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Brian has vouched for The Dude, so I read his blogs. Loved this one:

The Dude of WV on WVU
The Dude abides. Truth seeker, philosopher, sPitt hater, and Mountaineer fan.
SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012

The Art of Expansion

“If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.” Yancey said.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked.

“It’s a principle in Sun Tzu’s Art of War. That particular passage relates to the need to seize an opportunity when it arises; to act decisively to take advantage of the situation before you enemy can prepare defenses.”

“How does this apply to Big 12 expansion?” I asked.

Yancey chuckled and reached for a worn, leather-bound book.  

“Sun Tzu was a Chinese general who lived about 2,500 years ago.  He wrote a monograph on war: The Art of War. It’s used to this very day as a guidebook  – he’s most often quoted in the business world but his notions on how to kick ass could be applied to the Big 12.”

“I got another one for you. "At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you."”

He had me stymied. I was missing his point with all the talk of war, enemies and coy maidens.

Yancey must have seen my quizzical look, but he did nothing but sit back in his chair and let me figure it out.  

Suddenly the light bulb came on and I got it. Media reports of the Big 12 being content with 10 members which seem to indicate they would pass on adding FSU and Clemson – the reports couldn’t be accurate. If they were the Big 12 would be purposefully turning its back on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to poach two of the ACC’s best football programs.

“What does adding Florida State and Clemson do for the Big 12?” Yancey asked.

I rattled off the most obvious answers.

“It would immediately destroy the perception that the Big 12 is unstable. It would add the sizeable Florida and South Carolina media markets to the Big 12 footprint. It would give the Big 12 a recruiting presence in the south and it would mean more prestige, security and money for everyone in the conference.”

“And?” Yancey said.

“And it would cripple the ACC and relegate them to the status of the Big East.”

“Yeap.” He said. “Snagging those two would just about do in the ACC and the Big 12 wouldn’t have to be looking over their shoulders worrying about Swofford and his minions trying to steal the Big 12’s seat at the big boy table.”

That’s why the Big 12 has to act. They know the stakes and the money at risk and you can bet they would like to have a few slices of John Swofford’s pie.

I took Yancey’s copy of the Art of War and quickly thumbed through it--two passages immediately caught my eye.

 “ Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.”

“Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.”

Sun Tzu's two-century old book might as well been the Big 12’s expansion playbook.

The Big 12 has approached expansion secretly, denied involvement, made public comments to appear to play by the rules, and they will act quickly to secure the prize.

Make no mistake about it -- this is not Dan Beebe’s Big 12; this not the Big `12 reeling from defections; this is a Big 12 with smart, ruthless leaders who understand the importance of thoughtful actions.

The big 12 is fortunate to have leaders who aren’t afraid of being the bad guy.

Some leaders play checkers, some leaders play chess, but the Big 12’s leaders have went to war.

And you can bet they’re familiar with the Art of War.