1. They were never as liberal as the elite California schools;

2. They eschew their mountain connections and the Big XII;

3. They lack the intense research base of Michigan/Wisconsin/Ohio State and aren’t as liberal as those institutions;

4. They are elite like the Ivies;and

5. Wouldn’t make sense for the ACC.

They are a school without a cultural fit. Not liberal enough, not elite enough but too stuffy for their geographical fit. They should be the odd man out.