Southside

LOL. IU is ranked higher than Stanford in both Football, and Attendance. IMO, they should have added a Basketball rating.

Probably will go the same place that 5B dollar train went.

I think the job simply was too big for him. Expectations too high. I don't doubt the sincerity of the Dayton fans at all, but he seemed to just bump his head on his ceiling in Bloomington. Not everyone is cut out for certain jobs, or higher level programs.

Big big ouch lol. IMO, Woodson's IU history was great. He gets it unlike some others. And his love for Knight, was a great way to bridge the old with the new. Love BK or hate him, doesn't matter. A lot of folks will always love him, and mending that bridge at a time when BK likely is short on years is great for the program. And it appears he can recruit and relate to the kids, which was the biggest concern I saw from most anti-Woody voices. Still really early, but it's going a lot better and faster than I expected.

behind a pay wall.

Article on UNC including their Chancellor's comments. https://chapelboro.com/sports/optimistic-kevin-guskiewicz-talks-unc-and-conference-realignment TLDR... ACC is locked up with ESPN through 2036, but very obvious UNC is not happy with the deal. The "grant of rights" on top of the $120M buyout makes it pretty hard to leave the ACC. The grant of rights basically means the ACC owns the school's rights through 2036 even if they leave the ACC lol. Given the SEC is tied up to 2034 with ESPN, not sure why ESPN would want to simply give the ACC more money given they're on the hook through 2036... now maybe if the ACC adds schools, but why would they just offer more if they're not getting anything new....

"Kaleb Banks’ major upside could make his development compelling to watch" https://www.insidethehall.com/2022/07/12/kaleb-banks-major-upside-could-make-his-development-compelling-to-watch/

Come on man, it's a little tongue and cheek / sarcasm. It's like saying PU rules the 4H world lol. Not sure why you mention the mediocre BB part of things. Stanford BB has been mediocre for a long while. They fell off the cliff long before their FB team did 5ish years ago.

Good article on what led up to the USC and UCLA additions, and also decent discussion on the PAC, B12, and ACC. I knew UCLA was having financial trouble, but didn't know it was that bad. Talks a little about the break up of Cal and UCLA (sibling schools) and also the exodus's impact on the Rose Bowl tradition. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/34217498/inside-stunning-usc-ucla-move-big-ten-chaos-followed

Decent article from a Louisville perspective. https://www.si.com/college/louisville/othersports/weighing-conference-realignment-options

Oh I agree IU has been down. They have a far better history in BB than Stanford though. Far bigger than the other B10 teams that are currently mediocre as well. But again, expansion is mostly about FB and TV revenue. And in that space, Stanford aint no Clemson. Now if you want to talk about academic Olympics or non-FB or non-MBB sports that are all funded by football revenue, then yes, Stanford has an edge.

Personally I'd go for two more teams W of our current footprint. My picks would be Baylor and Oregon. The four new teams, plus Nebraska would be the new western division. And it's true that Clemson has a mediocre history in BB. But they have been to two Dances in the last 5 years. Stanford has only finished above 500 a few times in the PAC the last 10 years, and to the Dance only once in that time. So Clemson twice in 5 years, Stanford once in 10.. Like I've said in previous posts, Stanford is simply in decline in both BB and FB. I was being tongue and cheek about water polo as they just won the NC this year.

I agree. But that doesn't necessarily mean more Cali schools. Could mean Baylor, WA, Oregon, or any other schools West of our footprint. It's quite possible Nebraska will end up in a Western B10 division if we go to 20 and 4x5. Also, I found Barta's comments on expansion interesting. He acted like the B10 had no plans to increase beyond USC, UCLA, and it's pending invite to ND at this time.

I purposefully left ND out as we know the B10 has already extended an offer. They are easily the top prize right now. I agree there's a "pairing" aspect at play with some, but not all. And I'd say the pairing aspect might work against some teams. Rumor is that UCLA and UCLA worked as a pair and wanted to stay together. They are somewhat the jewels of the PAC, so not a hard decision. ND though throws a wrench into that, as they're not going to come as a pair, so we know if they come, we'll have at least one more standalone. There's also rumor that UNC is high on the B10 list, but Duke not so much. Personally I'd take that package deal, but I also wouldn't be shocked if UNC were to leave without Duke. We also know FSU has talked to the Big10 already, along with what's been reported about OR and WA. Not sure OR and WA are working together as a pair, but wouldn't doubt it. So if ND comes, I think chances increase for a standalone team like FSU, Clemson, Baylor, etc. If ND doesn't, the odds of packages go up.

In short, we're good academically any way you look at it. It's not something we're in desperate need to improve. I'm not being dismissive. I'm simply saying football and TV revenue are driving expansion. And football/TV revenue is what funds all the Olympic sports. Clemson's BB Torvik rank is currently 54. Not great, but better than 7 of the current 14 B10 schools. So it's not like their BB program would weigh us down lol. Their FB market however would drastically increase our FB TV contract value. And like I've said, Stanford could end up one of the teams. I've got them grouped in "well rounded" bucket, so it's not like I'm totally writing them off. For me, they don't move the needle like other teams. If I'm taking another team from the West, it would be Oregon before Stanford or anyone. Most importantly, it's just my preference and opinion. I think Stanford is in decline. If you like Stanford, and see them differently, or have a higher eval than I do, that's great too. Here's a decent article from the Stanford Daily https://stanforddaily.com/2020/03/31/at-least-the-seats-are-red-why-is-stanford-stadium-often-empty/ One on recruiting https://www.si.com/college/stanford/recruiting/danny-noonan-says-lack-of-atmosphere-at-stanford-games-played-major-role-in-son-maverick-committing-to-nebraska

I think academically speaking, we have 8 teams now inside the top 50, and only one outside the top 100 (Nebraska). I'd have to compare to the other P5 conferences, but I'd guess that's pretty good. Maybe the best in P5. So perhaps closer to fact than opinion. And we know that expansion is mostly about TV money. I think we can take that as fact since we picked the two schools that were about as extreme as can be geographically speaking (vs our existing footprint). So regardless, we know what the priorities are. And like I said, Stanford is blessed to be located in a big market, so they have that going for them. Clemson a major yawn? Perhaps if you're a water polo fan. ND and Clemson have been called the two biggest dominoes by ESPN and most media I've seen. Vegas has them as one of the favorites to get snatched up. Doesn't mean Stanford won't be the pick though.

Guessing the first tweet (odds on B10) will change a bit with the FSU news.

It's likely made the B10 a lot more attractive to some of the better teams in the B12. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the ACC. All of the ACC teams have huge buyouts if they leave. Something like 500M if they bolt prior to 2036 (when the ESPN contract expires). If reports are true about FSU, I guess it's not a show stopper. I'd wonder, and perhaps assume that the B10 might help with the buyout if they really wanted the team. That's one reason why I think teams with poor FB teams are a lot less likely to be targeted.

ND plays Stanford every other year (rotate with USC) I have friends on the WC that go every year (Stanford and USC) to cheer for ND. Both are critical of the blue hairs at ND, but say Stanford fans are next level horrible. I remember McCaffrey talking about Stanford fans on several occasions. Even when they were good, and even when they played big games, the fan enthusiasm has been very poor in general. Just doubt B10 entry would do much. I do think it will help with USC and UCLA though.

Read a couple reports this week that FSU is now ramping up internal discussion about leaving the ACC. Per the same sources, they have talked to both the B10 and SEC. I'd be more than fine with either FSU or Miami.

Purely my opinion... But I think we'll end with 3 super conferences. Of course the B10 and SEC. Then likely either a much expanded B12, or what is more or less a merger between the B12 and better PAC schools. The B10 and SEC are going to pick off teams and likely get to 20 each. A ton of chatter about the SEC going after Clemson, FSU, Miami, Baylor, Louisville, OK St, etc.. Even some about UNC. They seem more content than the B10 to stay closer to the SE geo than the B10 to the MW. IMO, it's simply easier for the SEC to acquire good teams close to home. But after the B10 / SEC dust settles, there's still going to be a lot of good teams remaining, thus the 3rd big league. And overall, I just think a 3x20 type of situation leaves IU very safe. I don't see the B10 ever dumping schools, at least not in the next 10+ years.

Like I said above about Stanford, great market, bad fans. Ever seen the empty stands during a prime time FB game. Happens a lot. It's embarrassing. We simply don't need help academically. We do need help with TV revenue if we're to keep up with the landscape. That revenue funds the other sports and many other things. I have no clue how it all turns out. I just know I'm being realistic when I say this is 99% of keeping up with the SEC and about TV revenue. So I'm simply being realistic about my predictions.

This is all about keeping up with the SEC and TV contracts. The B10 doesn't need help with academics. The FB money funds the other sports, so that's really the true help if we're being honest. Clemson BB isn't great, but isn't horrible either. They are currently ranked higher than Ohio St, Wisconsin, and several other B10 schools. And like I said on Stanford, they have a lot of great things. But their fans are ultra low enthusiasm. Especially students. Stanford gives away student tickets (to students) for free, and that still doesn't help. The players call the stadium "The Library" lol. Nice market, horrible fans. Many articles written about the topic if interested. The B10 will likely stop at 20. Saying though that having 16 FB teams does not work is silly. The SEC is clearly heading that direction. No reason the B10 can't. But like I said. This is all personal preference polling/voting. Everyone has different opinions. I'm sure very few will get it right (picking the next 4 teams).

Saw your similar post in the other thread so responding to both. Stanford has a lot of great qualities no doubt. But their FB and BB have both declined. But more importantly, the realignment looks to be 99% about football TV and market capture. Stanford FB stands are pitiful at times, and their overall fan enthusiasm is pretty low. Read that their viewership was more about national viewers, and less about the Bay (USC and UCLA are watched just as much there). Having UCLA and USC more or less captures Cali, and has the national kicker as well. I would not be shocked at all if they did end up in the B10 though. Maybe a little surprised. But this is all about personal preference, so let your Stanford flag fly :-)

Good article on UNC/Duke in terms of them staying tethered or not. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/article263209423.html