Big Ten to add Maryland and Rutgers: Meaning for Michigan?

While the news isn’t officially official yet – Maryland will be announced as a member of the Big Ten at 3 p.m., but Rutgers is still on the clock – the addition of two lacrosse-playing schools to the Big Ten is obviously a huge boost for those three already-existing lacrosse programs in the league.

Though Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State don’t play in the same conference as-is (the Wolverines and Buckeyes play in the ECAC, Penn State in the CAA), this move makes it more likely that a Big Ten lacrosse conference is on the way. That could be at the expense of – what had been to date my preference – a reconfigured GWLL, or there are myriad other possibilities there.

My hunch is that we’ll eventually see a six-team Big Ten, with the rest of the Western lacrosse world joining together in a solidified conference. It’s certainly a mixed bag for the Marquette, Detroit, and Bellarmines of the world. This makes it just a little tougher to be one of the little guys out West (I don’t think Denver, which has established itself as a power in recent years, gives half a hoot about who’s in its conference) to be viable.

Athletic Director David Brandon and Coach John Paul

For the three Big Ten schools, and particularly new kid on the block Michigan, it’s an unmitigated positive. Sayeth head Wolverine John Paul:

“The Big Ten is the best conference in college sports. From a men’s lacrosse perspective any expansion that has the potential to improve our footprint in lacrosse and alumni hotbeds is a good thing. I’m glad Commissioner Delany is continuing to explore ways to keep the conference moving forward.”

Michigan wasn’t going to not play games in the Atlantic region, but this means a certain trip to the East Coast every single year, whether it’s for a conference game or simply a Big Ten agreement.

It will be interesting to see the ripple effects that these moves make, especially once both announcements are official.