macphisto

Maybe I wasn't being clear... it's not Va Tech's call.... their state government controls those decisions and they've said repeatedly that they want them in the same conference... if Va Tech ever jumps ship again then whatever conference they go to must take UVA too. Same thing with NCSU... If you think NCSU and UNC or Duke for that matter are going to be playing in separate conferences then you need to take spend some time in Raleigh.... ain't going to happen. Clemson, Miami and GA Tech might end up moving... I'd be shocked if FSU doesn't... but your core of the ACC... UNC, Duke, NCSU, Wake.... that's a package deal. Duke is private, so I don't think the state will step in if UNC moves. Same goes for Miami. Same for Wake Forest. I think the state legislature for NC would only step in for UNC and NC State. Duke and Wake are out of their jurisdiction. No one would like to see the Duke-UNC basketball rivalry end, though.

I don't see the state legislatures allowing one team to move without the other UNLESS there's a viable alternative. For instance, I could see then letting VT go to the SEC IF Virginia gets picked up by the B1G. That is a fit, just as UNC would also be a fit for the B1G. Maybe we could see a deal worked out so VT and NC State go to the SEC while UNC and UVa go B1G. If that happened then my guess is that the B1G would target Rutgers and Pitt to get up to 16. That keeps the conference contiguous and makes it so everyone except Nebraska is AAU. It keeps the B1G as the most illustrious college conference outside of the Ivy League. If the SEC and B1G go to 16 then I'd expect the BXII to end up doing the same. Louisville would certainly be high on a list after FSU and Clemson. Not too sure they'd want any of our new Texas add-ons. Could see an interest in Boise State for football but not for anything else. Georgia Tech would be appealing. I think we'd be appealing if they go up to 16. A lot depends on how big other conferences decide to become. If the B1G decides to sit out (and they did for 20 years) then the ACC won't fall apart. And where would Notre Dame go? Frankly, I think they'd be okay in the Big East if the football end of things dies out and the name lives on for basketball and all other sports. It'd still be a good conference. But they might feel pressured to join a football conference. The B1G would put on some pressure, but I think they might be tempted to joined a depleted ACC where they feel they have a better chance of winning. The B1G and BXII would not be so good for them and an ACC without FSU, Clemson, and a few others could be dominated by Notre Dame.

...and would you rather be in a conference with Miami, NC, NC State...or Boise State, Houston, and SMU? The former. Travel is easier and they have established names. Boise has done a great job building itself, but it is far away. Houston and SMU have potential, but they are a long way off from being established. And UNC certainly brings quality every year in basketball.

I don't foresee the Big 10 expanding due to their academic concerns unless they make a play to snag Pitt and Syracuse from the ACC before they join officially. Mizzou would also be a fit, but I don't see them backing out of the SEC with a big payday coming. Rutgers would also be of interest to the B1G. Same goes for Maryland. Syracuse would be sticky due to their resignation from the AAU, though hey left willingly and might be able to requalify down the line with some adjustments. If B1G makes a move to 16 then I'd guess Maryland, Rutgers, Pitt, and Syracuse would be the targets for academic purposes. Though if they want to stick strictly to the AAU qualification, I could see Buffalo leapfrogging Syracuse. I think Pitt would ditch Cuse in a heartbeat if the Big Ten came calling. Buffalo does not have the quality football, but they do have the academics. With enough quality football teams, the Big Ten might just look to maintain its academic elitism. If the B1G goes to 16 then the SEC might as well. They'd go for UNC and NC State or VT and UVa. I'm not sure if they'd be willing to go beyond 16. North Carolina has a larger population and is growing. Unless South Carolina complains, I could see UNC and State being the first choice of the SEC. Regardless, both the ACC and Big East could end up being shells of themselves at which point the remaining football schools would just need to band together. As for the PAC-12, I don't think they have too many options from major conferences. Boise State is there, but I'm not sure they want to add the Broncos. Colorado wouldn't like Colorado State coming in. Utah would be against BYU. Nevada would bring in an untapped state. Ultimately, so would Boise State. They could also always look to someone like New Mexico as well. There's not as much value for them, though. Boise State would add value and so would BYU. Beyond that they could conceivably look into the Air Force Academy which would bring the same national draw as we have discussed. Hawaii also would clearly fit into any concept of a Pacific coast conference. It all really hinges on FSU at this point. They can take whoever they want with them. And if it opens a door for us to the ACC then I'm fine with it. Though the ACC would probably end up looking very different from its current configuration. But it would not be a hybrid conference, so that'd be a start.

That scenario could never happen.... VTech can't split from Virginia and likewise, NCSU will never go anywhere without UNC, Wake and Duke. True. I think it more likely that the SEC would go for either VT and Virginia OR NC State and UNC. They mainly would do it out of expediency. Either group does not step on the toes of current members, though I'd guess South Carolina would prefer they go for the Virginia teams so the Gamecocks could be the only Carolina team in the SEC. As for the Big XII, I'm not sure they'd take more than two right now. I think it'd either be 2 or 6, nothing in between. The only reason they'd expand is to snag FSU. I also think we'd have a strong chance to get into the ACC if FSU leaves. Miami doesn't command the kind of TV ratings or attention it once did. A second team from Florida would be good for the ACC. The question would be if they lose four if they'd like to go back to just 12, 14, or just go crazy and up it to 16. If they go to 14 after losing VT, Virginia, Clemson, and FSU then taking the remaining Big East members on the coast makes sense: USF, Rutgers, UConn, UCF. As for Cincy and Louisville, they certainly could be added if the ACC desires to basically change what they define as the Atlantic coast, but both could add to the league in football and basketball. Of course, Navy could get an invite as part of this and they would fit in quite nicely. So would Army, if they'd join. So that could be the 16 team league. Can't blame FSU if they're interested. I think the BXII is only interested because FSU is involved. FSU can pretty much pick whoever it is they wish to take with them.

I think FSU and Clemson would fit that criteria. I don't think Clemson does, but FSU definitely would add some lustre. Virginia Tech would probably be the #2 team to pilfer from the ACC, but I don't think they can move without Virginia. So Clemson would be a good add, but they'd only get to come because of FSU. FSU and VT are really the only prizes left out there between the Big East and the ACC. Louisville is not a bad add, but they're not a prize either. Their basketball is a plus, but their football is a few years removed from glory with great potential to return to the rankings. The ACC and BXII all got some extra money out of this round. I think they sit it out for awhile until the dust settles from a new system. The next big shoe to drop will be the SEC contract regotiations which should push the SEC well above all the other leagues for money. That could either set off another flurry or it'll cause the conferences to settle in for awhile. I tend to think they'll stay calm through the renewal of the BCS contracts and the bidding on the new system that will take place. Big question for us is if the league can stay together to get a TV contract done this year. That depends on Boise St and if they notify before July 1.

With Nash leaving, we have two scholarships left, right? So we could scholarship White for a year and offer Cassell. SCjr would be a great get and he'd get PT immediately. White would add depth - and it may already be a done deal with him. I'm still looking forward to football and enjoy our other teams, but basketball is really beginning to take center stage right now. New Dome. Tournament team. A recruiting class that could end up in the top ten if we land Cassell. Another potentially good recruiting class for 2013. Stan Heath sure knows how to silence his critics. I hope the other CSH is paying attention and will replicate. BCS Bowl (and win) please!

A tour of the new facilities is in order. Maryland is not what they used to be for basketball. Most of the ACC is like that. FSU should remain strong, so they'd be a good choice. USF is on the rise. Nova had a down year, but has a history of strength. Cassell would be a great add to close out the class.

Thanks for sharing...however, in my humble opinion, I think we should have sticked with school colors. After all, the building they are painting is used for USF Mens and Women's basketball, etc.. Also, our school colors would be better represented during concerts. I personally LIKE that they're not using school colors. I feel like a green & gold dome would just be cheesy. Lots of arenas now of days are just brick, so this will be a nice change. As for representing during concerts? Come on man, really? Regardless of what color they paint the "....." Dome (which I know the sponsor already), it's going to be nice to know that USF will be playing in a facility BETTER than 2-time NCAA champion Florida...who in fact plays in the same designed dome just with a swimming facility attached instead of volleyball. Agree. Besides, the seating and colors inside the Dome will be more reflective of USF's colors. The seats are green. It's better to get the colors right on the inside. Nobody complained that the outside of the Marshall Center isn't green and gold. The bulls are bronze, not painted. Geesh.

Exactly. UCF has more enemies than just USF. West Virginia, Louisville, and Rutgers all have an interest to vote against them. They need six of the current eight to get in. They might only have four. And if Tagliabue is doing a presentation then take a look at this number between CUSA teams: Orlando Metro area = around 2.1 million Houston Metro area = around 6 million Houston brings a market three times the size and gives the Big East access to DFW and Houston. Tampa Bay is 2.8 million and so close to the Orlando market that you can say USF already gives you access to UCF's area.

Agreed here. I think what Marinatto was saying is that the Big East would act if something comes up to its advantage. UCF and Houston can wait on Nova. But if Kansas or to the extreme, Oklahoma or somebody came calling and wanted to join then the Big East would act. I wouldn't be surprised if KU and Mizzou show interest. Mizzou wanted an invite to the Big Ten, though if both of them join then we might as well go to 12 teams which would still leave us waiting for Nova.

Why should USF go on the record and add fuel to the fire? I can also guarantee you that FSU and UF are probably also against UCF joining a BCS conference. While FSU did improve this year, UF has a lot of question marks and the Florida schools seem diminished at the moment. That's also why trying to get the state legislature to do anything just won't happen. There are a lot of UF, FSU, and Miami grads up there who will not feel any sympathy for UCF. Besides, the most they can do is force USF to vote "yes" if it comes to that. They cannot make the Big East take UCF because it stretches beyond their dominion. And UCF did burn the bridge with West Virginia by cancelling a game with them. Charlie Strong wants to recruit Florida and currently has a leg up on UCF due to Louisville's BE affiliation, so Louisville has no incentive. And I'd bet Rutgers feels the same way too. They recruited Florida even before USF joined up. So that's three schools WITHOUT USF that could vote "no" and it would sink the bid. My guess is USF likely favors adding Houston if Villanova doesn't come on board because we have ties there (Renu Khator, the president there, was once a provost at USF) and it would add a huge market to the Big East. Houston > Orlando and adding a Texas team might make TCU happy due to in-state rivalry. I have a feeling that the Big East will be swayed by the argument for Houston down the road. They are in a bigger market and that will mean more revenue when the TV deal is up. They give the whole conference further inroads into Texas and also into Louisiana. They are going to be building a new stadium and getting new facilities. I think UCF only because a viable alternative IF the BE decides to split and go to 12 football teams with Villanova moving up. But I'd bet we'd look at dissatisfied Big XII teams first. Imagine adding Kansas on the basketball side while holding onto Villanova if the conference breaks up? UConn, Pitt, Nova, Syracuse, Kansas, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Lousiville would all be in the conference. UCF is trying to put as much pressure on as they can, but USF may not be their only problem. The Big East offered Villanova first because they have a great FCS program and I think Marinatto and company know the football teams may want to split and they want to take Villanova basketball with them.

How quickly you forget last year when you wanted O'Leary canned. Still can't disagree. Weis was a terrible hire from the Domers, but they didn't want him anyways. They canned Willingham for Meyer and got screwed.

You're right. I had forgotten about the party O'Leary threw with a bunch of cocaine and prostitutes and all the pictures he took to blackmail good athletes to join his program.

You've guys have pulled away a bunch of two stars from us probably. Wow. UCF's class can't even approach USF's even without the JUCO players. And I have no problem getting these JUCO players. They can help you more quickly and they've had to put in some effort to become eligible. FSU wanted JPP but was unable to get him due to ACC rules. UCF would've loved to have him but he would've been disinterested a soon as Nebraska, Arizona, and USF came offering. The Big 12, PAC-10, and Big East are on TV a lot more than CUSA is. I get that you have an inferiority complex and need to prop yourself up any way that you can, but you'd be better serve getting into it with someone more on your level. I'm sure you've done pretty well in comparison to FIU. That's where you are so why don't you go pester them and leave the big boys alone.

Wow, you can get good students when you offer free tuition. Good for you. Do they get jobs at Disney too when they realize their degree is printed on Charmin? Good for you being the #2 applied to school in the state. You don't think that has anything to do with proximity to theme parks and Daytona Beach? We worry about more important things at USF like working on cures for cancer or innovating with technology. You guys care more about Mickey Mouse and Erector set stadiums. Good for you. I did love how much more focused USF was on the students when I was there. I started at UF and hated it up there. I received much more student centered instruction at USF. My brother started out at The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and said the same. A good friend started at UCF and transferred to UT. Said he was treated like a number and the school was obsessed wbout being UCF. I can understand why UF and UIUC have an attitude about their academics because they have a long established tradition. UCF? Yeah, right. You'd be nothing more than a cow college had Walt Disney not decided to park his big resort nearby. You're seven years younger than us though you did start football first. Strange that a BCS conference chose us over you though, and a BCS conference with some pretty good academic schools. Maybe Pitt, one of the best universities in the country, didn't want to go slumming with UCF? But you go ahead and keep your delusions of grandeur and we'll hold on to our Tier I status, our much greater (and growing) endowment, and our top 25 (and rising) recruiting class. You enjoy your erector set and your startup medical program. Funny that we've had one of those for a while. And I know US News and Princeton Review ranked UCF and USF very closely academically overall, so I see know reason for you to talk up your academic end. You're definitely no better than us, though we do much more research and our more active growing technology with business.