I thought this too back when the Catholic 7 left the conference and the Big East (later, AAC) was forced to invite a bunch of Midwest and Southern schools. I thought the AAC would remain a major basketball conference simply because of UConn. In the contrary. Major programs (i.e. Men's & women's basketball and football) recieved back up commits and secondary choices.Four national titles, that's a game changer. We'd still land our kids
I still believe that if our then coach held up his end of the bargain we would have succeeded in the AAC.I thought this too back when the Catholic 7 left the conference and the Big East (later, AAC) was forced to invite a bunch of Midwest and Southern schools. I thought the AAC would remain a major basketball conference simply because of UConn. In the contrary. Major programs (i.e. Men's & women's basketball and football) recieved back up commits and secondary choices.
Opponents matter. Travel time matters. Not only to fans but to 18 year old kids. This became more than evident when UConn accepted the full invitation to the New Big East, and went Independent in football. Coach Hurley seems to be a really talented recruiter, but operating in the Big East gave/gives him the material needed to land his recruits. Entering freshmen are more talented, polished, and ready to play on day one. On a game-to-game basis, arenas are closer to capacity and secondary market tickets are more expensive, if not more scarce.
UConn would probably be okay in the ACC, but they may not. UConn's former Big East rivals might be flush with cash, but they are not thriving on the courts or field. Syracuse, particularly without Beoheim, and BC are not the recruiting tools they once were and neither Coach K, nor Roy Williams are walking through the door.
Miami is doing very well for themselves, coaching, coaching, coaching.
BTW the ACC was 14-5 in the tournament last year. Two teams in the final four.
Laranagga is excellent, but he doesn't have too many years left.
Football is in shambles.
The Canes had a good recruiting year...their 2023 class is ranked #7 by 247...but coaches are a hot mess...we'll see if it turns around in two years or so.
We thought that about the AAC.We would run the conference
For better or for worse (depending on the parties), both points are moot.I still believe that if our then coach held up his end of the bargain we would have succeeded in the AAC.
I also believe that it would have been a nearly impossible place to succeed in restoring our program.
Why would you still think that? The fanbase that goes to games stopped going to AAC games. We were never going anywhere while trapped in that hell. We literally got the last helicopter out.I still believe that if our then coach held up his end of the bargain we would have succeeded in the AAC.
They stopped going to the games because we were losers.Why would you still think that? The fanbase that goes to games stopped going to AAC games. We were never going anywhere while trapped in that hell. We literally got the last helicopter out.
you're underselling UConn athletics.Wow... SMH...IMO The BIG EAST is where UConn belongs.
UConn belongs with a bunch of small Catholic schools that only want to play a handful of sports?Wow... SMH...IMO The BIG EAST is where UConn belongs.
there's more to UConn athletics than basketball.Uconn is the best team in the country… the big east is the best conference in the country…perfect fit
Uconn is the best team in the country… the big east is the best conference in the country…perfect fit
yes finances don't matter for things like assistant coach salaries, facilities, athletic department support of athletes, being able to make respectable counter-offers to coaching staff with other job offers..........No Doubt.
It seems like segment of the UConn fanbase wants to screw things up again.
The Big East is the home were UConn can continue winning National Championships. I don't care about finances... clearly the finances haven't put a dent in the winning. Keep it coming!
Big East-only people are myopic and small-timers.I'm sorry BUT: you Big East only fans remind me of that segment of Husky Nation in the 70's who wanted the athletic department to disband the football program (as Vermont, BU, & Northeastern did) & cede Memorial Stadium to the soccer teams, This is short sited thinking in terms of the overall athletic department. Moving to either the ACC, XII, or B1G will keep MOST Husky teams competitive & be a MUCH more stable fiscal environment.