Those schools are likely for the B12 because they make sense. But, UConn is not going to be hurt at this point. None of these schools are Syracuse or Pitt or even Rutgers.
Exactly this. Adding a USF or a UCF is just back-filling for the Big XII. Do those additions really solidify the conference? Are they going to make any of the important schools want to stick around? I doubt Texas, Oklahoma, or Kansas wants the football and basketball conference diluted by adding mediocre outliers. Adding such "scraps" only solidifies the image of the Big 12 as the next to be ripped apart conference (would kind of bring back that old Big East nostalgia feel to things). If the Big 12 wants to expand to 12, then expect BYU to be one of the schools. I can't imagine Big 12 expansion without them. I expect the final slot would come down to UConn and Cincy. Cincinnati has two major advantages: 1) Geography and 2) academics. Not in the sense that Cincy is a better school than UConn, but in the sense that the Big 12 has Texas Tech, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, WVU, and TCU. Adding another lower caliber academic institution is not going to really affect them.
Cincinnati is fortunately situated in a major market, while UConn is not located in the same market size. But this should not matter. The Big 12 is not going to create their own network, so markets should not matter nearly as much. UConn needs to pump up the fact that they offer a marquee basketball game between KU and UConn every year. However, Cincy has been more successful in football on a yearly basis, and that is part of the problem for us.
Address that this way: Yes, Cincy has been to two BCS bowl games, but that was with Brian Kelly, who just took ND to the BCS title game. He is a winner no matter where he plays. However, Cincy is located in Ohio, but has to compete with Ohio State for recruits. They have had success in the last few years, but with Urban Meyer recruiting, they're growth potential is not particularly strong. They have had better access and cognizance to Ohio kids for years, but were unable to dominate the Big East with big brother in Columbus. UConn on the other hand, has been to a BCS bowl game, won two Big East Titles, and has been equal to the others programs in the conference.
This, despite, 1) very poor recruiting territory, 2) competing with Big Ten/ACC programs for high-quality recruits, and 3) only having played at the highest level of college football for 10 years or so. UConn has accomplished all of this with these limitations and in so short of a time. Imagine what UConn can be with a major conference to call home?
Plus, UConn has superior academics, presence in NYC to offer, quality non-revenue sports, and better access to a student pool that is generally outside of the Big 12 footprint. UConn must pump up this critical difference: Yes, in football, the teams may be close to a wash, but UConn has the superior overall qualities (academics, basketball, NYC presence), and it is only another hour in the air to get to Bradley. And from there, 25 minutes to the Rent or the XL.
