The collegiate athletics scene is evolving once more, as reports emerged on Friday that the UConn Huskies are set to join the Big-12 by no later than 2026. This transition will encompass all sports competitions conducted by the Huskies, with the exception of football, as noted by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger on X, previously known as Twitter.
UConn’s transition is the most recent in a series of realignment choices, as the Huskies aim to secure a portion of an increasingly substantial pool of revenue from the most prominent conferences in collegiate sports. With the introduction of NIL and other alterations prompting modifications to the field, UConn and its athletic programs will now adapt as well.
UConn men’s basketball team seeks to excel in new conference
Fresh from yet another national championship victory (the university’s sixth overall, and second consecutive title in men’s basketball), now seems to be an opportune moment for the Huskies to advance. The Big 12 has expanded considerably over the last two years, incorporating eight new schools while parting ways with traditional powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma to join the SEC. However, despite these departures, one could certainly argue that the conference maintains its status as the third most formidable in collegiate athletics.
Moreover, the competition is notably open, particularly regarding basketball. Yes, powerhouse teams like Kansas and Arizona are part of the conference, yet the Huskies have claimed the last two national championships. They are directed by a coach in Dan Hurley, who was approached to lead the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year, but opted to return to Storrs instead. Clearly, the future looks promising for the institution.
Additionally, consider how significant it would be for the Big 12 leadership, including Commissioner Brett Yormark, if UConn secures a third consecutive national title in men’s basketball. Such an achievement would solidify the program’s reputation as one of the premier ones in the nation, if it is not already recognized as such.
UConn football to remain independent for now
While the remainder of the Huskies’ athletic programs will join the conference by 2026, the football team is set to remain independent until 2031. Provided they meet specific investment benchmarks for head coach Jim Mora Jr.’s squad, the Huskies could join a robust array of programs within the Big 12.
Future opponents in the conference may comprise Kansas State, Utah, Colorado, UCF, and Iowa State. Much can transpire over the span of seven years, especially given that college sports enthusiasts have witnessed how rapidly the landscape has transformed over the past two years. Texas and Oklahoma’s decision to exit their long-established conference for the SEC initiated this recent series of transitions. UConn’s choice to depart from the Big East to join the Big 12 might trigger yet another wave of shifts.
For the moment, however, the football program is poised for another challenging season as an independent. They experienced a decline to 3-9 in Mora Jr.’s second year, thus they are eager to rebound to .500 and achieve bowl eligibility in year three. If they aspire to make an impact in their future conference, they will need to reach those objectives and more in 2024.
Image Source: UConn men’s basketball @ Instagram
