If the Big 12 folds, both the ACC and West Virginia would have interest in each other

According to The Athletic, if the Big 12 were to fold, WVU would have an interest in joining the ACC. In fact, the feeling is mutual.

With Texas and Oklahoma seemingly going to the SEC within the next couple of years, the other eight teams in the Big 12 are scrambling for new homes.

Reports of Iowa State and Kansas reaching out to the Big Ten have surfaced. Both schools make perfect sense for the conference with basketball being a huge selling point.

A potential destination for another member has been given in the ACC. According to The Athletic, if the Big 12 were to fold, West Virginia would have an interest in joining the conference. In fact, the feeling is mutual.

Nothing is for certain, with the two parties being in a flirtation stage if anything.

Ever since the Mountaineers joined back in 2012, it felt a bit odd. Their closest “road trip” is 12.5 hours away in Ames, IA. A flight to Austin is nearly seven hours long, with a layover required. Being so far out east, West Virginia was due to find a new home.

Going to the ACC makes sense on multiple levels. Location is No. 1, with historical rivalries being No. 2. The Backyard Brawl with Pittsburgh dates back to 1895 and has been played 104 times. Virginia Tech is another regional rival.

Even from a basketball perspective, old Big East rivals reside in the conference. Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse all featured in the final season of the conference before moving to the ACC.

ESPN’s Heather Dinich’s commented on the situation, saying it makes perfect sense on the West Virginia side. But will the ACC be willing?

“Well, West Virginia would certainly be interested in joining the ACC if this falls apart in the Big 12,” Dinich said Sunday morning on Sportscenter. “This is about self-preservation, if this does indeed happen, and everything is expected to snowball quickly. It makes sense financially — from a travel aspect, from geographic location, right? But here’s the thing — the ACC has to want West Virginia. Everybody is going to be watching this like a hawk — what is the ACC going to do?”

It’s been a chaotic five days with realignment happening. Until Texas and Oklahoma are officially voted into the SEC, anything can happen.