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Message: [QUOTE="nelsonmuntz, post: 4014506, member: 833"] I don't think this is all bad for UConn. The conferences have not always acted strategically, but if they do, I think this is how it will play out. 1) Whenever a market that has equilibrium suddenly has a shock that elevates one competitor above all others, the other competitors usually respond. The SEC has elevated itself in both markets and product on the field as the clear #1 conference. The other three leagues can drop into a subordinate role, or they can respond. I think they will respond. 2) How do they respond? By grabbing products (i.e. content) and markets. 2.a) As dysfunctional as the league has been, the Pac 12 has to do something immediately, because it is the most vulnerable with its failed network and small membership. I think it has to look at BYU and Boise, and maybe CSU. It is possible that the conference could try to grab TCU or Houston, but that doesn't seem likely. 2.b) the ACC is the #3 competitor, and the schools it has added have not really elevated the league. It will make another run at ND, which will probably be rebuffed. After that, I think there will be pressure to add more markets. My fear is that the league looks to Florida for UCF and USF. I do not think Miami and FSU want that, so then the ACC has to look north. Cincinnati, WVU and UConn are all candidates. 2.c) The Big 10 may start a bidding war for Texas and Oklahoma. That is what I would do if I was the Big 10 leadership. Assuming that fails, they will invite Notre Dame. Notre Dame will probably decline, and then the next two options are Kansas and UConn. The Big 10 will never add a weak academic school (WVU) or a secondary school in its market. WVU also has the problem of having an essentially worthless market. Whatever is left of the MWC, Big 12 and AAC will merge into 1 or 2 leagues. 3) Even if Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC is the only move in this round of realignment, it damages the Big 12 as a major basketball conference, which means Kansas, WVU, OSU, Texas Tech and Baylor take a step backwards in recruiting and probably lose some coaches. This helps the Big East both on the recruiting trail and in their negotiations with Fox. [/QUOTE]

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