UMASS in talks with potential new home?

[CallMeBruce]

It brings nothing to the conference, but as a UConn fan, I'd love to have that rivalry game every year, especially if UMass' success this season wasn't an aberration. I want UConn to succeed in football, but I'm a UConn fan because of basketball 1st, and it's not close.

 

[SubbaBub]

UMass is a regular game for memorial stadium. If you want UConn to play it's games in memorial stadium, then by all means.

Wait, they tore down memorial stadium...we'd have to travel backward in time to do that? Nevermind.

Stop living in the less than mediocre past. When losing to UMass in anything ceases to be the embarrassment we know it would be then, and only then, would scheduling them or being in the same conference with make any sense.

 

[Husky25]

Way to flip flop, as you were so clearly FOR UMASS in the existing AAC, despite the fact it would further drag the conference down.

Now, kick, I don't know, Tulane, Houston, and maybe a 3rd out, and it's an entirely different question.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that you want to kick a Bowl team out of the Conference and not admit another bowl team (Both with bright futures) in favor of a program that has won 2 game out of their last 20 and no foreseeable prospects for the future? I wonder who your idea of the 3rd team would be. Central Florida maybe?

 

[Husky25]

As much as this pains me to say, I agree with all the posters that say UMass brings nothing to the table right now. Granted, it does provide somewhat regional games for UConn and Temple, but as far as providing a market, UMass has not proven they can deliver adequate ticket sale support, let alone TV sets.
That being said, I still think UMass would be a good replacement for UConn. The AAC would still have a presence in this area should UMass invest in their athletic dept. All signs at UMass now are that they are willing to do that. They certainly did not spend the money for both basketball and football training facilities to go "all-in" with the MAC. Did they come to the dance a little too late? Time will tell.

It shouldn't pain you at all. It's reality right now. If UMass meant anything significant, the powers-that-be would have had at least made arrangements for a Cable Access level camera at the 2013 A-10 semi final.

Read that last part again. An NCAA conference tournament basketball game was not televised in a participating institution's local madia market.

 

[CallMeBruce]

UMass is a regular game for memorial stadium. If you want UConn to play it's games in memorial stadium, then by all means.

Wait, they tore down memorial stadium...we'd have to travel backward in time to do that? Nevermind.

Stop living in the less than mediocre past. When losing to UMass in anything ceases to be the embarrassment we know it would be then, and only then, would scheduling them or being in the same conference with make any sense.

I don't know if you were responding to me, but I'm talking about playing them in basketball, not football.

 

[Husky25]

I don't know if you were responding to me, but I'm talking about playing them in basketball, not football.

There's 13 games before the conference basketball schedule starts. Play them then. In terms of conference realignment, UMass as a whole only drags down the AAC conference.

 

[SubbaBub]

I don't know if you were responding to me, but I'm talking about playing them in basketball, not football.

I wasn't. But, there is really no difference.

UMass was relevant only when Cal/Camby were there and before it was vacated. The UGame that resulted from it was a bust by the time the series ended.

UMass as of right now belongs in the MAC and should fund and plan accordingly. Become Boston's and MA's team and things would change.

 

[UMass]

I wasn't. But, there is really no difference.

UMass was relevant only when Cal/Camby were there and before it was vacated. The UGame that resulted from it was a bust by the time the series ended.

UMass as of right now belongs in the MAC and should fund and plan accordingly. Become Boston's and MA's team and things would change.

Was "vacated" necessary? Seriously, for a fanbase that detests the past thrown in their face, did it add much to an otherwise accurate post?

 

[Husky25]

Was "vacated" necessary? Seriously, for a fanbase that detests the past thrown in their face, did it add much to an otherwise accurate post?

By and large, UConn fans don't mind the past. Especially 1999, 2004, 2011, and 2014. What UConn fans don't like are misinformed sports writers who seem to have an agenda and opposing fanbases.

Subject APR
Fact: UConn had a low APR and was banned from the NCAA Tournament.
Myth: The players on the current team were responsible for the ban
Fact: The APR upon which the ban was enforced included teams from 2009.

What was reported? The myth. What is used by opposing fanbases? The myth.

Subject: Fiesta Bowl Attendance
Fact: UConn made the Fiesta Bowl based on holding tie-breaker advantages vs. two other teams.
Fact: UConn sold a fraction of their ticket allotment
Fact: Tickets were sold as a part of packages over-priced for John Q. Taxpayer.
Fact: UConn had to send a large majority of tickets back to the Fiesta Bowl
Fact: It is policy for The Big 12 to buy out remaining ticket allotments
Myth: UConn fans don't travel well
Fact: UConn's in stadium fan support was equal to or greater than their allotment.

What was reported? The myth. What is used by opposing fanbases? The myth.

As I said, UConn fans (By and Large) own their past.

 

[UMass]

By and large, UConn fans don't mind the past. Especially 1999, 2004, 2011, and 2014. What UConn fans don't like are misinformed sports writers who seem to have an agenda and opposing fanbases.

Subject APR
Fact: UConn had a low APR and was banned from the NCAA Tournament.
Myth: The players on the current team were responsible for the ban
Fact: The APR upon which the ban was enforced included teams from 2009.

What was reported? The myth. What is used by opposing fanbases? The myth.

Subject: Fiesta Bowl Attendance
Fact: UConn made the Fiesta Bowl based on holding tie-breaker advantages vs. two other teams.
Fact: UConn sold a fraction of their ticket allotment
Fact: Tickets were sold as a part of packages over-priced for John Q. Taxpayer.
Fact: UConn had to send a large majority of tickets back to the Fiesta Bowl
Fact: It is policy for The Big 12 to buy out remaining ticket allotments
Myth: UConn fans don't travel well
Fact: UConn's in stadium fan support was equal to or greater than their allotment.

What was reported? The myth. What is used by opposing fanbases? The myth.

As I said, UConn fans (By and Large) own their past.

Agree with all of your stated "facts" above. UConn has not been treated fairly by sportswriters (espn) and that is unfortunate and grossly negligent on their part.
I guess my objection to "vacated" in SubbaBub's previous post is a kettle/pot thing. I found it quite disingenuous for a fan of a team that vacated a sweet 16 appearance that same year because of actions of Ricky Moore and Kirk King to throw that stone.

 

[Husky25]

Agree with all of your stated "facts" above. UConn has not been treated fairly by sportswriters (espn) and that is unfortunate and grossly negligent on their part.
I guess my objection to "vacated" in SubbaBub's previous post is a kettle/pot thing. I found it quite disingenuous for a fan of a team that vacated a sweet 16 appearance that same year because of actions of Ricky Moore and Kirk King to throw that stone.

But Moore and King did take airline tickets. UConn no longer has a banner for '95-96. It is what it is. We, as fans, own it.

What hurts worse is UConn's performance in that year's tournament. You will hear a lot of moaning about UConn underachieving that year after going to the Elite Eight the two year prior and after the season they had. They should have gone further and it would have hurt more. But they didn't and it doesn't. Besides vacating a Sweet 16 appearance is nothing compared to vacating a Final Four, especially after considering that is as far as Calipari was willing to take UMass before leaving them virtually high and dry. No more Camby, no more success.

 

[SubbaBub]

The point is that there is no need to discuss UMass other than to say I hope they figure it out. The schools have different aspirations. Nothing wrong with that, but we needn't be tied to them anymore than we are tied to Yale, Quinnipiac or CCSU.

 

[CallMeBruce]

By and large, UConn fans don't mind the past. Especially 1999, 2004, 2011, and 2014. What UConn fans don't like are misinformed sports writers who seem to have an agenda and opposing fanbases.

Subject APR
Fact: UConn had a low APR and was banned from the NCAA Tournament.
Myth: The players on the current team were responsible for the ban
Fact: The APR upon which the ban was enforced included teams from 2009.

What was reported? The myth. What is used by opposing fanbases? The myth.

Actually, what's used by opposing fanbases is often that the Nate Miles/Nochimson issue led to the postseason ban, which is even wronger (word?).

 

[Husky25]

Actually, what's used by opposing fanbases is often that the Nate Miles/Nochimson issue led to the postseason ban, which is even wronger (word?).

Yeah, that only led to a couple forfeited scholarships, IIRC.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

Agree with all of your stated "facts" above. UConn has not been treated fairly by sportswriters (espn) and that is unfortunate and grossly negligent on their part.
I guess my objection to "vacated" in SubbaBub's previous post is a kettle/pot thing. I found it quite disingenuous for a fan of a team that vacated a sweet 16 appearance that same year because of actions of Ricky Moore and Kirk King to throw that stone.

Vacated in UMass case was a signature event which you guys have had difficulty recovering from. In our case it was a quickly forgotten blip preceding a golden age.
The importance of any historical event is it's impact on subsequent events.
I am an old Yankee conference fan and I will never forgive Calipari for leaving you guys in a heap and coming out smelling like a rose. Pulled the same thing at Memphis and now is a media darling.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Yup. if we eliminated all the fans that are either small minded or ill informed on all these school team fans websites, they'd be few sites.

Yup. if we eliminated all of the delusional fans that are either small minded or ill informed on this board itself, there'd be far fewer posts, delusional, controversial, added-value, etc. alike. Of course, more people might actually get some work done, there'd be much less resulting Boneyard revenue, and we might end up paying for the comic relief,

 

[UMass]

Vacated in UMass case was a signature event which you guys have had difficulty recovering from. In our case it was a quickly forgotten blip preceding a golden age.
The importance of any historical event is it's impact on subsequent events.
I am an old Yankee conference fan and I will never forgive Calipari for leaving you guys in a heap and coming out smelling like a rose. Pulled the same thing at Memphis and now is a media darling.

No doubt that the events of 1996 had a longer lasting negative effect on UMass. The school was just beginning to show promise on the national stage and the combo of Camby/ Cal leaving pulled the rug out. Believe me, it took a long time for me to get over the way he left. But I'm not sure that back then, or even now, UMass is not just a stepping stone job. College basketball just does not have that many Calhouns or Izzos. It takes a special kind of guy to stay put and build the kind of program that these guys have built. Too many times it's just so much easier to take the money and move up. My honest take on Cal is that UMass would have lost him anyway with their inability to pay him. The real problem began with their subsequent choices for replacement. I think I cried a little when Steve Lappas was announced.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

No doubt that the events of 1996 had a longer lasting negative effect on UMass. The school was just beginning to show promise on the national stage and the combo of Camby/ Cal leaving pulled the rug out. Believe me, it took a long time for me to get over the way he left. But I'm not sure that back then, or even now, UMass is not just a stepping stone job. College basketball just does not have that many Calhouns or Izzos. It takes a special kind of guy to stay put and build the kind of program that these guys have built. Too many times it's just so much easier to take the money and move up. My honest take on Cal is that UMass would have lost him anyway with their inability to pay him. The real problem began with their subsequent choices for replacement. I think I cried a little when Steve Lappas was announced.

UMass’s biggest challenge is that it gets no love from Beacon Hill. UConn was able to transform the love it got from CT fans when the men and women’s hoop teams exploded onto the scene and stayed there in the late 1980’s (Men’s NIT in 1988) and mid 1990’s (women’s 1st national championship in 1995) into power in Hartford and that power created UConn 2000 and UConn 2020. Putting aside conference realignment for a moment, it is amazing that UConn has evolved from a good, small state flagship university in New England, which has been historically dominated by private universities, to a major research university on par with Rutgers, Penn St, Maryland, etc. with the chance to be affiliated with the B1G academically in less than 40 years.

 

[UMass]

UMass’s biggest challenge is that it gets no love from Beacon Hill. UConn was able to transform the love it got from CT fans when the men and women’s hoop teams exploded onto the scene and stayed there in the late 1980’s (Men’s NIT in 1988) and mid 1990’s (women’s 1st national championship in 1995) into power in Hartford and that power created UConn 2000 and UConn 2020. Putting aside conference realignment for a moment, it is amazing that UConn has evolved from a good, small state flagship university in New England, which has been historically dominated by private universities, to a major research university on par with Rutgers, Penn St, Maryland, etc. with the chance to be affiliated with the B1G academically in less than 40 years.

You are absolutely right! The entire system at UMass with separate chancellors for each campus does not lend itself to establishing a true state flagship university. We actually have to recruit against ourselves in some cases. With the political clout of Marty Meehan, now the chancellor of UM Lowell, the Amherst campus is coming up as the bridesmaid in many instances. If you look at UMass endowment figures it looks fairly impressive until you study the breakdown between Amherst, Lowell, and the Med. Ctr. in Worcester.
UConn has done amazing things both athletically and academically in a relative short period of time. That is a tribute not only to the leadership at UConn but the foresight of the state government as well. It would do UMass well to attempt to pattern it's system after UConn's, however the political fallout from such a overhaul would be a crapstorm of epic proportions. It would never happen.

 

[upstater]

You are absolutely right! The entire system at UMass with separate chancellors for each campus does not lend itself to establishing a true state flagship university. We actually have to recruit against ourselves in some cases. With the political clout of Marty Meehan, now the chancellor of UM Lowell, the Amherst campus is coming up as the bridesmaid in many instances. If you look at UMass endowment figures it looks fairly impressive until you study the breakdown between Amherst, Lowell, and the Med. Ctr. in Worcester.
UConn has done amazing things both athletically and academically in a relative short period of time. That is a tribute not only to the leadership at UConn but the foresight of the state government as well. It would do UMass well to attempt to pattern it's system after UConn's, however the political fallout from such a overhaul would be a crapstorm of epic proportions. It would never happen.

You're much better off with separate presidents. Look at SUNY. A big revenue sucking machine there at SUNY Central in Albany.

 

[Pudge]

You're much better off with separate presidents. Look at SUNY. A big revenue sucking machine there at SUNY Central in Albany.

This is absolutely true.

But ... if you review Albany v. Binghamton v. Buffalo (and I don't know much about Stony Brook ... sorry) ... you find that a Lagging administration at Albany has put that Public Research University far behind the other two. And, the Albany Nanocollege (a gem for sure) is actually been more of a sucking oxygen mechanism for the State U in Albany. I think that EACH State U, with their relative strengths with their respective legislature, has to fight their own Budget battles. UConn, actually is blessed to be the absolute number 1 in its State system. Rutgers & Pennsylvania & Maryland & Massachusetts are places where a number 2 has been sought; and in both UMass-Lowell & Rowan, clear big dollars are being devoted to building a second solid Public Research campus. That hurts Amherst. I think South Jersey people are leading the way to boost Rowan over Rutgers.

All interesting.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

You are absolutely right! The entire system at UMass with separate chancellors for each campus does not lend itself to establishing a true state flagship university. We actually have to recruit against ourselves in some cases. With the political clout of Marty Meehan, now the chancellor of UM Lowell, the Amherst campus is coming up as the bridesmaid in many instances. If you look at UMass endowment figures it looks fairly impressive until you study the breakdown between Amherst, Lowell, and the Med. Ctr. in Worcester.
UConn has done amazing things both athletically and academically in a relative short period of time. That is a tribute not only to the leadership at UConn but the foresight of the state government as well. It would do UMass well to attempt to pattern it's system after UConn's, however the political fallout from such a overhaul would be a crapstorm of epic proportions. It would never happen.

Meehan is going to be a big thorn in UMass-Amherst's side. Lowell is closer to Boston than Amherst (many Boston natives think Mass ends at I-495), has a dynamic leader, and is even jumping up to FCS in Football and D1 in other sports. Plus, they have a decent hockey team now. None of that is going to make Amherst's job easier.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

This is absolutely true.

But ... if you review Albany v. Binghamton v. Buffalo (and I don't know much about Stony Brook ... sorry) ... you find that a Lagging administration at Albany has put that Public Research University far behind the other two. And, the Albany Nanocollege (a gem for sure) is actually been more of a sucking oxygen mechanism for the State U in Albany. I think that EACH State U, with their relative strengths with their respective legislature, has to fight their own Budget battles. UConn, actually is blessed to be the absolute number 1 in its State system. Rutgers & Pennsylvania & Maryland & Massachusetts are places where a number 2 has been sought; and in both UMass-Lowell & Rowan, clear big dollars are being devoted to building a second solid Public Research campus. That hurts Amherst. I think South Jersey people are leading the way to boost Rowan over Rutgers.

All interesting.

For the life of me, I can't figure out the Rowan versus Rutgers angle. Then again, I have only lived in Jersey for 4 years. The gripe I have heard is that Rutgers has become an 'elite' university, which has made it hard for and 'everyday' people to get into it. I can somewhat see that, though TCNJ has an excellent liberal arts reputation (US News #5 Regional University, Northeast) while Ramapo (#33), Montclair St (#54), and William Paterson (#101) are decent. Rowan, by the way is #18, while comparable schools in CT are CCSU (#116), ECSU (#108) while SSCU and WCSU are not ranked. Of course, then someone compares the future of Rutgers (#69 National University) and Rowan to U Michigan (#28) and Michigan State (#73) and I throw-up a bit. Personally, I think it's NJ Senate President Sweeney trying to make a legacy for himself at the expense of taxpayers and Rutgers.

 

[Pat125]

For the life of me, I can't figure out the Rowan versus Rutgers angle. Then again, I have only lived in Jersey for 4 years. The gripe I have heard is that Rutgers has become an 'elite' university, which has made it hard for and 'everyday' people to get into it. I can somewhat see that, though TCNJ has an excellent liberal arts reputation (US News #5 Regional University, Northeast) while Ramapo (#33), Montclair St (#54), and William Paterson (#101) are decent. Rowan, by the way is #18, while comparable schools in CT are CCSU (#116), ECSU (#108) while SSCU and WCSU are not ranked. Of course, then someone compares the future of Rutgers (#69 National University) and Rowan to U Michigan (#28) and Michigan State (#73) and I throw-up a bit. Personally, I think it's NJ Senate President Sweeney trying to make a legacy for himself at the expense of taxpayers and Rutgers.

Rowan University used to be Glassboro State College, which was just an average small state college. One of their rich alumni, named Rowan, donated a huge amount of money with the stipulation it started an engineering program. It then grew to a larger university, including recently starting its own medical school in Camden.

In the most recent restructuring of Rutgers, original plans had Rutgers-Camden becoming part of Rowan, or at least partnered with Rowan. The idea being to have a second large state university in New Jersey in the south. I'm not surel if it was Christie or Sweeney who really pushed for Rowan. This was vehemently protested by Rutgers and it was abandoned. Rutgers acquired most of UMDNJ, but Rowan acquired its school of osteopathic medicine.

 

[JayRU09]

Sun Belt to stay where it is, UMASS is SOL.

 

[UMass]

Sun Belt to stay where it is, UMASS is SOL.

Not exactly....The commish says they are staying at 11 this year. UMass is in the Mac until the 2016 season and really doesn't need to make a move until then.

 

[stephen Henry]

You are absolutely right! The entire system at UMass with separate chancellors for each campus does not lend itself to establishing a true state flagship university. We actually have to recruit against ourselves in some cases. With the political clout of Marty Meehan, now the chancellor of UM Lowell, the Amherst campus is coming up as the bridesmaid in many instances. If you look at UMass endowment figures it looks fairly impressive until you study the breakdown between Amherst, Lowell, and the Med. Ctr. in Worcester.
UConn has done amazing things both athletically and academically in a relative short period of time. That is a tribute not only to the leadership at UConn but the foresight of the state government as well. It would do UMass well to attempt to pattern it's system after UConn's, however the political fallout from such a overhaul would be a crapstorm of epic proportions. It would never happen.

While a diehard UConn fan now, I went to Amherst High School (I like to say I graduated from Amherst) and later attended UMass for a number of years. I followed UMass basketball and attended many games at the Cage, starting the year after Julius Erving left. Back then Yankee Conference matchups of UConn vs. UMass games, where UConn guard Joey Whelton played against UMass guard Rick Pitino were important games for both schools. Times have certainly changed, but I sincerely hope that both schools improve upon their current conference position. It would be great to eventually see a good local rivalry develop between the two universities.

 

[Vuce]

The Sunbelt is talking about adding a 12th member for all sports. No way Umass is bringing all their sports there. Umass is facing the very real possibility of being independent for football in the not so distant future. Not a good prospect (unless you are nelson).

 

[Drew]

I know this sounds insane but what about UConn and UMass to the B1G as 15 and 16? gets BTN subscribers in CT and MA and gives a Northeastern state university rivalry within an hour and a half of each other. That would really be a power move by the B1G since MA has already been "claimed" by the ACC.

 

[WestHartHusk]

I know this sounds insane but what about UConn and UMass to the B1G as 15 and 16? gets BTN subscribers in CT and MA and gives a Northeastern state university rivalry within an hour and a half of each other. That would really be a power move by the B1G since MA has already been "claimed" by the ACC.

You are right. The Sun Belt will rue the day the didn't take UMass when they could have