UCONN

[MuMark]

Might be something interesting to follow.......

Sammy Albano @SammyAlbano  ·  37m 37 minutes ago
So @UConnHuskies calling @BIGEAST presidents 4 an audience bout membership in  #BigEast  #AmericanAthleticConference @KevinMcNamara33

[SWARM!]

Yes. In a heartbeat.

[TallTitan34]

Only if they drop football.

[wadesworld]

If they drop football.  Which won't happen.

[TallTitan34]

Or if they lower it to whatever Villanova and Georgetown are.

[Eldon]

Pick 'em up!!

[Silkk the Shaka]

This needs to happen ASAP

[Silkk the Shaka]

Then pick up UMass too, and stay at this 12 for a decade+.

I don't even care if they both keep football and leave in 7-10 years. We will be better off for it.

[Atticus]

No brainer.

They have more history in the BE than over half the teams in the conference now. You don't say no to UCONN and yes to SLU...or Dayton...or VCU.

They are a team that already has true rivalries with the existing teams (the other founding members). This conference needs storylines.

[D'Lo Brown]

Might be something interesting to follow.......

Sammy Albano @SammyAlbano  ·  37m 37 minutes ago
So @UConnHuskies calling @BIGEAST presidents 4 an audience bout membership in  #BigEast  #AmericanAthleticConference @KevinMcNamara33

If Uconn is the one doing the calling, I have to imagine they're willing to make some sort of concession to join... Or go back on something that kept them out in the first place?

They will keep football, that is a guarantee. Maybe they go independent? Or become football-only members in AAC (like Navy)? I have no idea if that option is even possible.

[wadesworld]

Again, only if they drop football, or, as TT pointed out, at least drop the football program below D1. And that will not happen. Football drives everything. They'd be in the league for as long as it takes for them to land with one of the "Power 5" conferences, and that wouldn't be very long in the grand scheme of things. We need like-minded athletic programs in the BE, and UCONN is not.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

This is...intriguing. Will be interesting to watch how this story evolves.

[Atticus]

Again, only if they drop football, or, as TT pointed out, at least drop the football program below D1. And that will not happen. Football drives everything. They'd be in the league for as long as it takes for them to land with one of the "Power 5" conferences, and that wouldn't be very long in the grand scheme of things. We need like-minded athletic programs in the BE, and UCONN is not.

We don't need more like-minded schools. Uconn's brand far exceeds any brand currently in the BE - they would be the only true national brand. They should be calling Fox instead of the BE Presidents. Their women's program draws well...and they are upgrading lacrosse...

[#UnleashSean]

I've said this 50 times on scoop. Yes for unnatural carnal knowledge sakes yes. There football is a non issue. They are not Notre Dame or syracuse, the football team is not drawing crowds and is not going to be a national contender anytime soon.

[4everwarriors]

Now maybe we can get on ESPN, hey?

[bilsu]

Again, only if they drop football, or, as TT pointed out, at least drop the football program below D1. And that will not happen. Football drives everything. They'd be in the league for as long as it takes for them to land with one of the "Power 5" conferences, and that wouldn't be very long in the grand scheme of things. We need like-minded athletic programs in the BE, and UCONN is not.

I do not think dropping football matters. One or two football schools would not wag the Big East's tail. The only risk would be that they would leave for a football conference. You solve that problem by making the buyout high enough to either totally discourage them leaving or make it profitable enough that you do not really care if they leave. As far as a second team, if you are going to allow football make the same offer to Cincinnati. Then I would offer Memphis, if Cincy is not interested.

[The Lens]

We don't need more like-minded schools. Uconn's brand far exceeds any brand currently in the BE - they would be the only true national brand. They should be calling Fox instead of the BE Presidents. Their women's program draws well...and they are upgrading lacrosse.

This times 1,000

[MarquetteDano]

So what happens to UConn football?  Independent?

[Brewtown Andy]

So what happens to UConn football?  Independent?

My vote's for shutting it down.

[chapman]

You don't say no to UCONN and yes to SLU...or Dayton...or VCU.

This sums it up.  It's a no-brainer.  If there's any truth to it, Fox would have to be pushing aggressively to steal Bristol's home team.

[Dawson Rental]

Again, only if they drop football, or, as TT pointed out, at least drop the football program below D1. And that will not happen. Football drives everything. They'd be in the league for as long as it takes for them to land with one of the "Power 5" conferences, and that wouldn't be very long in the grand scheme of things. We need like-minded athletic programs in the BE, and UCONN is not.

Seriously, what are they getting from football?  Their team isn't drawing crowds, costs are headed up, and they have really no chance of getting an invite from the Big 10 (academics) the ACC, or the SEC.  If those three are out as possibilities, then where would they be welcome?  There are no other remotely close geographic fits.  Maybe, just maybe, the light bulb is going on.

I really can't see a Division I football endgame for UConn where they end up in a Big 5 conference.

[T-Bone]

Who comes with them?

[jesmu84]

If this is only for lacrosse, I'm not sure it's that big a deal

[GooooMarquette]

Football has been a hindrance to UConn - it's what landed them in the AAC instead of the BE.  If they come to their senses and drop it (or at least drop to the level of Nova/GTown), then by all means let them in.  If they don't, tell 'em to enjoy the AAC until they do.

[bradley center bat]

Why would they drop to the FCS level? You don't make any money at that level.