The Big 12 is about to be a power basketball conference

[NickZepp]

Looks like with Louisville, WVU, and Cincinnati being added this conference is about to be a powerful league in basketball in a couple years. Not that it's been a bad basketball league already. But it's safe to say with the reports that WVU is joining the league and the league already has good basketball teams with KU, Texas, and KSU most years. It's going to be key the next couple years for OU to improve to a point where we won't be a doormat in this new league.

 

[AdaSooner]

ESPN.com is reporting that WVU has applied and been accepted, and is now waiting for a formal approval. It doesn't say anything about Louisville and Cincy, but one has to assume both schools may be considered if the goal is to get back to the original twelve schools.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/7148200/big-12-accept-west-virginia-early-tuesday

I agree that if those three schools are brought on board, the Big 12 Conference will be one of the best, if not the best, basketball conferences in the country. Their football programs aren't bad either.

 

[ArdmoreSooner]

The addition of WVU makes it even a better basketball conference and some already say it is the best. TCU may be a little down in comparison to others but it will be a great conference for basketball. Should help recruiting. Go .500 in conference and a good chance for tournament.

 

[bocabull]

WVU vs KSU will be a nice rivalry with the huggy bear connection

I love adding WVU. The powers of the Big XII are focused on what they should be which is improving competition by adding strong athletic programs.

Make no mistake WVU will win their share in football and basketball but thats good.

Big XII is adding programs that have dominated their conferences while losing weak also-rans other than Nebraska.

 

[AdaSooner]

WVU vs KSU will be a nice rivalry with the huggy bear connection

I love adding WVU. The powers of the Big XII are focused on what they should be which is improving competition by adding strong athletic programs.

Make no mistake WVU will win their share in football and basketball but thats good.

Big XII is adding programs that have dominated their conferences while losing weak also-rans other than Nebraska.

Truth is, you could make a strong case for including Nebraska in basketball. For a school with a storied tradition in football, it's hard to believe the Husker's hoops program continued to be among the worst in the Big 12. A&M was bad, too, until Billy G turned that program around a few years back.

No doubt about it, WVU will be an upgrade in both sports.

 

[thebigabd]

This is awesome, just awesome.

 

[stoops4pres]

The addition of WVU makes it even a better basketball conference and some already say it is the best. TCU may be a little down in comparison to others but it will be a great conference for basketball. Should help recruiting. Go .500 in conference and a good chance for tournament.

Yep, what people fail to realize is that over the last 10 years, the Big 12 has been just as good as anyone besides the Big East when it comes to NCAA Tournament results. They made addition by subtraction with Nebraska and Colorado, and are only going to upgrade getting a stout basketball program with West Virginia.

 

[DenverSooner]

WVU vs KSU will be a nice rivalry with the huggy bear connection

I love adding WVU. The powers of the Big XII are focused on what they should be which is improving competition by adding strong athletic programs.

Make no mistake WVU will win their share in football and basketball but thats good.

Big XII is adding programs that have dominated their conferences while losing weak also-rans other than Nebraska.

When has West Virginia dominated the Big East? Prior to Miami and Virginia Tech leaving they were the best programs in Big East football. (You have to be talking about football because it is even more laughable about basketball.) West Viriginia had a nice season or two but so did Uconn, so did Rutgers, so did Pitt, so did Cinci, etc. etc. I don't really think anyone has dominated the Big East in the last 10 years in football.

 

[stoops4pres]

When has West Virginia dominated the Big East? Prior to Miami and Virginia Tech leaving they were the best programs in Big East football. (You have to be talking about football because it is even more laughable about basketball.) West Viriginia had a nice season or two but so did Uconn, so did Rutgers, so did Pitt, so did Cinci, etc. etc. I don't really think anyone has dominated the Big East in the last 10 years in football.

They haven't dominated, but since 2005 they have been a very legitimate program.

They are the last team to beat an SEC champ in a bowl game (beat Georgia in the 2005 Sugar Bowl). They took us to the woodshed in 2007 (and was probably the best team in the country with a healthy Pat White that season). Last year was the only year they didn't finish ranked in the Top 25 since then.

And in basketball they are only one year removed from a Final 4 appearance.

This would be a very good addition for the league. They certainly don't take a back seat to A&M nor Missouri when taking both sports into account.

 

[bocabull]

West Virginia has finished with the best record in the Big East 5 of the last 10 seasons with 3 of those being ties.

It's not as dominating as I thought but still very respectable and far superior to anything Missouri would achieve in any conference including the MAC.

TCU & WVU will only get stronger.

 

[Sooner79]

Don't think I'd call ours the best conference even with these teams. The addition of Syracuse and Pitt make the ACC the legitimate top dog.

 

[stoops4pres]

West Virginia has finished with the best record in the Big East 5 of the last 10 seasons with 3 of those being ties.

It's not as dominating as I thought but still very respectable and far superior to anything Missouri would achieve in any conference including the MAC.

TCU & WVU will only get stronger.

Taking into account the fact that they play 18 conference games, in what is typically the best conference in the country... That's pretty impressive.

The couch-burning hillbillies can ball, no doubt.

 

[DenverSooner]

West Virginia has finished with the best record in the Big East 5 of the last 10 seasons with 3 of those being ties.

It's not as dominating as I thought but still very respectable and far superior to anything Missouri would achieve in any conference including the MAC.

TCU & WVU will only get stronger.

It is funny because right after I wrote that I looked up their actual record and noted that they had done better than I thought. However, I would say winning the Big East in several of those years was about like winning the Big XII North has been in a few years. Someone has to do it. I am not a fan of West Virginia as a member of this conference. Regardless I am an OU and Big XII fan so I will adapt if it happens.

 

[bocabull]

Taking into account the fact that they play 18 conference games, in what is typically the best conference in the country... That's pretty impressive.

The couch-burning hillbillies can ball, no doubt.

Those are football records.

 

[Sawyer]

In the seasons since the Big East lost three teams to the ACC, West Virginia has won or tied for three Big East championships and currently trail Cinci.

Based on the Sagarin ratings, Mizzou would have been the best Big East team in 2008 and 2010. The 2007 Mizzou team would have won that conference in West Virginia's place, as well. Even with a losing record, this year's MU team has a higher rating than any current Big East team.

The Big East is an awful football conference. West Virginia's been a good team and did have a couple outstanding teams during that span, and they have outperformed Mizzou. But I think a lot of their "superiority" is based on the schedule they've played.

 

[bocabull]

Bye bye Missouri. As I have said over and over you will easily be replaced by somebody better and you have been.

The SEC strategy is clear. Add mediocre programs that aren't a competitive threat so they went after Missouri over West Virginia and the Big XII is the beneficiary.

 

[Sawyer]

The SEC strategy is to pursue TV sets in new states to expand their footprint in preparation for a conference network.

I'm glad you're happy with TCU and West Virginia. You're a moron if you honestly believe the Big 12 is stronger after all of this, but whatever makes you happy...

 

[stoops4pres]

Those are football records.

I was going to say... I don't remember them winning it 5 out of 10 times for basketball. I think I should get some credit for taking your word for it anyways, boca. Haha

 

[stoops4pres]

In the seasons since the Big East lost three teams to the ACC, West Virginia has won or tied for three Big East championships and currently trail Cinci.

Based on the Sagarin ratings, Mizzou would have been the best Big East team in 2008 and 2010. The 2007 Mizzou team would have won that conference in West Virginia's place, as well. Even with a losing record, this year's MU team has a higher rating than any current Big East team.

The Big East is an awful football conference. West Virginia's been a good team and did have a couple outstanding teams during that span, and they have outperformed Mizzou. But I think a lot of their "superiority" is based on the schedule they've played.

As great of a team Missouri had in 2007, West Virginia was arguably the best team in the country that season (with a healthy Pat White). There was no foregone conclusion that Missouri would've won West Virginia's conference that year.

I'm glad you're happy with TCU and West Virginia. You're a moron if you honestly believe the Big 12 is stronger after all of this, but whatever makes you happy...

The Big 12 doesn't upgrade as far as "brand value" is concerned, but regarding on-field performance over the last several seasons in football, the league is definitely stronger now.

I agree about basketball though. They get a bit weaker with Mizzou and A&M bolting, simply because TCU has been pathetic over the years.

 

[bocabull]

The Big XII is adding 2 teams that have won the 2006 Sugar Bowl, 2008 Fiesta Bowl, 2011 Rose Bowl and made the 2010 Final 4 in exchange for 2 teams that have never won a BCS Bowl or been to the Final 4. How stupid are you?

As for TV sets West Virginia brings significantly more. The SEC could of added Miami and FSU but opted for Arkansas & South Carolina. Their strategy is clear, add mediocre programs that will never win but have dumb fanbases that will chant SEC!!!! Missouri & aTm are the perfect fit!! WVU would actually win their share.