Andy Katz:
I can't say I'm all that excited about UMass. A little surprised that, if they're discussing four, that Rice and UMass are on that list. Rice is a duplicate market team (and the junior partner at that) and UMass I would figure to be in good or decent shape with UConn out of the picture, but not otherwise (like Rice with UH, UNT with SMU, Toledo with Cincinnati, and FIU with USF/UCF).3. The remaining Big East athletic directors will meet in Dallas on Jan. 11 to discuss their latest moves, including the update on the television negotiations. Tulsa and UMass have been discussed as possible additions if the Big East decides to expand, according to multiple sources. Rice and Southern Miss were also tossed around. Meanwhile, the Mountain West expects to move on San Diego State by the end of this week, according to a league source. The MWC has to decide if it will go to 12 or 14. The MWC has interest in SMU and Houston, but SMU has let it be known to the MWC it has no interest as the Mustangs and Cougars are set to go to the Big East. UTEP desperately wants to be in the MWC, according to a source, and is on the MWC list. BYU is the first choice for the MWC but at this juncture the Cougars want to remain independent in football, WCC in other sports.
In any event, it's good for the conference to be talking about it. Hopefully this list is not exhaustive.