NEW YORK — A little more than four years ago, UConn and the new Big East celebrated their union in a glorious ceremony at Madison Square Garden. They would be partners to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer …
Okay, lets tap the brakes on that richer-or-poorer part.
This is college athletics, every school has to look out for its own interests, football, basketball and fiduciary. The UConn-Big East marriage has had good times, for both, and more recently a little tension; eyes do stray.
Back at the Garden this week for Big East Media Day, where the UConn men’s and women’s teams were on the marquee, it was a moment to discuss the state of the union, in the wake of another summer of conference realignment.
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark says UConn wasn’t added ‘only because dream scenario unfolded’
“I don’t think anybody can be surprised in this environment that schools are doing their due diligence,” Big East commissioner Val Ackerman said, “exploring their options to make sure they’re in the best possible situation, especially if the terrain continues to shift.”
UConn women’s basketball is still a force of nature that defies any conference affiliation. The men’s program, after rejoining many of its old rivals, has regained its old attendance and stature and under Dan Hurley captured its fifth national championship in 2023. That brought revenue and stature to the league, which now has three champions, including Villanova twice, since 2016, and three teams ranked in the top six this preseason.
So who needs a power conference? There is always a third party in this relationship: UConn’s FBS football program.
“UConn is a bit of a different animal in our league,” Ackerman said. “They’re a big public school, they play FBS football, it may well be that they have options some of our other schools don’t have in terms of conference affiliations. That said, we think it has been a win-win relationship, and we hope they will be with us forever. UConn has leavened our league.”
UConn had extensive talks with Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark over the summer. Yormark coveted UConn basketball and was willing to take football, and the invitation was far closer than many realize. UConn higher ups tell me they went to bed one night believing it was done, and were ready to put it on a Trustees agenda, but no one anticipated the Pac 12 completely imploding as it did. So instead of UConn and Colorado to the Big 12, it was Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah. The Huskies and the ACC touched base, but the ACC took in Cal, Stanford and SMU.
“You can control that,” UConn AD David Benedict said. “I’m sure the thing that made us attractive is both success athletically as well as the university academic profile. We just have to continue doing those things and good things will happen.
“… We are in a unique situation. I don’t think anyone questions that from a basketball perspective there is no better league (than the Big East) to be a part of, because there is such a focus and energy around supporting both men’s and women’s basketball. But you’ve got to continue to evolve. … I’m not sure there are a ton that we need to be doing differently, but where we can do things that will strengthen our league.”
When UConn rejoined the Big East and went independent in football, the school prioritized rejuvenating its men’s basketball program and would take its chances elsewhere. The football program’s mere existence may annoy some, but it is not going anywhere. The Huskies have shown gridiron improvement under Jim Mora, going to a bowl game last season, and despite its record this season has been competitive in nearly every game. They no longer look like they don’t belong on the field with their opponents, and just a little success gets folks excited. As a northeast school, though, it sees interest and attendance evaporate when fortunes wane.
Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman: “If college basketball has a soul today—you’ll find it in our league…” #BigEastMediaDay pic.twitter.com/3nzAQztWEO
— Jennifer X. Williams (@JenXperience) October 24, 2023
UConn’s agreement with the Big East calls for a $30 million exit fee, intended as a deterrent. As the Big East nears an exclusive negotiating window with Fox Sports, there is the possibility of a beefed up grant-of-rights agreement that would add another speed bump between UConn and an exit ramp.
“There is one now, it exists,” Ackerman said. “We will assess that and fortify that in connection with our next television agreement. Any school can leave any conference if they follow the procedures, give notice, pay the exit fee. It’s a private transaction. Right now, if one of our schools leaves, the media rights travel with them.”
UConn, sources say, would be okay with grant of rights — if the duration wasn’t for too long a term. Of course, a power conference affiliation could mean 10 times the revenue for UConn, though probably not in the early years of the agreement. Any exit fees would eventually be recovered.
“UConn will not be singled out here,” Ackerman said. “Any one of our schools could have an option, that’s just the environment we’re living in. Discussions are definitely looming within our league to affirm their togetherness here as we head into that new deal.”
The Big East could increase its leverage in negotiating a new TV contract by adding more powerful basketball programs. Gonzaga, which would spread the footprint far west, is often mentioned as a potential newcomer.
The best-of-both-worlds scenario for UConn would be some kind of alliance between the Big East and the ACC. Is it possible? Who can predict where the next shift will leave the terrain?
“Based on what’s happened in the last two years, things that were unimaginable have now happened,” Ackerman said. “Because of that, you’re thinking that probably anything is possible. Part of our job will be to get creative, think about the full spectrum of options, alliances, affiliations, reactions to what may be happening in other leagues.”
Dom Amore: Rick Pitino brings a whole new brand of spice to the Big East and the UConn schedule
Depth a difference-maker for Huskies
In winning the national championship, the UConn men’s depth made the difference. That was the area Hurley successfully addressed with transfers Joey Calcaterra, Naheim Alleyne and Hassan Diarra.
Now Calcaterra and Alleyne are gone, Donovan Clingan will start. For the Huskies to have that difference-making depth, much will depend on Diarra, Cam Spencer, untested junior Samson Johnson and incoming freshmen. Is Hurley as confident as he was a year ago in being able to use an extended rotation?
“No,” Hurley said after the Blue-White scrimmage this week. “Just because they’re young, not because of talent. In terms of just upside potential, the people we’ve got on the bench are explosive, talented. They’re just young. When you had Naheim and Joey there, it was a great feeling. But these are great kids, really coachable and they flash, when they play to their capacity, you can see the athleticism and the talent.”
So it may take some time to develop the second unit that so impressed trained eyes like Rick Pitino, who predicted the Huskies’ run in the tournament.
“When you come off the bench, you’ve just got to bring a ton of energy,” Diarra said. “Play off other guys, be ready to go. I think last year guys did an amazing job of that, we can find that with whoever comes off the bench.”
Sunday short takes
* It came together quickly, apparently, and Sacred Heart is moving from the NEC to join the MAAC, which will create new in-state rivalries with Quinnipiac and Fairfield.
* Geno Auriemma says UConn is working on playing a couple of games at Madison Square Garden next season, opponents yet to be determined.
Former UConn star Adama Sanogo makes Chicago Bulls’ opening night roster
* With Andre Jackson (Bucks), Adama Sanogo (Bulls) and Jordan Hawkins (Pelicans) all making NBA season-opening rosters, it’s the first time UConn will have three rookies in The League since 2006. Rudy Gay, Hilton Armtrong, Marcus Williams and Josh Boone, all first-round picks, made it that year.
* Here is my annual plea to end the NCAA’s ludicrous secret scrimmage rules. If you don’t want admission charged, at least let reporters cover so fans can get accurate information. Why not let limited number of fans in for charitable donations.
*How does Tristen Newton not even make honorable mention All Big East?
*Bob Hall put the finishing touches on a career of 50-plus years as a soccer referee with the Central Connecticut board. His final game was at Loomis Chaffee on Saturday.
*Cromwell’s Cara Jordan scored her fifth goal of the season, which leads the UConn women’s soccer team and helped score a 2-1 at Providence that clinched a Big East tournament home game, Sunday at 1 p.m. vs. Butler. The Huskies (9-3-5) have played phenomenal defense, outscoring opponents 28-7.
*The Wolf Pack drew 7,038 for their home opener Oct. 20, the largest opening-night crowd since 2014 and 2,000 more than last season. Hartford won its first four games for the first time since 2004.
The last time the @Dbacks were in the World Series, they won it on a Game 7 walk-off in 2001. pic.twitter.com/MF20f32dqC
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 25, 2023
Last word
The presence of Texas (90-72) and Arizona (84-78) in the World Series shows that, despite one of baseball’s many popular myths, there is no way to construct a team specifically for the postseason, and, in fact, “just making the playoffs” should be the initial goal of any franchise any season, regardless of payroll. Once you’re in, anything can happen,
Commercials Cooperation Advertisements:
(1) IT Teacher IT Freelance
立刻註冊及報名電腦補習課程吧!
电子计算机 -教育 -IT 電腦班” ( IT電腦補習 ) 提供一個方便的电子计算机 教育平台, 為大家配對信息技术, 電腦 老師, IT freelance 和 programming expert. 讓大家方便地就能找到合適的電腦補習, 電腦班, 家教, 私人老師.
We are a education and information platform which you can find a IT private tutorial teacher or freelance.
Also we provide different information about information technology, Computer, programming, mobile, Android, apple, game, movie, anime, animation…
(2) ITSec
www.ITSeceu.uk
Secure Your Computers from Cyber Threats and mitigate risks with professional services to defend Hackers.
ITSec provide IT Security and Compliance Services, including IT Compliance Services, Risk Assessment, IT Audit, Security Assessment and Audit, ISO 27001 Consulting and Certification, GDPR Compliance Services, Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), Penetration test, Ethical Hacking, Vulnerabilities scan, IT Consulting, Data Privacy Consulting, Data Protection Services, Information Security Consulting, Cyber Security Consulting, Network Security Audit, Security Awareness Training.
Contact us right away.
Email (Prefer using email to contact us):
SalesExecutive@ITSec.vip