A 12-school Big Ten is just right, according to Stanley Ikenberry, the University of Illinois's interim president.
"I think 12 is a good number," Ikenberry told the Tribune on Monday. "If there are opportunities compelling enough in the future to expand further, I suppose folks will look at those. But frankly, I don't see anything on the horizon right now."
Nebraska joined the league Friday, giving the Big Ten an even dozen. Asked if he would advocate sticking with 12, Ikenberry left little doubt.
"I am a conservative leaner on expansion issues," he replied.
Ikenberry is not just any university CEO. He spearheaded Penn State's move to the Big Ten in 1990 before returning to a leadership role at Illinois last year.
For the Big Ten to add additional schools, it would require the approval of a super-majority (8 of 11 schools). The vote of approval on the Nebraska was unanimous, according to the Big Ten.
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