Big Ten Hockey Conference

[aparch]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

The BT will likely ask the NCAA to make sure sub .500 teams are tourney eligible and for them to receive 3 or 4 tourney teams every year.

I thought the NCAA quickly stopped this once a Big10 member school DID abuse the rule and got into the tourney over better record teams (thanks to their strength of schedule in the WCHA)?

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I seriously think that if it happens, the only option the remaining schools have is to stand strong and refuse to schedule any big 10 teams non-conference. It is the only way that this doesn't destroy college hockey. It will be tough to lose those rivalries, but the only other option is a slow death.

[du78]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

I seriously think that if it happens, the only option the remaining schools have is to stand strong and refuse to schedule any big 10 teams non-conference. It is the only way that this doesn't destroy college hockey. It will be tough to lose those rivalries, but the only other option is a slow death.

That would be ironic, DU refusing to play Minnesota

[brianvf]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

The BT will likely ask the NCAA to make sure sub .500 teams are tourney eligible and for them to receive 3 or 4 tourney teams every year.

While they're at it, the BTHC might as well ask for sub .250 teams to be tourney eligible and for the conference to receive 6 tourney teams every year.

That would be ironic, DU refusing to play Minnesota

[SJHovey]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

All this being said, I don't think that it is certainty that the Big Ten teams leave their current conferences. Once they see the carnage their departures create for very little extra money, they may not go for it.

College hockey is a pretty small fraternity and the animosity that all this would create might not be worth it for the Big Ten Schools.

There could also be political ramifications in Minnesota and Michigan where four Minnesota schools and five Michigan schools would be adversely affected. And how is the Minnesota Legislate going to like pumping dollars into Duluth, Bemidji and St. Cloud's arenas only to have the Gophers bail on the conference?

That is an excellent point. I think you, or someone else on this board made a similar observation about the Texas legislature and the protection of non-University of Texas teams back when the Longhorns were being courted by the Pac-10. Whether that turned out to be the deciding factor, Texas didn't jump ship.

Also, you know that at a minimum the Big 10 championship will be shared between The X and The Joe. Neither Michigan nor Minnesota will allow the other to be the perpetual host, like the current situation, which has been pretty sweet for both.

However, in the end it will come down to what the Big 10 as a conference dictates, probably, and that will likely mean the hockey schools from the Big 10 forming their own conference.

[bigmrg74]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

All this being said, I don't think that it is certainty that the Big Ten teams leave their current conferences. Once they see the carnage their departures create for very little extra money, they may not go for it.

College hockey is a pretty small fraternity and the animosity that all this would create might not be worth it for the Big Ten Schools.

There could also be political ramifications in Minnesota and Michigan where four Minnesota schools and five Michigan schools would be adversely affected. And how is the Minnesota Legislate going to like pumping dollars into Duluth, Bemidji and St. Cloud's arenas only to have the Gophers bail on the conference?

Might be on to something there. Duluth, Bemidji, St. Cloud, and Mankato might not have enough pull, but they just might have enough around somewhere if they get on the ball here to try to keep it so that UMTC can't leave them behind in a conference. UND might not exactly be a Minnesota school, but I would think that they would have some support that they could help throw their weight behind the Other Minnesota schools. Whats good for them would be good for UND.

MTU, NMU, LSSU, FSU and WMU probably don't have enough pull, but if they can raise enough noise, they can at least make it difficult for Michigan and Michigan State to leave for a BTHC. Could also make some argument about having UM and MSU staying in state, it keeps that money that their fans would spend to travel to games in state. Combine that with Minnesota being held at gunpoint to stay out of a full fledged BTHC, a more modified deal where they play often, but within the confines of the WCHA and CCHA.

BGSU and Miami alums could also do well if they can get their state legislature to chain them to OSU as well. Would make for an excellent start on another conference centered around Ohio and PSU.

[ScottM]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Might be on to something there. Duluth, Bemidji, St. Cloud, and Mankato might not have enough pull, but they just might have enough around somewhere if they get on the ball here to try to keep it so that UMTC can't leave them behind in a conference. UND might not exactly be a Minnesota school, but I would think that they would have some support that they could help throw their weight behind the Other Minnesota schools. Whats good for them would be good for UND.

The problem with that angle is that UND is going D1 in all sports, so there may not be the benefits of staying with the other Minnesota schools over time. UND would probably rather chase after ND, Michigan, Miami, DU, etc. in hockey, and other sports, than hang with the Minnesota D2 schools. Money will ultimately be driving most schools' decisions.

[CHFAN222]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't any B10 conference tourney be in Chicago at the United Center. Neutral location and all the schools have large alumni bases there. Don't see why they wouldn't agree to that.

[moe24]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't any B10 conference tourney be in Chicago at the United Center. Neutral location and all the schools have large alumni bases there. Don't see why they wouldn't agree to that.

They'll go wherever makes them the most $$$$$$.

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

They'll go wherever makes them the most $$$$$$.

So, not Detroit...

[NMU8405]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

So, not Detroit...

Cleveland??

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

Cleveland??

That might be the only place that would be worse than Detroit.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

South Beach?

[moe24]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

So, not Detroit...

Detroit is great if either UofM or MSU are in the finals.

[SJHovey]

Re: Big Ten Hockey Conference

There is no question there would be intense lobbying for the Big 10 hockey tournament. You know St. Paul and Detroit would lobby hard to get it. Chicago is a neutral spot.

If they don't do it in a place like Chicago, then you also know you're going to get OSU wanting to host, Wisconsin wanting to host, etc...

If you just put it in Chicago it would be a pretty big blow to a city like St. Paul.