If the Big 12 expansion raids the AAC to free UConn, would you...

[brewcity77]

We can speculate, wish and hope about the possibility of UConn coming back to the Big East. But I see no reason to believe UConn will give up on football if the Big 12 doesn't extend an invite — or if the AAC falls apart.

To be fair, the prospect of losing Houston, Cincinnati, and Memphis would pretty much be the AAC falling apart.

[Marcus92]

To be fair, the prospect of losing Houston, Cincinnati, and Memphis would pretty much be the AAC falling apart.

Agreed. If that happens, I'll bet it doesn't change UConn's outlook in the slightest.

[GGGG]

To be fair, the prospect of losing Houston, Cincinnati, and Memphis would pretty much be the AAC falling apart.

I don't really agree with that.  There are a number of solid schools in there that still make it a viable conference.  If they add the likes of UAB, MTSU and Charlotte, it would still be the strongest non-BCS conference outside of the Mountain West. 

[forgetful]

I don't really agree with that.  There are a number of solid schools in there that still make it a viable conference.  If they add the likes of UAB, MTSU and Charlotte, it would still be the strongest non-BCS conference outside of the Mountain West.

I had to look up who MTSU was and I bet you 99% of sports fans would have too.  That doesn't make them a solid school. 

[Marcus92]

The AAC will have its choice of decent college football schools. Conference USA (Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Southern Mississippi, etc.) is the most likely to be targeted. You could probably make a case for MAC schools like Bowling Green or Toledo — if you're just looking at strength in football.

This follows a familiar pattern going back to the early days of the Big East football conference: 1) schools with better football programs leave for greener pastures in the Power Five; 2) those schools are replaced by others with slightly lesser football programs and often mediocre to pathetic basketball programs; 3) the overall strength and significance of the conference is diminished; 4) the process is inevitably repeated, often within a year or two.

This may keep the AAC alive as a conference. But it doesn't get UConn any closer to joining the Power Five. If anything, it illustrates how little UConn football matters on a national level.

[forgetful]

The AAC will have its choice of decent college football schools. Conference USA (Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Southern Mississippi, etc.) is the most likely to be targeted. You could probably make a case for MAC schools like Bowling Green or Toledo — if you're just looking at strength in football.

This follows a familiar pattern going back to the early days of the Big East football conference: 1) schools with better football programs leave for greener pastures in the Power Five; 2) those schools are replaced by others with slightly lesser football programs and often mediocre to pathetic basketball programs; 3) the overall strength and significance of the conference is diminished; 4) the process is inevitably repeated, often within a year or two.

This may keep the AAC alive as a conference. But it doesn't get UConn any closer to joining the Power Five. If anything, it illustrates how little UConn football matters on a national level.

Do you know anything about Southern Mississippi, they are the dregs of Conference USA and will continue to be.  They are lucky they didn't get a death penalty.

[GGGG]

I had to look up who MTSU was and I bet you 99% of sports fans would have too.  That doesn't make them a solid school.

In a quick glance of CUSA schools, they stood out.  But I guess I pay attention to more than their Q scores.  I mean, MTSU just upset Michigan State in the NCAA tournament this year. 

But Marcus had some other good suggestions.  Bowling Green, etc. 

[GGGG]

The AAC will have its choice of decent college football schools. Conference USA (Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Southern Mississippi, etc.) is the most likely to be targeted. You could probably make a case for MAC schools like Bowling Green or Toledo — if you're just looking at strength in football.

This follows a familiar pattern going back to the early days of the Big East football conference: 1) schools with better football programs leave for greener pastures in the Power Five; 2) those schools are replaced by others with slightly lesser football programs and often mediocre to pathetic basketball programs; 3) the overall strength and significance of the conference is diminished; 4) the process is inevitably repeated, often within a year or two.

This may keep the AAC alive as a conference. But it doesn't get UConn any closer to joining the Power Five. If anything, it illustrates how little UConn football matters on a national level.

Exactly.  Which is why I find MUFINY suggestion that their admittance to the ACC is "just a matter of time" to be highly suspect.

[Marcus92]

Do you know anything about Southern Mississippi, they are the dregs of Conference USA and will continue to be.  They are lucky they didn't get a death penalty.

I don't follow college football or care much about it — outside of how it impacts my favorite sport (college basketball) and team (Marquette).

Southern Miss was only an example. I know next to nothing about the school, apart from their conference affiliation and nickname. But I wouldn't get too hung up on which teams the AAC will add before the Big 12 has made any expansion announcement. Given their history, the university presidents might not be able to agree on a single candidate.

[Herman Cain]

Exactly.  Which is why I find MUFINY suggestion that their admittance to the ACC is "just a matter of time" to be highly suspect.

Don't shoot the messenger . I was just reporting what ESPN told me.

[Benny B]

Don't shoot the messenger . I was just reporting what ESPN told me.

There's a difference between that which ESPN "reports" and that on which ESPN "opines."

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I'm seeing some "TV partner" stories out there today.  They have no interest in paying more for Memphis or Houston.

[GGGG]

I'm seeing some "TV partner" stories out there today.  They have no interest in paying more for Memphis or Houston.

It's all negotiation.  Don't pay too much attention to it.

[Buzz Williams' Spillproof Chiclets Cup]

My feelings about UConn, who sold out their basketball excellence in the pursuit of mediocre football, accelerating the demise of the Superconference Big East, now complaining about having to play basketball games against East Carolina and UCF, and begging to be admitted back into the Big East.

[GGGG]

My feelings about UConn, who sold out their basketball excellence in the pursuit of mediocre football, accelerating the demise of the Superconference Big East, now complaining about having to play basketball games against East Carolina and UCF, and begging to be admitted back into the Big East.

THEY ARE????

[GoldenWarrior11]

It amazes me that some here still believe that UConn wants to come back to the Big East.  Top comments from the Boneyard this morning:

"I understand the nostalgia for some people, especially those who limit themselves to the MBB board. But, how many memorable games against Xavier, DePaul, Providence, Marquette, Butler, Seton Hall, Creighton, St. Johns, do you really remember? Villanova and Georgetown are the only real rivals still in that league and we don't need to be in it to play them. It's also not like the BE is a northeast bus league anymore either. Do you guys know where Creighton, Depaul, and Marquette are located?"

"Yeah I know EXACTLY where those leech schools are located. As for your comment memorable games..I remember games against St Johns, PC many times...and Marquette a few times, Fact of the matter is as a fan I want absolutely NOTHING to do with those schools any more except maybe a OOC game in hoops, and dealing with PC in HE!"

UConn, their fans, alumni, administration and students want nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the Big East.  Exactly why would we want to invite a school that has zero interest in being a part of the conference?

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

It amazes me that some here still believe that UConn wants to come back to the Big East.  Top comments from the Boneyard this morning:

UConn, their fans, alumni, administration and students want nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the Big East.  Exactly why would we want to invite a school that has zero interest in being a part of the conference?

I think you are right that UCONN and their fans are focused on P5 and not BE, but pulling opinions from the boneyard to support your position is like claiming statements in the comments section of JS Online is a good representation of what people in WI think.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

It amazes me that some here still believe that UConn wants to come back to the Big East.  Top comments from the Boneyard this morning:

"I understand the nostalgia for some people, especially those who limit themselves to the MBB board. But, how many memorable games against Xavier, DePaul, Providence, Marquette, Butler, Seton Hall, Creighton, St. Johns, do you really remember? Villanova and Georgetown are the only real rivals still in that league and we don't need to be in it to play them. It's also not like the BE is a northeast bus league anymore either. Do you guys know where Creighton, Depaul, and Marquette are located?"

"Yeah I know EXACTLY where those leech schools are located. As for your comment memorable games..I remember games against St Johns, PC many times...and Marquette a few times, Fact of the matter is as a fan I want absolutely NOTHING to do with those schools any more except maybe a OOC game in hoops, and dealing with PC in HE!"

UConn, their fans, alumni, administration and students want nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the Big East.  Exactly why would we want to invite a school that has zero interest in being a part of the conference?

Boneyard is about the last place you should go for rational opinions on UConn. Just like Scoop is one the last places you should go for rational opinions on Marquette.

There is a chunk of the fan base that would love to be back in the BEast but many aren't quite ready to give up on football. The administration might not be as against the idea as you think. But they are still holding out hope for that P5 invite.

[muwarrior69]

I am just glad we don't have to worry about the football musical chairs any more.

[bradley center bat]

I am just glad we don't have to worry about the football musical chairs any more.

You said it. Thank You, FS1!

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

You said it. Thank You, FS1!

Yup all MU and the rest of the Big East schools have to do is stand pat and sit pretty. I love UCONN from a basketball perspective, but the BE doesn't need them in the slightest. Were raking in the cash from the TV contract and we have the defending national champions, with both Nova and X poised to have another great season.

I used to be in the camp that said take UCONN no matter what, but after their comments from fans and their AD they can go ahead and rot in the AAC.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yup all MU and the rest of the Big East schools have to do is stand pat and sit pretty. I love UCONN from a basketball perspective, but the BE doesn't need them in the slightest. Were raking in the cash from the TV contract and we have the defending national champions, with both Nova and X poised to have another great season.

I used to be in the camp that said take UCONN no matter what, but after their comments from fans and their AD they can go ahead and rot in the AAC.

We do need them. Not now, but by 2026 (I think that's the year). BEast basketball ratings have been extremely underwhelming. If we don't give Fox more bang for their buck, no way we get anywhere close to this kind of money when we renew our contract. Best things we can do are keep winning (not totally in our control) and add programs that move the needle. UConn moves the needle more than any other program we could reasonably hope for.

[mu03eng]

We do need them. Not now, but by 2026 (I think that's the year). BEast basketball ratings have been extremely underwhelming. If we don't give Fox more bang for their buck, no way we get anywhere close to this kind of money when we renew our contract. Best things we can do are keep winning (not totally in our control) and add programs that move the needle. UConn moves the needle more than any other program we could reasonably hope for.

Don't necessarily disagree with your line of thinking, but I'm not sure the underwhelming ratings are because of the product being presented. UConn does move the needle so it wouldn't hurt certainly but I'm not sure how well FS1 has done to drive eyeballs to the product. They are in year 3 of their new enterprise and have some relatively established shows/platforms, I think this is the year we see whether the Big East sinks or swims from a ratings perspective.

[MU82]

Don't necessarily disagree with your line of thinking, but I'm not sure the underwhelming ratings are because of the product being presented. UConn does move the needle so it wouldn't hurt certainly but I'm not sure how well FS1 has done to drive eyeballs to the product. They are in year 3 of their new enterprise and have some relatively established shows/platforms, I think this is the year we see whether the Big East sinks or swims from a ratings perspective.

With MU taking a 28-2 record into the Big East Tournament, FS1 ratings will be soaring, my friend!

[brewcity77]

With MU taking a 28-2 record into the Big East Tournament, FS1 ratings will be soaring, my friend!

2 losses?!? Pessimist.