UConn to the Big East? Rumors and Discussion Thread...

[Hoopfan]

Institutional fit out the window...VCu is a no brainier. Big fan base, money to spend, and dedicated to basketball

This has been debated for years on this board, but ask yourself this question - which of the 10 current Big East schools would vote to add VCU?

Nova? no
Hoyas? no
PC? no
new schools - CU, XU, BU - no, no, no

If the schools don't want VCU, it's not going to happen.

Which of the 9 current fellow Big East schools would side against Xavier were Dayton's name placed on the table for consideration?

Beyond that, why all the panic all of a sudden because of a move that a highly unstable conference may make? The AAC isn't going to receive a media agreement that even comes remotely close to that of the Big East. And while the AAC as a basketball conference will improve, such a move would send the A10 into the wasteland. The A10 is damn close to being in there now, even with VD and VCU in it, but it sinks completely should those two schools exit it.

Edrick is right. Nothing has changed or would change should these moves be made. The Big East remains the ultimate destination for serious basketball schools - that are collectively wanted by the Big East.

I may have missed your point to the first line but what's X and Dayton have to do with VCU being added?

[adoraz]

Big East needs to do something. That version of the AAC would compete with the Big East, and in some years be better. We can't have that.

Candidates are:
Dayton
VCU
Wichita St
Gonzaga
UConn

I think you add TWO teams. You pick the best two options from the list, regardless of what the AAC does. Obviously there may not always be mutual interest, but that's where you start.

One of those teams needs to be a headline grab, or at least a huge school to appease Fox. The other can be a more tradition BE fit.

I think what makes the most sense:
1. UConn and Dayton
2. VCU and Dayton, if UConn isn't interested
3. Gonzaga and VCU or Dayton

It's pretty simple: our expansion needs to be at least as good or better than the AAC's expansion.

And hey, do one of the above 3 scenarios and yes we lose round robin but we're looking at 6-9 bids any given year rather than 4-7. With just 12 teams! Who doesn't want that? As good as this year has been, we currently only have 2 top 25 teams. Yes I know, that's bad luck, but that's what happens when you have lower overall volume.

[milksteak]

Gonzaga

They aren't a realistic option. Adding them to the league would be a logistics nightmare for them and us.

[adoraz]

Gonzaga

They aren't a realistic option. Adding them to the league would be a logistics nightmare for them and us.

Of course, but they might be that big time school Fox is looking for. All of the candidates on the list have major reasons why they shouldn't be added.

What happens in 2 years if AAC makes these moves, surpasses the Big East in performance, and the only options out there for expansion are a (currently) crappy SLU and Gonzaga? Eat or be eaten.

I don't think they're likely to add Gonzaga, but still a candidate. Especially if they go on a run in the tournament.

[BEwannabe]

I have no idea what UCONN's interest might be but I don't see UD's Admin or AD pursuing this direction unless their hand was forced (VCU to AAC). But even then we'd be changing conferences from a position of weakness (reactionary move). I can't believe UD is pursuing this direction but the notion apparently has widespread support from both VCU and for whatever reason UD fans.

In my reading on the subject last night I did find and interesting link with a little different view of the Flyers than I rarelr see written here.

http://csnbbs.com/thread-810867.html

[Bill Marsh]

Gonzaga

They aren't a realistic option. Adding them to the league would be a logistics nightmare for them and us.

They don't care. Said from the get go that they were ready willing and able.

I don't see why one road trip a year, which could be piggy backed on a trip to Omaha, is a logistical nightmare for anyone. They can just ask how schools managed 6-8 hour bus trips 50 years ago.

[Burrito]

The Big East shouldn't take any action based on what the AAC is doing. That whole conference was applying for Big 12 membership a few months ago.

Their football has been decent the past few years. But any coach that has any success there immediately gets hired by a P5 school.
Memphis, Houston, South Florida & Temple all recently lost their coaches to P5 schools.

[Bill Marsh]

I have no idea what UCONN's interest might be but I don't see UD's Admin or AD pursuing this direction unless their hand was forced (VCU to AAC). But even then we'd be changing conferences from a position of weakness (reactionary move). I can't believe UD is pursuing this direction but the notion apparently has widespread support from both VCU and for whatever reason UD fans.

In my reading on the subject last night I did find and interesting link with a little different view of the Flyers than I rarelr see written here.

http://csnbbs.com/thread-810867.html

It was too long to read the whole thing, but I skimmed that link and couldn't find the different view of the Flyers that you're referring to.

It's often mentioned that the Dayton always has good attendance numbers. What's not mentioned is why that's important. While it obviously reflects a strong base, more Importantly it says that the program has a consistently strong source of revenue. Ticket sales are the second most important revenue source after TV contract. It's probably why Dayton has been able to compete as well as they have in the diminished A10. They're well financed. That means a lot in evaluating a prospective candidate for membership.

[Edrick]

Someone please lookup how many NCAA Tournaments had the 20 years before the best programs left the A10. I forget.

[gosports1]

if Dayton does get an aac invite , what would the issues be with pulling a TCU and accepting BE offer instead?