The Possibility We Were Bandying About...

[Marty Jackson]

for those looking to join up with the C7, do you propose to shut the lights out on the FB program.
Uconn has spent 10 years trying to play, beat, and compete on the same level with Michigan, Ohio State, Syracuse, and BC. That short tenure is why our FB program is viewed negatively. no other reason.
What is the perception if Uconn follows the BB schools to join a BB only league. It certainly doesn't suggest that FB is top priority.
Uconn committed to Big Time football. It needs to stay with the remaining Big Boys and see this through. Our BB program is big enough and good enough to whether this storm. If this is what Uconn fans have to endure to prove they are committed then so be it. I have no problem playing Boise, Cincy, Temple, USF, Nevada, or even BYU if they are available.

anywhere, anytime B-tches... That has to be the new attitude.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

The only thing I know is that hoping for an ACC invite is a losing proposition for us. We have an athletic department, in a decent market, that spends money, that generates revenue, that has had success on a national level, a school with good to great academics and rising and the ACC has found one reason after another to pass on us.

That isn't a coincidence or a "perfect storm".

Except for the Miami/VaTech/BC raid, the ACC hasn't passed on us. We've passed on them.

 

[Chuck]

Except for the Miami/VaTech/BC raid, the ACC hasn't passed on us. We've passed on them.

You don't really believe that, do you? Is there any evidence of that? If we did, it was really stupid.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

You don't really believe that, do you? Is there any evidence of that? If we did, it was really stupid.

I believe we are going to the B1G, yes. I believe the evidence for that is abundant, substantial, and convincing. I believe if there is any talk between us and the ACC it isn't progressing particularly well because it is us who is stalling for time. We fit too well for the ACC to be ignoring us. Even those there who might oppose us can read the writing on the wall and understand they may have to swallow their pride.

 

[noeynox]

Except for the Miami/VaTech/BC raid, the ACC hasn't passed on us. We've passed on them.

Hahaha. I hope you are right, but highly doubtful.

In any event. Anything UConn does going forward has to be with the understanding that an ACC invite is unlikely to come. UConn has to be open to any measure that will keep our football viable.

Do I think the ACC is threatened by this new configuration. Like upstater said, no I do not. UConn however has to proceed like the ACC is not an option and began carving out the best way for our athletics to thrive. If being part of a huge coast to coast conference is the way, then so be it.

 

[Chuck]

I believe we are going to the B1G, yes. I believe the evidence for that is abundant, substantial, and convincing. I believe if there is any talk between us and the ACC it isn't progressing particularly well because it is us who is stalling for time. We fit too well for the ACC to be ignoring us. Even those there who might oppose us can read the writing on the wall and understand they may have to swallow their pride.

Totally not attacking you by the way. We have no way for anyone to really know. If your theory is true, however, I'd be pissed unless we have absolute evidence that the B1g has told us we're getting the call as of 201x. I'd want the docs signed and a provision that says we get $250 million if they bail for any reason other than something that could've gotten us kicked out as an actual member. Outside of that I think we tell the B1G "sounds great, call us when you're ready, we'll be in the ACC 'til then."

 

[upstater]

Hahaha. I hope you are right, but highly doubtful.

In any event. Anything UConn does going forward has to be with the understanding that an ACC invite is unlikely to come. UConn has to be open to any measure that will keep our football viable.

Do I think the ACC is threatened by this new configuration. Like upstater said, no I do not. UConn however has to proceed like the ACC is not an option and began carving out the best way for our athletics to thrive. If being part of a huge coast to coast conference is the way, then so be it.

Yes, I agree. What other option does UConn have? None. They have to play in such a conference. I've been saying that from the beginning rather than this CYO nonsense. The only thing is that it doesn't matter to me whether we play Tulane or New Mexico.

I honestly don't care about that.

I hadn't considered that by dissolving the league, the schools can split all the exit fees and credits. That's a good point someone made. I also hadn't realized that the NCAA credits earned in the last several years would have to be split with the new schools joining.

 

[Marty Jackson]

uconn needs to show, despite the circumstances we control ne. it doesn't matter what conference we're in...

 

[Marty Jackson]

and when this new leaugue passes the acc, we can give the finger on the way by.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Totally not attacking you by the way. We have no way for anyone to really know. If your theory is true, however, I'd be pissed unless we have absolute evidence that the B1g has told us we're getting the call as of 201x. I'd want the docs signed and a provision that says we get $250 million if they bail for any reason other than something that could've gotten us kicked out as an actual member. Outside of that I think we tell the B1G "sounds great, call us when you're ready, we'll be in the ACC 'til then."

Our invite is being delayed by UVa. That's my guess. If what I've read about the difficulty in prying Maryland out of the ACC is true, prying UVa loose has to be an order of magnitude harder...and that's now, after UMd has already fallen. The B1G is counting on all the big brains in Charlottesville to figure out that the ACC is going to be odd man out at the big boys table. That will take some time. Inertia always has to be overcome. So sayeth I. Newton (or words to that effect).

The B1G doesn't want to invite UConn now only to invite UVa in a year or so. That would roil the waters unnecessarily and make them look impetuous and insecure. Better to bring the two of us in together and present the completed master plan. The Northeast from Washington D.C. to Boston secured by 5 teams (Penn State, Rutgers, Maryland, Virginia, and Connecticut). Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State rotating through to generate a buzz that gets louder and louder. The conference title game played in New York...with, eventually, some UConn and Rutgers flavoring sprinkled in.

It's all spelled out, logically, and in Delany's own words. The only hold outs on here are those who offer zero/zilch/nada in the way of rational support for their conclusion. "We're never going to the B1G." That's all they offer. Take a look at the data again, guys. You're position is based on the way things were when we joined the Big East for football. Time to recalibrate. We're going to the B1G and so is Virginia. It's not done but that's the plan.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

I agree with this.

B1G will not happen.

ACC is hanging on tenterhooks, unless the ESPN comes to the rescue with $$$, and if that happens, get out the shanks.

upstater -

As one of the more reasonable voices here, I'd like to hear more about the reasons for your certitude that we have no hope of an invitation to the B1G. What are the factors that lead you to that conclusion?

 

[upstater]

upstater -

As one of the more reasonable voices here, I'd like to hear more about the reasons for your certitude that we have no hope of an invitation to the B1G. What are the factors that lead you to that conclusion?

Because the B1G needs 2, and when 1 other than UConn becomes available, you can bet there will be at least 1 more with a better profile.

Say UVa leaves. Then at least one other of the old guard ACC schools will jump too. Say the ACC falls apart. The B1G has better candidates.

Do I believe UConn is a better candidate than Cuse and BC? Yes. Better than Pitt? No--except the BTN already owns that part of the state.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Because the B1G needs 2, and when 1 other than UConn becomes available, you can bet there will be at least 1 more with a better profile.

Say UVa leaves. Then at least one other of the old guard ACC schools will jump too. Say the ACC falls apart. The B1G has better candidates.

Do I believe UConn is a better candidate than Cuse and BC? Yes. Better than Pitt? No--except the BTN already owns that part of the state.

I would have agreed with your "old guard ACC schools" assessment a month ago. In fact, I offered my thoughts that UVa and UNC were the obvious front runners for B1G invitations. It's really the re-look I did at population centers that got me to change my mind. North Carolina is a great fit for the B1G in many respects, but so is UConn. And UConn is at least as well positioned to deliver 15 million New Englanders as UNC is to deliver 10 million North Carolinians.

I don't see good reasons why Delany would risk going head to head with the SEC in North Carolina when there's low hanging fruit elsewhere. Anything south of North Carolina would really be swinging at pitches in the dirt. To me, your caveat about Pitt says it all. There may be other schools superior to UConn but none of them deliver a return on investment with as little risk as we do.

 

[upstater]

I would have agreed with your "old guard ACC schools" assessment a month ago. In fact, I offered my thoughts that UVa and UNC were the obvious front runners for B1G invitations. It's really the re-look I did at population centers that got me to change my mind. North Carolina is a great fit for the B1G in many respects, but so is UConn. And UConn is at least as well positioned to deliver 15 million New Englanders as UNC is to deliver 10 million North Carolinians.

I don't see good reasons why Delany would risk going head to head with the SEC in North Carolina when there's low hanging fruit elsewhere. Anything south of North Carolina would really be swinging at pitches in the dirt. To me, your caveat about Pitt says it all. There may be other schools superior to UConn but none of them deliver a return on investment with as little risk as we do.

Football talent. Maryland and New Jersey have a lot more of it than Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin. And so does North Carolina.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Football talent. Maryland and New Jersey have a lot more of it than Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin. And so does North Carolina.

None of the reasons you've cited would lead me to the certitude of conviction you convey vis-a-vis UConn to the B1G. Cogent to be sure. A tipping of the scales? Perhaps, but I don't see it. Too many fingers are pointing directly at Storrs, CT and none point at Chapel Hill or Atlanta ot Tallahasse or Lawrence KS or...

 

[upstater]

None of the reasons you've cited would lead me to the certitude of conviction you convey vis-a-vis UConn to the B1G. Cogent to be sure. A tipping of the scales? Perhaps, but I don't see it. Too many fingers are pointing directly at Storrs, CT and none point at Chapel Hill or Atlanta ot Tallahasse or Lawrence KS or...

You really believe UConn would be more of a pick-up than North Carolina?

 

[WestCoastHusky]

You really believe UConn would be more of a pick-up than North Carolina?

While UNC is probably more attractive, but why would B1G wants to go into a state that SEC is also eyeing? UNC is in SEC's territory and it would be wise for B1G to stop at VA and focus on the Northeast and the Midwest.

 

[upstater]

While UNC is probably more attractive, but why would B1G wants to go into a state that SEC is also eyeing? UNC is in SEC's territory and it would be wise for B1G to stop at VA and focus on the Northeast and the Midwest.

Once a conference takes UNC, they take the state.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

You really believe UConn would be more of a pick-up than North Carolina?

If you argue UConn vs UNC in a vacuum, then no, I don't see UConn as the better selection, but arguing in situ, then yes, I think there is a stronger case for UConn than UNC. And I don't think it's close.

Athletics is a push. UNC with an advantage and UConn closing.

Academics is the same as athletics.

Fan potential same as athletics and academics except that UConn has more of an upside and less competition.

Culture and geography. UConn hands down.

Negatives for UNC that UConn doesn't have. Making the case. UNC will fight tooth and nail to retain its relationship with Duke. Taking Duke with UNC leaves UVa and contiguous territory out. Bad geography. The SEC isn't poaching any UConn territory anytime soon. A long wait time for UNC because they don't want the B1G, resistence will be strong and difficult and time-consuming to overcome...if indeed possible to do so. I think UNC would rather join the SEC than the B1G...and it would be a better fit for them.

 

[WestCoastHusky]

Once a conference takes UNC, they take the state.

I don't believe UNC is a cultural fit for the B1G. They are a southern school that's better for the SEC. B1G would be wise to focus on Midwest and the Northeast. It is a good long term investment. I really do believe outside UVA, UNC is really the only threat for UCONN to get into the B1G.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Once a conference takes UNC, they take the state.

I don't believe that for a minute, not even a New York one, if the conference in supposition is the B1G. NC State in the hands of the SEC would be a most formidable obstacle to a B1G based UNC's domination of North Carolina. In fact, I'd place money on NC State winning that contest. UNC in the SEC is a different story but that, of course, eliminates them from B1G membership. I simply can't see a risk/benefit analysis favoring a B1G incursion into North Carolina.

 

[upstater]

I don't believe that for a minute, not even a New York one, if the conference in supposition is the B1G. NC State in the hands of the SEC would be a most formidable obstacle to a B1G based UNC's domination of North Carolina. In fact, I'd place money on NC State winning that contest. UNC in the SEC is a different story but that, of course, eliminates them from B1G membership. I simply can't see a risk/benefit analysis favoring a B1G incursion into North Carolina.

I mean, I'm shaking my head here. The popularity of UNC inside of NC is through the roof. NC State doesn't come close.

You are honestly putting your money down on NC State?

Are you also putting it down on Texas A&M over Texas because A&M is in the SEC?

 

[RegisteredUconn]

I mean, I'm shaking my head here. The popularity of UNC inside of NC is through the roof. NC State doesn't come close.

You are honestly putting your money down on NC State?

Are you also putting it down on Texas A&M over Texas because A&M is in the SEC?

Not "bet the farm" money, no. Money, sure, depending on the bet. Would I give 100:1? No. Would I take 100:1? Absolutely. Yes, I absolutely believe that an NC State playing in the SEC could outdraw a UNC playing in the B1G in football. The A&M/Texas analogy, I'm assuming, was included as a ludicrous throwaway. Nobody in college football is Texas. Nobody.

 

[upstater]

Not "bet the farm" money, no. Money, sure, depending on the bet. Would I give 100:1? No. Would I take 100:1? Absolutely. Yes, I absolutely believe that an NC State playing in the SEC could outdraw a UNC playing in the B1G in football. The A&M/Texas analogy, I'm assuming, was included as a ludicrous throwaway. Nobody in college football is Texas. Nobody.

Who is UNC in college basketball?

 

[RegisteredUconn]

Who is UNC in college basketball?

I'm sure Kentucky can make a case. In the past 15 years nobody has more NCs than UConn. Basketball isn't football so I don't see the relevance of the question.