Louisville because Susan Herbst and Warde Manuel were in the Virgin Islands. We got passed over because Louisville wins more and has better attendance, period.

I am encouraged that our recruiting is on an #uptick and maybe we'll see some fruits of that this year. If not, Pasqualoni is gone and someone new will take a crack at it and Warde's job will be in the crosshairs as he decides who to fill that void.

But fans need to do their part. ECU isn't in the SEC but they manage to get people out and care about that program. Same with UCF. We need to stop making excuses and start packing stadiums.

Amen to that If Boise St and TCU can do it there is no reason why we can't.

 

[Hoophound]

Amen to that If Boise St and TCU can do it there is no reason why we can't.

Well, sort of. Boise takes kids with a second grade education and TCU is in the best state for recruiting and plays in the B12.

 

[uconndogs]

Maybe I'm just not the fatalist type, but I can't help but think that if teams like Utah State, Houston, and Boise State can succeed in their respective conferences, we can have success nationally, too. Unfortunately, that means people need to put away the Kleenex and quit their crying and just support their team regardless of competition. We didn't get passed over by Louisville because Susan Herbst and Warde Manuel were in the Virgin Islands. We got passed over because Louisville wins more and has better attendance, period.

I am encouraged that our recruiting is on an #uptick and maybe we'll see some fruits of that this year. If not, Pasqualoni is gone and someone new will take a crack at it and Warde's job will be in the crosshairs as he decides who to fill that void.

But fans need to do their part. ECU isn't in the SEC but they manage to get people out and care about that program. Same with UCF. We need to stop making excuses and start packing stadiums.

Excellent post and I agree, if we're true fans we suck it up and keep our passion for this program.

That said, we can do that and hold the University's leadership to high standards and performance. Ms. Herbst and Mr. Manuel are in lofty positions and collecting big salaries. They simply need to deliver. Was much of what transpired outside of their control? Sure. Did they do everything possible to position UCONN as well as humanly possible in the latest round of realignment? Don't know, but I have my suspisions.