Around the Big Ten

[WM Wolverine]

Ideally I'd want VT and NC but there are alot of issues about those schools being available (I think you have to see some sort of exodus of 2 of Clemson, FSU, Miami leave before they are) and both of them not wanting to leave their siblings and vice versa...

Conventional wisdom says both the B10 and SEC want a slice of Virginia and NC, I think that maybe wrong and both Virginia and NC schools want to stay together if possible.

[Da Geezer]

Is there a reason that Pitt is never mentioned in these discussions? Did PSU enter with that stipulation as part of the deal?

WM: to answer directly: VT absolutely. FSU no, too far south and poor academics. same with Miami. I'd really like to get Missouri as a natural foe for Ill and Neb. FSU should be SEC WHEN the ACC splits

[iam416]

For Virginia and North Carolina schools, the name of the game is to find a home for the state schools. In NC, the B10 won't take NCS. Period. So their options are NCS to SEC/UNC to B10 or Both to SEC. In Virginia, I think either school can find a home on its own and I think the B10 would seriously consider Tech.

If the SEC could add UNC only, they'd do it in a heartbeat. But, politically, I don't think that's feasible. Also, from what I've heard, UNC academics/university types are hugely in favor of the B10. All others prefer the SEC.

[WM Wolverine]

Good to hear about NC academic types hugely favoring the B10 vs SEC. Their fan-base though is the polar opposite. Still with NC, they wouldn't join the B10 till the ACC's grave is being dug and they'd want to bring at least one of its siblings with them...

I'm hoping the B10 stops at 16 at VT & NC but have a difficult time seeing that scenario play out. You'd need the Big XII or SEC to destabilize the ACC by taking one or more of their football schools; FSU, Clemson, Miami, etc.

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Pitt doesn't add 'value' (via cable/tv) to the conference, expand the B10 footprint or give new recruiting areas. They are a B10 caliber university in every way yet I don't think the B10 would take a university in a state they already 'own.'

[hack]

Those last two posts make sense, sure. Duke hasn't come up yet but were I UNC there's just no way I leave without Duke. So maybe the Big Ten should romance Duke.

What's so terrible about having NC State? I know nothing of the academics but if you're taking freakin Rutgers and Maryland you can't object to NC State...

[iam416]

The Ohio State Scout forum is having a chat today with an unidentified, yet very connect OSU guy. So, the best insider there is really connected to the program. He has 4 sources he calls "wisemen". They're likely on the order of Earle Bruce, Archie Griffin, Eddie George, John Hicks-types -- former coaches and players who are still very connected to the program. Anyway, one of these guys is answering questions today regarding expansion. These are the guys who said the B10 would add Rutgers and Maryland months ago and called Urban Meyer's hiring, to the day, 2 months out. So, I'll provide any relevant details.

IMO, the B10 is far more likely to take Virginia and North Carolina than VT and NC. I don't see UVa and Heels splitting.

I also think Duke is a valuable commodity. As I've said repeatedly, the name of the game is BTN subscriptions AND live events. Hoops is more than capable of driving subscriptions every bit as much as football. In NC, even more if you have Duke and NC games on the BTN. In NYC, the basketball angle may be the tipping the point -- in addition to football, you have a network showing Duke, NC, M, Indiana, Ohio State, etc. It's why Kansas makes some sense, too.

[iam416]

From the forum:

He has some GREAT info on targets 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20(yes TWENTY)--the reasons behind it, the hidden value of certain schools(ie Kansas) and the future of the NCAA

[WM Wolverine]

You'd need Texas and ND to make 20 feasible. Even then, you're two conferences merged as one. Don't care for going past 16.

[hack]

I also think Duke is a valuable commodity. As I've said repeatedly, the name of the game is BTN subscriptions AND live events. Hoops is more than capable of driving subscriptions every bit as much as football. In NC, even more if you have Duke and NC games on the BTN. In NYC, the basketball angle may be the tipping the point -- in addition to football, you have a network showing Duke, NC, M, Indiana, Ohio State, etc. It's why Kansas makes some sense, too.


Fully on board. I don't see how you can covet UNC without recognizing what college sports in that state is really all about. Bringing the UNC/Duke rivalry into the Big Ten would basically be getting the monopoly. All members of the cartel in the fold save for Kentucky, more or less. And so of course you say yes to Kansas.

And very good point about TV in NYC.

[iam416]

Yeah, if they added UNC, Duke and Kansas, that would be a massive coup, IMO. Obviously, the B10 would dwarf all others in hoops. The brand name value is off the charts. And the BTN would have tons of those games.

[WM Wolverine]

Adding that trio in basketball would be scary, they'd name their price on just the basketball deal.

[iam416]

Yeah. And, unfortunately, I think Ohio State might never win another regular season title again. That'd be almost impossible to deal with unless you had a superstar class, and even then, the odds are that one of the big 4 would be just as good.

[Da Geezer]

Hack: Maryland and Rutgers have excellent academics.

WM: thanks on Pitt. I still think Pitt is a viable option if we get to an odd number of teams.

Isn't Kansas stuck with the Big 12 because of the TV deal? And if you are going for a basketball superconference, Kentucky makes as much sense as Kansas. I'd love to poach an SEC school

[entropy]

Selfishly, I am hoping KU

[Da Geezer]

last night I was fooling around trying to get a handle on academics within conferences and comparing conferences. The following site lets you do that, to a degree. Most useful for me was the 75% column for the ACT. If you add the three numbers (reading, math, writing), you virtually duplicate the US News rankings. For example, Northwestern has a 103, Michigan a 101, the rest are high 80's or low 90's with MSU bringing up the rear at 78. Then hop to, say, the ACC and SEE why the academics at UVA and UNC want to go B1G.

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/choosingacollege/tp/big-ten.htm