🎆 The fireworks started a few days early

When Oklahoma and Texas agreed to leave the Big 12 for the SEC, it looked as if massive realignment loomed in college athletics. To combat their respective schools from the SEC’s “poaching,” the ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 formed what was called an “alliance” to stick together logistically.

Well, that didn’t even last one year. Reports exploded, as both UCLA and USC announced their move to the Big Ten in 2024. Where does that leave all parties involved?

Let’s get to the news.

STARTING FIVE

1. Big Ten power play cements its top-tier status

Texas and Oklahoma’s move made the potential of “super conferences” a clear possibility. UCLA and USC’s Big Ten decision indicates these leagues — likely containing 16 to 20 teams — may be unfolding soon.

As of now, the SEC and Big Ten have taken a giant leap ahead of the rest of the conferences. There’s going to be plenty of talk regarding the long-term ramifications, and it’ll be done by folks much more knowledgeable than me. But let’s look at it from the basketball perspective.

UCLA was perhaps the first “blue blood” of college hoops (Adolph Rupp’s Kentucky squads notwithstanding) dominating the sport in the 60s and 70s in a way that hasn’t been done in sports outside of the Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell era. The Bruins bring with them 11 national titles, 19 total Final Four appearances, and an elite coach in Mick Cronin, who has revived the program in the national spotlight.

USC isn’t an afterthought either, as head coach Andy Enfield has won on the recruiting trail and has consistently taken the program to the NCAA Tournament. The programs’ resources, plus that Los Angeles location, leave no doubt that they can make an immediate impact in the Big Ten. Conference title contention won’t be much of a question, either.

2. Can the Pac-12 be saved?

Among the five power conferences, there was always a thought that one of them would be left out in the cold. It looked like the Big 12 was in danger a year ago, but its additions of four programs (BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, UCF) has put it on stable footing. Now, the Pac-12 is in serious peril after losing its cash cows and top TV draws.

Is that it? Is the rest of the Pac-12 destined to be spread out among the Big Ten and Big 12? Expect a last-ditch effort from the conference to add a couple of valuable teams to salvage something. But assuming that the Big 12 programs are off-limits, who can the Pac-12 realistically add?

Some top options include San Diego State (great basketball history plus perfect geographical fit), Boise State (competitive football program and would add a footprint in the Northwest region), and Gonzaga (the top-tier basketball program and rival of both Washington and Washington State). The Zags may not have a football program but the basketball revenue and NCAA Tournament shares they would provide carries importance.

On second thought ... there’s no way that Oregon, Washington, and the Arizona schools are going to stay for Gonzaga and San Diego State. Might be time to get prepared for the Pac-12’s funeral, folks.

3. Another 5-star de-commits from Oregon

Two weeks ago, 4-star guard Dior Johnson de-committed from Oregon. Since the Ducks returned starter Will Richardson and landed multiple guards in the portal, that decision made sense. However, the de-commitment that occurred late Wednesday left some scratching their heads.

Mookie Cook is a consensus five-star prospect in the 2023 class, who plays his high school ball at Compass Prep (Arizona). The 6-7 wing is a surefire NBA prospect and a likely one-and-done that would’ve massively impacted Oregon from Day 1. Unfortunately, the Ducks will have to move on without him.

After missing out on the 2022 NCAA Tournament, Oregon is in an interesting spot. With the return of Richardson and incoming five-star center Kel'el Ware, the current roster is in solid shape. But you have to wonder whether things are going on behind the scenes for Dana Altman and company. And with the program’s conference future now in doubt, could it have a negative impact on their ability to recruit — and ultimately, compete — on the national stage?

As for Cook, look for Gonzaga, Kentucky, Arizona, UCLA, and the NBA G League to be in play for his re-opened recruitment.

4. Are there other transfer situations like Emoni Bates?

As yesterday’s newsletter covered, former five-star prospect Emoni Bates is headed to Eastern Michigan. It’s a surprise for many reasons, including that a player that had high-major talent decided to move down to a lower-tier program that won just 10 games in the season prior.

There may not be a situation that carries the magnitude of Bates’s national presence, but there are some other examples of players transferring from high-major to low-major programs this offseason.

Xavier Pinson (LSU to New Mexico State)

The 6-2 guard averaged double figures in four years at the SEC level, including a career-high 13.6 ppg as a junior at Missouri. He’s a talented combo guard who could easily be the WAC’s best player. Think Teddy Allen-type production— another high-major transfer who just led the Aggies to an NCAA Tournament win over UConn.

Earl Timberlake (Memphis to Bryant)

The former top-40 prospect started his career at Miami before transferring to Memphis after an injury-plagued freshman campaign. A similar fate befell him this past season with the Tigers. Now, Timberlake is off to Bryant of the Northeast Conference, the team that boasted the nation’s leading scorer in 2022 in Peter Kiss (25.2 ppg). The playmaking wing probably won’t score that much, but his talent will be too much for the NEC. Don’t be surprised if he notches a triple-double at some point this year.

Eric Williams (Oregon) and Jaiden Delaire (Stanford) to San Diego

Both players were solid starters and double-digit scorers at Pac-12 schools. Both are now going down to the Toreros with new head coach Steve Lavin. This team finished seventh in the WCC, but now has a frontcourt that can compete with every school not named Gonzaga. And with Weber State transfer Seikou Sissoko Jawara and breakout candidate Wayne McKinney III in the backcourt, they could be a sneaky contender in the league.

Jordan Nesbitt (Saint Louis to Hampton)

The former top-50 prospect started out at Memphis before going back home to Saint Louis, where he was a quality player who averaged 8.2 ppg and 4.3 rpg. But he went on the move again, this time to the Hampton Pirates, newly of the CAA. Nesbitt replaces last year’s leading scorer and rebounder Najee Garvin, and he will form a great 1-2 combo with guard Russell Dean.

5. Let’s get crazy with realignment!

Let’s end the week with some potential scenarios that could happen in college athletics in the next couple of years. Some may seem crazy but at this point, anything can happen.

Someone is taking Gonzaga

There’s a chance the Bulldogs could be the preseason No. 1 team for three years in a row. The odds that they’re staying in the WCC after this shakeup seems low and the Pac-12 may not even be an option when it’s all said and done. That leaves the Mountain West and the Big East as potential options. Considering that geography is becoming obsolete, the Catholic-based school and the Catholic-based conference could be a future match.

Call an ambulance… but not for the Mountain West

Somehow, the Mountain West may be the last-standing football conference out west if the Pac-12 folds. As of now, the Big Ten and Big 12 aren’t looking to poach it, leaving some opportunity for the league to be the aggressor. If the Pac-12 folds, look for Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado to go to the Big 12, while Stanford, Oregon, Washington, and Cal try to follow USC and UCLA to the Big Ten. That would leave Oregon State and Wazzu without a home. In that case, the Mountain West would be an ideal landing spot.

The old Big East could be back?

Another conference that could be on shaky grounds is the ACC, whose top football programs (Miami, Florida State, Clemson) have been linked to the SEC. If that league is the next to be gutted, that would leave 5 to 6 open programs like Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Wake Forest, Syracuse, and Boston College.

One potential option would be for them to go back to the Big East, where many of these teams once thrived. It would become a premier basketball conference and would get additional football revenue to keep pace with the big dogs. Burned bridges from the split a decade ago might make this a pipedream. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and money has a way to make all the bad feelings go away.

A BIG OL’ QUESTION MARK FOR THE ACC

Where does Louisville go from here?

One of the teams reportedly in the mix for Emoni Bates was Louisville, which desperately needs guards on the roster. At the moment, they have just El Ellis and several wings to play in the backcourt.

This episode of Floyd Street’s Finest has Jeff Greer and Jack Grossman talking about what went wrong with the Bates recruitment and where the Cardinals go from here.

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THE FAST BREAK

Links to read while you tune out your crazy Laker fan friends.

• After the sudden coaching change at LIU-Brooklyn, Eral Penn (17.1 ppg and 7.4 rpg) has entered the transfer portal.

• No. 10-6 of the Field of 68’s “impact transfer rankings” have come out. Who made the top tier?

• Pittsburgh wings, William Jeffress and Nate Santos participate in an overseas basketball trip.

• Frank Hogan, who played for Loyola-Chicago from 1955-59, passed away at 85 years old.

• Texas Tech Basketball is not happy with where Fardaws Aimaq was listed in the Field of 68 impact transfer list.

• Veteran guard Joe Girard talks with the Syracuse freshmen class about shoes.

• New Georgia coach Mike White talks about why he was so busy on Selection Sunday despite not making the NCAA Tournament.

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