UConn & Cincy want to start a new conference

[StrayDawg]

The difficulty of starting a new conference has been discussed on here several times, but it looks like UConn and Cincinnatti are thinking about trying it.

http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sp..._head_12446671

[tenacious_dog]

This may be like the proposed MWC/CUSA merger that got kicked around. It was seriously considered but the details of how you put things together and the revenue that was going to be lost for various reasons, killed the deal. If they're serious about a new conference they might as well jump into the details of the rules and restrictions. No sense wasting time if it isn't even possible.

[DawgFaninHous]

Maybe our new football coach can use his past experience and influence at UCONN to get us into that conversation. I would be very surprised if our current AD would or could!

[parialex]

If this were to come to fruition, Conference USA would likely become the most desirable home for the remaining Big East schools (assuming they voted to shut down the conference on their way out).

That being said...

1) UConn is denying it. One might expect a public denial in most circumstances, though if one of their motivations is to get the ACC to move, then denial doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

2) This is an awful lot of work to leave UH, SMU, ECU, Tulane, and maybe UCF behind. I mean, with the exception of Tulane, these schools all have something to offer in terms of football competitiveness or market.

3) This has the makings of a great basketball conference (BSU is the only obvious football-oriented addition), but is that really what they would want in the current market? Would it represent enough money to even consider a Grant of Rights? I'd feel uncomfortable with UH granting a GOR and we're not as close to being on someone's docket as Cincinnati, Connecticut, and South Florida are. This would represent a true abandonment of the ACC dream. I'm not sure why they would even consider giving up on that dream now. Or a year from now.

So... it's not really high on my list of realignment worries at the moment.

[LT]

3) This has the makings of a great basketball conference (BSU is the only obvious football-oriented addition), but is that really what they would want in the current market?

BSU is ranked #31 in basketball RPI right now. They crushed LSUBR on the road the other day.