NCAA Basketball: 6 potential conference realignment scenarios

By Joey Loose | Jun 23, 2019

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts as the Connecticut Huskies bench celebrates after the Huskies rebound in the first half of the game against Syracuse Orange during the 2k Empire Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – MARCH 28: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars coaches during a practice session ahead of the NCAA Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at the Sprint Center on March 28, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

5. Houston to the Big 12

With West Virginia joining the ACC, we suddenly are down to just nine Big 12 teams. Fortunately, a talented program lurks very close to the rest of the conference, one with recent success in both basketball and football.

Houston has done great things in recent memory. Kelvin Sampson and Dana Holgorsen are a pair of big name coaches who will continue to help lead the Cougars on the rise. Is there a better place to explore that potential than in the Big 12?

One issue with this move could be the oversaturation of Texas, as half of the Big 12’s teams would be from the Lone Star state. The Big 12 could consider bringing aboard teams like BYU, Colorado, or Nebraska, the latter two being former conference members. Another issue would be Houston’s willingness to leave the AAC, where they have a much easier time competing and winning conference titles.

If there was one team that you had to pick to join the Big 12, Houston has the pedigree to be that team. Whether either side would be interested in that marriage remains to be seen, especially as the Texas schools claw over each other on those in-state recruiting battles. If West Virginia really did leave the Big 12, then Houston should definitely be the first team considered.

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