The Big Ten's haul resulted in payments of roughly $54 million to each of the conference's 12 longest-standing members.

"It means I can demand more from this, right here," said Moos, pointing to the LJS printout of conference teams' average finish.

"Fifty-four million dollars," he added for emphasis. "You add that to our Adidas deal, to our IMG deal, and then you throw in sold-out venues. We have the means to be champions."

No, we didn't forget football in this discussion. Moos has noticed national analysts' high expectations for the Nebraska football team in 2019.

"How many 4-8 teams are projected in Street & Smith to win the Big Ten West?" he asked rhetorically.

Moos has thick skin. It's one of his better traits. He knows nothing's guaranteed in the sporting arenas, and he's endured his share of rough times through the years — folks second-guessing him, nasty letters, the gamut.

"Hey, maybe one of the best things to ever happen to me is I played on a 1-10 team (at Washington State)," he said. "By the time I was a senior, we were 15th in the nation. I've heard people belittle and boo and everything else.