If this is technically collusion so is the limit on 6 players per year as that is an artificial restriction, the only difference is that the one forcing the "collusion" is WIS. If they had divided states, that may have been collusive since it was tacitly agreeing not to compete for recruits. However, I am not sure how having restrictions on players (that are not mutually exclusive en toto) are collusive. Every coach every year decides on what position that they are recruiting and what standards they are using. This is only a limiter put on what those choices are, similar to only 6 in a class or running an all SF team which has happened many times before. What you don't think that the conference mates of those guys noticed? What they have 12 SF? I wonder if they will recruit a center this year? I am sorry but collusion is an "explicit" agreement to not compete on a paticular recruit. If it was defined any other way, the word poaching would not exist in here, there would never be a player with talent that was not in a battle at any level and there would be many many more conference battles.
Why is the number 6 collusion one might ask? Well, it artificially limits my ability to compete for coach x's last recruit that he is going poor boy on, thereby tacitly allowing him to have a recruit that he should not have. I cannot take my team and make a "super" class. While not the advocate of that method that many were, it would surely work well in the new engine, could even be argued that it would guarantee a championship with the emphasis on IQ. And lastly, EVERY coach in here has "agreed" to this making it COLLUSION.
Definition of Collusion:
Collusion is an agreement between two or more persons, sometimes
illegal and therefore secretive, to limit open
competition
Nothing secretive about their agreement, it was all posted and it would not seem to be illegal and I am not sure how it limits open competition although to be fair in my diatribe, it could be argued that it was affecting the competition for some recruits by the individuals involved but only in certain instances, kind of like Wrigleys making Juicy Fruit and Black Jack not, choosing only to make Black Jack (chewing gums). There are reasons that are not collusive.
The rest of the definition: by deceiving, misleading, or defrauding others of their legal rights, or to obtain an objective forbidden by law typically by defrauding or gaining an unfair advantage.
You see these restrictions as giving them an "unfair advantage" ? Over who? And with what? There was nothing deceiving or misleading and I certainly can find no intent to defraud. Again, it could be argued that it is "illegal" since WIS has stepped in and said NO but again, there is no fraud or unfair advantage.
(snort) I really don't see this but I am really starting to get jaded so don't worry about my opinion, or for that matter, guys that just wanna have some fun. The reality is that not everyone will ever win a championship of any kind in here and the longer I play, the less I think it has to do with coaching and the more I think it has to do with dumb luck and exploitations of a system that are later closed. That is why most coaches go through periods of greatness, 2 - 4 season periods where they get championships, COYs, POYs, etc and then it shifts to someone else. Did the coach forget how to be a great coach? No, the exploit just closed. Now before all the greats jump on me, there are exceptions but not too many. There are a ton of great coaches that win consistently but show me one that wins championships consistently? Over 10 years? Over 20 years? No there is just too much randomness and change in the game for that to occur in a large way and that is fine, as it needs to be but still, most will not win. This gives them a reason to play the game, just as some play to have a National Scoring or rebounding champ. Just as some play to be with friends in a conference. Oh my gosh, collusion, they all agreed to go to the same conference thereby not allowing any one else to have the chance to be in that conference which is in the best recruiting area with the best teams. Do you not think that would affect all of the teams and coaches within 300 miles of that conference and the recruits that they would get?
Ok, I am done with my rant of the month. Not really sure why I even bother. Usually no one continues and if it is, I already know where each coach comes down. Oh my Gosh, must be collusion, they do the same thing every time and I am aware of it and did nothing to prevent it, in fact, I am encouraging it to secretly benefit my cause. Meh