Report: Cincinnati, Houston, UConn among Big 12 expansion finalists

There are reportedly just six to eight teams that the Big 12 is considering for expansion.

The Big 12 has whittled its list of potential expansions schools to at least 12, reports ESPN.com Brett McMurphy and Jake Trotter.

Mark Blaudschun of TMGcollegesports.com reported on Wednesday that the conference had narrowed its list to “six to eight.”

Cincinnati, Houston, UConn, South Florida, Central Florida, Temple and Tulane are on the list, as well as BYU. According to the report, Air Force, Colorado State and Rice are also in the mix. There is no word on whether Memphis made the cut. 

East Carolina, which had been pushing for a spot in the conference, confirmed Wednesday that it is not among the finalists. UNLV and New Mexico are also out of the Big 12's expansion plans.

The conference had reportedly been considering as many as 17 expansion candidates.

The Big 12 has had 10 teams since 2011, when Nebraska and Colorado left the conference. Missouri and Texas A&M exited in 2012, and were replaced by TCU and West Virginia

ESPN’s Brett McMurphy reported earlier this month that it is more likely the conference expands to 12 members than to 14.

Big 12 Conference commissioner Bob Bowlsby has not said when the conference would make a decision on expansion, as the league's president are set to meet in October.