SelectionSunday
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Not a fan at all of what conference realignment has done to college sports, but it's a sad reality we've had to accept. ... and it's not over. I don't think the B1G is finished, and we all know the B1G (read: Jim Delany) and Notre Dame control the majority of the dominoes.
So since major realignment has already happened, and more is sure to follow, here's my suggestion for Mr. Delany (I'm sure he's listening) and the head priest at Notre Dame. I'm seeing a 20-school B1G in the not too distant future. 20 teams means (gulp) divisional play in both of the biggies, football and men's basketball.
Schedules are so imbalanced now anyways, what the heck, might as well go all out and play only schools in your division. The only way you play teams from the other B1G division is in the B1G Football Championship Game, in the B1G Basketball Tournament, or schedule a non-conference game vs. a fellow B1G school. 20 schools means we can stay at the same numbers, 9 conference games for football, 18 for basketball.
Here's who I'd go after, allowing the B1G East to be all ET schools and the B1G West all CT schools (except for Notre Dame). I understand most people don't want Maryland and Rutgers in the B1G, but let's accept that, they're here to stay. I've made an attempt to significantly strengthen the B1G's football (especially the West Division) and men's basketball (do I hear a "Rock Chalk?") brands.
And yes, I completely understand the B1G has always had certain academic parameters (research, etc.) for its member institutions. I suspect at least some of those will go by the wayside in the thirst for expanding the B1G brand.
B1G East
1 Boston College (fit nicely academically & athletically, Boston TV market, poor man's Notre Dame)
2 Georgia Tech (excellent school, Atlanta TV market)
3 Indiana
4 Maryland
5 Michigan
6 Michigan State
7 Ohio State
8 Penn State
9 Purdue
10 Rutgers
B1G West
1 Illinois
2 Iowa
3 Kansas (one of college basketball's top 5 bluebloods)
4 Minnesota
5 Nebraska
6 Northwestern
7 Notre Dame (love 'em or hate 'em, crown jewel of realignment; would guarantee ESPN not needed)
8 Oklahoma (historic football power, and usually pretty good in hoops, too)
9 Texas (yes, a headache to deal with, but this is a big boy bringing more Texas kids to B1G country)
10 Wisconsin
Others considered?
1 Iowa State (fit geographically, partner for Hawkeyes)
2 Kansas State (partner for Jayhawks)
3 & 4 Kentucky & Louisville (love to have both for hoops, but too tough to pull off)
5 Missouri (would fit nicely, already a rival of Kansas & Illinois)
6 Oklahoma State (partner for Sooners)
7 Syracuse (would bring NY market)
So since major realignment has already happened, and more is sure to follow, here's my suggestion for Mr. Delany (I'm sure he's listening) and the head priest at Notre Dame. I'm seeing a 20-school B1G in the not too distant future. 20 teams means (gulp) divisional play in both of the biggies, football and men's basketball.
Schedules are so imbalanced now anyways, what the heck, might as well go all out and play only schools in your division. The only way you play teams from the other B1G division is in the B1G Football Championship Game, in the B1G Basketball Tournament, or schedule a non-conference game vs. a fellow B1G school. 20 schools means we can stay at the same numbers, 9 conference games for football, 18 for basketball.
Here's who I'd go after, allowing the B1G East to be all ET schools and the B1G West all CT schools (except for Notre Dame). I understand most people don't want Maryland and Rutgers in the B1G, but let's accept that, they're here to stay. I've made an attempt to significantly strengthen the B1G's football (especially the West Division) and men's basketball (do I hear a "Rock Chalk?") brands.
And yes, I completely understand the B1G has always had certain academic parameters (research, etc.) for its member institutions. I suspect at least some of those will go by the wayside in the thirst for expanding the B1G brand.
B1G East
1 Boston College (fit nicely academically & athletically, Boston TV market, poor man's Notre Dame)
2 Georgia Tech (excellent school, Atlanta TV market)
3 Indiana
4 Maryland
5 Michigan
6 Michigan State
7 Ohio State
8 Penn State
9 Purdue
10 Rutgers
B1G West
1 Illinois
2 Iowa
3 Kansas (one of college basketball's top 5 bluebloods)
4 Minnesota
5 Nebraska
6 Northwestern
7 Notre Dame (love 'em or hate 'em, crown jewel of realignment; would guarantee ESPN not needed)
8 Oklahoma (historic football power, and usually pretty good in hoops, too)
9 Texas (yes, a headache to deal with, but this is a big boy bringing more Texas kids to B1G country)
10 Wisconsin
Others considered?
1 Iowa State (fit geographically, partner for Hawkeyes)
2 Kansas State (partner for Jayhawks)
3 & 4 Kentucky & Louisville (love to have both for hoops, but too tough to pull off)
5 Missouri (would fit nicely, already a rival of Kansas & Illinois)
6 Oklahoma State (partner for Sooners)
7 Syracuse (would bring NY market)