College Presidents Skirt Big East Expansion Issues

The issue of conference expansion came up during a meeting of college presidents during the Big East basketball tournament in New York, according to University of Louisville President James Ramsey. This is the first public indication that the presidents have acknowledged a possible crisis for the conference.

Ramsey said something to the effect that it was time the presidents stopped ignoring the elephant in the room. “It’s an area of concern for all of us,” he said. “We need to be prepared.”

And they talked about the issue, in what had to be one of the most generic discussions in conference history. There’s no indication of a committee being formed or consultants being hired to consider the league’s options.

Who would make up a Big East committee on expansion issues? The presidents of Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, even Connecticut, are salivating about being included in a Big Ten expansion. How could any discussion involving them be productive?

Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida aren’t in any position to have much of an impact on discussions. The only leverage they have is the investment they’re making in their athletic facilities. U of L is among the most profitable basketball programs in the nation. Cincinnati has a great following when its teams are winning. South Florida, in Tampa, is in the 14th largest media market.

None of which is apparently a big deal when it comes to Big Ten versus non-Big Ten considerations.

Converging these interests into a common agenda would appear to be an insurmountable challenge. The Big East is locked into a position of having to respond to whatever the Big Ten decides what it’s going to do — and that won’t be known until summer.

Don’t expect the Big East college presidents to have serious discussions before then.

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Louisville Maintains Focus, Shreds South Florida

Big East opener not requiring heavy doses of exertion, intensity or emotion. Out of the way, in the books.  Respecting the opponent, not looking past anyone. Louisville 73, South Florida 52.

• Not a momentum builder by any stretch of the imagination, but no one was looking past South Florida either, including the crowd, waiting until the 35 second mark to begin the “Beat UK” chant.

• Edgar Sosa is this team’s most dependable part, with the exception of a few misdirected passes in the early going. Following the sit down, going on to compile five assists, four rebounds, two steals and 16 points. His ultimate legacy, or lack of it, however,  may hinge on how he performs Saturday.

• U of L is more consistent when Jared Swopshire is in the lineup, if the South Florida game is any indication. He doesn’t get overly excited, which can be bad or good, depending on what’s going on around him. His improvement, if it continues, could be a major factor come March.

• The continuing inability of Samardo Samuels or Terrence Jennings to dominate any team with a recognizable name is distressing. The inexplicable inability to finish, missing seemingly easy two or three-foot shots painful to watch.

• Jerry Smith going down the middle is an adventure, defying predictability. Either looking great or klutzy. Where did that three-point shot go anyway?

• A star needs to be born Saturday, the most likely candidates Peyton Siva or Mike Mara.

• Preston Knowles will show up. Count on it.
  

Let the hype begin for the Louisville-Kentucky circus.

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It’s Only South Florida

by Paul Sykes

Forget the fact that South Florida has demolished the University of Louisville by a combined score of 100-31 the last two games in Tampa. Ignore the reality that U of L has managed only one touchdown in its last two games.

Pay no attention to the reality that Louisville has lost its last 13 regular season football games in the state of Florida. Disregard the guy behind the curtain warning of a whipping of monumental proportions.

It’s only South Florida, a team more concerned with the final two games on the schedule (hosting Miami and visiting UConn). They’re already bowl eligible.

Louisville is a mere blip on the radar screen, a rest stop on the way to other games, a feel good event designed to restore confidence and enthusiasm in Bulls’ football. They’re snorting, slobbering, pawing the ground and licking their chops at our weakened defensive secondary, eager to spring their scrambling quarterback.

South Florida has the sunshine, the ocean, Busch Gardens and a big old ship in the end zone, and it has Louisville’s number.

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Work In Progress

A lot of good things happened in U of L’s 80-60 win over South Florida, pushing the Cards’ record to 14-5 overall and 4-2 in Big East conference play. Among them:

– Terrence Williams handing out 10 assists in the first half. Has U of L ever had a more unselfish player as physically talented as Williams?

– Earl Clark hitting eight of 12 shots for 18 and eight rebounds. Probably more motivated as a reserve than as a starter.

– Defense holding the Bulls to 40 percent shooting, 22 of 55 shots from the field, 5 of 16 from three-point range. The carnival shooters from Seton Hall relegated to ugly memories.

– Jerry Smith, consistently good, never shot happy even though he’s the team’s best shooter, serious about defense.

But there continue to be some troubling issues:

– Team relaxing, letting up when it gets a good lead, lacking a killer instinct, allowing South Florida to get back to within 14 points in the second half.

– Edgar Sosa forgetting his role as play maker, getting lost in traffic, killing momentum. Everybody loves the guy but if this continues, Edgar is going to keep losing playing time. Rick Pitino may even forget to put Sosa in for a couple of games.

– David Padgett missing layup after layup. Obviously, still recovering.

– Derrick Caracter going backwards these days, rarely contributing in the last two games.

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South Florida Mirage

Louisville fans can be forgiven if they relax against South Florida. The Bulls have been down so long it’s hard to remember if they were ever a serious basketball threat. USF is trudging along with 10-9 won-lost record and is mired in a five-game losing streak.

But Cardinal fanatics should know better by now. This team can’t let up against anyone, not at home, not on the road. This South Florida team was very much in the game at Seton Hall last Thursday before finally succumbing by 10 points. Highlights include a win over Florida State 68-67 at Tallahassee and a 23-point spanking of Rutgers at Tampa.

The Bulls are backed into a corner, trying to salvage their season. They view the U of L game as an opportunity to salvage their manhood, ala Seton Hall. USF has a balanced scoring attack, with four players averaging double figures. They are led by 6-foot-9 Kentrell Gransberry with 16.9 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Their rowdy fans have always hated anything U of L, often taunting coaches and players on the bench. This is not a team to be overlooked or pitied.

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Anyone else needing a college football fix? News from the Schnellenger Complex is that the Spring Scrimmage has been set for April 19th. By the way, football signing day is February 6th.

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