While we're refreshing our thoughts on potential expansion candidates, why not consider a few "outside-the-box" candidates:
Va. Tech - Football and basketball? Check. Academics? A solid, though not stellar, public institution. Intangibles? Would expand Big Ten footprint further into the southeast market, fanbase would travel well, game atmosphere is CRAZY. Reasons for VaTech? A more storied conference, better access to TV through BTN.
UVA - Football and basketball? While currently down, UVA football has had some good teams in the past, and folks are hopeful that they'll be on their way again. Basketball is similarly down. Perhaps these elicit a "meh" reaction, on review. Academics? Always among the nation's top public universities. Intangibles? Ditto the footprint bit from above. Reasons for UVA? Revenue and exposure would be the biggest reasons, I suppose.
And the largest outlier:
Auburn - Football and basketball? Football has been a traditional powerhouse, and with the way they're recruiting, is likely on its way again. Basketball has been decent from time-to-time, but is still a program that can attract talent. Academics? Wouldn't be the best in the Big Ten, but still a quality public institution. Intangibles? Woo hoo, we'll be in the deep south, with access to a new fertile recruiting base, and rabid formerly-SEC fans. Reasons for AUB? Getting out of a perennially impossible SEC, being able to retain at least its prime rivalry with Alabama, exposure to new markets, association with the "academic" character of the Big Ten.
Hey, if Texas could be considered though it's not a "border" state, so can these, especially since the VA schools are just barely not border states to the Big Ten.
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