Big 12 is where its basketball coaches want to stay
In these uncertain times of college athletics, this much is certain: The Big 12 basketball coaches want to continue to be Big 12 basketball coaches (as opposed to Pac-10 basketball coaches, SEC basketball coaches or God knows what else).
"We have all worked extremely hard to make this the No. 1 RPI conference in the country," Baylor's Scott Drew told CBSSports.com Sunday night. "We all appreciate the rivalries and traditions, and I don't think any of us want to see that go to the wayside."
Now I know what you're thinking: Of course, Scott Drew wants to keep the Big 12 together. He's at Baylor, and Baylor seems like the school most likely to be left on the wrong side of this conference realignment madness, which means the only person who wants to save the Big 12 more than Scott Drew is commissioner Dan Beebe.
That's what you're thinking, and I don't blame you, because I kind of thought the same thing. But then I ran Drew's sentiment by Kansas State coach Frank Martin, and not only did he back Drew, he took it to a new level. And with names.
"[Oklahoma coach Jeff] Capel, [Kansas coach Bill] Self, [Oklahoma State coach Travis] Ford, [Texas A&M coach Mark] Turgeon, [Texas coach Rick] Barnes, Drew," Martin said, going right down the list. "We're all on board. Us basketball coaches have all been talking nonstop. We all get along big time and have been trying to save this."
Asked via text message if that was an accurate assessment, Capel responded simply.
"Yes."
The problem for the Big 12 basketball coaches, of course, is that these decisions are being made above their heads, because basketball hardly matters when it comes to realignment. What matters are television markets and football. As proof, consider that Colorado (Denver TV market) and Nebraska (strong football program that is a national brand) are the Big 12 schools that have already received and accepted invitations to join other leagues. They were desirable additions for the Pac-10 and Big Ten despite being traditionally worse at men's basketball than England's goalie is at being a goalie.
So, again, basketball doesn't matter.
The Big 12 basketball coaches understand that.
But what they don't understand is why Texas -- i.e., the school most believe is responsible for either holding together or destroying the Big 12 -- ever considered leaving for the Pac-10, and never mind that Texas would have increased revenue in an expanded Pac-10.
Monday, Texas told the Pac-10 it was turning down its invitation.
"Texas already has more money than everybody else. How much do they need?" asked one Big 12 basketball coach, who spoke to CBSSports.com on the condition of anonymity because he didn't feel it was his place to publicly question Texas. "Let's say they can really get $22 million in TV revenue from the Pac-10. What if they can get $15 million with a new Big 12 contract, and $3 million in local rights [that Texas would be allowed to make in the Big 12 but likely required to give up in the Pac-10]?
"Then what are we talking about? A difference of no more than $5 million a year? I know $5 million a year is a lot of money to most, but how much does it matter to Texas? Their annual budget is $138 million, $20 million more than anybody. So is it worth an extra $5 million a year to tear up everything we've built, especially when moving will make their path to championships harder and open up Texas-recruiting to Pac-10 schools?"
The coach paused for a moment, then started again.
"I'm asking," he said. "Is it really worth it for Texas to move and kill our league?"
Worth it?
I don't know.
All I know is that the Big 12 basketball coaches didn't want it to happen.
And though they probably won't have a say, that's not going to keep them from saying it.
