Report: ACC wants UConn... if they come with Notre Dame
by Andrew Porter on Sep 22, 2011 11:15 AM EDT
in Big East News
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PrintUConn has made it painfully obvious over the last five days that they want to go to the ACC, but now, for the first time, there is a report that the ACC wants UConn as well. There's only one catch: for UConn to get an invite Notre Dame has to jump to the ACC as well.
And the problem with the catch is that it does not seem likely. At all. Notre Dame may jump to a conference one day, but it'll only happen if and when their hand is forced by outside factors. The Irish love their football independence above all else and every report out of South Bend indicates their first choice is to keep flying solo. Three days ago when it seemed like the Big XII was dead and the Pac-12 was a few handshakes away from becoming the Pac-16 it seemed possible that we might get the sort of destabilization that could force Notre Dame into a conference. Now? Not so much. Of course, that could all change in three days, but don't bet on it.
The takeaway from this report for UConn fans shouldn't be that an invite is coming soon -- its not, barring some really disruptive, unforeseen changes. But that doesn't mean UConn fans shouldn't feel good about it, if this report is accurate then it means UConn is on the top of the list for "complementary" (read: non-Texas or Notre Dame) schools that the ACC wants to add if it does expand and they're ahead of Rutgers who is also angling for the spot.
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Yeah, we're in limbo until someone else moves
i.e. until Notre Dame and Texas are no longer options for the ACC. I don’t think either will end up joining the ACC, but for them to actually settle into a league and close that door will take months, if not years.
Hopefully for UConn, this will all be settled before East Carolina-Air Force is a Big East conference game.
Thoroughly enjoying life atop whatever conference UConn is in today.
First, this is based on a “source”. Until further action follows, I would categorize this as another unverified rumor.
However, there is some validity. The ACC has made it clear about its objective in recruiting ND and possibly long-shot Texas or Penn State. UConn could bring the NY market and negate whatever counter-move the Big East comes up with in this mess.
The process is nuanced, bureaucratic and political. BC and ’Cuse were rejected the first time around based on Southern politics. So there are other hidden factors which may come into play.
My prediction is that ND will be inevitably forced to join a conference. Since the ACC can offer more in Academic similarities and exposure to Southern markets—population spike, the move is very realistic.
The question is, can UConn hold out for as long as 5 years before such a move?
Remember, ND will only act if its compelled to act. If all Conferences go 16, this would forced their hand. It’s only under this scenario that ND will move. I don’t see this happening anytime soon.
I read this a little differently.....
….in that, I didn’t read Uconn would only get an invite IF ND wants to join up. I got the sense that the ACC wants ND AND UConn, but is willing to wait for a while to see what ND wants to do. I don’t think that means the ACC will wait for five years, or even more than one year. From the tenor of that story, it seems like the ACC wants to go to 16 teams. Obviously, they would love to add ND, but it seems to me like they are just taking a little time to let things settle and see if ND decides to join. If not, the story makes it seem like they are ready to move on Uconn and another team (Rutgers?).
I don’t think ND is going anywhere right now and I have always believed it is somewhat of a pipe dream to believe they are going anywhere but the Big 10. All their rivalries, except USC, are in the Big 10, and they could respark ones with Ohio State and Penn State. They already play Michigan, Purdue, and MSU every year. I think this is the ACC’s hail mary to try and get ND, so why move on teams now until they get an up or down from ND?
Now, it all comes down to how much you trust this kind of “source” but, if true, I don’t see a downside to this story. Uconn is wanted by the ACC, and the question wouldn’t seem to be if, but when and with whom.
(is it me, or does anyone else feel so weird about actively rooting for Uconn to end up in a conference I have grown up despising?)
(is it me, or does anyone else feel so weird about actively rooting for Uconn to end up in a conference I have grown up despising?)
Not just you. I feel the same way, except the despising part only started in Fall of 2004 for me.
2011 National Champs in Men's Basketball
START NEBRICH
18-1
1967: Embrace it
New York Times: best option for UConn is MAC
No less of a source than the NYT states:
joining Massachusetts in the Mid-American Conference could be UConn’s best available option at this point.
Look at Temple. They are a solid MAC team. Good spot to build up your program and get stronger. Build some real football tradition and then seek the ACC if you are successful.
Perhaps Pres. Herbst can talk to Father Leahy about the best ways to develop a football tradition and maintain academic excellence. UConn you’re going to make it after all!
You're boring me
Thoroughly enjoying life atop whatever conference UConn is in today.
by Kevin Meacham on Sep 22, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t dismiss the MAC chance. It is a real place for UConn to grow. You can also develop real rivialries with UMass and Temple too — two quality programs.
as you say, “Thoroughly enjoying life atop whatever THE MAC conference UConn is in today”
Warning No. 2.
If you’re going to continue to troll and only post to be obnoxious, you’re getting banned. Last warning.
by UConnBlog Justin on Sep 22, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
You need to spot posting this as if it was your idea
You ripped this off from UMass fan. Which I think would be very unbecoming, as BC fans tend to thumb their nose at the Minutemen.
2011 National Champs in Men's Basketball
START NEBRICH
18-1
1967: Embrace it
What? It was in a BCI posting and is a direct quote from NYT
Stop trying so hard for the zinger. Tedious
Notice the time stamp on that link I posted. It was before the article came out and the BCI post.
2011 National Champs in Men's Basketball
START NEBRICH
18-1
1967: Embrace it
Uh u are so zealous, and so wrong
My point was not that UConn belongs in the MAC.
My point was that the leading newspaper in the USA said it.
Can you appreciate the difference?
since when
was the times known for its sports writing…?
"...Don't talk black to me. How do you even talk black? End words with izzle..." Modern Family
by kemba walker is my hero... on Sep 22, 2011 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
and when was warning no 1 tough guy?
feel free to ban me if you feel censorship enhances your blog.
its a free country. go for it.
Few days ago. Don't believe I used the official button.
I obviously have no problem with you commenting. But don’t come here with the sole purpose of being a dick.
by UConnBlog Justin on Sep 22, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
so I am a “dick” and a “moron” but you want to ban me for teasing you about a NYT report – not something i made up — saying UConn should go to the MAC.
You boys have some pretty thin skin and a lot to learn about the hurly-burly of the exchange of ideas.
hint>>>> if you find the content of a comment unpeasant (like hearing Uconn is MAC bound), don’t freak out, don’t “lose your style” and threaten to ban the speaker… in other words, don’t kill the messenger because you do not like the message.
I am sure you will always be more than welcome on BCI. Your buddy Derbyguy had quite a day yesterdayat BCI fighting the good UConn fight. I think we wore him out. But we did not call him a “dick” or a “moron” or threaten to ban him because we felt uncomfortable or and nobody tried intimidation tactics about “official warnings”
“so I am a "dick" and a "moron" but you want to ban me for teasing you about a NYT report – not something i made up — saying UConn should go to the MAC.”
About sums it up………dick
Hey
It’s not nice to talk type about people behind their backs.
Also, it’s spelled soph o more. 
2011 National Champs in Men's Basketball
START NEBRICH
18-1
1967: Embrace it
Your victim complex also bores me
Thoroughly enjoying life atop whatever conference UConn is in today.
by Kevin Meacham on Sep 22, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
FSU fans are worried about being stuck in a league that is clearly sub-par in football
Adding ND would be great. Top tier of ND, FSU, Clemson, VT in football isn’t terrible.
I’d imagine it would require allowing ND to keep it’s TV deal to bring them in.
Understandable feeling, however.......
Adding ND isn’t about being a “great” football conference. I’m sure you’ve watched the Irish the last decade or so. They are no longer a top football program. This is about money, market, and eyeballs on the television sets. ND brings in fans because their brand has, surprisingly, stayed strong despite the fact they haven’t been relevant in football in years. ND has lost to UConn AND Syracuse over the last few years, along with some other Big East teams. If you took away the name “Notre Dame” and added some other school’s name and put up the win/lose record, you wouldn’t be looking at them as a “top tier” addition. They are being considered because they bring money, not wins. That’s why Rutgers is being considered and, honestly, that’s why Uconn is as well (although, Uconn brings the wins, at least in basketball:)
i meant program, not necessarilly team.
ND is still a top “program” even though they’re average to above average right now. They’re always going to have football as a main priority. Eventually they’re going to get better.
I think above average for the Irish is a little generous, but I understand what you’re saying. I guess my overall point was that ND isn’t coming into the ACC because anyone believes they will be challenging for a title anytime soon. They have stopped being that type of program. They are the “darlings of the dance” right now because of the money they can bring in and the eyeballs they bring to the television each night. However, it’s a moot point. One of my best friends went to ND and still has contacts there and they won’t give up their football independence anytime soon and, when they do, theyll play in the Big 10.
Don’t hate Uconn football too much. We’re not that bad:)
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