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I always thought they were too north for the SEC. Big 10 could use a bball addition to Michigan (one of the rare football & basketball powers) and Indiana.
I'd rather take Syracuse. They have a far superior basketball program. Plus, they would cement the B10 into the densely populated Northeast market. Syracuse/Penn St contests could probably demand some TV play in New York City.
It only "sounds" like it's travel liability. It's actually closer to many B10 schools than Penn St is (eastern edge of Pennsylvania). There is a deep resentment that Penn St has to travel SO FAR and they lack a travel partner.
Syracuse is the likliest candidate. They add a new highly populated media Market (New York). They serve as Penn St's travel partner and keep the lions cemented in the B10 (can't have them wandering into the Big East). PLUS it defines the ENTIRE northeast region as BigTen recruitment territory.
The BigEast is a cobbled together Frankenstein league. Their basketball now extends to the Mississippi. They are collecting mid-majors (Cincy, Louisville) just to keep the bastard "Big East Football" league alive.
We all know that Syracuse WANTS out. They tried unsuccessfully to leave last year. My bet is that if the B10 finally wearies of NDs coiness, Syracuse will be in.