Big 12 expansion: 3 teams Brett Yormark can target after pumping breaks on UConn rumors
For the Big 12, UConn seemed like a natural fit. But then league commissioner Brett Yormark slowed down those rumors. After all, there are many fish in the proverbial sea. What are some other teams that The Big 12 might seek? Well, here are three solid possibilities for additions to the 16-team league.
3 teams the Big 12 can target instead of UConn
1. Oregon State
The Beavers were left in the cold in the dissolution of the Pac-12 and are temporarily part of the WCC. But OSU is a more impressive program and would be a solid day-one fit in the Big 12.
Over the final three seasons of the Pac-12, Oregon State posted a solid 25-14 record. That included a 10-3 season in 2022, during which the Beavers defeated Boise State, Florida, and Oregon, among others.
Yes, OSU lost Jonathan Smith to Michigan State, but new coach Trent Bray is an alum who will lead a strong team. The Beavers could be an excellent Big 12 pick.
2. Boise State
Speaking of Boise, how long until someone decides they have wandered enough in the Mountain West wasteland? Boise has had some massive turnovers in the last few years and might not be quite as razor-sharp as in their Dan Hawkins and Bryan Harsin glory days.
But this is still a program that has posted six double-digit win seasons in the past decade. Being located in Idaho might have stopped Boise from power conference dreams once upon a time. But we're in a world where West Virginia is in the Big 12, Stanford is in the ACC, and Washington is in the Big Ten. It's high time somebody nabs the Broncos.
3. Memphis
Speaking of programs that could use a leap in competition, Memphis's time in the AAC could easily draw to a close. The Tigers have four seasons with 10 or more wins in the last decade, including reaching the Cotton Bowl against Penn State in 2019.
Even better, the Tigers are exciting. Scoring more than 30 points per game in each of the last seven seasons, Memphis has even topped 40 ppg three times.
Yes, the geography is a little unorthodox. But Cincinnati, West Virginia and Central Florida are all in the league. Memphis is a solid program in a major market that could be looking to make a power conference jump. The Big 12 should give them serious consideration.
Which teams do you think the Big 12 might recruit for its league? Share your thoughts and predictions below in the comments section!