Last Thursday, following a media briefing on Breslin Center seating adjustments, MSU athletic director Mark Hollis spoke briefly about the expansion phenomenon.

Having recently returned from Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago, Hollis said he and other athletic directors talked with conference commissioner Jim Delany about specific potential schools, but he would not name any names.

Since Hollis refused to spill the beans, here are the top four schools part of expansion discussions that I think would be perfect for the new Big Ten conference on a strictly athletic basis.

Notre Dame

Adding the Fighting Irish to the Big Ten makes the most sense out of any other school that has been discussed in the last few months. The Irish already have a couple of established rivalries with Big Ten schools, and usually play at least three football games against teams from the conference each season.

Missouri

Missouri also would be a logical fit for the Big Ten. The Tigers play a somewhat annual rivalry game against Illinois, known as the State Farm Arch Rivalry, and is comparable to the rest of the Big Ten in terms of talent.

Missouri likely would not be competing for Big Ten championships in football or basketball anytime soon, but has the opportunity to be a top-tier school in both sports.

Nebraska

The Cornhuskers typically are known for playing a tough brand of football, and although Nebraska hasn’t been the force it was in the ’90s when it won three national titles, it is returning to prominence on the national stage.

And then there’s basketball.

Throughout the last 12 years, MSU’s men’s basketball team has been to as many Final Fours — six — as the Huskers have been to NCAA tournaments in their entire history and are one of three Bowl Subdivision schools to have never won an NCAA tournament game.

With as bad as Nebraska basketball is, though, the potential of its football team to be a conference and even national title contender makes adding the Huskers to the Big Ten very appealing.

Pittsburgh

Looking at the two major college sports, football and men’s basketball, the Panthers probably are the most well-balanced of any school the Big Ten potentially could invite to be part of the conference. Pitt has won nine national championships in football, and current head coach Dave Wannstedt is a proven recruiter with plenty of NFL and college experience.

Additionally, The Panthers’ basketball program has been one of the best and most consistent in the Big East since it joined the conference in 1982. Pitt’s only two national championships came more than 80 years ago, but it has made an appearance in each of the last nine NCAA tournaments.

Jeremy Warnemuende is The State News’ sports reporter. He can be reached at warnemu3@msu.edu.