Around the Big Ten

[iam416]

The other thing I'll say is that I honestly have no idea how to value the CIC block within the AAU. I know that UVa, GT, JH and UNC would be significant additions to that block, but I have no idea how to quantify those additions. I know that the numbers, though, are in the billions. I also *think* that people at their respective Universities would have the best sense of that value, and whatever additional prestige value you get in being associated with the hands down finest collection of research institutions in the world.

So, yeah, who knows -- maybe athletic income drops $5M per year. That's a pittance.

Oh, and yes, tying the CIC to the B10 is arbitrary. I understand it. But that's the way it is and that way it has been forever.

[Optimus Prime]

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/top-1...d=18539608#all

Nice Ent., takes Huevos for posting. Of course Michigan ranks very well as usual besting Cornell & Princeton in Alum Worth.

Naturally Ohio A & M is nowhere to be seen, I suppose the market bottomed-out of Bull, Goat & Chicken semen.

[iam416]

Entropy:

Rutgers fits the profile and has significant upside potential. Whether they'll get anywhere close to that potential, I haven't a clue.

Maryland is a "safe" play.

Virginia would be a huge addition. Well, they will be a huge addition. I firmly believe they're in.

UNC would be a huge addition.

GT would be a good addition.

So, yeah, I'm far more excited about the prospects for 15-20.

It might also be that you have to view Rutgers and Maryland in the context of the overall expansion strategy. Maryland was necessary to free up Virginia. Taking ACC schools is necessary to force ND's hand. Rutgers gives ND the potential for an NYC game every other year.

Anyway, my biggest point is still that the B10 universities are making these decisions. I think, e.g., that FOX would love to see the B10 add FSU. But from what I've heard, at least two B10 universities are adamantly opposed to addition (M and Wisky). Academics. Research $$$$. Prestige.

[entropy]

op... yes, but my alma mater still looks down on your Michigan degree.. =)

as for Huevos.... facts are facts and this sheds additonal light on UVA

[entropy]

wisky is a fucking pain in the ass...

Just for the record

[iam416]

Chicago > Michigan!

[The Oracle]

Chicago>most places in the country!

[iam416]

Chicago > most places!

[Optimus Prime]

OP is "Uber-gay"

Goose, WTF? It's me, Maverick...we used to beatdown "The Rat" to point where that hillbilly ended-up in therapy. Now call me a lair.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Wizard >>>>>>>>> Talent

[THE_WIZARD_]

OP...you are dead to me.

[entropy]

Wizard >>>>>>>>> Talent

I'm assuming you're talking about creating daughters...

[WM Wolverine]

Rutgers & Maryland were critical in cutting the 'north' of the ACC; Maryland, Rutgers & PSU have way more impact in the north than anyone like Boston College, UConn, Syracuse, etc. ACC went from the Atlantic Coast Conference to a Tobacco Road Conference and most everyone of their states they are in, they have a B10 or SEC team in the same state. It was as much a move of strategy (potentially luring NC, UV, ND, etc.), power (less 'major' conference, the less the B10 shares the pie) than one that would pay off immediately for the B10....

To understand Rutgers, you have to understand they never took 'athletics' seriously till the early 90's. They are the only show in town in a populous, wealthy state, that has good football talent and maybe as importantly as anything else, they are right next door to NYC. Don't be surprised to see the B10 basketball tournament some day at MSG. I've long seen Rutgers as a 'sleeper' of a football, basketball program that hasn't yet landed coaches in revenue sports. In football, PSU has always 'owned' the East Coast and landed the top recruits in the northeast, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, etc. Rutgers is doing better keeping their talent in-state, I believe they'd of had the #5 (out of 14) recruiting class in the B10 in '13. I really believe they have the potential to be an upper half program in the B10 going forward (not in the short-term imo) if they spend their B10 money wisely and make a great HC hire...

In basketball, the Big East schools always received the attention and recruits as they've always been far more successful. It'll be difficult for Rutgers to reverse that trend without making a terrific hire at head coach. There is enough talent nearby that like football, they are a sleeper program that could be built into something as good as most any of the other programs on the East Coast/Big East. I'd love to see PSU and Rutgers basketball play at a higher, B10 level in basketball.

Maryland doesn't need an explanation, they are clearly 'worthy' imo and a good if not great fit for the B10. Virginia and North Carolina are the same in that are very valuable additions and really don't need an explanation.

I'm less enthused about going into SEC country and adding GT in the hopes of landing the Atlanta market (a huge market) but I'm sure Jim Delaney has done his due diligence on GT's tv ratings and how much BTN carriage fees he might be able to net from GT in Atlanta... FWIW, GT doesn't see a home anymore in the SEC, doesn't want in the Big XII and are the ones who've contacted the B10 about membership immediately after news of Maryland broke. They really want a soft landing spot that isn't an ACC without NC, ND, Maryland, VT, UV, FSU, Miami, Duke, etc and are even willing to leave the ACC even with those schools still in the ACC. Like Maryland, they don't feel very tied to the ACC as they were once an SEC school before leaving on their own and don't have any true rivalries in the ACC. Their biggest rival is Georgia, an SEC member...

FSU? I'm torn on them, I think they are arguably the most valuable addition after Texas and ND but I also think they are a poor fit culturally, academically and geographically. Like GT, they aren't very tied to the ACC being a very new member and don't have much in the ACC in terms of rivals after Miami who aren't even their top rivalry. Like GT, they'd much prefer a home in the B10 as opposed to a home in the Big XII if they can't find one in the SEC. If I learned the money makes too much sense not to add them (which I think is the case), I'd come around on them.

-

re: conferences, they are going to be divided into 'divisions', maybe even 4-5 team 'pods' and essentially be two conferences together combined by a CCG, especially if they make they mistake of going beyond 16 universities...

You have to remember this expansion is being driven by those at ESPN, Fox, etc as much as Jim Delaney, etc. The fewer 'power' conference there are, the bigger share of the pie the B10, Pac 12, SEC have and the better off the members are in those conferences; Michigan, Ohio, Penn State, Illinois, etc.

[entropy]

Liar...



Ohio State AD: No talks of Big Ten adding teams right now
By Jeremy Fowler | College Football Insider
February 25, 2013 3:12 pm ET

Considering Maryland signed a non-disclosure agreement as it plotted its move to the Big Ten last year, future power-conference expansion will be cloaked in secrecy if league officials can help it.

But generally, commissioner Jim Delany has kept his ADs and presidents informed of the membership process, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said.

That's why Smith says the 14-team Big Ten is ?not doing anything right now? in the realignment game and hasn't had any substantial talks on such matters in recent months.

Georgia Tech, Virginia and North Carolina have been implicated as potential Big Ten targets ever since Maryland and Rutgers decided to join the league in November.

?I think you're going to have all types of rumors about us and the Big 12,? Smith said. ?We're not doing anything right now. We'll sit and evaluate Rutgers' and Maryland's transition. We don't want to screw that up. Right now we're not aggressively pursuing anyone.?

In Rutgers and Maryland, the Big Ten has East Coast partners for Penn State. The persistence of conference realignment since 2010, coupled with the Big Ten Network's national cable reach, has many wondering if the league will eventually push for a full East Coast division that would mushroom the league to 18 or 20 teams.

Smith said talks among league officials don't look that far ahead.

?We don't sit and talk like that,? Smith said. ?We look at individual opportunities. We don't say our end game is to have an entire East Coast. We look at each business situation as it presents itself.?

The Big Ten isn't the only conference to watch in realignment -- can the Big 12 stay at 10 teams forever? -- but other conferences certainly are discussing what Delany might do next.

Big 12 officials pointed out in a late-January meeting among athletic directors that the Big Ten, should it expand, would likely push for schools already included in the Association of American Universities -- in the ACC, that list includes Virginia, UNC, Pitt, Georgia Tech and Duke.

[WingsFan]

By Jeremy Fowler CBS


Georgia Tech, Virginia and North Carolina have been speculated as potential Big Ten targets ever since Maryland and Rutgers decided to join the league in November.

“I think you're going to have all types of rumors about us and the Big 12,” OSU' AD Smith said. “We're not doing anything right now. We'll sit and evaluate Rutgers' and Maryland's transition. We don't want to screw that up. Right now we're not aggressively pursuing anyone.”

In Rutgers and Maryland, the Big Ten has East Coast partners for Penn State. The persistence of conference realignment since 2010, coupled with the Big Ten Network's national cable reach, has many wondering if the league will eventually push for a full East Coast division that would mushroom the league to 18 or 20 teams.