As for recruiting in Florida, I personally believe that having UCF in the Big East would be complimentary. Telling potential recruits that they are guaranteed to play in the state of Florida once a year could be a huge perk. Plus, players that are currently fans of ACC or SEC teams (Florida, FSU) may not be inclined to play for ANY Big East school. Securing Central Florida (at least 7.6 million+ in population) as Big East country could go a long way to convince potential recruits of the merits of playing in the BE. Plus, securing the whole center of the state will help separate FSU and UM, perhaps encroaching on their recruiting grounds as well. Just for fun, I looked at population of Central Florida and the Tampa area to see how they compared with the rest of the state.

Central Florida Population Estimates
2008
Orange (where UCF is)
1,140,982
Osceola
281,140
Seminole
435,401
Lake
299,226
Brevard
566,725
Volusia
518,255
Polk
594,884
Flagler
101,058
Sumter
93,016
Selected Counties Total
4,030,687

Data Source: The Florida Legislature, Office of Economic and Demographic Research

Tampa Area Florida Population Estimates

2008
Hernando
167,925
Hillsborough (where USF is)
1,226,346
Pinellas
952,669
Pasco
448,271
Citrus
143,863
Manatee
323,695
Sarasota
396,824
Selected Counties Total
3,659,593

Data Source: The Florida Legislature, Office of Economic and Demographic Research

7690280 Total (Central +Tampa) 48% of the State of Florida

South Florida Florida Population Estimates

County 2008
Broward
1,804,890
Palm Beach
1,330,286
Dade (where Miami is)
2,501,706
Selected Counties Total
5,636,882

Data Source: The Florida Legislature, Office of Economic and Demographic Research





I wasn't sure how to include FSU and UF, as their universities are in small areas, but have a large following around the state. seeing the whole central part of the state (48% of Florida) under the Big East footprint sure is appealing though.

The best idea is for Villanova to join for football and play at Franklin. They would instantly be making $$$. 18 is waaaaaay too big and wouldn't last for long. You guys think tourney bids are a prob now? Syracuse would spearhead a split.

CardinalJim Wrote:

KnightLight Wrote:Also...didn't you make a point on there about how UL might be afraid of greater recruiting competition in FLA?

Gee...ya think 'Cuse, Pitt, & WVU (Football & Basketball), and 'Nova hoops could have said the same exact thing when UL was invited to the Big East?

Being "afraid" of competition has to be the lamest excuse ever for not selecting a potential better candidate.

We already recruit against UCF in Florida, so what's your point? Why should we give away a recruiting advantage?

It has nothing to do with being afraid and everything to do with perserving markets. Obviously USF thinks so highly of UCF they refuse to play them after the present series ends.

As for the other programs in the Big East being afraid of Louisville joining, I'll answer this way. Do you really think Louisville would have been invited to join the Big East if the ACC hadn't raped them.

Just be glad you're in a fine conference like CUSA. You have a nice program in Orlando. Be proud of it. Just remember you don't have any history with any of the programs in the Big East like Memphis and ECU do. Anyone can build new facilities. We've built as many as anybody the last few years and continue to build more. In this type of situations history matters more than facilities.

I could be wrong and I hope I'm not. But the day the Big East announces that UCF will join the Big East I'll become a huge UCF fan. I'll defend them the way I do any Big East school today.
CJ

Fair enough.

Only thing I would disagree with you is that "anyone" (especially a young school) can build facilities.

Now...not many (or really any) schools have matched what UL has been able to build over the past 10 years which is basically MIND BOGGLING...and while most schools want to build new or improve ALL their facilities...$$$$ doesn't grow on trees and most schools have to pick and choose their projects wisely.

All due respect for Krocker, the LAST thing this league needs is more members. I definitely prefer the 16 team hybrid to the 18 team.

I doubt the guy is a UCF administrator any more than the person who talked to the Hartford Courant is an ECU administrator. He seems to be more like someone who goes around collecting posts off internet message boards and then passing them off as his own ideas.

Isn't that right, Phil, since I know you must be reading this thread? Everything in that so-called manifesto has been discussed on Big East Boards, NCAA BBS, Rivals, and Scout for the last couple of years. But sending everything to the media may be an original thought.

I am a little annoyed that I posted the model for scheduling in an 18 team Big East a few days ago and then it suddenly shows up in that manifesto. Seems like that was the last piece of the puzzle or something. The guy is more likely to work at Kinko's than a university.