Big 12 Basketball: 3 more programs the conference could consider poaching

A few weeks ago, it seemed the Connecticut Huskies were destined to leave the Big East for the Big 12. Now, it's not as clear.

Several Thursdays ago, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said membership conversations with UConn stalled and were on pause. It's unknown if and when those talks will resume.

Just as it appeared expansion of major conferences was poised to slow for the time being as various issues and legal cases involving the NCAA work their way through the system, it kicked back up again as the Pac-12 was reborn and the Mountain West held on for dear life.

When that happens, who will be in the bullseye of the Big 12?

What programs should the Big 12 pursue in a next round of expansion, besides rumored target UConn?

For the purposes of this exercise, we're not going to let the Big 12 poach a school from any of the other major (college football) conferences. That means the schools in the Big Ten, SEC, and ACC - even logical regional fit SMU - are off limits.

We're also going to pass on the Gonzaga conversation. The rumors and flirtations between the Big 12 and the Bulldogs have been near constant in recent years, but have never gone anywhere. It would obviously be a coup for the Big 12 to bring the Gonzaga basketball brand into the Big 12, but it just doesn't seem like things are trending in that direction. In fact, the Pac-12 is looking like a more obvious destination these days.

So who should Yormark eye? Here are three schools that should be on the Big 12 radar.