Colorado to leave the Big XII after this year; the Big XII's schedule will be the toughest in the country

On Tuesday, the Big XII announced that Colorado will, in fact, be leaving the conference after the 2010-2011 season, joining the Pac-10 as of July 1st, 2011. To do so, Colorado must pay the Big XII $6.863 million. Nebraska, who will also be leaving the Big XII at the same time to join the Big Ten, will be paying the conference $9.255 million, a number that will drop to $8.755 million should they make a BCS bowl.

As far as Big XII basketball is concerned, the conference is jettisoning two of the worst programs. Nebraska finished last in the league in 2009-2010, while Colorado has traditionally been near the bottom, although they should actually be able to compete for a tournament spot this season.

That means that next year the Big XII will be able to play a true round-robin conference schedule.

Think about that. For the remaining Big XII members, every season they get Kansas twice. They get Kansas State twice. They get Baylor and Texas and Missouri twice. Hell, even Iowa State, the leagues only remaining pushover traditionally, will be adding Chris Allen and Royce White in 2011.

As far as I'm concerned, the Big XII will be the toughest conference to play in come 2011.

I'm not saying it will be the best conference, mind you. It was away too early to make a prediction like that. All signs indicate that the Big Ten, the Big East, and the ACC will be very good that year as well, we don't know who leaves for the NBA after this season, and a number of big-time recruits are still deciding on where they will attend college.

But the Big XII's league schedule will be brutal. Let's say that six teams make the NCAA Tournament from the Big XII in 2011-2012, and two more are in tournament contention. That means that even if you are one of those teams that made the tournament, 14 of your 18 league games will be against quality opponents. Its worse for the teams out of tournament contention, as they will play 16 of their 18 leagues games against very good competition.

Now I will admit that it is a bit optimistic to think that six teams from a Big XII as tough as this can make the dance, but look at the programs that are left. Who from that group can you write off?

Iowa State, sure. Texas Tech? Well, they were in tournament contention for much of last season and have been to two dances in the last six years. Oklahoma? They made an Elite 8 in 2009 before last year's collapse. Texas A&M? Oklahoma State? Those teams have routinely made the tournament the last few years.

The Big East is loaded, but they are also top heavy. There are usually at least four or five teams at the bottom of the league with no chance of going to the tournament. And, with 16 teams in the league, you only play home-and-home's with three teams. For the most part, you only get the Syracuse's and Villanova's and Georgetown's once a year.

The same can be said for the ACC, or the Big Ten.

I'm not here to argue that the Big XII is going to be the best conference, but its schedule will be the toughest to play.