IMO, the Big12 (or ACC) would not be the end goal. The end goal is to get on the lifeboat when the “top” universities breakaway from the NCAA / wrestle away full control of it.
Being in either the B1G or SEC guarantees schools a spot.
Being in the Big12, ACC or PAC puts you in line for a spot (how many make the cut TBD, but probably 16-24)
Anyone else is probably going down with the ship.
The Big12 isn’t the end goal. It’s about positioning ourself for the next moves after that… either as a stepping stone into a B1G expansion to 16/20 team or to be included if the power schools break away. That’s how I’m looking at all this.
It’s not about basketball vs football. And we can’t change our geography, so it’s not worth debating the value of that… It’s about brand power and perception when the final decisions are made. Being viewed as a school with peers of Seton Hall, Providence and Butler will not help that perception during consideration. But having peers like Oklahoma State, Kansas, Virginia, UNC, etc. would.