In an attempt to put the Villanova thread out of its misery, a few thoughts on realistic expansion in the Patriot League.

Realignment scenarios are fine for message boards but there is a syllogism that brings this discussion to a grinding halt:

1. Those that are interested aren't wanted by the league, and
2. Those that are wanted by the league aren't interested.

Over the years, Hofstra, Northeastern, Monmouth, Duquesne, and Marist all had some interest. "No need", said the league. And over the years, the PL has fancied the likes of W&M, Villanova, and Richmond, "No thanks", they said.

But the PL is growing, only outside football. Adding Boston University and Loyola was a moderate step for the PL, along the lines of American a decade earlier. These are two schools with one marquee sport (BU hockey, LU lacrosse), but no driving ambition to become nationally prominent in other sports, and are unlikely to look anywhere beyond the PL in years to come. Conference commissioners get nervous about schools who are using their league as a parking lot for the next big offer.

The PL is likely to move to 12 schools but there are next to no football schools willing to commit to the PL in all sports against the perception that it is a step down. Some combination of Fairfield, LaSalle, Quinnipiac, and Rider are probably thinking about whether they would consider if asked. Fairfield isn't Yale and Rider isn't Princeton, but there aren't a lot of schools of that caliber in the mix. Yes, maybe Fordham could be an all-sports member again, but that's as likely as Boston University bringing back football.

Football expansion in the PL will only come when there is a clear and present danger, namely:

1. Fordham sets its sight for the CAA;
2. Georgetown becomes noncompetitve and looks for another scheduling arrangement; or
3. The ever changing A-10 considers Holy Cross or Lehigh as a possible full sport member.

Until then, the CAA schools aren't interested, the NEC schools aren't welcome, and the Ivy isn't taking on boarders. So is it time to put the expansion talk off for a while?