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Posted on Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 2:28 p.m.

Potential Big Ten expansion doesn't bother the league's basketball coaches

By Michael Rothstein

As the Big Ten considers expanding, many people have weighed in on what schools merit consideration and whether adding schools is a good idea.

The league’s basketball coaches, though, don’t see too bothered by the decision - no matter what happens.

“To be honest with ya, it’s not really my decision,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “It makes for good conversation right now. We’ll see in a couple years if it moves past conversation.”

Thus far, the teams that have been most often mentioned are from the Big East: Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Syracuse - although Pitt and Syracuse are unlikely candidates - as well as Missouri out of the Big 12.

One of the teams with perhaps the most to gain by adding an eastern counterpart would be Penn State, which is the eastern-most outpost in the league.

Ed DeChellis, the Nittany Lions coach, has no preference on what team, if any, joins the league. He wondered why some of the Big East schools would consider leaving their league.

“You hear different teams bantered about,” DeChellis said. “I don’t know what team makes sense and what team doesn’t. I think most of it will be television-driven.”

Surprising Wisconsin

One of the biggest movers in the conference early on has been Wisconsin, which has flirted with the Top 25 most of the season and picked up two early conference wins.

Wisconsin-basketball-010410.jpg

Wisconsin's Jason Bohannon (12) dribbles past Penn State's Adam Highberger (14) in the second half of their NCAA college basketball game in State College, Pa., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010.

AP photo

After dismantling Ohio State in always-tough-to-win Madison, even more important and impressive was winning a game on the road at Penn State on Sunday.

“It always beats the alternative. You look at the schedule some of us have at different times through the year, early middle late, away games versus home games, it’s good to get off to a good start at home and get one on the road,” Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. “To get one on the road is something that I think every team in the league is going to struggle to get a whole bunch of them.

“The ones that you do get will help you stay in the race and that’s what everyone’s intentions are, to stay in the race.”

Perhaps the toughest part of Wisconsin’s week - the flight back from Penn State, which Ryan said was difficult due to the wind.

Needing a third option

From watching Penn State this year, much of the Nittany Lions’ offense and defense centers around star guard Talor Battle.

And DeChellis recognizes Penn State needs more than just one star in order to win in the Big Ten and reach the NCAA tournament.

He’s gotten some production from forward D.J. Jackson, but he is second on the team scoring only 8.4 points a game.

Other than that, production has been spotty for Penn State, which plays Michigan on Thursday.

“We just need a third scorer,” DeChellis said. “Need someone to step up and be a third scorer shooting. We need consistent perimeter shooting and more scoring off the bench.”

Northwestern’s Shurna is POY

Northwestern sophomore forward John Shurna was named the Big Ten’s Player of the Week for the second time in his career.

In two losses, Shurna averaged 28 points, 6.5 rebounds and four assists against Illinois and Michigan State. He scored a career-high 29 points against Michigan State.

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.

Comments

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 11:42 p.m.

Michael, it isn't what the coaches want, even though Paterno is lobbying for Pitt or Syracuse himself. It's what the university presidents want. You mention Nordenberg. Ask him what it would mean to the university to join the Big Ten with the academic reputation that membership adds. Rutgers would fit in. Pitt would be an asset What you're underestimating is the need for a university that fits the academic requirements of the conference. The Big Ten is the only conference that has 11 AAU members. It's the only conference where every single university is ranked in the top 200 in academic reputation, world-wide. Don't underestimate the cach of a Big Ten membership. It might compare in basketball, though the ownership piece of the Big Ten Network might make an otherwise serious financial analyst giggle if he were told a Big East school would actually turn down a move to the Big Ten. You might know Big East sports, though I suspect you're blinded a little by the media rep here. Not convinced you're following the money in the slightest. Even the relatively simple BCS argument. As an exercise, count up the number of Big Ten BCS invites (20 in 11 years) versus the Big East (11). That's 16.5% of the Big Ten against, I believe 10.7% of the Big East (if I'm counting pre-realignment teams properly). So, ask Nordenberg how he feels about the academic prestige of the Big Ten, the cash cow of the Big Ten Network, the huge amount of extra football money against, umm, a style of basketball and a couple of rivalries that could be preserved in non-conference play if they were all that important. Seriously. Pitt turning down an offer? Ludicrous. It's a perfect fit for both sides. Pitt is a great school and belongs in the best conference.

Michael Rothstein

Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 8:55 p.m.

Macabre, You're right. I haven't been around the Big Ten long. But I have been around the Big East and I know how Pitt feels about playing in that league. The amount of sports Pitt plays fits more in the style of the Big East than the Big Ten. Plus, most of Pitt's basketball recruiting base is in New York. Yes, football drives the money, but don't think for a second that Penn State wouldn't put up a fight against Pitt entering the league. There's a reason that rivalry is no longer played. At the end, though, all of this is going to come down to money and if you're Pitt, it's easier to get to the BCS out of the Big East than the Big Ten.

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 5:17 p.m.

Not the best use of link headers, Michael. I know you're not a Big Ten guy, don't really understand the purpose or the history of the conference. Saying Pitt is an unlikely candidate after interviewing their basketball coach? Why? Why not interview the assistant trainer to the volleyball team? It's just as relevant. Pitt, Rutgers and Missouri are the only realistic candidates from the criteria outlined, and I think Pitt might well be the first choice. Or a close second to Rutgers.

Lokalisierung

Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.

I see...well chaulk me up against that then. "now that ND football is about to return to glory" between everyone loving RR and this statement...just....wow.

chosen1

Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 4:01 p.m.

rutgers is mentioned cause it opens the new york tv market up for the big ten, same with syracuse. Adding Pitt doesn't add any new market, and new york market much larger than the st.louis market. Plus rutgers is very respected academically

Lokalisierung

Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.

Why is Rutgers always involved in these talks? I seriously can't see what an East Coast team would be doing in the Big 10...am I wrong? Missouri & Pitt I unserstand.