UCF to the Big East?

[Ryan the Magic Fan 253]

Apparently this pipe dream is starting to become much more of a reality. Multiple websites and even local news is making it sound like the Big East are making invitations to both UCF and Memphis.

 

quote:

Orlando, Fla., television station WKMG reported Wednesday that the Big East Conference will issue invitations to Central Florida and Memphis as early as next week. The station cited multiple college football sources.

 

Under that scenario, the Big East would become a 10-team football league and an 18-team basketball behemoth.

 

http://www.sportingnews.com/co...tral-florida-memphis

 

I honestly have been expecting this. Memphis stll has some clout as a basketball school even without Calipari and UCF is the only top 10 population school not in a BCS conference. Add that in with a natural rival in USF and the Big East would be fools not to want the TV dollars that UCF could bring in.

[TreyTime 3]

I'm down.

[You're Fat, Pat! 98]

Been waiting for this for a LONG time.

 

Can't wait.

[Fultz4thewin 2,464]

you're overestimating the TV dollars that UCF could bring in. USF already gives them the central florida market. They'd be better off offering an FIU to get the south florida market.

 

Same reasoning behind FSU not going to the SEC. We dont offer up a new market.

[Ned Ryerson 94]

quote:

Originally posted by Lewis4thewin:

you're overestimating the TV dollars that UCF could bring in. USF already gives them the central florida market. They'd be better off offering an FIU to get the south florida market.

 

Same reasoning behind FSU not going to the SEC. We dont offer up a new market.

 

Tampa and Orlando are different markets.

 

FIU has 15k less students.

 

UCF is way further along in athletics.

 

Adding UCF also pairs USF with an in conference rival, plus allows for an easy travel partner.

[Fultz4thewin 2,464]

quote:

Originally posted by WPMagic:

quote:

Originally posted by Lewis4thewin:

you're overestimating the TV dollars that UCF could bring in. USF already gives them the central florida market. They'd be better off offering an FIU to get the south florida market.

 

Same reasoning behind FSU not going to the SEC. We dont offer up a new market.

 

Tampa and Orlando are different markets.

 

FIU has 15k less students.

 

UCF is way further along in athletics.

 

Adding UCF also pairs USF with an in conference rival, plus allows for an easy travel partner.

 

i bet usf will try to block the bid.

[bhnole 153]

quote:

Originally posted by Lewis4thewin:

quote:

Originally posted by WPMagic:

quote:

Originally posted by Lewis4thewin:

you're overestimating the TV dollars that UCF could bring in. USF already gives them the central florida market. They'd be better off offering an FIU to get the south florida market.

 

Same reasoning behind FSU not going to the SEC. We dont offer up a new market.

 

Tampa and Orlando are different markets.

 

FIU has 15k less students.

 

UCF is way further along in athletics.

 

Adding UCF also pairs USF with an in conference rival, plus allows for an easy travel partner.

 

i bet usf will try to block the bid.

 

Leavitt did before and would have this time but he is gone. USF is not on anyones target list for expansion and needs the Big East to survive or they will end up in the same boat as UCF again.

 

Like it or not USF and UCF are better off working together than against each other.

[Ryan the Magic Fan 253]

Their new coach Holtz has already said before he would have no problem renewing the rivalry with UCF, seeing as he coached ECU and had a good relationship with O'Leary before he took the the USF job.

 

And USF does not carry all of the Central Florida TV market. It carries just Tampa. UCF carries Orlando, which is the 19th biggest market in the nation. (To be fair Tampa is the 14th, but also in reality, neither team really carries those markets, as we know that Florida and FSU has more "fans" in both areas).

 

Not only that but UCF has been on the front of the Big East radar for a while now. Rick Pitino called for the Big East to be ready and have UCF in line just in case their conference got plundered. Their was also another AD in the conference who spoke about getting UCF in but I cant remember which one. The only school that did not want UCF in the conference is USF for obvious recruiting reasons. But that was mainly spearheaded by Leavitt. And with him out and Holtz in that is now pretty much done.