Why is the Big East terrible for UConn and where should UConn go instead?

[CL82]

Big East did great when UConn was in the AAC and it was extemely relevant...

It was a 10 team conference which got 4 bids, 6 bids, 5 bids (national champion), 7 bids, 6 bids (national champion), 4 bids, no tournament Covid(would've had 5 or 6 bids.)

It's not 2013 anymore. Nova carried the ball for the conference, and might again, but since we've been back, it's pretty much just been us.

 

[superjohn]

It's not 2013 anymore. Novak carried the ball for the conference, and might again, but since we've been back, it's pretty much just been us.

You said UConn made the Big East relevant again which is simply not true, the league was relevant when UConn joined back up. Over half the league was getting tournament bids, multiple 1 seeds, won 2 of the last 4 national championships.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Adding a bit of reality to this thread:

The NCAA allowed multiple tournament bids for a conference beginning in 1976, from which we have seen fifty seasons (not including the current one) and forty-nine tournaments (COVID led to no 2020 tournament). The NCAA also split division one football into two categories (initially 1A & 1AA; now FBS & FCS) after the 1979 season.

Of the forty-nine champions 2.04% (one school, Marquette in 1979) were schools that did not play football, 10.20% were won by schools that played 1AA or FCS level football (Georgetown 1984; Villanova 1985, 2016, 2018; UConn 1999) combining for all of six championships (12.24% of all championships) over the past half century.

There also were a total of seven schools (14.29% of all championships) that won while not participating in a power level conference in football (Louisville 1980, 1986; UNLV 1990; UConn 2004, 2014, 2023, 2024). We hadn’t yet joined the Big East for football in 2004 and were no longer in a power football conference after 2013.

The prospects for the future are bleak within this conference (Big East), especially as the power conferences continue to marginalize everyone else. Yes, what Villanova accomplished once the Big East split from the football schools was outstanding, but Jay Wright is gone. Yes, I’ve heard quite a bit about how revenue sharing was going to give non-football schools an advantage, but that hasn’t materialized and in all candor, there is no way it could happen. The big football schools would never allow it.

Wanting to find a home where we can remain relevant on a consistent, sustainable basis is merely common sense. It’s sad that many don’t see this.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Adding a bit of reality to this thread:

The NCAA allowed multiple tournament bids for a conference beginning in 1976, from which we have seen fifty seasons (not including the current one) and forty-nine tournaments (COVID led to no 2020 tournament). The NCAA also split division one football into two categories (initially 1A & 1AA; now FBS & FCS) after the 1979 season.

Of the forty-nine champions 2.04% (one school, Marquette in 1979) were schools that did not play football, 10.20% were won by schools that played 1AA or FCS level football (Georgetown 1984; Villanova 1985, 2016, 2018; UConn 1999) combining for all of six championships (12.24% of all championships) over the past half century.

There also were a total of seven schools (14.29% of all championships) that won while not participating in a power level conference in football (Louisville 1980, 1986; UNLV 1990; UConn 2004, 2014, 2023, 2024). We hadn’t yet joined the Big East for football in 2004 and were no longer in a power football conference after 2013.

The prospects for the future are bleak within this conference (Big East), especially as the power conferences continue to marginalize everyone else. Yes, what Villanova accomplished once the Big East split from the football schools was outstanding, but Jay Wright is gone. Yes, I’ve heard quite a bit about how revenue sharing was going to give non-football schools an advantage, but that hasn’t materialized and in all candor, there is no way it could happen. The big football schools would never allow it.

Wanting to find a home where we can remain relevant on a consistent, sustainable basis is merely common sense. It’s sad that many don’t see this.

This post convinced me that UConn should join the Big 10. Make it happen.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Since we are doing breakdowns of National Champions...

UConn's 2014 National Championship remains the only National Championship by a school outside of the major conferences since UNLV's championship in 1990. Prior to that, Louisville (1980 and 1986) and Marquette (1977) were the only other National Championships going back to Texas Western in 1967. That makes 5 schools that did it in almost 60 years, and an argument could be made that the Metro should be considered a major conference, which would take Louisville's titles off the list. Even with the tighter definition, Kevin Ollie did something no other coach has done in 35 years (and counting), and only 3 other coaches, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame, have done in 58 years (and counting).

Something to consider for the Big East bashers who think there is no difference between the A10 or AAC and Big East.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

The Big East is the best alternative to a P4 conference at this time.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t express ourselves and complain about how crappy some aspects of it are.

It’s not like the people who are still saying Nick Evers was good and that he wasn’t starting because he was being paid; and that it wasn’t absurdly stupid because Joe Fagnano ended up being a bona fide NFL caliber talent.

Everything that can be said about the conference situation has been said many, many times about the conference situation since 2002. We have covered it ad nauseum, and I estimate that at least 5% of of all posts on the Football and Men's Basketball boards at least reference the conference situation. There is nothing new to say about the conference situation at this time. And if someone wants to talk about it anyway, there is a whole board, Conference Realignment, just to talk about the conference situation.

With that backdrop, why do the same 5-10 UConn "fans" have to derail almost every thread on the basketball board that is actually about basketball with their whining about the conference situation?

 

[CL82]

You said UConn made the Big East relevant again which is simply not true, the league was relevant when UConn joined back up. Over half the league was getting tournament bids, multiple 1 seeds, won 2 of the last 4 national championships.

Go back and reread my post and see if you can get a better understanding. You know what I'll just put it here for you:

It's BS that the big east "threw Connecticut, a lifeline". Bringing men's and women's national championships to the big east is valuable. That's the point, and it's not a particularly hard one to understand. As noted above, the truth is it's a mutually beneficial arrangement and that's why both parties entered into it, but I feel like you're going pick this hill to die on and I have no desire to wheel spin with you, so feel free to have the last word.

 

[superjohn]

Go back and reread my post and see if you can get a better understanding. You know what I'll just put it here for you:
View attachment 116445
It's BS that the big east "threw Connecticut, a lifeline". Bringing men's and women's national championships to the big east is valuable. That's the point, and it's not a particularly hard one to understand. As noted above, the truth is it's a mutually beneficial arrangement and that's why both parties entered into it, but I feel like you're going pick this hill to die on and I have no desire to wheel spin with you, so feel free to have the last word.

It's BS to suggest UConn made the Big East relevant again for the reasons I stated.

That shouldn't be difficult for you to understand, I laid it all out for you.

 

[FightOnCT]

UConn didn’t make the Big East relevant again but it is also the primary force that’s keeping it relevant right now.

They did fine without us in an era that was kinder on non-football schools. Now, not as much and we don’t know what Nova’s current ceiling is and if St. John’s will stay this level once Pitino retires.

Too many people on this thread acting like the times haven’t changed. What was true 10 years ago isn’t nowadays. There ya go.

 

[CL82]

It's BS to suggest UConn made the Big East relevant again for the reasons I stated.

That shouldn't be difficult for you to understand, I laid it all out for you.

 

[uconnyankee]

Everything that can be said about the conference situation has been said many, many times about the conference situation since 2002. We have covered it ad nauseum, and I estimate that at least 5% of of all posts on the Football and Men's Basketball boards at least reference the conference situation. There is nothing new to say about the conference situation at this time. And if someone wants to talk about it anyway, there is a whole board, Conference Realignment, just to talk about the conference situation.

With that backdrop, why do the same 5-10 UConn "fans" have to derail almost every thread on the basketball board that is actually about basketball with their whining about the conference situation?

So just say we have a thread for that and don’t engage.

Why doesn’t best Pizza in CT not go viral in other threads? If I say First and Last in Hartford blows anything away, is it going to take over this thread?

 

[John]

“Because I said so!” Lol

 

[uconnyankee]

This post convinced me that UConn should join the Big 10. Make it happen.

This is the right attitude.
Maybe BIG is a bit optimistic, but surely a more manageable target is ACC or Big 12 in next 5 years.

If that doesn’t happen, then I suspect we may see a FB only move somewhere which wouldn’t be ideal. But look at what JMU did out of Sun Belt. Just need a legitimate path.

 

[UConnDan97]

I hate this thread for multiple reasons, but I have to put my hat in the ring too.

Yes, the Big East saved us from death in the AAC. The AAC was not really all that good for our football team, and you could make the argument that the existence of the AAC is why Houston and UCF are in the Big12 and we aren't. And it was horrible for our basketball programs.

But good God almighty, if anyone on this thread is arguing that the Big East is great for us and that we wouldn't accept a Big12 invite in a New York minute, I would recommend that person to seek serious medical help...

 

[John]

Of course the Big East second tier got better results when we and the other all-sports schools left, they had a competition vacuum to fill. And now that we’ve returned, it’s back to the natural order of things.

 

[ZooCougar]

Everything that can be said about the conference situation has been said many, many times about the conference situation since 2002. We have covered it ad nauseum, and I estimate that at least 5% of of all posts on the Football and Men's Basketball boards at least reference the conference situation. There is nothing new to say about the conference situation at this time. And if someone wants to talk about it anyway, there is a whole board, Conference Realignment, just to talk about the conference situation.

With that backdrop, why do the same 5-10 UConn "fans" have to derail almost every thread on the basketball board that is actually about basketball with their whining about the conference situation?

Oh you think we are in the minority?

That’s prescious.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

The AAC was a catastrophically stupid decision that was dragged out way longer than it should have been because UConn wanted to cash the exit fee checks. If UConn had joined the Big East for hoops and gone independent in football in 2013 when Pitt and Syracuse left, UConn would be a full member of the Big 12 now. The AAC killed both the football and men's basketball programs, and while Geno won 3 championships out of the AAC, he hated that league too.

Everyone that ever supported being in the AAC owes the rest of us an apology.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

This is the right attitude.
Maybe BIG is a bit optimistic, but surely a more manageable target is ACC or Big 12 in next 5 years.

If that doesn’t happen, then I suspect we may see a FB only move somewhere which wouldn’t be ideal. But look at what JMU did out of Sun Belt. Just need a legitimate path.

Fun fact: If the Big 10 wanted us, we would be in the Big 10. Same goes for the Big 12, SEC and ACC. They don't want us.

Since that should be obvious to everyone, it is safe to assume that anyone still endlessly complaining about the Big East must want us in the AAC.

 

[UConnDan97]

The AAC was a catastrophically stupid decision that was dragged out way longer than it should have been because UConn wanted to cash the exit fee checks. If UConn had joined the Big East for hoops and gone independent in football in 2013 when Pitt and Syracuse left, UConn would be a full member of the Big 12 now. The AAC killed both the football and men's basketball programs, and while Geno won 3 championships out of the AAC, he hated that league too.

Everyone that ever supported being in the AAC owes the rest of us an apology.

"UConn wanted to cash the exit fee checks".

OF COURSE WE DID! If I recall correctly, we received 25 million dollars back in 2013. By the way, that's 4X more than the current Big East media contract in 2026. Let that sink in for a second.

Had football been left in better hands, we'd currently be in the Big12 instead of Houston or Cincy, and none of this dumb thread would exist...

 

[nelsonmuntz]

"UConn wanted to cash the exit fee checks".

OF COURSE WE DID! If I recall correctly, we received 25 million dollars back in 2013. By the way, that's 4X more than the current Big East media contract in 2026. Let that sink in for a second.

Had football been left in better hands, we'd currently be in the Big12 instead of Houston or Cincy, and none of this dumb thread would exist...

You just pointed out that staying in the AAC was a really bad investment by UConn.

 

[UConnDan97]

You just pointed out that staying in the AAC was a really bad investment by UConn.

No, I pointed out that Pasqualoni, Diaco, and Warde Manuel were bad investments.

In 2013, we were still drawing 30K to football games. And in 2013, the AAC had basketball coaches such as Pitino, Cronin, Larry Brown, Dunphy, etc. (And soon to have Kelvin Sampson in 2014). The AAC wasn't the inferior of "The Catholic 7" at the time. So please stop with the revisionist history.

The problem was that we allowed football to fall into an abyss because we went cheap in many ways there, instead of capitalizing on our Fiesta Bowl appearance and decade of success.

Your infatuation with the Big East is abnormal at best, and disingenuous at worst...

 

[nelsonmuntz]

No, I pointed out that Pasqualoni, Diaco, and Warde Manuel were bad investments.

In 2013, we were still drawing 30K to football games. And in 2013, the AAC had basketball coaches such as Pitino, Cronin, Larry Brown, Dunphy, etc. (And soon to have Kelvin Sampson in 2014). The AAC wasn't the inferior of "The Catholic 7" at the time. So please stop with the revisionist history.

The problem was that we allowed football to fall into an abyss because we went cheap in many ways there, instead of capitalizing on our Fiesta Bowl appearance and decade of success.

Your infatuation with the Big East is abnormal at best, and disingenuous at worst...

Just wanting to know which UConn "fans" that want Tulsa and East Carolina back on the schedule.

The AAC was a disaster. Just because some other school made it work doesn't make it a good idea. By that stupid logic, being in a mid-major is a great idea because Gonzaga makes it work.

I said that being in the AAC was a disaster in 2014, and I was 100% right.

Thread 'A case for football independence, Part II'

Apr 8, 2014

What if UConn was invited into a conference for basketball only:

UConn would make $4-5MM a year just for men's and women's basketball.

There were more Top 50 program in this conference, and very few programs that finished outside the top 150.

The conference had a lot of historically strong programs and historical rivalries that could draw more fans to XL/Gampel.

The conference would get UConn games in NYC for recruiting.

UConn would still be on its own for football.

The conference was the ACC.

Would you be in favor of that?

• nelsonmuntz
• Replies: 149
• Forum: Conference Realignment Board

 

[UConnDan97]

Just wanting to know which UConn "fans" that want Tulsa and East Carolina back on the schedule.

The AAC was a disaster. Just because some other school made it work doesn't make it a good idea. By that stupid logic, being in a mid-major is a great idea because Gonzaga makes it work.

I said that being in the AAC was a disaster in 2014, and I was 100% right.

Thread 'A case for football independence, Part II'

Apr 8, 2014

What if UConn was invited into a conference for basketball only:

UConn would make $4-5MM a year just for men's and women's basketball.

There were more Top 50 program in this conference, and very few programs that finished outside the top 150.

The conference had a lot of historically strong programs and historical rivalries that could draw more fans to XL/Gampel.

The conference would get UConn games in NYC for recruiting.

UConn would still be on its own for football.

The conference was the ACC.

Would you be in favor of that?

• nelsonmuntz
• Replies: 149
• Forum: Conference Realignment Board

The AAC was a means to an end. The problem was that we didn't leverage it the way that Houston and Cincinnati and UCF did. We had 25 million dollars to make a splash in the next realignment and we squandered it.

The Big East is also a means to an end, whether you want to admit it or not. And this time, we're investing heavily, so that we're in good shape during the next realignment. Because believe me when I say that there are very few UConn fans who don't want to leave this conference for the P4. You are in an extremely small, and very weird, minority...

 

[John]

The AAC was a means to an end. The problem was that we didn't leverage it the way that Houston and Cincinnati and UCF did. We had 25 million dollars to make a splash in the next realignment and we squandered it.

The Big East is also a means to an end, whether you want to admit it or not. And this time, we're investing heavily, so that we're in good shape during the next realignment. Because believe me when I say that there are very few UConn fans who don't want to leave this conference for the P4. You are in an extremely small, and very weird, minority...

Since he got the topic shut down on the MBB board, Nelson started an entirely new thread on a this board just to give him more opportunities to leg-hump the AAC, He’s literally the only person on the entire Boneyard who mentions that ex-conference anymore. AAC fetish.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

The AAC was a means to an end. The problem was that we didn't leverage it the way that Houston and Cincinnati and UCF did. We had 25 million dollars to make a splash in the next realignment and we squandered it.

The Big East is also a means to an end, whether you want to admit it or not. And this time, we're investing heavily, so that we're in good shape during the next realignment. Because believe me when I say that there are very few UConn fans who don't want to leave this conference for the P4. You are in an extremely small, and very weird, minority...

UConn was the northern outpost in a southern mid-major. There was no chance of making that league work. Diaco was a terrible coach, but Pasqualoni wasn't, and he couldn't make it work. Mora was successful, once we were independent and post-House and NIL, when the huge recruiting ditch we were in as a northern school in a southern mid-major in 2014 because less problematic.

Ollie's Championship in 2014 was a miracle on many different levels, and will never be repeated again. He couldn't hold onto talent in the AAC, and Hurley wouldn't have been able to do it either if we had not gotten into the Big East. I think there is about a 90% chance that Hurley knew we were leaving for the Big East when he turned down the Pitt job.

 

[UConnDan97]

UConn was the northern outpost in a southern mid-major. There was no chance of making that league work. Diaco was a terrible coach, but Pasqualoni wasn't, and he couldn't make it work. Mora was successful, once we were independent and post-House and NIL, when the huge recruiting ditch we were in as a northern school in a southern mid-major in 2014 because less problematic.

Ollie's Championship in 2014 was a miracle on many different levels, and will never be repeated again. He couldn't hold onto talent in the AAC, and Hurley wouldn't have been able to do it either if we had not gotten into the Big East. I think there is about a 90% chance that Hurley knew we were leaving for the Big East when he turned down the Pitt job.

Cool. Cool.

Gun to your head: Big East or Big 12? I just want to get you on record for being a clown, even though plenty of that record already exists...

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Since he got the topic shut down on the MBB board, Nelson started an entirely new thread on a this board just to give him more opportunities to leg-hump the AAC, He’s literally the only person on the entire Boneyard who mentions that ex-conference anymore. AAC fetish.

I am very clear about why I started this thread. Not a lot to interpret.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Cool. Cool.

Gun to your head: Big East or Big 12? I just want to get you on record for being a clown, even though plenty of that record already exists...

We can't do the SMU deal.

I also was against the previous discussion, where we join the Big 12 for hoops only with an earn-in and get a handshake agreement that they will take a look at adding the football program in 2030. That would have been another in a long list of stupid offers that posters like you loved and would have killed the athletic program once and for all.

If we get a full member offer to any of the P4, we should pack our bags.

 

[John]

Just wanting to know which UConn "fans" that want Tulsa and East Carolina back on the schedule.

Just wanting to know which Big East “fans” pine for athletic department powerhouses like Dayton and St Louis on the schedule. See, two can play at that game.

 

[John]

I am very clear about why I started this thread. Not a lot to interpret.

Yes it’s clear you want to tell us about your AAC fetish and how you think our titan athletic department should be more like Seton Hall.