We are 500 miles farther away from their nearest school who is considered an extreme outlier. At first glance adding us is ridicules.
If the only way they get a network is by adding us than they will do it. But we were never more than a necessary evil.
I still believe the ACC or even better the B1G is in our future.
How could rejection by the B12 be a kick unless they opt for Temple over us.
The "UConn is too far away argument" is not a legitimate reason for exclusion. Nearly every school in the B12 requires a plane ride and, at 500 miles an hour, distance becomes less of a factor. In fact, UConn would be a much easier transit for B12 schools than WVU. Morgantown, WV is almost a 2 hour ride from the nearest airport...even if the flight is shorter, the bus ride is longer.
I would love to believe an ACC or BIG invite is coming. But logic indicates neither the ACC or BIG will move to try and cut off the Big12 acquiring UConn. Acquiring UConn does not allow the ACC to build a network. FSU/Clemson are the primary expansion deciders in the ACC and they are only concerned with improving their football pedigree and maximizing their immediate revenue. The last ACC addition of Louisville clearly established who is calling the shots and it is FSU/Clemson. UConn will not help the ACC's football pedigree right now and the ACC has already shown it is incapable of thinking beyond the "right now." UConn is a valuable piece for a network but the ACC already screwed that up. If UConn ends up in the ACC it is more likely a result of a current program in the ACC departing.
The BIG may be an option for UConn but the BIG does not need to rush. Regardless of whether UConn is taken by the B12, the BIG will always be the first option. The ACC and B12 may need to battle it out for survival but the BIG and SEC will soon have the luxury of picking the teams they want from the ACC/B12. Unlike the ACC, the BIG is nothing but long term strategic. UConn may be part of the BIG's strategic plan but they are not going to rush their plan to try and stop an inferior conference.
Conclusion: UConn is the best overall program not in the P5 (BYU is excluded for other reasons). If UConn got passed over for a lesser school it would be a colossal kick. It would be worse than before because UConn knows the stakes this time around and has done everything right. Because the B12 is not UConn's dream conference does not minimize the pain. Additionally every time UConn gets passed over it only reinforces a mistaken belief that UConn is not a P5 level program.
UConn's nuts are already bruised and swollen, every kick now hurts more than the one before...