Just when Mark Pope figured he’d dodged the final bullet of conference realignment — that being UConn and Gonzaga joining the Big 12 basketball fold — Brett Yormark is bringing it right back into play.
After Yormark declared he was done expanding, he’s now re-engaging in talks with the Zags to hop on board as early as 2024, according to The Messenger.
Why not, right? The Big 12 was already the “NBA south” in Pope’s eyes before this. So bring on the winningest college program over the last decade, too.
Remember, this was Pope’s reaction last November when Gonzaga was first floated as a possible basketball-only addition to the league:
“Add the Zags and add the Celtics,” Pope said. “I mean how can we make this league any better? Like it is ridiculous. But this is what we signed up for. So why not make it the best league by 100 times. It is only 50 times better than any other league. So I’m all for it.”
From a basketball point of view, it makes the immediate future more difficult for Pope. Depending on where you look, BYU is already picked 13th out of 14 teams in its new conference. The climb to the middle wasn’t going to be swift either. Now add Gonzaga and things only get harder: The Zags have won the last seven meetings and are 24-7 all-time against BYU.
But from a league perspective, it makes sense. Yormark has repeatedly vouched for the value he sees in basketball. He said at media day in July there’s a real possibility the Big 12 eventually negotiates separate media contracts for football and basketball (making the basketball product that much more valuable).
So, this move is fairly clear. He is positioning the Big 12 to be the best basketball league in the country far and away. It can play third-wheel in football to the Big Ten and SEC. Nothing he can do there. But he can own this niche.
Obviously the details and the money need to be worked out. But if realignment has taught us anything, details are a formality if the motivation is high enough (see SMU and the ACC).
BYU will be paid, too, if this all works out. More dollars for the conference equals more dollars for each institution.
Pope knows it. And openly wants it.
But deep down, there has to be some of this sentiment, too:
His job was already going to be difficult. Can’t he just catch one break?
Quick Hits
• Staying in the Big 12 hunt? After another weekend where TCU and Kansas State lost, the middle of the pack is wide open.
• Travis Kelce is the center of attention right now. So why did he wear a BYU jersey?
(Screenshot) Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce sports a BYU jersey on an episode of his "New Heights" podcast. Kelce, a Cincinnati alum, was given the jersey after losing a bet involving the Bearcats and Cougars game last weekend.
• New role, no problem. Puka Nacua gets another TD and a LeBron James shoutout.
Around the Big 12
Baylor — Joey McGuire’s Baylor homecoming went well for the Red Raiders. Has Baylor lost its identity?
UCF — Got stomped in Lawrence. But maybe it is not all so bad for the future, with big money coming in.
Cincinnati — The Bearcats have shown glimpses, but it is still a bottom-dweller in the new league.
Houston — Had its AD in the mix for the Washington job.
Iowa State — Is a bowl game in play after beating TCU?
Kansas — No Daniels, no problem as the Jayhawks keep rolling.
Kansas State — The head coach says the Wildcats just aren’t a very good team right now.
Oklahoma — Welcome to Red River lore Dillon Gabriel.
Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) scores a touchdown as Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (23) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Oklahoma State — Gundy gets back on track and will get more starters back in the process.
TCU — Might lose its quarterback before playing BYU.
Texas — Might have lost, but still controls its own destiny to the Playoff.
Texas Tech — Is starting to climb back to where people thought it would be.
West Virginia — Top 25? Another win might do what was unthinkable at the start of the year.