What's the next realignment domino to fall?

[Redbirds4Life]

Reports circulating that the Big East and UCONN are discussing the Huskies joining the conference. Not sure how the AAC would then respond or if this news would strengthen or weaken the Wichita State to AAC rumors.

What would they do with football? Would the AAC keep them? I suppose if that were the case then it would help WSU's case. They'd maintain what they have now, essentially

My guess would be that UConn Football would go to "Independent" status, like BYU, Notre Dame, etc. Their football program isn't elite, but they are still UConn and could survive as an independent.

[uniftw]

Reports circulating that the Big East and UCONN are discussing the Huskies joining the conference. Not sure how the AAC would then respond or if this news would strengthen or weaken the Wichita State to AAC rumors.

What would they do with football? Would the AAC keep them? I suppose if that were the case then it would help WSU's case. They'd maintain what they have now, essentially

My guess would be that UConn Football would go to "Independent" status, like BYU, Notre Dame, etc. Their football program isn't elite, but they are still UConn and could survive as an independent.

Notre Dame is ACC without being in the ACC. Part of the deal that got them into the ACC for all other sports was scheduling a minimum 5 of their 12 games against ACC schools. There is growing (even if slower than "normal) movement for them to join the ACC full time.

BYU has maintained indy, but they half regret it and have attempted (many times) to get into a conference since leaving the MWC. The MWC hasn't been desperate enough to take them back (as of yet) and the B12 and P10 went other directions despite BYU begging.

Army and UMASS are currently the other two independents. Navy joined the AAC last year. Army can probably keep going indy for a while. UMASS is about to his a real crossroads for their program. New Mexico State was booted from the Sun Belt along with Idaho. Idaho is moving FCS but NMSU wants to try indy. Not sure how that will work.

I suppose BYU, NMSU, UCONN and UMASS could arrange something, but for schools with as little support as NMSU, UCONN and UMASS it's going to be real tough to hang on long term, especially as conferences move towards 9 game conference schedules.

More and more UCONN games are looking like this
http://www.trbimg.com/img-57dd8247/turb ... e-20160917
http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af3 ... yds74v.jpg

I'm sure they'd try for a while, but they may not be willing to fight too hard to stay FBS. They'll be in a conference with Villanova who funds at just an FCS level (and is pretty damn good at the FCS level) and is at the top of the CBB world. I wouldn't be shocked to see that happen, though the "PR" of moving FBS to FCS may make them just drop completely rather than go FCS.

If the CAA Football Conference could get UCONN and UMASS back that'd be big. If UCONN would move back then UMASS would move back.

[TheObserver]

Uh, and who else is coming with UConn?

What made the elite of the elite all of a sudden have a change of heart regarding public, football-supported schools?

This sounds like a load of poo-poo to me.

[SubGod22]

I've read a lot on this over the past few months. I mostly think it's bored NE journalists trying to create something. It also sounds like the BE is happy with their 10 team round robin format right now and that they're not eager to expand.

If this were an option, UConn would be forever throwing away any P5 football aspirations. I know basketball is where it's at with them, but I'm not sure they're ready to give up on football. Being an independent or finding a way to put football in the MAC isn't going to help them reach that status. The AAC isn't going to let them take the sport that matters and keep the one they suck at. That'd just be bad business for the AAC.

With that said, there are rumblings within the AAC that they need to find a way to better their on court status. They've been hurt by both UConn and Memphis being down. Some think they will be just fine moving forward with what they have and some think that maybe they need to look into bringing in one or two basketball centric schools. Who knows where that'll end up. It sounds as though the AAC commissioner really wants to add Wichita but it's a matter of convincing enough presidents that it's the right move.

So, does the BE want to deal with a public school that sponsors FBS football? Does UConn want to throw away any future with a P5?

Someone also mentioned BYU trying to get into a conference. The only conference I believe they've tried to get into was the XII. They will never go back to the MWC. One, I don't think the MWC really helps them out much and two, they make a lot more money now than they would in the MWC. They'll never get into the PAC and I don't see anyone else wanting them. They can stay Indy for a long time. It'll take a dire situation for them to ever join a non power conference.

[Pinkie]

FYI - UN-Omaha playing for NCAA bid from Summit league tonight. I'm not suggesting they are ready for the Valley but their commitment in just the second year of D1 hoops already surpasses several Valley schools. Brand new 8000 seat arena and an expanding campus with facilities being built everywhere.

[Cdizzle]

FYI - UN-Omaha playing for NCAA bid from Summit league tonight. I'm not suggesting they are ready for the Valley but their commitment in just the second year of D1 hoops already surpasses several Valley schools. Brand new 8000 seat arena and an expanding campus with facilities being built everywhere.

The Valley is more interested in schools with large endowments that they promise they'll eventually do something with. Actions are severely overrated.

[LanceShock]

The Valley is more interested in schools with large endowments that they promise they'll eventually do something with. Actions are severely overrated.

Actions do matter when a school is located that far west.

[tribecalledquest]

FYI - UN-Omaha playing for NCAA bid from Summit league tonight. I'm not suggesting they are ready for the Valley but their commitment in just the second year of D1 hoops already surpasses several Valley schools. Brand new 8000 seat arena and an expanding campus with facilities being built everywhere.

Northern Kentucky is a similar school. Great arena.

[Wufan]

"Wichita State is no Cinderella, even if they hail from a league that often produces them. This is a bona fide high-major program that plays in a mid-major league."

This quote from NBC sports caught my eye. Is this a good look for the MVC? For Wichita State? Does WSU's recent run of success taint the Valley as a whole? Does the Valley hurt Wichita State?

[Drakey]

From a success standpoint WSU is better off in the Valley than they would be anywhere else. If it is about money, they could probably get more moving on, but I'm not sure they would be as successful. I guess it depends what they are playing for.