http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/northe...ue-in-july

With Northern Kentucky moving to the Horizon League the Atlantic Sun conference is now left with 7 teams for the 2015-2016 basketball season.

The conference has announced they are in discussions with institutions that might join.

Some of the possibilities I have heard mentioned are listed below

North Alabama ( would be moving up from Div II )
TAMU Commerce ( would be moving up from Div II )
Georgia Regents ( would be moving up from Div II )
NJIT ( currently Div 1 independent)
UAB ( being kicked out of CUSA - needs a new home )

Has anyone got more information on where the ASUN will find it's new member?

If the league had any sort of foresight, then NJIT would already be in.

One thing to kind of watch will be if NJIT is added, if another school is added close to them(as a call up to D1 most likely- don't think they could poach anyone)- to be a travel partner for them. That way schools could go 2 games in 1 trip which would be very helpful.

(05-19-2015 07:52 AM)insomniaisevil Wrote:  If the league had any sort of foresight, then NJIT would already be in.

I think they really have no choice but to add NJIT (if NJIT wants to be in that conference). The A-sun has affiliates in a couple of sports that range all the way to Michigan.

Hanging at 7 is the bare minimum and having a school already D1 would be the best, even if it was for a few more years. FGCU even a recent D1 transition, may have options for other conferences.

ASun looking at NJIT. Not a perfect fit for either, but good enough for both. NJIT is unique in that it has more mens sports that womens. NJIT would need to find homes in other conferences for Lax, Fencing, Swimming & Diving and volleyball. On the other hand, it does not have womens lax or golf and those should be easy enough to start.

I have no insight, but I would think that Columbus State is almost a given to be added. A few years back someone listed the potential move-ups from Division II and they stood out.

Union University in Jackson, TN is at/near the end of their probationary period within Division II after moving up from NAIA. They, along with North Alabama (already discussed) are also two choices for them to consider.

Hopefully NJIT finds a conference, ASun or otherwise. North Alabama would get the conference back into Alabama and shore up the western side of the footprint.

There were rumors that some MEAC schools were unhappy, like NC A&T, NC Central, Delaware St, and Hampton.

Nova Southeastern is a large private the Fort Lauderdale area that has the facilities to go DI. It would be the perfect travel partner for FGCU, which isn't going anywhere.

In the north, Bellarmine, Lincoln Memorial, Wingate, and Trevecca Nazarene have expressed some interest in DI. The ASun really needs to keep Lipscomb and SC-Upstate happy, otherwise it could be lights out.

In Georgia, Columbus St, Clayton St, and Georgia Regents are possible. West Georgia and N Alabama too,, but they have football to deal with.

There is always UAB, but the ASun would be the conference of last resort.

I think it's a put-up/shut-up thing for the unhappy MEAC schools. If they want to move up, this is where some are going to have to start.

Any Division II move ups have to happen by June 1 to take effect for next year.

NJIT just wants any home they can get. I think they'd happily join the Big West, if the offered.

If the A-Sun could find a member or two to bridge the gap, it's not like they are in Washington state or anything.

I wonder if NYIT would want to move? They already play DI baseball.

you would think the WAC might be vulnerable enough to poach some members.

(05-19-2015 11:52 AM)insomniaisevil Wrote:  NJIT just wants any home they can get.

I agree. I think NJIT would be ecstatic if they received an offer from the ASUN and would accept immediately.

I'm guessing the ASUN is hoping for a closer option. I would think the ASUN needs to find a way to get to 8 for this basketball season.

That would mean that one of the div II schools gets their act together in the next week or so, or one of the unhappy MEAC schools as mentioned earlier.

If the ASUN is unsuccessful in their quest to find a school for this year via those options I would think they would have no choice but to offer NJIT.

Thoughts?

I think one would also have to consider West Liberty University (D2 in Northern Panhandle of WV, on border with OH and PA.)

West Liberty is the most dominant D2 basketball program over the last 6-8 years.

They have good attendance for a D2. Average around 1,200-1,500/game and have had a few games well over 2,000.

(05-19-2015 11:19 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  I think it's a put-up/shut-up thing for the unhappy MEAC schools. If they want to move up, this is where some are going to have to start.

HBCUs also run the risk of angering and/or alienating their alumni by moving out of a conference where they've been for some time. I know Hampton and Norfolk State alumni that, after nearly 20 years, still wish they were in Division II and the CIAA. Whatever problems they have with the MEAC (even the pulling out of the FCS postseason structure), I don't know if having them jettison regional teams with whom they share history and commonalities from their schedules, and replace them with seemingly random schools from a good distance away gets them where they want.

I would think it would be too late for any Div.II school to apply by June 1st.There is a LOT of red tape to complete for the NCAA division move.Also your application for DIV. I has to be accepted.It takes time and there is no guarantee.Unless some school ALREADY had things in the pipeline it would be doubtful for THIS coming academic year.

They may have no place to go but I bet LIPSCOMB,SC-Upstate,and KENNESAW St. are looking around.

SIDE NOTE--There has been a little discussion by the Louisiana-Lafayette AD and on the SBC board about POSSIBLY adding a non-football school in the event they want to get to 12 for olympic sports.
I'm not sure anyone in the ASUN would appeal to them-just a thought.

(05-19-2015 01:47 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  I would think it would be too late for any Div.II school to apply by June 1st.There is a LOT of red tape to complete for the NCAA division move.Also your application for DIV. I has to be accepted.It takes time and there is no guarantee.Unless some school ALREADY had things in the pipeline it would be doubtful for THIS coming academic year.

They may have no place to go but I bet LIPSCOMB,SC-Upstate,and KENNESAW St. are looking around.

SIDE NOTE--There has been a little discussion by the Louisiana-Lafayette AD and on the SBC board about POSSIBLY adding a non-football school in the event they want to get to 12 for olympic sports.
I'm not sure anyone in the ASUN would appeal to them-just a thought.

With the swirling rumors that Sun Belt may jettison Idaho and possibly NMSU as football only, getting to 12 in football isn't that great of a possibility if true.

I was referring to the SBC wanting to get to 12 for Basketball and other olympics to help with scheduling.Of course this assumption only works if they decide against adding an all-sports member.

(05-19-2015 02:03 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  I was referring to the SBC wanting to get to 12 for Basketball and other olympics to help with scheduling.Of course this assumption only works if they decide against adding an all-sports member.

Right but if the league opts to boot Idaho and/or NMSU, there will be no push for 12 in football and makes a non-football more attractive.

If UAB sticks (which I think is slightly more likely than not), CUSA isn't expanding, Sun Belt will be at 9 all-sport football members. It makes as much sense to play 9 or 10 in football and have 12 in basketball as it does to retain Idaho and maybe NMSU.

Cut Idaho and you boost the power ratings in football, can do the same via NMSU. Add a quality hoops team and boost the basketball ratings.

My preference is just add NMSU all-sports and go with a 10/12 alignment.

(05-19-2015 02:45 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(05-19-2015 02:03 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  I was referring to the SBC wanting to get to 12 for Basketball and other olympics to help with scheduling.Of course this assumption only works if they decide against adding an all-sports member.

Right but if the league opts to boot Idaho and/or NMSU, there will be no push for 12 in football and makes a non-football more attractive.

If UAB sticks (which I think is slightly more likely than not), CUSA isn't expanding, Sun Belt will be at 9 all-sport football members. It makes as much sense to play 9 or 10 in football and have 12 in basketball as it does to retain Idaho and maybe NMSU.

Cut Idaho and you boost the power ratings in football, can do the same via NMSU. Add a quality hoops team and boost the basketball ratings.

My preference is just add NMSU all-sports and go with a 10/12 alignment.

I don't think the eastern schools have any interest in adding NMSU. They are so far an outlier it's not funny.