Around the Big East

room112 said:
Definitely agree. Not that the Big East needs anything to legitimize it as a top conference, the results speak for themselves. But any association with the so called "Power Conferences" is a big positive.
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Especially for the Big East which is essentially quiet during football season. It must maximize basketball.
 
Condolences to Coach Wright on the passing of his Dad. When you read the obit you get understand where Jay received his strong values and ethics.


www.fluehr.com

Jerold "Jerry" T. Wright

Jerold Taylor “Jerry” Wright passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on September 5, 2023. Born March 14, 1934 to Jacob Taylor Wright and Mabel Wright, Jerry grew up in the Burholme neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia and graduated from Frankford High School in 1953. His...
www.fluehr.com www.fluehr.com
 
Marillac2 said:
Anyone who questions what UConn means to this conference needs to have a very close look at this schedule.
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Or one could argue anyone who questions what this conference means to UConn needs to have a very good look at their schedule and winning percentage in the AAC.

I still believe the BE saved UConn from oblivion. They were a middle of the pack AAC team, who missed the tournament more often than made it, while playing in front of a half empty arena.

Admittedly, I have an unnatural sports hatred for UConn, especially since they always had a built in advantage of being a state school with tax dollars at their disposal. But even that wasn’t helping them in the AAC.

But that’s just ornery old me.
 
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Kranmars is 100% correct - the Big East saved UConn, mistakenly IMHO. The Big East didn't need UConn, and in fact the other nine teams all signed up to be at a huge resource disadvantage when they let UConn back in.

If UConn brought so much to the table, one of of the Power 5 would have invited them long ago. They wanted in to the ACC and the SEC, now they are begging to get into the Big 12. They will leave the second they get an invite for anywhere other than the Big East.
 
As far as the Big East is concerned, UCONN was a solution to a problem that did not exist.

As far as UCONN is concerned, the Big East was the best solution available at the time for their marquee basketball programs and non-revenue sports (a P5 invite viewed by them as the ultimate solution).
 
UConn won the nation championship in 2014, their first year in the AAC. That was Ollie’s first year and it was a BE stacked roster that Calhoun put together.

The following six years produced only one ncaa tournament appearance (a second round loss) and three losing seasons.

Again, this is just ornery old me spouting this stuff due to my unnatural sports hatred for UConn.
 
kranmars said:
Or one could argue anyone who questions what this conference means to UConn needs to have a very good look at their schedule and winning percentage in the AAC.

I still believe the BE saved UConn from oblivion. They were a middle of the pack AAC team, who missed the tournament more often than made it, while playing in front of a half empty arena.

Admittedly, I have an unnatural sports hatred for UConn, especially since they always had a built in advantage of being a state school with tax dollars at their disposal. But even that wasn’t helping them in the AAC.

But that’s just ornery old me.
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I feel the same way .
 
SJU85 said:
As far as the Big East is concerned, UCONN was a solution to a problem that did not exist.
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I disagree. The UConn addition was the Big East being proactive rather than reactive, which is one of the most important aspects of conference realignment. The Big 12 and Pac 12 both lost their biggest brands, but the Big 12 survived because they were proactive.

Further, money is the biggest factor in all of this. UConn is a MAJOR asset. For St. John's we get an extra MSG game, another high profile away game (see what happened last year), more Tournament credits ($$$), and our next TV contract will much higher thanks in part to UConn. Also, the Big East's second most valuable property is women's basketball and UConn helps a ton there.

From a business perspective it made (and makes) complete sense. If UConn is taken by the ACC tomorrow then that may change things, but their return to the conference absolutely has benefitted both parties.
 
ADORAZ said:
I disagree. The UConn addition was the Big East being proactive rather than reactive, which is one of the most important aspects of conference realignment. The Big 12 and Pac 12 both lost their biggest brands, but the Big 12 survived because they were proactive.

Further, money is the biggest factor in all of this. UConn is a MAJOR asset. For St. John's we get an extra MSG game, another high profile away game (see what happened last year), more Tournament credits ($$$), and our next TV contract will much higher thanks in part to UConn. Also, the Big East's second most valuable property is women's basketball and UConn helps a ton there.

From a business perspective it made (and makes) complete sense. If UConn is taken by the ACC tomorrow then that may change things, but their return to the conference absolutely has benefitted both parties.
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Yeah, despite my dislike of UConn, the BE having recent champions like them and Nova is center piece of its brand.
 
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