The Lions' Pride

I haven't heard anything, but I don't see them expanding anytime soon unless the big fish (ND) is in play. Then for balance - maybe Rutgers? Syracuse?

Rutgers would get the hell out of there if they were offered anything good, which they haven't been.

If UT keeps up the crap with the LHN and conferences keep their doors open, then OU may be more interested than people think in moving conferences. They were legitimately interested in moving last year, but they wanted to bring OkieState and/or the Kansas schools with them. The B1G said no thanks, because they only wanted OU. Pac-12 said essentially the same. Although from the same people that told me that, said the Pac-12 would have been willing to take OkieState.

I think the ACC or PAC-12 would be more what OU looking for than the B1G though, but JMO.

We shouldn't expand unless we have a big time program interested, like the Virginias or one of the Carolinas. JMO though. I think the B1G would be better suited moving east than West or South.

If FSU and Clemson bolt from the ACC, get ready.

IMO, the B1G would be well served to go after UVA, VPI, UNC and Duke should the ACC crumble.

They are great academic institutions, even VPI, which has been improving rapidly over the last decade. The rest speak for themselves. VPI brings great football (and along with UVA, bring us the state of Virginia), and UNC and Duke are probably (along with Kentucky) the only schools strong enough with basketball to pay for themselves. Plus, UVA and UNC are fairly strong football programs. This allows us to expand into growing demographic areas and further expand the reach of the Network.

If Notre Dame wants in that would change the dynamic, but I truly do not believe ND will join a conference in the near future, and I do not believe they would join the B1G if they did.

Uh, I have no idea, nor do I care.

Until I see a scientific study quantifying degrees of arrogance across college football fanbases and the impact of said arrogance on the success of conference affiliated programs, I will continue to assume that all fanbases are equally arrogant and that it doesn't matter at all that they are.

Duke and UNC would bring a lot to the conference, especially in helping to establish a national footprint for the Network. They've got fans everywhere.

I don't want Tech or UVA in the BIG. Let those programs die.

Rather bring in UMD or RU...bigger markets instead of bumble shit southern VA.

Honestly, I hope we bring in Pitt/

Do you know the total money amount they bring to the table a year? Splitting that up 14 ways, does it make sense to bring them in to share the revenue? Having our own network helps their cause, but unless they bring in something to rival a BCS contender a year in worth to the BTN due to basketball, I don't believe they're deserving of a spot. If one does and the other doesn't, its still not worth it. Basketball in the BTN is doing well enough with MSU, Indiana, and OSU. I'd rather stay relatively exclusive than take another school that could potentially be a headache.

UNC football blows and always has. They're a basketball school first and foremost, and their most recent success has come at a very high probational cost and a possible LOIC. Huge upside and actual contributor are two different things. Rutgers has tremendous upside, as does Syracuse with the NY market, but that doesn't mean they'll actually realize that potential. UNC hasn't had a successful coach since 1997 in Mack Brown, as Butch Davis was a fail of epic proportions. Fedora is a quality coach, but who knows how well he will do. They haven't had a conference championship since 1980 and have a bowl record of 13-16.

Also, big difference in investing in the program and investing in benefits for recruits. Having an alumni base that wants to win is great, but going about it the wrong way puts a sour taste in people's mouths and could lead to problems like they're having now. They're very similar to SMU and what they did in the 80s, minus the whole being successful part. Great new facilities, wealthy alumni that want to win, and an apparent lack of respect as to the rules of the game. You don't even have to be ethical about it (see LSU and arguably Bama), as long as you know which rules you can bend and how to do so, then there aren't any problems. However, if you start breaking rules as blatantly as they did and as often as they have broken them over the past few years, that spells trouble. Especially for a conference that has had some serious PR issues with OSU and PSU the past two seasons.

The main Carolina board seems to be 90% SEC! SEC! SEC!.

From the ACC I'd be interested in 3 schools (assuming Clemson & FSU go B12)

UNC (not Duke),
UVA or VT,
GT - opening Atlanta would be huge.

Final Spot ND.

UVA, GT, Maryland and ND - Brings a national brand and three good markets, expands the east coast footprint. Expands some already good recruiting areas and brings increased revenue. I think they are all good acedemic brands as well.

Normally I don't advocate adding basketball schools but I agree that Duke and UNC are different creatures when it comes to national exposure and attention and I think the B1G would do well to add both or either of those programs. I don't see it happening since those 2 schools dominate the ACC landscape much like Michigan and Ohio State do in the B1G. However, while I don't have any hard numbers to back this up, IMO I believe that adding both of those schools would be worth it financially to the B1G. It would establish the B1G as the premier basketball conference and would provide the BTN with 2 national brands in order to expand its television footprint. Adding Duke/UNC would be alot better than adding Rutgers and UVA. While those schools add a presence in big markets neither of them attract the attention that a Duke or UNC would. Look at the value Nebraska has added despite the fact that it resides in a state with a small population.

I think the conscious choice by the BIG will be about money rather than "football".

The pressing issue is ,What is the on going goals of the BTN and the "network" tie ins?

In 2016 the Big will renegotiate their TV deal. rumors are that the BTN is looking at expanding their BB coverage and KEEPING their tier two games( both FB and BB rights) for them selves. This would give them additional coverage into March greatly expanding their piece of the overall national sports pie.

If this in fact is the goal, then UNC and Duke would be very valuable as lynch pins to expand the BTN onto more cable outlets...more guaranteed cash.

My point, it may NOT be just about football.