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Boren Says Oklahoma Remains Undecided On Big 12 Expansion, Denies Flip-Flopping

Big 12 BOD Chair and Univ. of Oklahoma President David Boren yesterday said that the school has "not yet reached an institutional opinion" on Big 12 expansion, despite reports earlier this week saying otherwise, according to Jake Trotter of ESPN.com. Boren, following the reports that he had changed his tune on expansion, said, "I do not know where the speculation came from, but Oklahoma has not yet taken a position on expansion." Trotter noted Boren's remarks come two weeks after he said Big 12 expansion "is not a sure thing" (ESPN.com, 9/27). SI.com's Pete Thamel in one of the original reports wrote Boren has "come full circle on his expansion beliefs." Sources in the past week "revealed a belief around the league that Boren has reversed course on his view of expansion." Boren had always been "thought to favor BYU, but adding the Cougars still appears untenable because of the potential furor over their 'honor code', which deems 'homosexual behavior' as a violation." Boren's public comments Sept. 14 that expansion is "'not a sure thing' are perceived around the league as the manifestation of his reversal on the issue." There is an "increasing concern that Boren could end up as a so-called double-agent, speaking for the league but working for a school that ultimately desires to speak with other leagues." There is also "an increasing level of distrust around the league" (CAMPUSHRUSH.com, 9/27). In Dallas, Chuck Carlton notes the Big 12 BOD is "scheduled to meet Oct. 17" to discuss expansion. Boren's opposition to expansion "would be notable." As Chair of the BOD, Boren has been a "key voice in the process" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/28).

CHANGE OF HEART? In K.C., Blair Kerkhoff wrote Boren's comments mark a "possible game-changing stance for the Big 12" (K.C. STAR, 9/28). But in Oklahoma City, Berry Tramel writes Boren "has not reversed his stance on expansion." He "periodically wavers in his enthusiasm, one way or the other." The truth is that Boren and every other cautious Big 12 administrator "would embrace expansion, if two good candidates presented themselves." Expansion candidates BYU, Houston, Cincinnati and UConn "all have pluses and minuses." Tramel: "We can debate which candidates offer the best portfolios. We cannot debate that all have minuses" (OKLAHOMAN, 9/28). Oklahoma State booster T. Boone Pickens following Boren's comments yesterday said, "Maybe it's time for David to retire." He added, "I've known David forever. He likes to talk. He gets a little bit confused sometimes" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/28).

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