Football/basketball doubleheader?

Here's a true test for the hardcore USF fan: would you drive across the state to take in USF's men's basketball and football teams on the same day?

The schedule for the Glenn Wilkes Classic basketball tournament in Daytona Beach in November was released on Thursday, and USF's games would seemingly allow dedicated fans to catch all three hoops contests without missing the football team's huge showdown with Louisville on Saturday, Nov. 17. We're going to assume for now that the USF-Louisville game will be a prime-time kickoff, as the Bulls prefer for home dates, though there's certainly the possibility of an afternoon kick if it's picked up as Big East game of the week.

USF's game against Rhode Island on Friday, Nov. 16, is at 2:15 p.m., and the Saturday game against Florida Atlantic is set for noon -- early enough that fans could take it in, then make the three-hour drive back to Tampa for a night football game. Of course, they'd then have to drive back to Daytona again on Sunday, Nov. 18, for an 8:15 p.m. finale against Florida State.

Since our college basketball writers don't cover most road games because of budget constraints, I'm tempted to try to make all four games, providing that Louisville game is a night kickoff. It'd be just a week into USF's basketball season, an important time to see games and get a better feel for Stan Heath's first team. Recognizing that most sane fans will stay in Tampa on Friday and Saturday, I'm curious what the attendance will be like in Daytona for the first two games there. ...

Comments

[JoeB]

Having UL that weekend kills any attendance that USF would have had in Daytona. We can't get a solid crowd in Tampa, so don't expect one in Daytona.

[Claudel]

Amen JoeB. Amen

[Claudel]

Greg,
Are all of these posts you see making/getting you amped?

[G.A.]

Amped, indeed. Glad to see the interest, and the traffic on the blog has always been encouraging. Happy to see a lot of regulars posting, and trying to post enough stuff here to keep you guys coming back multiple times in any given day ...

[Dave]

I don't think my car would make it to Daytona and back in a day. Come to think of it, I don't think my car can make from campus to RJS and back...but my CAPS LOCK key works just fine, Greg.

[Terry Lucas]

What the hell... I guess I'll just have to make it an extended weekend then when I fly in... I'll come in Friday morn, and make the whole weekend a USF sports orgy! Thanks for the heads up... this is awesome to say the least!!!

[Paul Colee]

If it was somebody other than FAU in that Saturday game then maybe both in one day...but I don't want to kill my tailgating efforts!

[Reality]

What is this basketball program that everyone is speaking about?

[Tinker]

Cross the state?!? They can't get people to cross a busy street to watch USF basketball. Let's be honest, real USF fans are like those guys banging drums in the outfield in the movie "Major League"; they're loyal and passionate but there simply aren't that many of them. To the overwhelming majority of sports fans in the bay area, USF Athletics is, at best, an afterthought.

[Kevin]

When will the Luisville game time be announced?

[G.A.]

Kevin, Louisville might not be announced until a few weeks before. If USF has its druthers, it's a 7 p.m. kickoff, but it's also a prime candidate for Big East game of the week, which would be more like a 1 p.m. kick ... The Big East can wait until two weeks out to make that call.

[CJ Harmon]

I live in Jacksonville and drive down for all football games and about half of the basketball games (all the ones of consequence). Daytona will be a nice break in my trip. Count me in for at least the Saturday and Sunday games in Daytona sandwiching the football game.

[Claudel]

CJ you are cool people!