Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Winners and losers from UConn’s move back to Big East

By Brian Rauf

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley high-fives Tarin Smith #2 of the Connecticut Huskies after the the Huskies won 83-76 over Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley high-fives Tarin Smith #2 of the Connecticut Huskies after the the Huskies won 83-76 over Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 20: David Pindell #5 of the Connecticut Huskies rushes during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 20: David Pindell #5 of the Connecticut Huskies rushes during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Loser: UConn football

Of course, the football program is now in major limbo.

Any success they thought they would have in the AAC did not come to fruition. They have not had a winning season since joining the conference, have only won more than three games once (2015), and routinely have one of the lowest attendance totals in the country.

As such, it should come as no real surprise that the American opted to not keep them in as a football-only school. No other conference extended them an offer to join, either.

So, starting with the 2020 season, UConn will be the FBS’ seventh independent joining Army, BYU, Liberty, New Mexico State, Notre Dame, and UMass. However, UConn does not have the opportunities some of those other schools do that allow them to maintain independent status.

Army is supported by the government as a military academy and both BYU and Notre Dame have their own television contracts. The others are facing uncertain futures. Liberty is entering its first season as a full FBS member and there are questions about their long-term viability if they’re unable to join a conference. New Mexico State and UMass have been independents since leaving the WAC and MAC, respectively, and there are rumors both may move back to the FCS ranks if they aren’t able to join a conference, which would put them in a much better financial position.

We already know that UConn won’t be joining another FBS conference anytime soon – they’re clearly committed to the Big East and their football program has already been turned down by everyone.

As such, it only seems to be a matter of time before the Huskies head back down to the FCS level.