BYU basketball has regressed in the WCC. I'd so much prefer to lose to any Big12 team on the road instead of these WCC teams (besides Gonzaga). Small stadiums with no vibe/energy because of no fans is sometimes hard to get going. Yes, BYU should beat those small teams. But from what we've seen the last 11 years, BYU will lose at least 2-3 of those type of games. And that kills any tourney chance. Gonzaga wants out too for the same reason.
Since basketball only has 5 players on the court at a time, all the other WCC teams need is one player that goes off one night and beats you, i.e. Bobby Sharp.
I fully expect BYU basketball to take several huge steps forward when in the Big12. No, I'm not saying BYU will be competing with Kansas every year for the championship. There will be bigger and better recruits that will come to BYU because of the conference. Pope will look better in the Big12 than he does in the WCC.