The long term play for the B12 is simple: beat the ACC to a network.
<WARNING: I AM ABOUT TO GO OFF MY ROCKER>
Phase 1 - transition LHN into B12N for 2017. The foundation is already there...they just need to add markets. Bring in UConn and Cincinnati. Take the 2 top ACC choices away from the ACC so launching an ACCN is more difficult. UConn and Cincinnati are P5 ready and have been for over a decade. Proof is in the pudding. Eastern pod added. Memphis, USF, UCF, Houston, and BYU really have no other options other than the B12. UConn fits in both the ACC and, should the AAU requirement ease, the B1G. Cincinnati would fit in the ACC. BYU won't play Sundays and don't won't work well with the PAC (or anyone). All other options are B12 or bust - no place else to go so the B12 can afford to be patient and further evaluate. Championship Game in 2017. B12N launch in 2017-18.
Phase 2 - Aggressive Expansion 2020. Around the same time the B12 launches its CCG and B12N, snap a pool stick in half and throw both halves on the floor in between the school Presidents of BYU, UCF, USF, Memphis, Houston and Temple. The 2 left standing in 2020 gets an invite. My guess is that it will be BYU and UCF/USF. Get to 14. SURPRISE! We actually have a few more pool sticks - USF/UCF and Houston (you can thank TX politicians for this...dont' let us down), come on in. We're at 16 now.
Phase 3 - Evaluate.
Markets? The B12Network is now carried in New York, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Orlando/Tampa, St Louis, Hartford/New Haven, Kansas City, Cincinnati, and to all LDS subscribers of the now defunct BYU TV. National exposure. Check.
Recruiting? Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio, New Jersey. The conference can now recruit NATIONALLY instead of just a handful of Great Plains states. Check.
Playoff Contenders? Texas, OU, TCU, Baylor, OSU...all are annual preseason Top 25. As long as the Title Game heavyweight holds serve, the B12 has an annual entrant with the B1G and SEC. In some years, a 1-loss B12 team could get an at-large playoff spot if the name is "big" enough. If the playoff field ever expands to 8, the B12 is guaranteed at least 2 entrants every year.
Year Round B12N Content (read: Hoops)? What a stroke of genius it was adding UConn to pair up against Kansas every single year. UConn vs KU games have become must-see classics that rival Duke vs UNC games. When Cincinnati isn't fighting Xavier, they fight WVU in the annual Bob Huggins Blood Bath. Thanks to spot games against UConn at MSG, Kansas, Texas and OU enjoy the benefits of recruiting NYC/Northeast and find the "guts" guys that their teams so often lack. Even Baylor and Oklahoma St are able to expand their hoops recruiting wings and find players outside of their area codes. The Big 12 is always a top 2 hoops conference and, in some years, number 1. Check.
On to Phase 4...
Phase 4 - Hey ACC, give us your weak, your hungry, and your really, incredibly and highly envious poor 2023-5ish. It's been over a decade now since the ACC heavyweights agreed to selling their souls in exchange for an ACCNetwork and, alas, no network. Surprisingly, Notre Dame was never convinced that joining the ACC full-time was in their best interest. It also turns out that small private schools with marginal followings in the northeast can't swing a network deal afterall. And no matter how hard they try, the ACC can't seem to magically wish Louisville's population numbers over New York's. With UConn and other top market targets in the B12 and B1G, the ACC is left scrambling with the thought of adding Temple and their 10,000 fans in desperation to add Philadelphia. It fails. The ACC Network is dead and now the big fish are sucking for air. Who's available? The candidates:
Clemson - a shoe-in for B12 expansion. The SEC won't want to double down South Carolina and they don't meet any of the B1G academic requirements.
Florida St - a battle here with the SEC and I could see the SECN wanting to double down but ultimately pass. Maybe the B1G looks to add if FSU's research efforts continue to trend upwards but FSU is a football first school and sees all of that Texas and Florida in the B12. Too tough to pass up all of those blue chip football CrimiNoles...ummm...prospects.
Louisville - Clemson Lite. SECN isn't doubling down Kentucky and LCC doesn't come anywhere close to B1G academic standards. A bonus plus for winter B12N programming.
Syracuse - I know, I know...this one is controversial amongst us UConn fans. Why should we want them when they don't want us? It's simple. Like it or not, they add a piece of the NYC pie. We could also use a regional r1val that is within driving distance of us. A UConn/Cuse NYC play isn't quite the strength in numbers that what the B1G would hold, but it's as close as it gets. And we eventually want to get to a point where B12 basketball games at Madison Square Garden become an annual thing again. Cuse helps that cause. They are likely not an option for the B1G since they are private. Plus, the B1G and SEC will likely battle it out for the UNC, GT, UVA, VT pod of the ACC wreckage. Maybe even Duke and NC State will find SEC homes.
20. End game.
East Division - UConn, Syracuse, Cincinnati, WVU, UL, UCF, OU, FSU, Clemson, Texas
West Division - USF, OSU, TCU, Baylor, Houston, TT, KU, KSU, ISU, BYU
9 division games. 1 cross division game. 2 OOC. Championship Game at Jerry World. Hoops Tourney on Jerry World, NYC, Kansas City rotation.
