Xavier AD says expanding to 12 schools within 5 years

[billyjack]

Why no to UConn...?
1. Because we'll be a convenient place for them until they dump us.
2. They'll be grabbing recruits from Big East schools before they dump us. Cooley and Lavin are in constant battles with UConn.
3. They'll be a constant distraction.
4. Most of all ---> I don't want us to let them use us to keep their basketball strong, so that when they leave for the ACC it makes our rival conference better.
Our goal should be to be better than the ACC, not become a feeder league for that a-hole conference.

[TheHall]

...As to why people believe UConn is in play; the simple reason is that FS1 is giving the Big East a lot more money than ESPN is giving the AAC. Almost twice as much per school, to be more precise. The flaw in this logic is that it doesn't account for game theory. UConn has already made the bad investment in FBS football, they will likely let it ride until it ruins them. They will hold out for more money from the P5 until they either get into the ACC, or their football team becomes completely unsustainable (whether due to taxpayer outrage or just loss of revenue).

It sounds like you don't believe that pressure is already at/near the boiling point... IMO the boiling point is close by if it's not already there. Everyone already knows Uconn's fate- This round is of realignment is over & they lost out big-time period... & wait until the BE tourny comes around next march and Uconn fan's tripping to Memphis not NYC. I'm not saying this would be easy or is likely, just best given the current landscape. But for all those trying to handicap the next round of realignment (Uconn to the P5, etc.) I say good luck, no one's been right so far.

Is it plausible that Uconn could move to the MAC for football only? Frankly that football league will be as good as the AAC.

Seems unlikely. The AAC is still, technically, a BCS league with a BCS bid.

BCS basically refers to fb bowl access now if I'm not mistaken. I thought b/c of all the new conference tie-ins with bowls that all non P5 conferences have the same access to those 1 or 2 BCS slots not tied-in. If that's accurate then what would be the difference to Uconn from playing in the MAAC or AAC from that point of view (not TV-conference contract money)? Or are you saying the auto-bid the BE used to have continue for 1 or 2 more years for the AAC?

[marquette]

Or are you saying the auto-bid the BE used to have continue for 1 or 2 more years for the AAC?

That's my understanding.

Also, UConn may be near that point with the taxpayers, the question then becomes if they are stubborn enough to tack it onto tuition in the form of athletic fees. Would the students put up with that, on the off chance they might wind up in a better conference? My guess is probably not, or not for long in any event, but there's no way to tell. How creative are they willing to be? For how long? Too many questions for a scenario that may never come about.

[Dave]

The BCS era is over.

[Bill Marsh]

Sure. But first, can somebody explain to me each of the following:

1) Why there is a belief that UConn is even in play;
2) Why the AAC would willing keep UConn's lousy football program while giving up their lucrative basketball program;
3) Which conference would house UConn's football team if they joined the BE;
4) Why there is a belief that UConn would even be interested in such a move (their loudmouthed AD has a history of begging for admission to conferences, but I've yet to see any comment indicating they want to move to the BE).

UConn ain't coming. Further, constant lobbying on the part of two posters here isn't going to change that situation either.

The only question on your list that may be prove a deal-closer is question #1. But the answer is we don't know and neither do you. So besides hating what's your point. As a Creighton supporter one would think you're well aware that no one knew your school was in play this time last year either though...Glad the Jays did get into play eventually, solid program.

Yeah, we do know. UConn is not interested.

The fact that you can't wrap your brain around that simple fact means nothing of importance to the topic.

[Bill Marsh]

Is it plausible that Uconn could move to the MAC for football only?

No.

[ccaibew1225]

I like the the BE at 10 with a round robin schedule, but expansion seems in the works. I disagree that Presidents will decide - in my opinion, Fox will "suggest" and the Presidents will do what they are told. I think the most likely additions will come from SLU, Dayton, Richmond, and VCU. My guess is maybe all 4. Fox would gain more content, two new markets and two great rivalry games. Any school we invite has pluses and minuses. I think most of the posts I have seen are putting too much emphasis on recent winning ways, coaches, NBA players. I think other factors could come into play. Maybe VCU would be seen by FOX as a plus because they are public and not Catholic. Richmond is also non Catholic - try to shake the CYO tag. Dayton supports BB - even though they have not been great for awhile. SLU is a good TV market even though SLU will still be second fiddle to Missouri. NBA players? Which does you more good, a solid 4 year player or a one year NBA type? Coaches eventually go, hopefully they retire, but some go to greener pastures or they loose their magic and get fired. Is it better to hire a big name coach and constantly struggle to keep him or to hire a young up and comer, maybe an alum with loyalty to the school. Certainly, my school, Butler, never hired a big name coach, but some of them became pretty big names.

[Bill Marsh]

I like the the BE at 10 with a round robin schedule, but expansion seems in the works. I disagree that Presidents will decide - in my opinion, Fox will "suggest" and the Presidents will do what they are told. I think the most likely additions will come from SLU, Dayton, Richmond, and VCU. My guess is maybe all 4. Fox would gain more content, two new markets and two great rivalry games. Any school we invite has pluses and minuses. I think most of the posts I have seen are putting too much emphasis on recent winning ways, coaches, NBA players. I think other factors could come into play. Maybe VCU would be seen by FOX as a plus because they are public and not Catholic. Richmond is also non Catholic - try to shake the CYO tag. Dayton supports BB - even though they have not been great for awhile. SLU is a good TV market even though SLU will still be second fiddle to Missouri. NBA players? Which does you more good, a solid 4 year player or a one year NBA type? Coaches eventually go, hopefully they retire, but some go to greener pastures or they loose their magic and get fired. Is it better to hire a big name coach and constantly struggle to keep him or to hire a young up and comer, maybe an alum with loyalty to the school. Certainly, my school, Butler, never hired a big name coach, but some of them became pretty big names.

I appreciate the positives of the other candidates out there. But if you were Fox which additions would you think you could market more successfully?

1. Gonzaga coming off a #1ranking and 15 consecutive trips to the tournament.
2. SLU coming off an A10 title and 3 tournament bids in the past 15 years.
3. Dayton, Shut out of all tournaments this year and having 4 tournament bids in the past 15 years.
4. Richmond coming off the CBI and 3 tournament bids in the past 15 years
5. VCU coming off a Final Four 2 years ago and 6 tournament bids in the past 15 years.

If the answer is Gonzaga, then you have to look at BYU as a travel partner because they draw 16,000, have been to 9 tournaments in the past 15 years, and have national name recognition and a core following that will enhance the TV package.

[DudeAnon]

@Bill Marsh

But unless Fox is going to pay the travel fees for all the other Non-Revenue sports, the West Coast isn't possible.

BTW, Screw UCONN, the point is that schools with football should be considered.

[cm5yz6]

Why would UConn want to leave the AAC? They are going to make enough money through football and the quad of UConn, Memphis, Temple, and Cinci isn't all that bad in bball, especially when you give the AAC at least 0.75 additional tourney teams a year (reasonable). I don't see the motivation to move.