I thought that's one of the reasons why the B1G added Rutgers?
I still think UConn will get a Big 12 invite. I have no insider knowledge or anything like that, but I'm putting two and two together on what is happening. Everyone has hashed out UConn possibly being the partner to Colorado or the partner to the Arizona schools if they are both added, so I won't expand on those options. Here is what I think is happening. Mind you, this is contingent on the B1G expanding again.
If the B1G expands again......18....20....24.....whatever number it may be, both the SEC and Big 12 are going to expand to play catchup. If 16 is not the final number for the B1G, it won't be the final number for the SEC or Big 12 either. The Big 12 is already turning itself into the "little brother" of the SEC and B1G and will want to do whatever they do. The B1G became a national conference, and no sooner did that happen than the Big 12 announced they wanted to be a national conference. There is no conceivable way to be a national conference without any representation in the DC to Boston corridor. There has to be at least one team in this region. The B1G has Maryland and Rutgers. The Big 12's only options are UConn and Boston College. Boston College doesn't get the Big 12 New York representation, which is what BY is wanting. And despite what some might think, Syracuse is not in this region! Did you know that both Penn State and Maryland are closer to NYC than Syracuse? UConn is the only viable option here. Even if the ACC falls apart (which it will eventually), neither Boston College or Syracuse gets the Big 12 into NYC. Let's assume that the 4 corner schools all get into the Big 12. That gives them 16. If the B1G expands to 20 or more, where is BY going to go? He will have already consolidated what he can out west. East is the only direction to go. Pittsburgh and Louisville are prime candidates too. Assuming UConn doesn't make the cut before the 4 corner schools, teams 17-20 will likely be UConn, Pittsburgh, Louisville and 1 other ACC school. As logical as it is to add UConn, it's also logical to add Pitt and Louisville to have the geographic rivals of Cincinnati, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Louisville together. Of these options, only UConn has the freedom to avoid the coming showdown of the ACC GOR, so UConn is the easiest add. I have no doubt this invite is coming. Now is it coming this year? I don't know. I just believe it will come sooner rather than later.