A couple thoughts,

I believe (i.e. correct me if I am wrong, but I do not think I am) that any league in any sport that has at least 6 eligible members is entitled to an auto bid in a tournament.  So if the remaining WCHA, CCHA teams and UAH or members of AHA reorganize into two 6 team leagues, they would get two auto bids, period.  Thus the net effect of creating the Big Ten in hockey may turn out to be fewer at-large (something that could become even more pronounced if the left out smaller western teams drop D-I hockey and the NCAA reduces the field size accordingly). 

Based on what has happened over the past few days and weeks, it seems that Notre Dame is the final piece of the puzzle (I wonder why they did not join the not-Big 10 western league - do they really think that HE wants them that badly?).  I just hope that when the music stops we don't have any more programs like UAH who are left without a chair.  

Finally, why do people keep suggesting that the Ivy teams would want to leave the ECAC?  The teams in the ECAC share many things in common and are very competitive with each other athletically and academically.  The schools are geographically concentrated, and there are many strong rivalries both between and among the Ivies and non-Ivies.  It is a league where anyone can beat anyone else, home or road (and often do), and over the long term (since 1983 split with HE) every team has had at least a time when they have realistically competed for or won league titles.  I am probably naive, but shouldn't that be the goal of any athletic conference? 

William Sangrey
Cornell '87&'94
Let's Go RED!!!