[NU Sports] Report: Missouri to Big Ten

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

> We have to keep in mind that this is first an academic
> decision, second an economic decision, and perhaps an
> athletic decision only third ?

Exactly -- I've never really been wild about the Mizzou addition ... the St. Louis and KC markets aren't huge and it's not a "head turner" as they'd say.

I guess one pro is that they seem more than willing to leave the Big XII and they could be the domino to set it in motion that we get bigger fish.

> US News rankings
> 
> NU            12
> Michigan    27
> Illinois        39
> Wisconsin  39
> Penn State 47 (and most everything I have read, from inside

Yup - a big part of that has been the Big Ten. I started looking at schools right before PSU joined, and I know the Nits were a lot lower back then.


> candidates mentioned:
> 
> Notre Shame    20
> Texas              47
> Maryland          53

Obviously the top two would be dream picks in every way (aside from travel to Austin) - great in sports, markets, money and academics.

I haven't seen Maryland mentioned until this past week - but that would certainly be a big get as well -- DC and Baltimore would be nice markets, they're a comparable academic school and unlike raiding the Big East schools, the Terps have a solid tradition and bring some new markets along that PSU doesn't have locked down already.

Maybe we get Maryland and Boston College -- raid the ACC a bit and bring in some east coast markets that actually care about college sports (i.e. not NYC ... and we already have Philly).

> Pitt               
>   56
> Texas A&M      61
> Rutgers            66

A bit surprised Jersey Shore U. is up this high. :) Still don't like them in terms of what they bring overall. And ATM would be like getting Texas' little brother. As for Pitt, seems like a nice fit but it doesn't really expand outward.

Should be an interesting summer as the pieces start to fall into place. Mizzou as a means to a bigger end is fine. As the one to get to 12? Meh-zoo.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT