Big Ten to become 12 Members?

[tornado]

That's what a USAToday story today suggests.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/2007-07-25-network-expansion_N.htm

[amckillip]

The only team I can think of that I wouldn't mind seeing the Big Ten adding is ND and they lose too much revenue if they do that. Both Rutgers and and Syracuse are East Coast schools that would not fit in with the Big Ten IMO. I guess PITT wouldn't be a bad addition, but I don't think expanding for expanding for expansion sake makes sense.

I think the same thing about the MVC, sure if we can add Memphis, SLU, or Butler, those add huge markets to the MVC (Memphis, St. Louis, and Indy, respectively) and quality teams(well SLU's debatable) But outside of those, I see know reasons just to add teams, and I HATE when you don't play every team in your conference twice...

[shaunguth]

The only team I can think of that I wouldn't mind seeing the Big Ten adding is ND and they lose too much revenue if they do that. Both Rutgers and and Syracuse are East Coast schools that would not fit in with the Big Ten IMO. I guess PITT wouldn't be a bad addition, but I don't think expanding for expanding for expansion sake makes sense.

I think the same thing about the MVC, sure if we can add Memphis, SLU, or Butler, those add huge markets to the MVC (Memphis, St. Louis, and Indy, respectively) and quality teams(well SLU's debatable) But outside of those, I see know reasons just to add teams, and I HATE when you don't play every team in your conference twice...

Yes....that is something I absolutely can't stand! In fact, that should be a requirement for making the NCAA tournament. Each conference that gets an automatic bid should require their teams to play a balanced conference schedule.

[Roll with the Funches]

I just don't know how we'd integrate a 12 into the background of the Big Ten logo though.

I agree with the two posters above, playing everyone twice in basketball is far superior to the unbalanced schedule the Big Ten currently has. Therefore, the best possible solution is, and always has been, to kick Northwestern out of the Big Ten, get rid of the 11 hidden in the logo and have an 18 game basketball schedule.

If the Big Ten expands, it'll be for football purposes though. I know the article mentioned Notre Dame, which will never, ever, ever happen (they make way too much off their NBC contract), Rutgers and Syracuse. I'd think the school that would make the most sense would be Louisville. It's too bad the Big Ten didn't get to them when they were still in Conference USA though. They are a good basketball and football program, large public university, and located in the 44th largest urban area in the US (per wikipedia, which can be updated by anybody, anywhere, so you know you're getting the most up to date, accurate information possible). Plus they are still basically midwestern, not in NY.

There's my $0.02 as a Big Ten Alumnus.

[Fyrebyrd]

The only team I can think of that I wouldn't mind seeing the Big Ten adding is ND and they lose too much revenue if they do that.

ya i definitely cant see them joining the Big Ten for exactly that reason. They make loads of money because of the rivalry games they have every year with USC, Army, Navy, Air Force, and a couple other teams that they play every other year. If they joined the Big Ten, the chances of them being able to keep all of those is virtually impossible. While Notre Dame would certainly be a good addition. I cant imagine it happening

[Fyrebyrd]

Also, i say change the conference name to the Bigger Twelve

[Dallas Brave]

The only team I can think of that I wouldn't mind seeing the Big Ten adding is ND and they lose too much revenue if they do that.

ya i definitely cant see them joining the Big Ten for exactly that reason. They make loads of money because of the rivalry games they have every year with USC, Army, Navy, Air Force, and a couple other teams that they play every other year. If they joined the Big Ten, the chances of them being able to keep all of those is virtually impossible. While Notre Dame would certainly be a good addition. I cant imagine it happening

Is it time for Bradley to dust off its football program

[tornado]

I found some really interesting discussion over on the Missouri Tigers board.
There is a lively discussion on whether Mizzou should bolt from the Big XII and join the Big Ten.

Some think it is a good idea, others oppose it vigorously.

http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/missouri-tigers.php?message=4708678

http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/missouri-tigers.php?message=4709471

http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/missouri-tigers.php?message=4708986

Those who favor the move seem to consistently cite how much they hate Kansas and don't ever want to go there again, others enjoy the border rivalry with KU.

[squirrel]

I have always made my feelings known that West Virginia would be the best immediate addition to the Big Ten. I know academically they wouldn't be on par with the others, however, I would imagine and eastern division Ohio St, Penn St, Michigan, and WVU would be awesome on the gridiron. Plus, they have always played smashmouth football similar to the Big Ten.

That said, the acquisition of Missouri would allow the smoothest national transition, in that either Arkansas or Memphis joins the Big XII, if Arkansas, then Memphis probably joins the SEC.

It would be interesting to see what Arkansas would do. They love the SEC for football, but probably feel they would generally perform better in the BXII in hoops. While Memphis would probably be a better fit for the BXII.

[MacabreMob]

I have always made my feelings known that West Virginia would be the best immediate addition to the Big Ten. I know academically they wouldn't be on par with the others, however, I would imagine and eastern division Ohio St, Penn St, Michigan, and WVU would be awesome on the gridiron. Plus, they have always played smashmouth football similar to the Big Ten.

That said, the acquisition of Missouri would allow the smoothest national transition, in that either Arkansas or Memphis joins the Big XII, if Arkansas, then Memphis probably joins the SEC.

It would be interesting to see what Arkansas would do. They love the SEC for football, but probably feel they would generally perform better in the BXII in hoops. While Memphis would probably be a better fit for the BXII.

Thanks for your B10 insight Squirrel. Those are some very interesting scenarios.

[tornado]

Even just some preliminary talk of the Big Ten expanding has the Big XII people wetting their pants!

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/big12/stories/MYSA080307.WEBBig12Insider.en.dc89e534.html

teams mentioned by name as possible new additions to the Big Ten:
Missouri, Iowa State, Nebraska, Texas, Pitt, Syracuse, West Virginia, Louisville, Rutgers, Notre Dame.