UConn Still Shopping ?
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
The Big East already has prominence without either of them. Has UConn brought prominence to the AAC? Their open attempts to get out has done the exact opposite.
I am not against a expansion as long as their is a good fit and a rationale behind it. Having a FBS school join is not a reasonable fit.
A couple of things. First is that even though it was rumored that UConn was shopping for another conference, they technically didn't leave the Big East. We broke away from them.
Also, say we take on UConn and then they leave in 7-10 years. Big deal, that wouldn't damage the Big East one bit. If anything it would potentially bring big benefits in those years we have them.
Even though I've been adamant about having them in, I still don't think it's the best fit. They have great history, but they're a large state school and don't quite fit in with the rest. Dayton, VCU or Wichita State would be great.
Also, say we take on UConn and then they leave in 7-10 years. Big deal, that wouldn't damage the Big East one bit. If anything it would potentially bring big benefits in those years we have them.
Even though I've been adamant about having them in, I still don't think it's the best fit. They have great history, but they're a large state school and don't quite fit in with the rest. Dayton, VCU or Wichita State would be great.
I'd say UConn & VCU would be more likely. But again, it completely depends on what the Big East is looking for. Schools like that would definitely up the level of competition and national profile, but I do get the hesitancy with going down that road again. Schools like Dayton, St. Louis, Richmond, & St. Joe's pose less of a threat.
I agree with your first point as it is a reason many use it for not admitting them and I keep reminding them that they (nor did Cincy) leave the Big East.
If you look at the bottom line, many schools don't. However, it is not just about the bottom line with the football program, it is the other things that it might bring to the school in terms of donors and other fringe items.
L J S A
Well-known member
That doesn't seem like eons ago to you? It does to me. With each year spent in the AAC that program will die a little more. And if the Big 12 ever gets their asses in gear with regard to expansion, Cincy is in better position to get an invite. Could UConn make a big comeback to the national stage? I suppose it's possible, but I really think they are closer to irrelevancy than a national championship right now.
Coaster1955
Member
I'm sorry, but even with the possible addition of WS, the AAC has no juice. Granted there are top teams in Cincy and SMU (this year), and likely WS in the future. But UConn is holding on for dear life (thankfully) and most all other teams/schools are ho-hum. They have no unifying element, they have different cultures, they are spread too far apart. They may have coaching personalities in Cronin, Ollie and Marshall, but other than that there's nothing that compels me to watch them.
steve @owlsbest
Sources: Wichita State to join AAC as soon as 2017-18 (link:http://www.foxsports.com/college-ba...an-athletic-conference-missouri-valley-033017) foxsports.com/college-basket… via @FoxSports
Sources: Wichita State to join AAC as soon as 2017-18 (link:http://www.foxsports.com/college-ba...an-athletic-conference-missouri-valley-033017) foxsports.com/college-basket… via @FoxSports
MarkRedman
Well-known member
You would think that Wichita State would like that as well
It doesn't look like the league will expand in the near future
However, if it did, I would think they would add 2 teams at the same time
L J S A
Well-known member
http://www.cbssports.com/college-ba...dding-wichita-state-could-begin-play-in-fall/
AAC voting on Wichita, but I liked this part of the article:
Even Gonzaga AD Mike Roth addressed the interest in his school over the weekend the Final Four.
“If someday the Big East and their financial partners come together and say, ‘You know what we’ll call it the Big East but we’ll be in all four time zones and really get after that four-letter monster [ESPN] that lives in Bristol, Connecticut,” Roth said. “In that case, can other schools in the West join Gonzaga and split into two [divisions].”
The Big East has been in its current 10-team, private school configuration since the 2013-14 season. Like Gonzaga, none of the schools play major college football.
Roth said coach Mark Few has even made a point to him the Zags could fly anywhere to play conference games because it charters.
“I tell him, ‘Mark, it has nothing to do with us flying there. It’s them flying here,’” Roth said.
Gonzaga plays in the West Coast Conference.
“In January, February, we’re in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles,” Few said. “It’s not horrible.”
AAC voting on Wichita, but I liked this part of the article:
Even Gonzaga AD Mike Roth addressed the interest in his school over the weekend the Final Four.
“If someday the Big East and their financial partners come together and say, ‘You know what we’ll call it the Big East but we’ll be in all four time zones and really get after that four-letter monster [ESPN] that lives in Bristol, Connecticut,” Roth said. “In that case, can other schools in the West join Gonzaga and split into two [divisions].”
The Big East has been in its current 10-team, private school configuration since the 2013-14 season. Like Gonzaga, none of the schools play major college football.
Roth said coach Mark Few has even made a point to him the Zags could fly anywhere to play conference games because it charters.
“I tell him, ‘Mark, it has nothing to do with us flying there. It’s them flying here,’” Roth said.
Gonzaga plays in the West Coast Conference.
“In January, February, we’re in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles,” Few said. “It’s not horrible.”
