Hey folks! Get ready for an action-packed basketball season in the Big 12 conference! With Texas and Oklahoma heading to the SEC, the league is shaking things up by introducing a 20-game conference schedule for men’s basketball and an 18-game schedule for women’s basketball. But that’s not all, we’re also welcoming four new teams from the Pac-12: Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and former Big 12 member Colorado. Talk about a major shake-up!
Now, with teams spread across all four time zones, scheduling and travel have become a top priority for the conference. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is determined to make it work, though. He wants to ensure that the schedule takes into account geography, competitive balance, historic matchups, and rivalries. So, don’t worry, your favorite games and rivalries will still be on the agenda.
Speaking of rivalries, there’s a good chance we’ll see the continuation of the intense Territorial Cup battle between Arizona and Arizona State. It’s a historic matchup that fans love, and the conference knows how important it is to keep these traditions alive.
Now, here’s an interesting tidbit: the men’s basketball teams will be playing two more conference games than the women’s teams. Why? Well, it’s because the women’s conference tournament will take place a week before the men’s championship. So, the guys get a little extra action on the court.
But wait, there’s more! The Big 12 is doubling down on basketball, especially with the addition of powerhouse team Arizona next season. They’re even planning to play games internationally starting in the 2023-24 season. And they’re exploring new ways to bring the game to younger fans, like alternative broadcasts and streaming options. After all, volume is key, and Big 12 basketball has plenty of depth to offer.
The Big 12 has been dominating the college basketball scene for years. In fact, they’ve topped KenPom’s conference ranking eight out of the past ten seasons. And let’s not forget about Baylor and Kansas, who have brought home two of the last three national championships. So, it’s no wonder that Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark sees the potential for even more growth and success in the future.
In fact, Yormark was so confident in the future of college basketball that he made sure to secure a lucrative TV deal with ESPN and Fox Sports worth around $2.3 billion. That deal will keep the Big 12 in the spotlight until at least the 2030-31 season. And who knows, maybe they’ll even consider renewing talks with powerhouses like Gonzaga and UConn in the future.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Will there be more expansion in the Big 12? Well, Yormark didn’t spill the beans on that one. But he did say that if an opportunity arises to strengthen the conference, he’ll definitely explore it. So, who knows what the future holds?
One thing’s for sure, though. The Big 12 is not backing down from a challenge. They’re proud to be the nation’s premier basketball conference, and they’re ready to prove it. So, let the games begin!