LeBron who?
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Any goof with a straight edge can divide a league geographically. Draw a vertical or horizontal line and go to town. But there are other ways. Here are Bob Asmussen's four Big Ten division plans:
BEST/THE REST
Why not put all the powers together?
THE BEST
Iowa
Michigan
Nebraska
Ohio State
Penn State
Wisconsin
THE REST
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan State
Minnesota
Northwestern
Purdue
PROS: It seems to be working for the Big 12 South ... The Best will be tested going into the BCS game ... Loads of attractive TV matchups. ... An underdog rises in The Rest each year.
CONS: See the Big 12 North ... Loads of unattractive TV games in The Rest ... Rising underdog gets squished every year in title game at Soldier Field ... Difficult for The Best winner to be undefeated.
CITY SLICKERS/COUNTRY BUMPKINS
Population matters most. Metropolitan areas over city proper
CITY SLICKERS
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota
Ohio State
Northwestern
Wisconsin
COUNTRY BUMPKINS
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Nebraska
Penn State
Purdue
PROS: Fans discover hidden gems State College, Champaign-Urbana and the rest ... Plenty of hotels available when Bumpkins travel to Slickers ... Good economic boost for Bumpkins when Slickers visit (jack those hotel prices up now) ... Bumpkin fans will be known as friendliest in the land.
CONS: Confusion rules when Country Bumpkins visit Columbus, Minneapolis, etc. ... Tractors not easy to park at stadiums. ... TV announcers will complain on air about lodging at Bumpkin games. ... Easy access for politicians at Slicker games (four state capitals) means too much hot air.
IF BASKETBALL MATTERS
BASKETBALL SCHOOLS
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Michigan State
Minnesota
Purdue
FOOTBALL SCHOOLS
Michigan
Nebraska
Northwestern
Ohio State
Penn State
Wisconsin
PROS: Illini-Hoosiers need to be together ... So do Hoosiers-Boilermakers ... Although he's a football fan, Tom Izzo approves ... Travel mostly a breeze.
CONS: Tough to figure out which category Minnesota and Northwestern belong in ... Hoopeston's Thad Matta won't like this one bit ... Neither will Bo Ryan ... Iowa considers itself a wrestling school.
THE REAL DEAL
Enough of the funny business, here is how it should really be done:
WAYNE DUKE
Illinois
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Northwestern
Wisconsin
JIM DELANY
Indiana
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
Penn State
Purdue
PROS: Maintains most important traditional rivalries ... Separates the top six football programs, with three going to each division ... Honors two people who have had a major impact in the success of the conference ... Creates logical crossover games that can become permanent rivalries (Minnesota-Wisconsin, Penn State-Ohio State, etc.)
CONS: In a perfect world, Minnesota and Wisconsin would be together ... So would Ohio State and Penn State ... If Michigan program stays down, Delany Division could be too strong ... A shame not to have Illinois in same division as the closest Big Ten school (Purdue).
Should be:
Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Northwestern
Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Indiana, Purdue and Penn State
Geography creates the best rivalries and with the ups/downs of all programs, it just makes more sense. How many years has it been since both Michigan and Ohio State were premier teams? And, seriously has Penn State really been any better than Iowa/Wisconsin over the past 10-15 years? Do what makes sense geographically and let it all take care of itself.
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