The 24 team model makes sense. Who do have the SEC taking?
First will be Virginia Tech as it opens the DC market for the SEC and the folks in Richmond will be OK as UVA is likely to go to the B1G. I think NC State goes to the SEC, too, especially if UNC and Duke go to the B1G. Now, those two, who I see as a package deal, are on the line between the SEC and B1G with Duke’s academic and basketball side more drawn to the B1G while culturally UNC is closer to the SEC. Louisville slimes its way in as Kentucky does not have enough clout in the SEC to keep them out and that rivalry, especially in basketball, will generate TV cash. Florida State and Clemson are the next most logical. Would adding them help keep the B1G out of those markets, especially Florida, be worth upsetting U Florida and South Carolina respectively? Both Syracuse and Pitt have outside shots if the SEC wants a brand in NYC (Syracuse) and/or the Mid-Atlantis and Midwest (Pitt). U Miami has less of a chance than Syracuse and Pitt as it adds nothing while Wake has less of a chance than that, especially if the SEC gets UNC, Duke, and NC State. Catholic BC in liberal Boston has zero chance. Georgia Tech will join UVA in the B1G.
So maybe these 8 to get to 24– 1) Virginia Tech, 2) NC State, 3) UNC, 4) Duke, 5) Clemson, 6) Florida State, 7) Louisville, 8) Pittsburgh.
This may actually work best for UConn as it takes pieces off of the table for the B1G’s final 6. Say the B1G takes 1) Stanford and 2) Cal soon as the PAC falls apart. That leaves 4 slots for when the ACC gets raided. The first three would be 1) UVA 2) Georgia Tech, and 3) ND. That leaves 1 slot for UConn to fight over with Syracuse and BC unless the B1G gives a middle finger to the XII by going after Colorado or the SEC with Missouri.