UConn rejoining the Big East would be a win-win for all
By Dan Stack
Posted on Feb 7, 2017
Connecticut is struggling mightily this season and in need of some positive karma.
Okay, Captain Obvious, tell me something I didn’t know.
Well, according to our own Jon Rothstein, the higher -ups at Connecticut have reportedly been putting about feelers about rejoining the Big East. Who says you can’t go home? You can shut up now, Bon Jovi.
I digress, but coming home for Connecticut would be a win-win for all involved-but only with some conditions applied. Here would be some of those conditions, via Monday’s Rothstein Files:
UConn will heavily explore joining another league in the offseason: The Huskies have battled injuries this season en route to a 10-12 record, but their overall cache as a program also isn’t quite what it was when they were operating in the old Big East. Kevin Ollie led UConn to a national title in 2014, but the Huskies’ brand still belongs on a bigger stage. Sources have told FanRag Sports that UConn has consistently looked into joining the Big East as a basketball only member as long as it could find another home for its football program. Other sources have stated that members of the Big East currently like the league’s double round-robin format in basketball where everyone plays each other twice and adding an 11th team could change that. A big thing to remember? The ACC will go to 20 league games during the 2019-20 season and the Big East could opt to do the same if it added the Huskies as an 11th team while keeping the double round-robin format. UConn will be better next season when it gets back Alterique Gilbert (shoulder) and Terry Larrier (ACL), but to truly return to the national scene on a high level this program may have to make a move to a more high profile league.
Rothstein pretty much nailed it.
First, Connecticut has to commit to the Big East and make it a (final) destination spot. There can’t be any more half-measures.
One of the reasons the Big East has not only survived but thrived in its new configuration is that it forged an undeniable identity built around basketball. The larger Big East was dismantled because of one word: football.
If Connecticut can commit to the Big East and not put football and the almighty dollar ahead of basketball, the Huskies should be welcomed back with open arms.
As Rothstein inferred, the Big East is where UConn built its legendary brand and quasi-dynasty. It was in the Big East where Jim Calhoun took the tiny school and built a Hall of Fame career off it. This is the same school that won three NCAA championships and 10 Big East regular season championships under Calhoun.
In many ways—whether subjectively or by numbers and metrics—UConn can arguably be regarded as the most successful Big East program ever. While Georgetown and Syracuse carried more weight and cachet for the first 20 years of the conference’s existence, UConn took the torch and ran with it as the Huskies won three NCAA titles in the last 18 years. During the time UConn won its first NCAA championship up until the time it left in 2013, only two other Big East teams won championships: Louisville in 2013 and Syracuse in 2003.
Also, realize that the title under Ollie in 2014 came from a team that cut its teeth and grew up mostly in the Big East.
As mentioned above, the round-robin method of scheduling has to be mapped out. The Big East method of scheduling where everybody plays each other home and away is part of what separates the conference from some of its major-college brethren. It’s a special part of its appeal. As Rothstein points out, if the ACC can do it, why can’t the Big East?
Connecticut could also boost the conference’s suspect TV ratings (granted the link is a year old, but you get the point). It could be a tremendous boon for a conference still shaping its new TV identity. Villanova is enjoying its tidal wave of momentum after its title, thus elevating the stock of the conference. Bringing back an old heavyweight friend in UConn would be cooking with grease.
Sure, the Huskies have struggled of late, but who wouldn’t have after what transpired this season? The UConn brand name is highly visible, and if the Huskies join a conference that accentuates basketball, it would only be a matter of time before the Huskies are nationally relevant and chasing championships. Just wait until Gilbert and Larrier, as well as 2017 four-star recruit Makai Ashton-Langford, take the court.
If you don’t think perception and brand image mean a whole lot, read CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander’s recent column on how Cincinnati — despite absolutely killing it this year — is flying under the radar while playing in the AAC. Just like Connecticut, Cincinnati also played in the Big East.
Also, if Connecticut somehow stays rooted in the AAC, maybe Ollie won’t be so quick to dismiss overtures from the NBA anymore, as he has in the past.
UConn has to stop chasing the ghost for relevance in football, and maybe the school admitted as much when it re-hired Randy Edsall. If Connecticut goes all in on basketball and makes it the undying No. 1 priority, it would only enhance the Big East’s already strong image.
It would also fortify the notion that some schools can have a healthy sports program without the help of football. I didn’t even mention the impact women’s basketball would have as well.
So, to Connecticut and the Big East, let’s get in a room and hammer out this win-win proposal and right a wrong from four years ago.
By Dan Stack
Posted on Feb 7, 2017
Connecticut is struggling mightily this season and in need of some positive karma.
Okay, Captain Obvious, tell me something I didn’t know.
Well, according to our own Jon Rothstein, the higher -ups at Connecticut have reportedly been putting about feelers about rejoining the Big East. Who says you can’t go home? You can shut up now, Bon Jovi.
I digress, but coming home for Connecticut would be a win-win for all involved-but only with some conditions applied. Here would be some of those conditions, via Monday’s Rothstein Files:
UConn will heavily explore joining another league in the offseason: The Huskies have battled injuries this season en route to a 10-12 record, but their overall cache as a program also isn’t quite what it was when they were operating in the old Big East. Kevin Ollie led UConn to a national title in 2014, but the Huskies’ brand still belongs on a bigger stage. Sources have told FanRag Sports that UConn has consistently looked into joining the Big East as a basketball only member as long as it could find another home for its football program. Other sources have stated that members of the Big East currently like the league’s double round-robin format in basketball where everyone plays each other twice and adding an 11th team could change that. A big thing to remember? The ACC will go to 20 league games during the 2019-20 season and the Big East could opt to do the same if it added the Huskies as an 11th team while keeping the double round-robin format. UConn will be better next season when it gets back Alterique Gilbert (shoulder) and Terry Larrier (ACL), but to truly return to the national scene on a high level this program may have to make a move to a more high profile league.
Rothstein pretty much nailed it.
First, Connecticut has to commit to the Big East and make it a (final) destination spot. There can’t be any more half-measures.
One of the reasons the Big East has not only survived but thrived in its new configuration is that it forged an undeniable identity built around basketball. The larger Big East was dismantled because of one word: football.
If Connecticut can commit to the Big East and not put football and the almighty dollar ahead of basketball, the Huskies should be welcomed back with open arms.
As Rothstein inferred, the Big East is where UConn built its legendary brand and quasi-dynasty. It was in the Big East where Jim Calhoun took the tiny school and built a Hall of Fame career off it. This is the same school that won three NCAA championships and 10 Big East regular season championships under Calhoun.
In many ways—whether subjectively or by numbers and metrics—UConn can arguably be regarded as the most successful Big East program ever. While Georgetown and Syracuse carried more weight and cachet for the first 20 years of the conference’s existence, UConn took the torch and ran with it as the Huskies won three NCAA titles in the last 18 years. During the time UConn won its first NCAA championship up until the time it left in 2013, only two other Big East teams won championships: Louisville in 2013 and Syracuse in 2003.
Also, realize that the title under Ollie in 2014 came from a team that cut its teeth and grew up mostly in the Big East.
As mentioned above, the round-robin method of scheduling has to be mapped out. The Big East method of scheduling where everybody plays each other home and away is part of what separates the conference from some of its major-college brethren. It’s a special part of its appeal. As Rothstein points out, if the ACC can do it, why can’t the Big East?
Connecticut could also boost the conference’s suspect TV ratings (granted the link is a year old, but you get the point). It could be a tremendous boon for a conference still shaping its new TV identity. Villanova is enjoying its tidal wave of momentum after its title, thus elevating the stock of the conference. Bringing back an old heavyweight friend in UConn would be cooking with grease.
Sure, the Huskies have struggled of late, but who wouldn’t have after what transpired this season? The UConn brand name is highly visible, and if the Huskies join a conference that accentuates basketball, it would only be a matter of time before the Huskies are nationally relevant and chasing championships. Just wait until Gilbert and Larrier, as well as 2017 four-star recruit Makai Ashton-Langford, take the court.
If you don’t think perception and brand image mean a whole lot, read CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander’s recent column on how Cincinnati — despite absolutely killing it this year — is flying under the radar while playing in the AAC. Just like Connecticut, Cincinnati also played in the Big East.
Also, if Connecticut somehow stays rooted in the AAC, maybe Ollie won’t be so quick to dismiss overtures from the NBA anymore, as he has in the past.
UConn has to stop chasing the ghost for relevance in football, and maybe the school admitted as much when it re-hired Randy Edsall. If Connecticut goes all in on basketball and makes it the undying No. 1 priority, it would only enhance the Big East’s already strong image.
It would also fortify the notion that some schools can have a healthy sports program without the help of football. I didn’t even mention the impact women’s basketball would have as well.
So, to Connecticut and the Big East, let’s get in a room and hammer out this win-win proposal and right a wrong from four years ago.
