Not trying to stir the pot when it comes to the conference debate, but for all the people pushing for NIU to join the Big 12, here's a new article on the topic and note it does not mention the Huskies.
Specific note to Maddawgz02 -- As so many others on here have noted, Chicago is a pro market, not really a college market and when you consider what college market exists, NIU is not a dominant factor in that portion. That's why the most realistic scenario is the Big 12 poaching someone from the AAC and that league then taking NIU; only problem is who and how many AAC teams depart puts into question the value of a jump to the AAC.
Please remember the P5 have zero interest in there being a P6. The P5 will always want it to remain P5 with a G5.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/co...-post.html
For those of you missed Huskie Tap22's contribution to the B1G blocking B12 thread, he provided two links about Wichita State bringing back college football. Which brings up the idea of something better than the MAC minus the far-flung AAC travel.
http://www.kansas.com/sports/spt-columns...64375.html
http://www.kwch.com/news/local-news/AAC-...t/36869960
Two things: No. 1, for history buffs, Wichita State did away with football the year (1982) NIU was supposed to have a return game from the Shockers who basically said: "Sorry, we dropped football, go ahead and sue us because the money you waste in court will probably be greater than what you would have gained from the home game." No. 2, note the WSU options are listed as joining the MWC, the AAC, or not bringing back football and joining the Big East as a step up for basketball over the Missouri Valley.
If we had a MAC administration with forward-thinking leadership, someone could push to establish a new American Breadbasket Conference (ABC) featuring an East Division (listed with travel partner) NIU / BSU, Toledo / BGSU, WMU / CMU, and a West Division (also listed with travel partner) Iowa State / Northern Iowa, Wichita State / Missouri State, plus North Dakota State / South Dakota State. Would be interesting league for men's and women's basketball, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, tennis, baseball and softball.
Hey, it's just as likely as NIU being renamed.