The reported choices would make perfect sense for the Pac-12's revival efforts but likely spell doom for the conference it once called an ally.

For Utah State, there has been a rapid rise in terms of Pac-12 interest. When the Pac-12 first announced its expansion, the Aggies weren’t viewed as a genuine future add by most national observers. UNLV was frequently touted, but the rest of the MW was viewed as schools likely to be left behind.

Despite football being the priority, the new look Pac-12 isn’t making basketball an afterthought as the league considers its options from coast to coast. Accord

It makes sense. The Tigers are one of the top Group of Five schools in the country, and any Group of Five (soon to be Group of Six) conference would likely target Memphis. The Pac-12 would have to go after at least one more school, and could look to the AAC — Tulane, UTSA and South Florida are all attractive candidates.

“If Memphis does stay in the East, it could severely disable the MWC,” Dellenger writes. “The Pac-12 is likely to turn attention to UNLV, Air Force and Utah State, three programs that have or will soon see the league’s presentation to expansion members.”

Leaving the America Athletic Conference for a new wave Pac-12 will be an expensive endeavor. Pete Thamel of ESPN reported that the exit cost for AAC