themselves just fine in the state of NY and New England region without UConn as a member. The Big Ten is doing it without any members in that part of the country. If either conference thought UConn was such a hot commodity, then UConn would have already been a member by now. Instead they view UConn as a school that only moves the needle in basketball; not football. It says a lot that the Big Ten decided to add Rutgers instead of UConn. Even though Rutgers sponsors more sports than UConn (27 vs. 20), UConn probably has the stronger overall athletic program. If nothing else UConn has won more national titles than Rutgers.

UConn (21)
Men's Basketball - 4 (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014)
Men's Soccer - 2 (1981, 2000)
Women's Basketball - 11 (1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Women's Field Hockey - 4 (1981, 1985, 2013, 2014)

Rutgers (1)
Men's Fencing (1949)

Until UConn changes how conferences perceive it, then the power conferences will continue to be lukewarm towards them. If the ACC does end up adding UConn as they are perceived now, then that could say to the rest of the country that becoming a stronger football conference may not be a top priority for the conference. Also, that could mean that the ACC is perfectly happy being known as a "basketball conference" which could make things interesting to see how the "football schools" react/respond to the ACC's decision.