Pac-12 Basketball: 5 more programs the conference could consider poaching

UC Irvine Anteaters

The Big West doesn't get enough traction in the conversation over conference realignment. Enter UC Irvine.

Russell Turner has turned the Anteaters into a California juggernaut. The team has finished at least fourth or better in the Big West for 11 straight seasons. The Anteaters have made the postseason in eight of those seasons, not including the Covid year.

UC Irvine actually hasn't been in the NCAA Tournament since the pre-pandemic days, but that's a function of their conference more than anything, and the crapshoot of conference tournaments. The Anteaters have taken at least a share of the Big West regular season title in each of the last two years.

Some of the factors going in favor of the Anteaters include a large student population and good academics. The school's baseball team also carries national renown.

This year, UC Irvine is scheduled to get a small sampling of what future Pac-12 play may look like; the team is taking a trip to Corvallis to play Oregon State in December. It will be a good test to see how the Anteaters can match up with foes from the conference.

The Anteaters would be a little out of their depth in the Pac-12. But their consistent winning ways in recent years is worthy of attention from a bigger league.