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Ranking the 14 Most Likely SEC Expansion Candidates

By Matthew Bartlett

Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; The SEC logo on the playing field at the Georgia Dome in preparation for the SEC Championship between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida Gators Saturday. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; The SEC logo on the playing field at the Georgia Dome in preparation for the SEC Championship between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida Gators Saturday. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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SEC Expansion
Sep 24, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; A Duke Blue Devils helmet sits on the turf before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Duke won 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Duke (ACC)

Why SEC Expansion with Duke Makes Sense

Expansion westward past Texas doesn’t look to be feasible. However, going further into the northeast makes perfect since. Duke sits in North Carolina’s research triangle along with North Carolina and NC State. That’s a top 25 television market with more than 1,000,000 tv homes. The SEC currently stops in South Carolina, so North Carolina seems like an the next jump.

Duke would give the SEC another private school to pair with Vanderbilt. While their football program has improved in recent years, getting their basketball team would be a steal. The Blue Devils have been to 16 Final Fours, a number that trails only Kentucky.

Likelihood of Happening

17 percent. The ACC isn’t nearly as vulnerable as the Big 12 was in 2012, or still is for that matter. Barring unforeseen circumstances stealing one of their best academic institutions seems like a tough sell. Culturally something doesn’t seem to click with Duke. The Cameron Crazies are a sight to be seen, but there might only be enough room for one small private school in the SEC.