University of Houston makes first cut for Big 12 expansion

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The University of Houston is among a dozen schools still in consideration for Big 12 expansion, a person briefed on the process confirmed Thursday.

ESPN first reported on Wednesday that UH joins Rice, BYU, Cincinnati, UCF, USF, Temple, Connecticut, Colorado State, Tulane, SMU and Air Force had made the second round for the conference's potential expansion.

Tilman Fertitta, the chairman of the UH Board of Regents, last week said the school could learn its Big 12 fate within the next three months.

"We're doing everything we can do," Fertitta said after presenting the school a $20 million donation to help fund a new basketball arena. "They have a timeline. We think in the next 60-90 days it will all be over and hopefully the University of Houston will be in the Big 12."

The Big 12 has not given a timetable when it will make a decision whether to add two or four schools or remain at 10 members.

Houston is considered among the top expansion candidates, along with BYU and the Cincinnati. An expansion candidate will need eight "yes" votes from the Big 12 board of directors, composed of presidents and chancellors.