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Around SBN: Nerlens Noel Commits To Kentucky On ESPNU

TCU is Big 12 Bound

hey thanks for the drive by (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The implications of this are terrible for the University of Cincinnati on both fronts. TCU's defection from the Big East weakens the hand of the Big East substantially. The only way for the conference to survive is to basically become Conference USA 2.0, which is needless to say not exactly the best of all worlds. On the other side of things this could be the death knell for the UC to the Big 12 line of thought. There are finite spots available in a new look Big 12, and it still really all depends on Missouri. If the Tigers stay the indications are that the Big 12 will be happy to use TCU to replace Texas A&M and stay at 12. If Mizzou goes the theory is that they will add three to get back to 12. For the record, Mizzou was not invited to vote, a move that all but calcifies the divorce. So three more schools will be getting the call from Chuck Nienas and the names that consistently come up are Brigham Young, Louisville, and West Virginia. UC falls into line after that group in almost every single report on the matter. There has been a ton of speculation that UofL has pushed behind the scenes for WVU and UC to be brought in as a package deal. From all I have heard that is true. But no one is really in a position of power sufficient to dictate terms other than the Big 12. So if the Big 12 decides that they want the Cards and Neers, but not UC, neither of them will turn down the offer to bring things along. My reading of the situation is that the only way UC gets the call is if BYU declines the offer, which is unlikely to happen, so yeah. Welcome back to Conference USA Bearcat Fans.

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Comments

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*ucking Big East

Just keep waiting, don’t act on anything. Losers.

On twitter @Cilii_blog

by cilii_blog on Oct 6, 2025 1:18 PM EDT reply actions  

John Marinatto is an utter failure

He has done nothing right since taking over the job

Down The Drive | @Downthedrive

by Matt Opper on Oct 6, 2025 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

There is hope for UC

BYU was reported as being happy with their independence. In a year from now, maybe not. But if Mizzou leaves and the Big 12 wants to actually have 12 members, you would have to figure UL, WVU, and UC would be the 3, assuming BYU stays independent.

Cardiac Hill contributor

by oaklandzoo12 on Oct 6, 2025 1:38 PM EDT reply actions  

I don't think

BYU turns down an offer of AQ status. The Church loves the idea of Independence, but I don’t know if they love it enough to leave money and AQ status on the table, which they would certainly be doing by saying no to an offer from the Big 12

Down The Drive | @Downthedrive

by Matt Opper on Oct 6, 2025 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Of course

As I write this rumors blossom that the Big 12 removed BYU of their own accord

Down The Drive | @Downthedrive

by Matt Opper on Oct 6, 2025 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Big East options

First — small typo note: I’m assuming the “the Big 12 will be happy to … and stay at 12” should say “stay at 10.”

There are four options for Big East football (as I see it):

Surrender Option: the Big East ends its football program and allows the football teams to have associate memberships in other conferences for football

Nuclear Option: the non-football and football schools split apart, the football schools grab teams from another conferences (presumably the best of C-USA) to form a separate conference

Takeover Option: the Big East invites everyone from another conference (presumably C-USA) to join as football-only members

Incoherent Expansion Option: what the Big East “leadership” is apparently doing now (Temple, ECU, UCF, Navy, Air Force, etc.)

Good luck.

Assumption is the mother of all @#%-ups.

by mdak06 on Oct 6, 2025 1:54 PM EDT reply actions  

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