UConn is leaving the AAC and it sounds like the conference is in no rush to replace the Huskies, at least for now.
UConn was officially welcomed back to the Big East on Thursday. But there is plenty of dust that needs to settle, especially in the AAC where there is an opening, however, it doesn’t sound like it’s in a hurry to replace the Huskies.
Mike Aresco statement on UConn leaving doesn’t address if AAC will stay at 11 or get back to 12: “Our conference will continue to move forward in pursuit of its national goals in football, men’s & women’s basketball & Olympic sports.”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) June 27, 2019
When asked what the conference will do in the future, Brett McMurphy reports the AAC has not decided on if they will stick with 11 teams or if they’ll replace UConn with another school.
Obviously, that doesn’t tell us much of anything. The AAC is already the “other” conference. It’s not part of the Power 5, but it’s the strongest of the Group of Five. Having UCF makes them strong, but the schedule as a whole continues to be a problem for the Knights. Losing teams isn’t the best thing.
There is some serious talent in this conference still with UCF, Memphis, Houston and Cincinnati, among others. But if the AAC wants to remain as the sixth team in the “Power 6” they’ll need to eventually find a replacement for UConn. The Huskies brought little to the conference in football and the basketball program is now what it was when it was winning national titles in the Big East under Jim Calhoun.
As far as potential replacements the AAC could consider to fill the UConn void, it doesn’t sound like Army or BYU will be taking an invitation. That could leave UAB as the most desirable candidate for its athletics program and the geography where it’ll fit in perfectly with the rest of the conference.
Either way, it sounds like AAC commissioner Mike Aresco will take his time before making any decision. He doesn’t want to react to this bad news and take the first team that says yes.