Explain how UConn's current situation is Aresco's fault.
Who would you want UConn to be in a league with, that is realistic?
Tulane and East Carolina. Plain and simple. It was the ultra reactionary move that got the Presidents approval, without thoroughly being reviewed.
By all accounts, inviting Tulane was the final straw that broke the C7's back and forced them out of the league. Or, if you don't buy that the C7 were staying anyways, by inviting another 2 eastern members, it killed any shot of a 'western' division of the Big East.
I'm of the belief that the C7 may have had their foot out of the door regardless of who was invited, so let's just look at the failure of the Big East to create a 'Western Divison'.
Big East, East 7 teams - UConn, Cinci, USF, Temple, Memphis, UCF, Navy (fb-only)
Big East, West 7 teams - Houston, SMU, San Diego State, Boise State, New Mexico, UNLV, Colorado State
Football - Play your division 3 home/3 away and 3 games vs the other division.
Basketball - Play your division twice (east would have 1 less home/home due to Navy fb only) and the other division once (splitting home/away games). So if you're UConn, you're only taking 3 long road to the Rockies/California every year.
You absolutely cannot tell me that the best teams of the Big East and the best teams of the Mountain West wouldn't have gotten a better TV deal as one entity.
-You drop Tulane, East Carolina, Wyoming, Nevada, Air Force and the long trips to Hawaii.
-You become the clear cut 6th best league in terms of perception and chances are, you may still be better than the ACC in some years.
-Basketball is still a strong conference by adding New Mexico and San Diego State to the West. In most years this is going to be the clear cut 6th best basketball conference.
Where do we stand now due to Tulane and East Carolina?
Well, we lost the C-7.
Well, we lost Boise State and San Diego State.
The Mountain West and the Big East are both worse off and significantly worse than the ACC.
Big East hoops absolutely sucks.
The Mountain West couldn't full re-open it's TV deal.
UConn will be sharing their TV revenue with ducking Tulane. Do you realize how pathetic that is?