Big 12/Pac 10 Challenge Options

[jwttu]

So it was announced that the Big 12 and Pac 10 will have a challenge similar to the Big 10/Acc challenge. Seems like it would have been better with a 12 team conference like the SEC but it should still be good.

Leagues hope annual series brings national exposure
By DAVE SKRETTA, Associated Press Writer
January 11, 2007

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie thinks a series between the Big 12 and Pac-10 is a fantastic idea. He's jazzed about the exposure and another chance to get his up-and-coming program on national television.

He just wishes his Aggies didn't have to play at Arizona in early December.

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"I'm not all that excited about the opponent they put us against," said Gillispie, whose Aggies are 14-2 this season. "But I think it should be a lot of highly competitive games."

The series, modeled after a similar arrangement between the ACC and the Big Ten, had been under discussion for years. The four-year deal was announced Thursday and will pit 10 teams from the Big 12 against each of the Pac-10 schools beginning in 2007.

Gillispie said the timing works out perfectly for fans. The first two games are Nov. 29, with games each day through Dec. 2. The college football season will be winding down and the college hoops season just hitting its stride.

"I'm sure they strategically put it on those dates," Gillispie said. "And I'm sure they have a great television situation worked out already."

The leagues said they will announce TV arrangements soon. An official name for the event and sponsorship details also will be announced later.

"The games will spotlight college basketball in early December and will be excellent programming for our television partners," said Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen. "I commend the coaches of the two conferences for embracing the competition."

Among the other highlighted games next season are Texas at UCLA, Bob Huggins and Kansas State hosting Oregon, and Washington playing at Oklahoma State.

The two Big 12 teams not scheduled to play next season -- Kansas and Texas Tech -- will join the fold in 2008.

[jwttu]

Plus Kansas the other big XII team left out of the challenge also has a previously scheduled game against a Pac10 team