"UCONN belongs in a tougher conference"

[Adios]

We are easily one of the next additions to the so called glamorous "P5", but our fans....

Do have a business degree from UConn. I have no idea where people get their conclusions about UConn not being P5 worthy. It's simply asinine. We stick out in the Big East quite a bit, don't we? Geez. We also probably have the largest market out of all colleges. Between Boston, NYC and all in between.

The delusion of self grandeur.... Glad we have a competent athletic administrator, these days.

 

[MD#12Fan]

We are easily one of the next additions to the so called glamorous "P5", but our fans....

Do have a business degree from UConn. I have no idea where people get their conclusions about UConn not being P5 worthy. It's simply asinine. We stick out in the Big East quite a bit, don't we? Geez. We also probably have the largest market out of all colleges. Between Boston, NYC and all in between.

The delusion of self grandeur.... Glad we have a competent athletic administrator, these days.

3 reasons: football, football, and football
Don‘t you have Randy Edsal again? MD had to ship him out

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Just to summarize (from my point of view) - of course this is based on the current "program" under Geno -

- Those who suggest UConn would dominate in any conference are correct. Some games would be more competitive, and I doubt UConn would go undefeated for 7 seasons. I'm pretty sure some of those seasons UConn would be undefeated.

- It probably isn't likely that the BE is going to get much more competitive. Some of the teams have had success in the past, many not consistently. DePaul, and arguably Marquette, were good before they were in the BE. But the problem is facilities and money, particularly without football income. And it is unfair to compare women's facilities and men's facilities at many of the schools.

- But the truth is that this doesn't seem to matter all that much to UConn in terms of success. I get the argument that the more one-sided games do not help to prepare the UConn team for postseason, but as others have noted Geno does a good job of scheduling a strong out-of-conference schedule to balance this.

- The one disadvantage of the Big East is the lack of money that would be generated by football. That is the biggest advantage of a P5 conference.

 

[hjoerring]

During my pre -teen years when unhappiness overcame me with my family and I threatened to leave, my father sat me down and said if you are so really unhappy with living here why don't you just leave. Leaving would make you happy and your happiness is all we have ever wished. I am happy with this conference-- have always been. And I am not one of those who think a conference make a team bad. Some teams may, individually, have gotten better. But, there are many many bad teams in the so-called good conferences. I for one cannot see how better Uconn would be in another conf. Another conf. for these people usually mean the ACC, PAC-10(?), etc. What would be the excitement about playing some of those schools. Of course, we would be taking in a lot more $. But that comes with a pricetag.
Take my father's advise, if you are so unhappy become a fan of one of those schools in one of those conferences and you will be happy and your happiness would be all we could ask for.
Apologies for the irritation.

 

[Dokey]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this, so I might as well. In the recently completed Pac-12 Conference Championship Tournament, Stanford beat their 3 opponents by: 39 pts (USC), 34 pts (OSU) & 20 pts (UCLA). Clearly, Stanford plays in a weak conference and needs to move to a stronger conference.....

Playing in a weak conference like the Pac-12 is probably why Stanford hasn't won a national championship in almost 3 decades, and even that championship came over powerhouse women's program, Western KY.....

Maybe we should consider allowing Stanford to upgrade their schedule by joining the Big East. Just sayin......

Of course, 6th place Colorado beat Stanford. What Big Easy team could actually beat UConn?

 

[Dokey]

Look, UConn isn’t going to move to a tougher conference. Have you seen it’s football team? There was one good football season when they thought there was a chance they could move to Big 12 but no invitation was issued.

 

[Adios]

3 reasons: football, football, and football
Don‘t you have Randy Edsal again? MD had to ship him out

Do keep in mind that the market is there to develop. It was once ruled by HYPP, overtaken by the NFL. The NY Giants were the first NFL team outside of the Midwest, if I am correct.

 

[Adios]

Look, UConn isn’t going to move to a tougher conference. Have you seen it’s football team? There was one good football season when they thought there was a chance they could move to Big 12 but no invitation was issued.

You don't know much about athletics administration. Have you taken a peek at our schedule as an independent and seen how much support we get from P5 conferences or schools for home and home series with P5 schools? Let me guess......

 

[Discograd]

No question UCONN WCBB belongs in a P5 conference. UCONN in a P5 has been discussed more times than I care to remember. Drop it. It ain't gonna happen unless football justifies it. Good luck with that one.

 

[LETTERL]

I haven't read through all of the comments...but it will take some time for the other Big East teams to improve and increase the skilled players on their rosters to give UCONN a challenge. Until then, UCONN will be the Queens, especially with what is coming down the recruiting pike.

 

[LETTERL]

When UConn joined the original Big East, the better teams were Providence, Seton Hall, Miami and Villanova. UConn quickly blew past them. Ultimately UConn’s presence boosted both Rutgers and ND recruiting to where they were real rivals and nationally competitive. Ultimately Louisville and to a lesser extent, DePaul got there. A few other programs became pretty good for more than one year, Syracuse, West Virginia, BC. Hopefully UConn’s presence will have the same impact on rival recruiting in the current BE.

Whoa! This confirms that my memory definitely isn't what it used to be. Was Providence ever really decent in WCBB? I've been following the sport for 40+ years but I can only recall a couple of years when they won 20 games. Looks like I've got some research to do.

 

[LETTERL]

We belong in the ACC. But BC will never let us in!!!!

I would trade BC for UCONN in a heartbeat. Boston College has no business being in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

 

[oldude]

Whoa! This confirms that my memory definitely isn't what it used to be. Was Providence ever really decent in WCBB? I've been following the sport for 40+ years but I can only recall a couple of years when they won 20 games. Looks like I've got some research to do.

The Friars had a pretty good team back in the late 80’s, led by their talented pg Doris Sabel. Sabel went on to a career in sports broadcasting, got married and changed her last name to Burke.....,,,,

 

[Fairfield Fan]

First off, let me say that given how incredibly well UCONN has played the past week, I would think the BY would be filled with mild euphoria. Color me surprised, and wrong apparently. Numerous folks are not following Geno's excitement about the team, how they progressed, and how proud he is of them. They are actually lamenting the smackdown UCONN put on Marquette. UCONN held Marquette and Villanova to 39 points, and SJU to 41.

Smothering defense both from individual accomplishments, and team defense, and I would argue it's more a testament to our great defense than "lack of quality competition".

Second, it is VERY unlikely that UCONN will EVER make it to a traditional P5 conference. But first let's look at the men's side. 4 teams in and 2 more on the first 4 out/next 4 out. So the BE had the potential to get 6 teams into the big dance. I know there are other "tougher" conferences, but the BE is no slouch on the men's side. So WCBB fans better hope that the women's side of the conference improves and gets better, like the men's side has.

This is UCONN's first year back in the BE. Other coaches have already talked about having to "up" their games both in coaching and in recruiting. The Big East could have gotten 4 teams in - UCONN, DePaul, Marquette and Seton Hall if not for Seton Hall's implosion twice against Creighton. Bodes well for the future. Many of the teams in the BE were decimated by injuries early on. There's reason to hope that next season the entire conference will at least be as competitive as a few of the traditional power conferences.

It's going to be a slow roll. I'm hopeful that all the teams in the BE will continue to improve, dedicate resources, get stronger players, and make the BE as competitive as some of the P5 conferences. It never happened in the AAC. I'm hopeful that like the men's side, the women's side can consistently get 4-5 teams into the NCAA's. Seems like UCONN, DePaul, Marquette, Seton Hall and at least Villanova are all trending in the right direction. Butler, SJU and Creighton seem like they are working hard to improve. The jury is still out on Georgetown, Xavier and Providence.

Bottom line - this is IT for UCONN.

Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'
Plannin' and dreamin' each night of his charms
That won't get you into... a new conference.

You know, looking at the ACC, that's not a particularly strong conference. And the PAC-12 seems to have regressed back to its pre-Ionescu days of balanced and tough teams. Had Marquette been able to schedule better teams, especially late in the season, I should think it would have beaten a lot of SEC, ACC, and Big-10 teams. Same with DePaul pre-late season meltdown. (What happened to them?). Seems as though most conferences in WCBB aren't real powerhouses. BE clearly was vastly more competitive, top to bottom, than AAC. Big change from last year!

 

[oldude]

You know, looking at the ACC, that's not a particularly strong conference. And the PAC-12 seems to have regressed back to its pre-Ionescu days of balanced and tough teams. Had Marquette been able to schedule better teams, especially late in the season, I should think it would have beaten a lot of SEC, ACC, and Big-10 teams. Same with DePaul pre-late season meltdown. (What happened to them?). Seems as though most conferences in WCBB aren't real powerhouses. BE clearly was vastly more competitive, top to bottom, than AAC. Big change from last year!

There is also much better coaching in the BE than the AAC. Teams like Butler, Creighton and others make you work for everything you get. Many of the teams in the AAC would just roll over when facing UConn.

 

[FairView]

I can't believe that the UConn women's and men's teams are enjoying remarkable seasons, showing great player development and generating real excitement, but we're choosing to have this fruitless discussion yet again. I choose to enjoy the ride we're on.

 

[cohenzone]

Whoa! This confirms that my memory definitely isn't what it used to be. Was Providence ever really decent in WCBB? I've been following the sport for 40+ years but I can only recall a couple of years when they won 20 games. Looks like I've got some research to do.

I said better teams in the original BE. Not nationally. There weren’t any really good BE teams as far as national rankings go. It was a big deal when Tracy Lis, considered the best CT high school player in her class picked PC over UConn.

404 | CWBHOF

www.ctwomensbasketballhalloffame.com

 

[my2cents]

Uconn women's basketball transcends any conference they play in. They are force unto themselves. The exposure they bring to the Big East will elevate the entire league.
But as Doug Bruno advised, teams need to go out and play P5 conference teams and beat them.
Uconn's OOC games ( depleted this year) will always guarantee that they will have the national exposure needed to attract the best players in the country.
We are fine where we are, mainly because of geography and cost issues.

 

[UcMiami]

Of course, 6th place Colorado beat Stanford. What Big Easy team could actually beat UConn?

St Johns!

 

[Waquoit]

The Big East was really good in WBB before the breakup. It'll get better now that the other teams have UConn to sell. We got out of the AAC just in time. It's a garbage league.

 

[dogged1]

View attachment 65526

In order for UConn to make it to a P5 conference, they have to have a P5 football team. That boat has sailed.

So, CL, not quite sure. Is that an argument for or against an eventual P5 invite?

 

[npignatjr]

The Big East was really good in WBB before the breakup. It'll get better now that the other teams have UConn to sell. We got out of the AAC just in time. It's a garbage league.

Want to check the AAC teams in the tournament and seedings.

 

[npignatjr]

During my pre -teen years when unhappiness overcame me with my family and I threatened to leave, my father sat me down and said if you are so really unhappy with living here why don't you just leave. Leaving would make you happy and your happiness is all we have ever wished. I am happy with this conference-- have always been. And I am not one of those who think a conference make a team bad. Some teams may, individually, have gotten better. But, there are many many bad teams in the so-called good conferences. I for one cannot see how better Uconn would be in another conf. Another conf. for these people usually mean the ACC, PAC-10(?), etc. What would be the excitement about playing some of those schools. Of course, we would be taking in a lot more $. But that comes with a pricetag.
Take my father's advise, if you are so unhappy become a fan of one of those schools in one of those conferences and you will be happy and your happiness would be all we could ask for.
Apologies for the irritation.

Exactly the reason not to leave the AAC, of course there is the $17 million penalty, and making the whole football program irrelevant.

 

[npignatjr]

This is a "swan song" that likes to be replayed and played again and again. My opinion: UConn is where it needs to be and will be for now and the near future. Do I think that the BE will be better? Yep. These BE teams have a lot of creditability both in athletics and learning that will attract very good players who will compete more aggresively inside and outside that conference. As a matter of fact, recruiting for the men's program improved significantly when players saw the advantages of competing in he BE. Whatever. I guess every 6 months that this needs to be refreshed and the outcome will still be the same.

You think a large public university, which competes in dozens of sports belongs in a conference with mostly small to medium private schools with mostly small on campus facilities?

 

[visitingcock]

I would love to see UConn join the SEC as a non-football member along with one other school.

Proposal One: Uconn and a Tulane-like school could join as non-football members. Neither can afford the SEC arms race in football spending but either could compete in all the other sports.

Proposal Two: Vandy could chose to drop out as a football member. UConn joins Vandy as a non-football member and the SEC adds a full member like West Virginia (who is simply out of touch with the Big 12).

Hey, I'm not denigrating UConn football. Y'all beat us in the Frozen Pizza Bowl. I just don't see your admin would want to get caught up in the spending madness of SEC football. Yeah, recruiting is dirty too Tennessee.

 

[veryolddog]

You think a large public university, which competes in dozens of sports belongs in a conference with mostly small to medium private schools with mostly small on campus facilities?

Yes, I do. I graduated UConn in 64. The State of CT has never really funded or did what it should do over the years to make that place a "Great" university. The State has always wanted to find the cheap way to do things. That is why they hired Geno initially. They had no idea he would build this program to what it has become and were not prepared for that kind of success. From 1961 when I first entered UConn, football was and has always been second rate. They did not want to spend the money. Even with the stadium in E. Hartford, they could not fit 100,000 people. Everything is half buttock. If it wasn't for private donations, there would be no practice center. That fellow roomed across from me when I was there and went on to Law School.

To think that UConn is looked at the same as the other Universities in the Power 5 is ludacris. They are where they belong. And I would bet because these BE schools are small and have religious support group, they are a great place to send a young person for personalized education with small classes.

My folks in 61 sent me there to get me out of Albuquerque and we also had relatives in Hartford. The University of New Mexico would have suited me just fine as well but without the worldly atmosphere for me at UConn at that time. It was a rude awakening for me to be among the "worldly" and wise of the Northeast.

 

[freescooter]

I am not a huge fan of the New Big East even on the men’s side. I think it is pretty overrated and incredibly top heavy. I mean when 1 team wind the regular season 6 times and shares it once in 8 years, and has played in the tournament final 6 times in 7 years that pretty much equals total domination. Maybe not comparable to the women and UConn but still It’s hard to argue that Villanova isn’t head and shoulders above the rest of the league.

Given all that, it is pretty clear that the decision to move to the NBE (this league is not the Original Big East so I don’t say return) was driven by 2 things. 1 was to reduce travel expenses. The other was to satisfy a loud group of men’s basketball supporters who have no interest in UConn beyond mens basketball. If you look at other sports, baseball went from an excellent conference to a one bid league. Women’s basketball went to a much worse league. Football was left out completely. You can pretend that St Johns and Georgetown will up their games. They won’t. Honestly they don’t give a crap. St. John’s about women’s sports. Georgetown about sports In general. If they could figure out a way the Hoyas would happily follow the Ivy League model. My concern about UConn in this league is that whoever follows Geno will not have the influence to avoid moving back toward the balance of the league. If you are an 18 year old all American it is one thing to decide to play in a bad league for the best coach in your sport. It is another to turn down an offer from Soth Carolina and THE SEC or Duke to play for Carla Berube...

 

[freescooter]

The re-rese of the Big East in WBB now that we're back in the conference can very much happen:

1. The BE is a basketball conference
2. The BE in men's basketball is a great conference.
3. There are some really great academic institutions in the BE.
4. The schools in the BE are in areas where girl's HS basketball is strong.

1. True. Soccer is pretty solid. Everything else is second rate. Well field hockey but only because UConn is a national power.
2. It is Villanova and the 10 dwarfs. We will see if UConn can rise to be the second team of significance.
3. Well with UConn joining there are now 2. The rest are middle of the road regional universities, and a few aren’t that good. Most dont have any significant research or graduate schools other than the requisite law school or money making mba program. Only UConn and Georgetown would qualify as major national universities. They engage in significant reseach, offer doctorates in multiple disciplines, have multiple professional schools and respected medical schools. The others range from fine to mediocre commuter schools.
4. I’ll take your word for it.

 

[Zanzman]

C

I am not a huge fan of the New Big East even on the men’s side. I think it is pretty overrated and incredibly top heavy. I mean when 1 team wind the regular season 6 times and shares it once in 8 years, and has played in the tournament final 6 times in 7 years that pretty much equals total domination. Maybe not comparable to the women and UConn but still It’s hard to argue that Villanova isn’t head and shoulders above the rest of the league.

Given all that, it is pretty clear that the decision to move to the NBE (this league is not the Original Big East so I don’t say return) was driven by 2 things. 1 was to reduce travel expenses. The other was to satisfy a loud group of men’s basketball supporters who have no interest in UConn beyond mens basketball. If you look at other sports, baseball went from an excellent conference to a one bid league. Women’s basketball went to a much worse league. Football was left out completely. You can pretend that St Johns and Georgetown will up their games. They won’t. Honestly they don’t give a crap. St. John’s about women’s sports. Georgetown about sports In general. If they could figure out a way the Hoyas would happily follow the Ivy League model. My concern about UConn in this league is that whoever follows Geno will not have the influence to avoid moving back toward the balance of the league. If you are an 18 year old all American it is one thing to decide to play in a bad league for the best coach in your sport. It is another to turn down an offer from Soth Carolina and THE SEC or Duke to play for Carla Berube...

Carla coaches Princeton but we got your point

 

[BostonBay]

UConn deserved to be in the ACC way back when the Big East was being realigned. Certain schools & political forces left UConn out...A big blow to the BB program, imo..Imagine playing Duke, NC twice a year & the $$ that would bring in.