Quick hits from Big 12 commissioner news conference

Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe spoke to reporters just a few minutes ago. Here are some quick hits from the news conference:

He said he is aware of reports that the Pac-10 will offer six schools membership, possibly as soon as today. He said he understands why the leagues want his schools, but offered no specifics about the reports.

He said contingency plans are in place in case schools leave and said "it's a critical time period" for the conference.

He said he's encouraged by the meetings and the process set forth by the board of directors to allow schools to explore. Apparently the drop-dead date for all schools is next April, but Beebe would not update with specifics saying only "the process is firm."

"I want to keep the process confidential," Beebe said.

Beebe thinks the Big 12 can be viable. He likes the number of 12 and said it is "the optimum number" but will consider expansion. "I think that's the number that works," he said.

He also appealed to regional ties and travel patterns for student-athletes that could be altered if schools leave to compete several hours away via airplane.

He said he's spoken with other conference commissioners but has chosen to keep those conversations private.

Big 12 Chairman of the Board of Directors William Powers was supposed to accompany Beebe in the news conference but did not. Beebe said Powers had a plane to catch.