Columbia, Mo. ? University of Missouri curators appear poised to discuss the school’s possible interest in joining an expanded Big Ten Conference. But any inquiring reporters need not bother asking about a move that could trigger a seismic shift in college sports.

The 10-member Board of Curators will meet Thursday and Friday in Columbia amid reports of a Friday deadline imposed by the Big 12 for Missouri and Nebraska to affirm their commitment to their current conference.

An agenda released Tuesday afternoon says the curators and system president Gary Forsee won’t comment on “Big Ten or Big 12 athletics matters” at the sessions. But the agenda also shows curators will take the unusual step of meeting in a closed session as soon as they arrive Thursday morning.