is currently building a new football stadium with an estimated cost of over $400M. KU might not be a good example, because players want to play for, and be developed for the NBA because of the coach. UConn has no problems recruiting for the same reason - as they so not have to "buy" players. Northwestern, or any mid to lower level BIG program, have to look at things differently. They do not have the pedigree or history to attract the 5 star players, nor do they have the coach. You could extend that situation to about 90% of the programs in the country. The bar of the investments needed to compete at the highest level has certainly been raised, and many will not be able to keep up. SMU is showing the country what can happen with money (which they always had), and more importantly, access. It's a lot easier and cheaper to do that in basketball. Remember the UNLV run? Get the coach and money together, and you can most definitely compete in basketball. It's a much tougher lift in football. How many institutions have 1/2 a mill to throw around to build a football program? Takes about 10% of that to build a solid basketball program. (numbers are out of my backside just to make a point). Even today, as we speak, it would be easier and less expensive for VT to compete for the final 4 than the football playoffs - so you are spot on, it all depends on the institutions and what they prioritize.