UConn Linked More and More To Big 12 — and Even Big East — Expansion Rumors

STORRS, CT ‒ The University of Connecticut is on the conference realignment carousel again.

The Big 12? Maybe.

There is also a return-to-the Big East rumor floating around.

What will UConn do?

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University Deputy Spokesman Tom Breen told Patch on Thursday that the upper administration is not commenting and a discussion is not on any UConn Board of Trustees agenda in the near-future. He then deferred comment to the athletic department.

UConn Director of Athletics David Benedict would not address anything specific, but did say, “UConn will continue to invest, support and build upon our rich history of success so that we will continue to be a national leader in college athletics as the landscape evolves, changes and re-invents itself."

UConn might not know what horse it lands on as the carousel turns, but the rumor mill is certainly churning.
ESPN jumped on the Big 12 expansion plan story when statements about adding schools began circulating through the conference and the nation and UConn was mentioned prominently.

A follow-up ESPN report seemed to link Houston, an emerging football contender and Brigham Young, which has a national following, as the top candidates to fill two spots.

The Big 12 may consider adding four, ESPN reported.

Then, there are rumors that the Big East would want UConn back for every sport but football. UConn is not only a founding Big East School, but it has four men's national basketball titles and 11 on the women's side to its credit. That scenario was outlined in on Georgetown's Casual Hoya.com Web site.

UConn also has been a national champion in field hockey and soccer and has gone fairly deep into the NCAA baseball tournament.

“Conference realignment has been an issue and a reality of intercollegiate athletics for decades and there is no reason to believe that it won’t continue. The Big 12’s decision to continue to explore further expansion this afternoon is evidence of that," Benedict said.

Benedict said UConn is marketable for expansion anywhere because of its brand.

“I am very proud of the success that UConn has achieved over the years in terms of national championships, conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances," he sad. "We have a record that any school in any league would envy.”

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel