UCONN back to Big East?

This is quickly becoming a hot topic on all the sports forums on Facebook. As would be expected, most UCONN fans welcome the move. I’m surprised at how many think they should get rid of football. Maybe I need to give those UCONN fans more credit!

Not!
 
[quote="Spocky Ramone" post=352749][quote="Mike Zaun" post=352738]

2. This is a business and it greatly strengthens our conference further.

[/quote]
The only thing wrong with this statement is that it’s not #1. I despise Yukon as much as everyone else, but it is the correct move to make. Hurley has been a solid coach so far, but everyone seems to think he’s Jim Calhoun. Maybe someday, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

The bottom line is always the bottom line.[/quote]

I'm curious to hear about what clauses we will have in their contract to prevent them from trying to jump ship again. I have to assume it will be a pretty significant penalty.
 
It’s good for the league. Not sure how good it is for us. They recruit in our backyard. Can’t blame them for trying to leave, the BE was a sinking ship. It worked out for the BB schools,not so well for UCONN. Where would their FB team go?
 
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[quote="Mike Zaun" post=352746]Don't see how anyone can dislike this move unless it's strictly based on their emotion. We all hate UConn...but again this is a business. Why are we assuming it will be "harder" to make the tourney now? If UConn is ranked on the reg again, that's 2 more chances we can beat a ranked team. The chances have decreased considerably in conference post realignment. I see it as, they will have a target on their back, not vice versa. We beat them the last game we played them in 2013...they are beatable. This guarantees sellouts at UConn and at MSG for our games. It also guarantees a TON more BET tickets sold and much more exposure. I can see Dan Hurley flipping out already on the sidelines after a big fast break dunk by one of our future players ;).[/quote]

I dislike it and not because of emotions. They’ve done it before and I have no doubt that when UCONN returns back to elite status, which they will in the Big East, they will again try to get into the ACC or Big 10. They are still trying to make football a big time program there.
 
[quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=352754]It’s good for the league. Not sure how good it is for us. They recruit in our backyard. Can’t blame them for trying to leave, the BE was a sinking ship. It worked out for the BB schools,not so well for UCONN. Where would their FB team go?[/quote]

It won’t negatively effect us at all. College basketball teams field 13 guys, not a hundred. The strongest leagues stay strong. Evidence seems to show, the stronger the schools in the league, the better the recruiting.
 
[quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352755][quote="Mike Zaun" post=352746]Don't see how anyone can dislike this move unless it's strictly based on their emotion. We all hate UConn...but again this is a business. Why are we assuming it will be "harder" to make the tourney now? If UConn is ranked on the reg again, that's 2 more chances we can beat a ranked team. The chances have decreased considerably in conference post realignment. I see it as, they will have a target on their back, not vice versa. We beat them the last game we played them in 2013...they are beatable. This guarantees sellouts at UConn and at MSG for our games. It also guarantees a TON more BET tickets sold and much more exposure. I can see Dan Hurley flipping out already on the sidelines after a big fast break dunk by one of our future players ;).[/quote]

I dislike it and not because of emotions. They’ve done it before and I have no doubt that when UCONN returns back to elite status, which they will in the Big East, they will again try to get into the ACC or Big 10. They are still trying to make football a big time program there.[/quote]

Who cares? We are in a much better position now as a league. UConn basketball is just a bonus for our league. Say they leave.. we return to where we are at right now. Plus football in Connecticut has zero future in one of those big conferences. Zero.
 
[quote="MCNPA" post=352757][quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352755][quote="Mike Zaun" post=352746]Don't see how anyone can dislike this move unless it's strictly based on their emotion. We all hate UConn...but again this is a business. Why are we assuming it will be "harder" to make the tourney now? If UConn is ranked on the reg again, that's 2 more chances we can beat a ranked team. The chances have decreased considerably in conference post realignment. I see it as, they will have a target on their back, not vice versa. We beat them the last game we played them in 2013...they are beatable. This guarantees sellouts at UConn and at MSG for our games. It also guarantees a TON more BET tickets sold and much more exposure. I can see Dan Hurley flipping out already on the sidelines after a big fast break dunk by one of our future players ;).[/quote]

I dislike it and not because of emotions. They’ve done it before and I have no doubt that when UCONN returns back to elite status, which they will in the Big East, they will again try to get into the ACC or Big 10. They are still trying to make football a big time program there.[/quote]

Who cares? We are in a much better position now as a league. UConn basketball is just a bonus for our league. Say they leave.. we return to where we are at right now. Plus football in Connecticut has zero future in one of those big conferences. Zero.[/quote]

As
Long as UCONN has football, it will be their number one priority. It’s where the money comes from. And why I think they’ll bolt within four years.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go through another realignment when they leave.
 
[quote="MCNPA" post=352757][quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352755][quote="Mike Zaun" post=352746]Don't see how anyone can dislike this move unless it's strictly based on their emotion. We all hate UConn...but again this is a business. Why are we assuming it will be "harder" to make the tourney now? If UConn is ranked on the reg again, that's 2 more chances we can beat a ranked team. The chances have decreased considerably in conference post realignment. I see it as, they will have a target on their back, not vice versa. We beat them the last game we played them in 2013...they are beatable. This guarantees sellouts at UConn and at MSG for our games. It also guarantees a TON more BET tickets sold and much more exposure. I can see Dan Hurley flipping out already on the sidelines after a big fast break dunk by one of our future players ;).[/quote]

I dislike it and not because of emotions. They’ve done it before and I have no doubt that when UCONN returns back to elite status, which they will in the Big East, they will again try to get into the ACC or Big 10. They are still trying to make football a big time program there.[/quote]

Who cares? We are in a much better position now as a league. UConn basketball is just a bonus for our league. Say they leave.. we return to where we are at right now. Plus football in Connecticut has zero future in one of those big conferences. Zero.[/quote]

Exactly. And if they leave again they'd probably have to pay a significant fine to the rest of the league. This wouldn't kill the Big East.
 
[quote="Room112" post=352759][quote="MCNPA" post=352757][quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352755][quote="Mike Zaun" post=352746]Don't see how anyone can dislike this move unless it's strictly based on their emotion. We all hate UConn...but again this is a business. Why are we assuming it will be "harder" to make the tourney now? If UConn is ranked on the reg again, that's 2 more chances we can beat a ranked team. The chances have decreased considerably in conference post realignment. I see it as, they will have a target on their back, not vice versa. We beat them the last game we played them in 2013...they are beatable. This guarantees sellouts at UConn and at MSG for our games. It also guarantees a TON more BET tickets sold and much more exposure. I can see Dan Hurley flipping out already on the sidelines after a big fast break dunk by one of our future players ;).[/quote]

I dislike it and not because of emotions. They’ve done it before and I have no doubt that when UCONN returns back to elite status, which they will in the Big East, they will again try to get into the ACC or Big 10. They are still trying to make football a big time program there.[/quote]

Who cares? We are in a much better position now as a league. UConn basketball is just a bonus for our league. Say they leave.. we return to where we are at right now. Plus football in Connecticut has zero future in one of those big conferences. Zero.[/quote]

Exactly. And if they leave again they'd probably have to pay a significant fine to the rest of the league. This wouldn't kill the Big East.[/quote]

When, not if, they leave again, they will not pay any full fee. They’ll sue and rather than it be tied up in court proceedings for years, the Big East will settle on a lot less. I don’t trust UCONN one bit.
 
Good for the league, good for UCONN. Makes the big east more competive and stronger. A win win! We have struggled for years with and without UConn in the coference should make no difference. NO EXCUSES! OK CMA...let’s see what u got!!
 
[quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352760][quote="Room112" post=352759][quote="MCNPA" post=352757][quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352755][quote="Mike Zaun" post=352746]Don't see how anyone can dislike this move unless it's strictly based on their emotion. We all hate UConn...but again this is a business. Why are we assuming it will be "harder" to make the tourney now? If UConn is ranked on the reg again, that's 2 more chances we can beat a ranked team. The chances have decreased considerably in conference post realignment. I see it as, they will have a target on their back, not vice versa. We beat them the last game we played them in 2013...they are beatable. This guarantees sellouts at UConn and at MSG for our games. It also guarantees a TON more BET tickets sold and much more exposure. I can see Dan Hurley flipping out already on the sidelines after a big fast break dunk by one of our future players ;).[/quote]

I dislike it and not because of emotions. They’ve done it before and I have no doubt that when UCONN returns back to elite status, which they will in the Big East, they will again try to get into the ACC or Big 10. They are still trying to make football a big time program there.[/quote]

Who cares? We are in a much better position now as a league. UConn basketball is just a bonus for our league. Say they leave.. we return to where we are at right now. Plus football in Connecticut has zero future in one of those big conferences. Zero.[/quote]

Exactly. And if they leave again they'd probably have to pay a significant fine to the rest of the league. This wouldn't kill the Big East.[/quote]

When, not if, they leave again, they will not pay any full fee. They’ll sue and rather than it be tied up in court proceedings for years, the Big East will settle on a lot less. I don’t trust UCONN one bit.[/quote]

So you're saying the Big East is so dumb that they wouldn't cover their bases and prepare for this?
 
[quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352758][quote="MCNPA" post=352757][quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352755][quote="Mike Zaun" post=352746]Don't see how anyone can dislike this move unless it's strictly based on their emotion. We all hate UConn...but again this is a business. Why are we assuming it will be "harder" to make the tourney now? If UConn is ranked on the reg again, that's 2 more chances we can beat a ranked team. The chances have decreased considerably in conference post realignment. I see it as, they will have a target on their back, not vice versa. We beat them the last game we played them in 2013...they are beatable. This guarantees sellouts at UConn and at MSG for our games. It also guarantees a TON more BET tickets sold and much more exposure. I can see Dan Hurley flipping out already on the sidelines after a big fast break dunk by one of our future players ;).[/quote]

I dislike it and not because of emotions. They’ve done it before and I have no doubt that when UCONN returns back to elite status, which they will in the Big East, they will again try to get into the ACC or Big 10. They are still trying to make football a big time program there.[/quote]

Who cares? We are in a much better position now as a league. UConn basketball is just a bonus for our league. Say they leave.. we return to where we are at right now. Plus football in Connecticut has zero future in one of those big conferences. Zero.[/quote]

As
Long as UCONN has football, it will be their number one priority. It’s where the money comes from. And why I think they’ll bolt within four years.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go through another realignment when they leave.[/quote]

They don’t make any money on football, only hemorrhage millions...
 
[quote="MCNPA" post=352767][quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352758][quote="MCNPA" post=352757][quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352755][quote="Mike Zaun" post=352746]Don't see how anyone can dislike this move unless it's strictly based on their emotion. We all hate UConn...but again this is a business. Why are we assuming it will be "harder" to make the tourney now? If UConn is ranked on the reg again, that's 2 more chances we can beat a ranked team. The chances have decreased considerably in conference post realignment. I see it as, they will have a target on their back, not vice versa. We beat them the last game we played them in 2013...they are beatable. This guarantees sellouts at UConn and at MSG for our games. It also guarantees a TON more BET tickets sold and much more exposure. I can see Dan Hurley flipping out already on the sidelines after a big fast break dunk by one of our future players ;).[/quote]

I dislike it and not because of emotions. They’ve done it before and I have no doubt that when UCONN returns back to elite status, which they will in the Big East, they will again try to get into the ACC or Big 10. They are still trying to make football a big time program there.[/quote]

Who cares? We are in a much better position now as a league. UConn basketball is just a bonus for our league. Say they leave.. we return to where we are at right now. Plus football in Connecticut has zero future in one of those big conferences. Zero.[/quote]

As
Long as UCONN has football, it will be their number one priority. It’s where the money comes from. And why I think they’ll bolt within four years.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go through another realignment when they leave.[/quote]

They don’t make any money on football, only hemorrhage millions...[/quote]

Sucks for the taxpayers. That's one of the problems with public universities.
 
I dislike this move; in fact, I dread it.
It makes $$$$$$$-sense which is what drives it.
It creates a stronger Conference Brand which means higher profile games and TV time and coverage.
So, it likely happens.
I dread it, though, because UCONN thrived in the Big East and 'owned' MSG most games while St. John's became irrelevant...which is on the SJU Admin, HCs, and Staff.
But since it'll happen, gotta brace and plan for it and be ready and able 'this time' to compete with UCONN...and the other Conference powers going forward.
Just a thought, if the worry is losing UCONN in 4 - 5 years for 'football reasons' again, why not condition their re-entry to the Conference with requiring UCONN to jettison their 'unprofitable' program within a 2 - 3 year time frame?
 
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We all hate UConn. Their fans are smug even when their team is terrible and they're a huge state school that will have major advantages over our collection of private Catholic schools. I love the new Big East and nobody really could have predicted this much success this soon. That being said, in my humble opinion the narrative of the league is missing a good villain. We've had some players that are fun to root against (like Macura) but there isn't really that Darth Vader-like program who the entire league agrees is the most hate-able. We all "hate" Nova but we don't REALLY hate them. We admire them and we're jealous. If Georgetown becomes consistently good, they can certainly fill that role once again I suppose. It'll suck bad when we lose to UConn and be 10x as sweet when we win. One of the best parts of being a Yankee fan is getting to hate the Red Sox together. Also, I think Hurley will have them good and relevant sooner than later but he's not Calhoun and their best days are behind them. I'm eager to match up.

In closing, great move for all sides. UConn despite their recent awfulness is still probably a bigger brand than Villanova. They'll help fill the Garden and I love the league going to 20 conference games. Would rather be playing a home and home with UConn in big rivalry games than a couple of mid-majors. I think this solidifies us a a top 5 conference for the foreseeable future.

Last point, I'll echo others that there should be a significantly large penalty if they try to leave. It should be large enough that it's painful and crippling to pay. If they're embracing their roots as a basketball-focused school then I will welcome these obnoxious morons with open arms but if they're using us as a life raft til something better comes along then I'm fine with letting them turn to dust.
 
[quote="Catman" post=352769]Well if UConn is going to be the 11th team to come into the league who will be the 12th?[/quote]


I don't think there needs to be a 12th but my choices would be Memphis, a school whos football, despite being better in recent years, will never be enough to get them into the SEC or B12 and whos only chance at major conference affiliation would be the Big East.
Or a good basketball only school like St. Louis that covers a new metro area and is a good long-term investment that could eventually thrive if in a major conf.
 
[quote="Room112" post=352766][quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352760][quote="Room112" post=352759][quote="MCNPA" post=352757][quote="Tonyinfairfield " post=352755][quote="Mike Zaun" post=352746]Don't see how anyone can dislike this move unless it's strictly based on their emotion. We all hate UConn...but again this is a business. Why are we assuming it will be "harder" to make the tourney now? If UConn is ranked on the reg again, that's 2 more chances we can beat a ranked team. The chances have decreased considerably in conference post realignment. I see it as, they will have a target on their back, not vice versa. We beat them the last game we played them in 2013...they are beatable. This guarantees sellouts at UConn and at MSG for our games. It also guarantees a TON more BET tickets sold and much more exposure. I can see Dan Hurley flipping out already on the sidelines after a big fast break dunk by one of our future players ;).[/quote]

I dislike it and not because of emotions. They’ve done it before and I have no doubt that when UCONN returns back to elite status, which they will in the Big East, they will again try to get into the ACC or Big 10. They are still trying to make football a big time program there.[/quote]

Who cares? We are in a much better position now as a league. UConn basketball is just a bonus for our league. Say they leave.. we return to where we are at right now. Plus football in Connecticut has zero future in one of those big conferences. Zero.[/quote]

Exactly. And if they leave again they'd probably have to pay a significant fine to the rest of the league. This wouldn't kill the Big East.[/quote]

When, not if, they leave again, they will not pay any full fee. They’ll sue and rather than it be tied up in court proceedings for years, the Big East will settle on a lot less. I don’t trust UCONN one bit.[/quote]

So you're saying the Big East is so dumb that they wouldn't cover their bases and prepare for this?[/quote]

Uh. No. I didn’t. But if you need to infer that, be my guest.

UCONN is no different than any other organization or individual that would be required to pay a substantial fine. They’ll fight it.
 
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