Visions of Sugarplums-Is UConn Back on the Table for Big 12?

[cttxus]

1. Matt Schonvisky ‏@MattSchonvisky 2h2 hours ago
   Berry Thamel (The Oklahoman) joined Tony Caridi (WVU play-by-play) on 12/22 to discuss Big 12 Expansion (full video) http://bcove.me/pisws09y
   "Connecticut is actually under a football revival under Diaco. Lot of things to like about them, I think CT is back on table" Thamel said
   
   "Anytime your school starts w/University of & it ends with a state, that's a good thing..." Berry Thamel on Big XII Expansion talking #UConn

 

[SAMCRO]

We know how this ends....

 

[ktuck911]

We need to take MAJOR steps with our offense if we want to make a good impression on that conference...

 

[CL82]

It is noteworthy how much value talking heads place on current football performance rather than academics and demographics that many of us think are (or should be) the real driver.

I wonder how much of an impact it has among university presidents.

 

[cttxus]

It certainly doesn't hurt your B1G or ACC prospects to be in any Big XII expansion conversations. This kind of buzz, heck any kind of buzz like this, is a good thing.

 

[SubbaBub]

I love how one season of .500 ball is revival to these people. Explains all the Memphis talk.

 

[Palatine]

We need to take MAJOR steps with our offense if we want to make a good impression on that conference...

If on field performance is important explain Rutgers to the B10.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

If on field performance is important explain Rutgers to the B10.

And, bcu ... including pre-expansion years in the Big East.

 

[Pudge]

The PRIZE should go to the University that can build a Brand & expand the marginal revenue for the collective entity. A Athletic Department that shows consistent excellence across many revenue sports. Particularly Football. And not gross repeated incompetence. Plus be a Global University that raises the profile of all.

B12, as stated, will expand. And this talk is good for UConn. B1G should note some obvious points.

That's not how the ACC did expansion. And RUTGERS ?

 

[NEforceUConn]

Uconn and USF if they expand, its really pretty obvious to me, with UC being in the discussion. Yes BYU has credentials but WVU needs a travel partner and FLA recruiting. Question is, if it happens, does UConn want that travel or stick around for a B1G or ACC possibility.

 

[Nostical]

What you want from this is the notion of a serious and well vetted consideration by the Big XII being floated and then the ACC and B1G having to analyze and react to protect their Northeast/NYC/NE flank.

 

[B1GEast]

No

 

[HuskyDogArt]

Uconn and USF if they expand, its really pretty obvious to me, with UC being in the discussion. Yes BYU has credentials but WVU needs a travel partner and FLA recruiting. Question is, if it happens, does UConn want that travel or stick around for a B1G or ACC possibility.

If the Big 12 expands...it should be UConn, UCF, USF and UC. I think ECU and Temple might want to join, too.

 

[MarkT]

The PRIZE should go to the University that can build a Brand & expand the marginal revenue for the collective entity. A Athletic Department that shows consistent excellence across many revenue sports. Particularly Football. And not gross repeated incompetence. Plus be a Global University that raises the profile of all.

B12, as stated, will expand. And this talk is good for UConn. B1G should note some obvious points.

That's not how the ACC did expansion. And RUTGERS ?

I believe the Big 12 is going to take Houston and probably USF. I believe Herman had some insight and that was one of the reasons he decided to stay. This would provide another in state Rivalry game in Texas as well as make geographical sense and Florida would provide them with an in for recruiting in Florida. The goal of the ACC was to capture the whole eastern seaboard which they pretty much accomplished by bringing in Pitt and Syracuse (and Syracuse provides them with the TV market). With Rutgers and the Big10, it was a great move by them-they get into a big NY tv market and at the same time increase their exposure to recruiting in NJ which is a great state for High School football.
Unfortunately, there is little chance of the Big10 (we are not in the AAU) or Big12 taking us as it makes no sense geographically and while you can argue there are as many UConn fans in NY then say Rutgers or Syracuse-we aren't NYs team and CT isn't a big TV market or High School football recruiting state. Our best shot is if the ACC wants to create probably the best basketball conference ever while taking a potentially solid football program that doesn't have a big fan base. I believe part of the reason for scheduling BC and Syracuse is to show the ACC how big of a draw those games are and that they can actually recover their money and possibly make money by bringing in UConn.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

No directional school hits P5 jackpot

 

[huskypantz]

I believe the Big 12 is going to take Houston and probably USF. I believe Herman had some insight and that was one of the reasons he decided to stay.

Bringing in Houston would be about the dumbest thing the B12 could do. They already have full penetration in that market. It would serve to further regionalize an already geographically challenged conference. I'm not saying that UConn is a good fit, but Houston, Rice or SMU should be non-starters for the B12.

 

[Nostical]

I believe the Big 12 is going to take Houston and probably USF. I believe Herman had some insight and that was one of the reasons he decided to stay.

My info is that Herman stayed because he's the favorite of the poobahs to be the next coach at Texas. He's biding his time. When the opening comes, he'll leave Houston. There's no guarantee Houston will be added to the BigXII. With Oklahoma in the final four, the hustle to expand may actually slow down.

 

[kemba]

It is noteworthy how much value talking heads place on current football performance rather than academics and demographics that many of us think are (or should be) the real driver.

I wonder how much of an impact it has among university presidents.

Yea I would guess its a much bigger deal for the media than it is for those actually involved in conference realignment.

 

[noeynox]

Uconn and USF if they expand, its really pretty obvious to me, with UC being in the discussion. Yes BYU has credentials but WVU needs a travel partner and FLA recruiting. Question is, if it happens, does UConn want that travel or stick around for a B1G or ACC possibility.

We say yes before the question is finished. We already travel in this conference to Texas and Oklahoma. The "travel" argument to the Big12 is the silliest of all. Do I believe we would be better fits in the B1G or ACC? Yes I do, but beggars can't be choosers and make no mistake every G5 school is a beggar.

 

[Hoophound]

I believe the Big 12 is going to take Houston and probably USF. I believe Herman had some insight and that was one of the reasons he decided to stay. This would provide another in state Rivalry game in Texas as well as make geographical sense and Florida would provide them with an in for recruiting in Florida. The goal of the ACC was to capture the whole eastern seaboard which they pretty much accomplished by bringing in Pitt and Syracuse (and Syracuse provides them with the TV market). With Rutgers and the Big10, it was a great move by them-they get into a big NY tv market and at the same time increase their exposure to recruiting in NJ which is a great state for High School football. Unfortunately, there is little chance of the Big10 (we are not in the AAU) or Big12 taking us as it makes no sense geographically and while you can argue there are as many UConn fans in NY then say Rutgers or Syracuse-we aren't NYs team and CT isn't a big TV market or High School football recruiting state. Our best shot is if the ACC wants to create probably the best basketball conference ever while taking a potentially solid football program that doesn't have a big fan base. I believe part of the reason for scheduling BC and Syracuse is to show the ACC how big of a draw those games are and that they can actually recover their money and possibly make money by bringing in UConn.

You are way behind in this conversation. The Big Ten is expanding east, they say so publicly. We are closer geographically than any other school they might add so geography makes perfect sense. We are very close to New Jersey and PA which are B1G states.

UConn isn't AAU but neither is Nebraska. UConn has made tons of academic alliances with Big Ten schools recently.

Our market is medium to large and is valuable as UConn completely owns it's market. No school captures the New York market on its own. They need us to solidify that and develop fans in New England, which is entirely untapped (BC has no fans).

I'm not sure what will happen but we aren't doomed to an ACC or bust future. At this point I'd consider the Big Ten more likely than the ACC.

 

[Antiobserver]

Hallucinogenic mushrooms

 

[NEforceUConn]

Hallucinogenic mushrooms

Is that a spring semester class offered at UNC? What time does it meet?

 

[BoatShow]

From the non-key tweets thread to the back page of the Journal Inquirer

 

[pnow15]

If UCF stayed good in football, they had a chance . USF has to compete Bucs for fans.
UCF brings in Central Florida with nothing but Magic.

Expansion is likely if only to take some of the steam out of the AAC, which is blossoming quicker than anyone though possible.

 

[BlueDogs]

The worst thing that can happen to B1Gs East expansion push is losing UConn to the Big12. UConn is the only large scale viable football program available in the Northeast, and they cannot solidify their market position in the lucrative Northeast markets with only Rutgers. If the ACC had any sense they would preempt the B1G and lock up UConn and Temple and they would have a dominant hold on the Northeast markets with Cuse, Pitt, BC, UConn and Temple.