Pac-12 Realignment - The Case For Arizona (Opinion)

Image Courtesy of Arizona Athletics

After USC and UCLA moved from the PAC-12 to the BIG 10, there have been many speculations about what teams are going to do. After 2024, the Conference of Champions will be very different from the past.

Amidst the realignment talks, all eyes have been on Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon and Washington. Being a largely football motivated decision, Arizona is one team being undervalued.

Image Courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in March Madness, College Softball World Series appearance, and a trip to the Men’s College World Series in 2021 and a playoff appearance in 2022, Arizona Athletics has proven that they can compete on a national level. Realignment for Arizona would lead to a greater variety of competition that the PAC-12 has seemingly lacked in recent years.

The biggest case for Arizona other than football is basketball, coming hot off of a number two ranking, going 33-4, Arizona looks to continue that dominance into the future.

A move to the Big 12 could prove valuable for both sides, especially with the loss of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC. The move could see a new basketball rivalry between 2022 March Madness winners Kansas and Arizona.

A move to the ACC would put Arizona up against the likes of Duke, UNC, and Virginia. However, a bicoastal conference would likely put on student-athletes who would have to travel a fair amount more than they historically would.