Assuming no teams in top conferences would come then I believe Louisville makes the most sense on a number of levels.

Most would agree we are sitting in fifth place in the "big 5". The Big East is pretty clearly number 6 and we are fighting off persistent rumors that the B12 can poach whoever they want. Under the scenario that we were to get ND, the next biggest blow to the Big East would be Louisville. They are the strongest all sports member left. They have a few BCS runs in recent history and they have very good basketball. They rank the highest in the Directors Cup and number one in revenue in the Big East. Taking Louisville and Notre Dame weakens future expansion prospects of the B12 as well. Louisville would be the most geographically logical addition to make WVU feel not so isolated. If Louisville and ND are off the table for the B12, BYU, Rutgers, Cincy and UConn enter the picture for them. None of those teams would be a geographic or cultural fit in the B12.

So I believe it should be Louisville both because I think they are the strongest all around athletics program remaining and it would be the best defensive move against our rival conferences.

I think the Louisville academics issue would be more easily overcome than WVU. WVU's stated mission has been to educate everyone almost akin to a community college. Louisville's mission is to be a metropolitan research institute. The desire to be a more selective university is there for Louisville.