Three Teams Who Could Replace UConn in the Big East
UConn is being rumored to potentially move to the Big-12 in 2026. What schools could replace the Huskies in the Big East?
It’s probably no shock that the UConn Huskies have a conference like the Big 12 knocking on their door in the midst of their historic run in Men’s College Basketball. While the move would be primarily as a result of their basketball product, UConn does have football, which is currently independent. The Huskies has made just one bowl game since 2016, so lets toss that to the side for the purposes of this article, although UConn having a football program will be a big piece of the transition as well should it go through. If the Huskies do move, they will have to pour tens of millions into their football program and it could jeopardize the product on the basketball court as a result.
Anyway, they aren’t asking my opinion.
The Big East would be devastated to lose UConn, however, there are a number of schools that could be solid replacements should a move actually happen in the next couple of years. Here are three schools to keep an eye on for a potential Big East replacement.
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Dayton
The Dayton Flyers should come at no surprise here as they’ve seen an immense amount of success in the basketball centric Atlantic 10 conference since joining in 1995. Over that stretch, they’ve reached the NCAA Tournament nine times and have been ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll in 12 different seasons, including as high as #3 in the unfortunate 2020 season. In additional notable feats, the Flyers also went to the Elite Eight in 2014. Feel free to sprinkle in another ten NIT appearances since 1995 as well, meaning the Flyers have been in either the NIT or NCAA Tournament in 19 of 29 seasons in the Atlantic 10 (608-325 record overall).
Needless to say, this team has been successful. Outside of their performance, their school status and location are also perfect. Being located in Ohio, you are right in the middle geographically of other schools in the conference. Dayton’s enrollment is a combined 11,347 spread amongst undergraduate and postgraduate students. Their endowment as of 2022 was $770 million, and a few years ago, Forbes even ranked them as one of the most profitable basketball programs in college basketball.
Looking at the Big East, Dayton would fit in with enrollment nearly tied with Marquette for 5th most in the conference. Their endowment would place them in 5th, right between DePaul and Creighton.
Dayton to the Big East in the circumstance that UConn leaves for the Big-12 is truly a no brainer decision for everyone involved.
Loyola Chicago
The Loyola Chicago Ramblers have been on a high trajectory rise since 2013. Prior to the historic Final Four run in 2018, the Ramblers hadn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 1985. They saw mediocre results as a member of the Horizon League between 2001 and 2013, then hopped to the Missouri Valley Conference where they saw quite a bit of success (191-110 overall). They made the NCAA Tournament three times, including that Final Four run and the Sweet 16 in 2021. Following this success, they joined the A-10 in 2022. Their first year was a bit of a rebuild, finishing just 10-21, but they bounced back last season with a 23-10 record, nearing a spot in the NIT.
I will admit, out of the three I’m discussing here this is the least likely, however it’s not totally out of the question. Loyola Chicago has an incredible endowment of $1.15 billion, which would put them right in line with Villanova for 2nd place in the Big East. Their enrollment is a combined 17,159 students across undergrad and postgrad, putting them at 5th in the Big East. Geographically, DePaul is already in the Big East, so another Chicago school wouldn’t be a bad move.
There’s a lot of ifs on this one, as the sustained success as compared to another school like Dayton isn’t there yet. However, some of the other factors that you sprinkle in, like the enrollment, endowment, and location make the Ramblers an intriguing school to keep an eye on in the event of a needed Big East replacement.
If you are interested in reading more about how Loyola Chicago is shaping up for the 2024 season, check out this offseason review I just published recently:
Offseason Review: The Loyola Ramblers Poised for Atlantic 10 Run
The Loyola Ramblers are no newcomer to the NCAA Tournament or the spot light. Between Sister Jean and the mustache that rocked America (looking at you Krutwig), the Loyola Chicago Ramblers have become a household name for college basketball fans.
VCU
Similar to Dayton, VCU should not be a surprise. Since joining the Atlantic 10 in 2012, they’ve been to the NCAA Tournament more times than not, appearing in 8 NCAA tournaments out of 12 seasons. Their overall record in that stretch is 283-123. In total since 2004, they’ve been to the NCAA Tournament 13 times, including a Final Four run in the 2011 tournament as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. The Rams have been ranked in the Top 25 four times as members of the Atlantic 10 and have been seeded as high as 5th in the Tournament in 2013 & 2014. Outside of the NCAA Tournament, the Rams participated in the NIT in 2022 and 2024, bringing their postseason total up to 10 out of 12 seasons in the A-10.
VCU fits in perfectly geographically, and their endowment is the highest on this list at $2.72 billion, placing them second in the Big East behind Georgetown’s incredible $3.3 billion. VCU’s enrollment is a combined 28k between graduate and undergraduate students, which would be second in the Big East behind UConn, so essentially the leader in enrollment if UConn leaves.
There’s a lot to like about VCU joining the Big East. The success, enrollment, endowment, and location are all there. Similar to Dayton, I really think this would be a no-brainer option as well. In reality, any three of these schools would be an excellent choice, but VCU or Dayton in particular make for intriguing options.
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