UConn has too many Big East memories to count, but here’s a quick compilation of the big shots and unforgettable moments against longstanding rivals in the nation’s most competitive league.
Archive for December 13th, 2012
Initial Reaction: Can’t spin much positive in latest wave of defections
The Big East has died about five times now.
Once when Pitt and Syracuse left, again when Notre Dame bounced and, of course, when Louisville got the ACC invite over UConn.
Ray Allen in the old Big East (AP)
Each move — even the Louisville defection — caused a gross overreaction in Connecticut.
We all knew UConn football was in trouble, but despite all the abandonment, Huskies basketball — a program with rich tradition and a young, charismatic head coach — still had the pieces to remain relevant, if not prosperous.
That was the optimist’s view, at least.
Today, the optimist’s view looks something like this: _______________________.
If you can fill in the blank above, be my guest. I’ve got nothing.
The seven Big East catholic schools will split from the league, the New York Post reported Thursday, leaving UConn with two holdovers — Cincinnati and South Florida — with newcomers Central Florida, SMU, Houston, Memphis, Temple and Tulane.
Ouch.
Now, it’s unclear whether or not the seven schools will simply branch off or vote to dissolve the league altogether. Dissolution of the league requires a 2/3 majority vote, and the seven schools hold the power to make that happen. So UConn could be forced to become an independent. Or, if invited, it could choose to follow those seven Big East catholic schools and join a legitimate basketball conference (Butler, VCU, Xavier, Dayton, Gonzaga and St. Mary’s are all candidates for this new league, according to SNY’s Adam Zagoria).
Unless the ACC comes calling again (which isn’t totally out of the question), UConn can’t have the best of both worlds. At this moment, there is no ideal situation for both basketball and football. There is, however, a scenario in which both major sports can suffer: Staying put.
If UConn stands pat, it will be a big fish in a tiny basketball pond. Kevin Ollie is a great recruiter; he’s not a miracle-worker. In order to attract top talent in the coming years, UConn must join a semi-competitive hoops league soon. Perhaps the University can stick as a football-only member in the “Big East.” It’s certainly not perfect, but nowadays in Storrs, it never is.
UConn is a basketball school, first and foremost. The administration must make a move (if it can) to preserve the tradition Jim Calhoun started 26 years ago.
Report: Seven Catholic schools to leave Big East
The future of the seven catholic Big East schools is expected to be decided within days, according to an ESPN report, and sources said it would be “an upset” if they remained in the league.
The New York Post reported Thursday morning that the seven schools — Marquette, Villanova, St. John’s, Providence, Seton Hall, DePaul and Georgetown — will indeed split from the Big East.
The ESPN report said that the presidents of the seven schools are scheduled to conduct a teleconference with Big East commissioner Mike Aresco on Thursday and are expected to issue a statement on their schools’ future in the next 24 to 48 hours.
UConn president Susan Herbst has contacted officials from the non-FBS Big East members, pleading with them to stay in the league, sources told ESPN.
It’s unknown whether the seven schools will attempt to dissolve the league altogether or simply branch off as a group. The league can be dissolved by a two-thirds majority vote, according to Big East bylaws. The seven catholic schools plus Cincinnati, UConn and South Florida are the only institutions that can vote on dissolution.
If the move happens, the three holdovers would be left with Memphis, Temple, Tulane, Southern Methodist, Central Florida and Houston.
SNY’s Adam Zagoria reported that the seven Big East catholic schools will target Xavier, Butler, Virginia Commonwealth, Dayton, Gonzaga and St. Mary’s for its new league.
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