What was rumored earlier in the day appears to be nearing reality as ESPN is now reporting that TCU will host a news conference at 2 P.M. to make "a major announcement about the TCU athletics program."
It is expected that the Horned Frogs will be joining the Big East in all sports starting on July 1, 2012.
If you're a Big East fan, though, don't get too cozy with TCU. The Horned Frogs have been part of the Western Athletic Conference, Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference since the Southwest Conference folded in 1995. Located in the heart of Big 12 territory, it still wouldn't be surprising if Dan Beebe began courting the Horned Frogs in the next few years, as that conference will be without a title game for the immediate future with the departure of Nebraska and Colorado from the league in June.
Nevertheless, once confirmed, this move will probably be a good one for the Big East and TCU. The Horned Frogs need to join a league with an automatic BCS bid and the Big East needs a football program of TCU's recent caliber to hold onto its bid.
Short-term, it's a good match. We'll see what happens in the long haul, though.
And in case you were wondering what the TCU basketball team is like (what true Big East fan wouldn't), don't get too excited. The Horned Frogs' last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 1987 and their last NIT appearance was 2005. So far this year, TCU is 4-2 with losses to Rider and Massachusetts following a 13-19 campaign in 2009-2010.