Big 12 Basketball: Pros and cons of recent serious expansion candidates
By Joey Loose
Colorado
Apparently, Deion Sanders is playing a major role in rumblings between Colorado and the Big 12. No matter who is spearheading the recent rumors, a reunion would be quite the move for the Buffaloes. They joined the Pac-12 just over a decade, one of four teams involved in the Big 12 exodus during the last round of conference realignment. This time, the Big 12 is the conference with a certain future.
Clearly, things are looking positive for the football program and the same can be said on the basketball side. Longtime head coach Tad Boyle hasn’t exactly filled the trophy case, but he’s been a consistent figure for the program and could have a Top 25-level team this upcoming season. This is a team that can win games in the Big 12 based on how they’ve fared in the current Pac-12.
Much like with Arizona, the addition of the Buffaloes would make sense geographically. Though the Buffaloes are in Boulder, it makes Denver a Big 12 market and would certainly sweeten the TV deal for the Big 12 even more. From a pure basketball standpoint, there are several teams on today’s list that would be much more attractive additions, but the allure of Deion and Denver would be far too sweet for the Big 12 to pass up, bringing back a former rival to the league.