Big Ten splits into two 6-team divisions

[tornado]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5519832&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

weird that it is NOT at all geographically as teams in the same state (Northwestern), teams to the NORTH (Minnesota),
teams to the west (Iowa), and teams to the east (Michigan State) are all aligned in the other division from Illinois.

Personally as a marginal U of I fan, I like these divisions...gotta be happy the Illini are in the same division as IU, Wisky, and OSU.


In basketball - you play each team in division twice and each other team once (16-game slate)

[amckillip]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/...=ESPNHeadlines

weird that it is NOT at all geographically as teams in the same state (Northwestern), teams to the NORTH (Minnesota),
teams to the west (Iowa), and teams to the east (Michigan State) are all aligned in the other division from Illinois.

Personally as a marginal U of I fan, I like these divisions...gotta be happy the Illini are in the same division as IU, Wisky, and OSU.


In basketball - you play each team in division twice and each other team once (16-game slate)

I'm assuming in football they guaranteed a Mich-OSU game each year, but only playing each other once in basketball (though the rivalry is less) is kind of wierd.

Seems like moving Illinois and Wisconsin to the other division in exchange for M and MSU would have made more sense.

[TheAsianSensation]

I wouldn't be surprised if these divisions end up being football-only divisions and they come up with some roving system for basketball and the other sports.

[lake Camelot]

I thought that is what I heard (football only). If it is basketball the Spartans have it easy.

[Stryker]

I thought that is what I heard (football only). If it is basketball the Spartans have it easy.

That's what I was thinking the entire time. MSU would be be rollin every year.

[Bravesfan]

I'm assuming in football they guaranteed a Mich-OSU game each year, but only playing each other once in basketball (though the rivalry is less) is kind of wierd.

Seems like moving Illinois and Wisconsin to the other division in exchange for M and MSU would have made more sense.

Rivalry games in football will remain intact even if it involves teams in opposite divisions. So that is good news for the likes of Northwestern and Illinois who will be guaranteed to play each other each year despite being in separate divisions. Ditto for Michigan and Ohio St.

[FortyTwo]

This is only for football. Commissioner Delaney stated that he would only create basketball divisions is the coaches requested it, which he didn't forsee happening.