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The Big XII is reportedly after Duke as it sets its sights on further conference realignment. In an attempt to continue boosting its already booming basketball resume, the league appears to be targeting a Top 5 brand in all of college hoops.
The news comes as the ACC battles affiliates Clemson and Florida State in court with both attempting to find a way out of the league in order to chase television revenue. Could a third program potentially be on its way out?
Former Salt Lake City-based radio host Tim Montemayor believes so! He broke down the situation on The Monty Show earlier this week.
“Well-placed sources told us that the Big XII is being aggressive with ACC basketball membership and has their eyes solely set on Duke to pair with Gonzaga,” Montemayor claimed.
Interestingly enough, both of those teams find themselves competing in the Sweet 16.
The rumors surrounding the Bulldogs have been out for some time. Gonzaga has reportedly been a priority target for the Big XII, though it stopped its conference expansion after securing a number of PAC 12 additions last offseason.
While a deal didn’t get done this past summer, it doesn’t look like it’s off the table.
“Sources told The Messenger that [commissioner Brett] Yormark would like to see Gonzaga join the Big XII for the 2024-25 season, but that timetable would be a best-case scenario,” wrote college basketball insider Seth Davis last October.
Landing the ‘Zags would be an incredible win in and of itself for a league already touted as the best in the sport.
Pairing the Bulldogs with the Blue Devils? That would be monumental.
Would Duke join the Big XII?
That may depend on what happens with Clemson and Florida State.
Both find themselves in legal battles with the league in hopes of breaking a Grant of Rights agreement and finding a way around the conference’s massive exit fee.
Should they find a way out of that contract, many believe a mass exodus would follow.
If conference rivals like North Carolina, NC State, and Virginia choose to bolt, Duke might opt to do the same – especially if the money’s better!
The Big XII is attempting to get out in front of things before that potential collapse, says Montemayor.
“[Yormark] is targeting potential free agency after the ACC melts down.”
If it works out as planned, the Big XII will be unmatched in terms of its college basketball notoriety.