Yup, but as a fan, it is very nice to be able to watch them on TV.
Big10 hockey needs a shot in the arm of talented programs. We saw what happens when teams have a down year, the product is poor. I'm afraid that Michigan will be down until Red Berenson retires. MSU has been down as of late and I have no clue what was Wisconsin's problem this year.
I would love to have an Eastern and Western division with several East coast powers. I know it's a pipe dream, but a conference that looked like this would be great:
East: UConn, BC, BU, Cornell, PSU, OSU
West: Michigan, MSU, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Miami Of Ohio/Denver
That would a fun conference to watch. I know it will never happen, but I can dream, can't I?