(11-04-2010 03:00 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote: If the Big East were to get involved and help UCF/TCU (e.g. through scheduling), I'm guessing that the Missouri Valley could be persuaded on TCU. That's definitely better than the Summit or Southland, which are their other options. But actually, what about the WAC? They're adding two Texas schools most likely as well as 2 non-football schools most likely. TCU helps stabilize them in the short-term.
For UCF, if it's FB-only or nothing, I'm guessing we'll talk with the A-10 and the Colonial. I don't think the A-Sun would have us back because of the resource and size disparity, the SoCon seems unlikely for similar reasons, and the Big South is a non-starter.
I really doubt the SBC will take either school, even if TCU/UCF offered football scheduling compensation and the BE offered some bball scheduling. It's not in the SBC's interest as a growing conference to be seen as a fall back place.
You raise some interesting ideas, but all have problems of one sort or another.
First, concerning TCU and the MoValley. Well it's sounds fine at first blush and something that would be good for TCU, but I'm not certain that the MVC would be so receptive. If TCU goes to the Big East for football, and in my opinion that is far from a slam dunk for the Big East, the Horned Frogs might not be planning on staying there for long. TCU would abandon the Big East for the Big 12 in a heartbeat and could probably take all their sports there as well. The MVC would know this and might not be interested in taking a school that doesn't plan on sticking around very long. And to be honest, TCU basketball just isn't good enough to make the MVC take that kind of risk. The WAC? Well that might be another story, and one that might work, depending on how many non football schools the WAC wants to acquire. In either case, I think your use of the words "short term" is appropriate.
As far as UCF, outside of the Atlantic Sun and possibly the Big South, I don't see many options. UCF basketball would not add any value to the Atlantic-10, in fact it would dilute the value of A-10 basketball, so that's not going to happen. I can't see the CAA wanting UCF for the same reason. And, UCF is pretty far out of both of these conferences footprint.
With the SBC there is a bylaw which would prevent UCF competing there while competing in football somewhere else. If a scheduling deal was offered for football and basketball by TCU and UCF they might consider them, but would have to change the bylaws. The Southern would have to expand to an awkward number of 13, with no real benefit to outweigh the problems that would cause.
So my guess is that TCU would have few options, and UCF would have even less, for taking care of their non football sports. Even though you say the Big South is an non starter, that and the Atlantic Sun might be the only true options that may be available.
