I'm not sure what "smaller schools" means??? Are non-Big-10 schools considered "small schools"? Not in general, in my mind. Name the "small schools" that are now in the CCHA, ECAC, HE and WCHA. Also take a look at the Big-10 schedules in other sports. MSU among the others have non-Big-10 schools on their schedules -are these classified and "large schools"? - in football, basketball, wrestling, swimming, among others - are these not considered direct competition? I really don't understand the concern. The Big 10 schools will still have to play the same teams as now - there are only 5 big 10 hockey programs at the varsity level - which is not enough to form an "exclusive" conference - and I'm not sure which other schools ar3 (Big 10, that is) are ready to launch a varsity hockey program - Title IX problems being what they are. One other aspect has to do with schools that are starting varsity programs - there have been quite a number of the past several years (not too long ago there were only 2 (two) conferences and even now there is a lot of complaint on hockey-l about lack of intersectional play. ??? -glen- HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.