Roller Coaster ride continues...
Mark Blaudschun@blauds 3 mins ago
News from the Big 12? Well....There is movement. Check it out on
Big 12 focusing on adding only 2 schools
Essentially: >>According to sources familiar with the process, the Big 12 is now focusing on adding two–not four– schools .. And while multiple schools will receive consideration, the front runners appear to be BYU–but probably in a football only scenario–and either Connecticut or Cincinnati.<<
There is a post in one of the three Key/non-key/premium threads that talks about adding 3 schools. Who knows...
As full members it is regarded as a close race.
The switch in sentiment from four new schools to two, is driven largely by the lack of enthusiasm of the Big 12’s television partners (Fox and ESPN) to pay more money for what most people consider less than premier additions.
Does that mean that UConn, BYU and Cinci are view by television partners to have the most value? That makes sense to me.
If AAC commissioner Mike Aresco loses only one school, and it isn’t Houston, he would regard that as a major victory.
I'd rather lose Houston than Cinci. Of course I think that the loss of UConn is the biggest hit to the conference. A loss of just Houston is a pretty decent result in my view.
And if that school is Cincinnati, the AAC could easily just replace the Bearcats with UMass, creating a natural New England rivalry in football and basketball with UConn which could blossom.
Oh that would be just a wonderful rivalry. UConn would bury them in every sport. Still, I get Blauds point. In a hypothetical world where UMass gets state support and upgrades facilities and competes at a higher level, having them as a rival would be great. I don't see it happening, however.