This is a tangent of a tangent, but the domino effect does hit the Valley:
I wonder if the Big East is waiting on UConn. Look at basketball in the American right now. Look at the RPIs and performance across the board from everyone not named UConn. I don't care what football means, that basketball situation is untenable. Period. Untenable.
If UConn can't find a home in a power conference, I wouldn't take them going to FCS/Big East off the table. I wouldn't be surprised if the Big East is holding off going to 12 exactly for that scenario. I think St Louis would be an obvious 12th in that scenario, but if they're not, I think they become a layup to relocate to the Valley.
Although, with the private/public seal being broken with UConn, the Big East could then easily add a public school, say one that would be a massive boost for basketball and bring a growing national following and respect, and who provides an immediate natural rival for what is currently a western outlier.