What Colorado's return to the Big 12 means for Texas Tech
The Big 12 is getting another member in 2024.
The University of Colorado Board of Regents voted unanimously Thursday to leave the Pac-12 Conference following the 2023-24 academic year to rejoin the Big 12. Colorado was a member of the Big 12 from its inception in 1996 before leaving for the Pac-12 in 2011.
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Online reports first surfaced from multiple outlets Wednesday about Colorado's impending move. The long-rumored reunion between CU and the Big 12 will bring a new look to the conference starting in 2024-25.
In a statement following Colorado's formal decision, Big 12 commissioner simply stated "They're back" in a press release.
What Colorado's return to the Big 12 means for Texas Tech
Colorado's return brings the conference to 13 members starting in 2024-25. Following the announced departures of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC in the summer of 2021, the Big 12 has brought in five schools to replace them. Houston, BYU, Cincinnati and UCF has already joined the conference. In essence, it's a five-for-two swap at this juncture.
The move does not impact every sport, though. The University of Colorado does not have baseball, softball or men's tennis, sports that are offered by the Big 12. CU also has non-Big 12 sports such as women's lacrosse and men's and women's skiing.
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Sports offered by Colorado that are sanctioned by the Big 12 include men's and women's basketball, cross country, golf, track & field, women's soccer, women's tennis and volleyball.
Texas Tech last played Colorado on the football field in 2010 during Tommy Tuberville's first year as head coach. The Red Raiders got the 27-24 win in Boulder.
Colorado's women's basketball team paid Lubbock a visit in 2022 as part of the Preseason Women's National Invitational Tournament. The Lady Raiders were victors that night as well.
In men's basketball, the final matchup between the Buffaloes and Red Raiders came on Feb. 23, 2011 where Colorado won 71-68 in Lubbock.
Last week, the Big 12 announced it scheduling matrix for men's and women's basketball. Each team will have five opponents they'll play both home and away, four teams they'll play just at home and four they'll play only on the road.
What's next for the Big 12?
Commissioner Brett Yormark was repeatedly asked about conference expansion during football media days earlier this month. Yormark denied that the conference was adding a new member any time soon, which is obviously not the case.
With an odd number of teams (13) set to compete in the Big 12 in '24-25, it would be foolhardy to assume Colorado is the only team the conference is looking to add.
Numerous other teams have been linked to the Big 12 as possible other additions through online reports. These include fellow Pac-12 teams Arizona and Utah plus Connecticut of the Big East. Whether any of them join Colorado in making the jump remains to be seen.
However, when asked at media days about the number of teams he'd like in the conference, Yormark admitted he previously said 14 was a number he preferred.
"I do think there's strength in numbers," Yormark said. "But I also said we're not chasing a number. If and when the opportunity presents itself to stay at 14, we'll pursue it."
That time appears to be now. Don't be shocked if Colorado isn't the only team coming to the conference next summer.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: What Colorado's return to the Big 12 means for Texas Tech
