Why Not 14?

[adoraz]

Nobody is "pining" over UConn. Big East is currently ranked #2 in RPI while AAC is #8, so we obviously don't need them or anybody else to join.

This is an expansion thread, and UConn is the only team east of Washington state that would be a good addition.

When we did this thread in the past, teams like St. Louis, VCU, Dayton, etc were all doing a lot better than they are currently. Thus, there is nobody else to discuss.

In fact, the reason we are mentioning UConn now is a few years ago they looked unattainable. Now, they still haven't left the AAC (many thought they'd be in the ACC by now) while the BE is pumping out National Champs and getting a bunch of teams into the Tournament each year. Further, UConn's football has actually gotten worse despite AAC's football being pretty decent. So if anything, the reason is the exact opposite (UConn in a worse spot now, BE in a better spot).

Like the NET, the RPI is practically worthless at this stage. UConn is listed at 119 in RPI after beating Cuse in NYC.
That being said, its always been an economic decision. As you said, the AAC football is pretty decent, and football drives media deals. I suspect the next year or so will be more illuminating for UConn than the previous 5.

Well, things aren't looking great for AAC with NET either (7/12 AAC teams below the last place BE team). It's just not available by conference like RPI is, otherwise I'd post it.

As I've said, I'm against expansion for 99% of teams but wouldn't shut the door on UConn if they gave up on football. Same with Gonzaga if the travelling worked.

In regards to UConn, I agree with you. They'll hold onto football and stay in the AAC for as long as they can. Does that change 5-10 years from now? I think most likely yes. We'll see.

[stever20]

The AAC a lot better in NET than they are RPI. Like 120 to 150 level different.....

[billyjack]

All of this pining over UConn looks desperate.
First of all, UConn wouldn't be "rejoining" anything. It was the basketball schools that left.
Second of all, it wasn't very long ago people here were saying "let them rot," when they believed UConn's decline was conference-related instead of Kevin Ollie just being a bad coach.
A lot of people on this board were saying that Danny Hurley would never go there, and their recruiting was more about the AAC than Ollie. Meanwhile, all of that hokey has been disproved.
Dan Hurley DID go to UConn and now they're recruiting elite prospects again. Not only them, but Memphis just secured the #1 recruit in the country to go with another elite recruit that spurned Kentucky.
So, now after all that, people are wanting UConn again.
Not that I blame you but UConn wouldn't have elected to sell the name if they wanted to be in a new Big East. Right now, their TV contract is about to be significantly upgraded based on having football.

Strawman argument by the Leyluken troll.
.

[ArmyVet]

All of this pining over UConn looks desperate.
First of all, UConn wouldn't be "rejoining" anything. It was the basketball schools that left.
Second of all, it wasn't very long ago people here were saying "let them rot," when they believed UConn's decline was conference-related instead of Kevin Ollie just being a bad coach.
A lot of people on this board were saying that Danny Hurley would never go there, and their recruiting was more about the AAC than Ollie. Meanwhile, all of that hokey has been disproved.
Dan Hurley DID go to UConn and now they're recruiting elite prospects again. Not only them, but Memphis just secured the #1 recruit in the country to go with another elite recruit that spurned Kentucky.
So, now after all that, people are wanting UConn again.
Not that I blame you but UConn wouldn't have elected to sell the name if they wanted to be in a new Big East. Right now, their TV contract is about to be significantly upgraded based on having football.

Strawman argument by the Leyluken troll.
.

I haven't posted in this thread and admittedly haven't read all 14 pages of responses. The best case for both UCONN and the Big East is for their football program to be at least modestly successful and they have a chance at a F5 conference. Unfortunately, it's difficult to see that happening considering the current athletics landscape as the deck is heavily stacked against UCONN. What I would really like to know is why we have heard repeatedly that the next AAC media deal is going to be a pot of gold when all indications are that rights deals are decreasing as ESPN hemorrhages money and the AAC doesn't bring huge interest despite having football.

[stever20]

But TV rights deals AREN'T dropping.... Not a single one of them has dropped...

[BEwannabe]

my handle clearly defines my preference for the Flyers but this is what is in my short term crystal ball. Dan Hurley will be successful at UCONN, he's solid coach that kids like and they play hard for him. The other thing Hurley will do is push for the inclusion of UD in AAC. Probably no one knows better than Hurley what UD brings, he absolutely loves to coach in front of hostile fans. UD to the AAC is a stretch in my opinion but I feel confident Anthony Grant would push hard in that direction, our AD and Admin probably not interested but they'll all do what big $$ donors encourage.

[ArmyVet]

my handle clearly defines my preference for the Flyers but this is what is in my short term crystal ball. Dan Hurley will be successful at UCONN, he's solid coach that kids like and they play hard for him. The other thing Hurley will do is push for the inclusion of UD in AAC. Probably no one knows better than Hurley what UD brings, he absolutely loves to coach in front of hostile fans. UD to the AAC is a stretch in my opinion but I feel confident Anthony Grant would push hard in that direction, our AD and Admin probably not interested but they'll all do what big $$ donors encourage.

Not trying to be a jerk, but what has happened or been said to give you the impression that specifically, "Hurley will push for the inclusion of UD in AAC. Probably no one knows better than Hurley what UD brings, he absolutely loves to coach in front of hostile fans"... You realize Hurley has no say in this? And that adding a non-football school makes no sense whatsoever after they added WSU? Fans are the best but not the most logical.

[Savannah Jay]

All of this pining over UConn looks desperate.
First of all, UConn wouldn't be "rejoining" anything. It was the basketball schools that left.
Second of all, it wasn't very long ago people here were saying "let them rot," when they believed UConn's decline was conference-related instead of Kevin Ollie just being a bad coach.
A lot of people on this board were saying that Danny Hurley would never go there, and their recruiting was more about the AAC than Ollie. Meanwhile, all of that hokey has been disproved.
Dan Hurley DID go to UConn and now they're recruiting elite prospects again. Not only them, but Memphis just secured the #1 recruit in the country to go with another elite recruit that spurned Kentucky.

Taking the comments from a handful of posters and assigning those feelings to all posters is a terrible way to make a point in a discussion. Some folks posted that they wanted UCONN to rot and I'd be willing to bet those same folks feel the same way. The fact that UCONN hired a new coach may make their basketball future a little brighter, but they are in a shit conference and would give anything to not be in said shit conference.

Likewise, if you could read and remember (tall order, I understand), there are plenty of folks on here that have always wanted UCONN to rejoin the Big East. The fact that people are making fun of their attempt at a real tackle football program doesn't, I assume, change their desire to have UCONN basketball in the Big East.

So, now after all that, people are wanting UConn again.
Not that I blame you but UConn wouldn't have elected to sell the name if they wanted to be in a new Big East. Right now, their TV contract is about to be significantly upgraded based on having football.

UCONN should be paying people to watch them attempt to play football. The idea that their conference is getting some significant upgrade in TV contract is folly. Please share any credible source for that assertion.

[stever20]

my handle clearly defines my preference for the Flyers but this is what is in my short term crystal ball. Dan Hurley will be successful at UCONN, he's solid coach that kids like and they play hard for him. The other thing Hurley will do is push for the inclusion of UD in AAC. Probably no one knows better than Hurley what UD brings, he absolutely loves to coach in front of hostile fans. UD to the AAC is a stretch in my opinion but I feel confident Anthony Grant would push hard in that direction, our AD and Admin probably not interested but they'll all do what big $$ donors encourage.

Not trying to be a jerk, but what has happened or been said to give you the impression that specifically, "Hurley will push for the inclusion of UD in AAC. Probably no one knows better than Hurley what UD brings, he absolutely loves to coach in front of hostile fans"... You realize Hurley has no say in this? And that adding a non-football school makes no sense whatsoever after they added WSU? Fans are the best but not the most logical.

I could see it possibly the AAC going to 14 teams and 20 conference games if they wanted to go that way....

And I could easily see teams like Dayton and VCU pushing hard to get out of the rotting carcus known as the A10. Their average NET so far is 167.50. They have as many teams ranked over 300 as they do in the top 90..... right now Dayton would have 1 tier 1 conference game- @ 70 Saint Louis.....

[Xavier4036]

The AAC a lot better in NET than they are RPI. Like 120 to 150 level different.....

7 of the 12 AAC teams (58% of conf) are below the LAST place team in Big East in NET.