By John Nestor

Columbia, MO

The University of Missouri appears to be intent on joining the Southeastern Conference.

According to a report, the university is taking steps to leave the Big 12 for the SEC according to a university official with direct knowledge of the situation.

The New York Times report said that the source said that Missouri's decision to apply for membership to the SEC was "inevitable and imminent."

No time table has been set but Missouri's Board of Curators will meet on Thursday and Friday at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where the process of withdrawing from the Big 12 and applying to the SEC is expected to begin.

According to the report, expansion is not listed on the agenda, but there is a private session scheduled Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

Missouri would become the SEC's 14th member, joining Texas A&M who left for the SEC in September. The SEC would prefer 14 members to have two seven-team divisions.

Interim Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas said last week that he expected Missouri to play in the Big 12 in 2012, but its now possible the Tigers could compete in the SEC as early as next year.

Neinas said recently that if Missouri left, the Big 12 would settle at 10 or 12 teams, meaning they would need to look for one to three schools to move to the conference. West Virginia, Lousiville and Brigham Young have been reported as possibilites.

 

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Missouri Closer to Southeastern Conference Move