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Wichita State joining the AAC a realignment move that—for once—makes total sense



"Every realignment move in college sports is born of at least a hint of dissatisfaction. A team thinks it deserves more. A conference wants more clout. New connections are made, and they’re often forced. Missouri in the SEC East despite lying farther west than all but two teams in the conference? Sure. The Big Ten stretching from Nebraska to New Jersey? Alright. We convince ourselves these moves make sense when they often, well, don’t.

On Friday, though, a piece of realignment news broke that trend. When the American Athletic Conference announced Wichita State would be joining its ranks effective July 1 as a basketball-only member, there was little head-scratching. It made sense for both sides. Here was a spread-out conference built from the fallout of a shifting league and a basketball powerhouse from a Kansas town that had outgrown its world joining forces and building their respective resumes. The Shockers are perennial national contenders. The AAC markets itself as having the strength to make a “Power Six” in college sports. On Friday, both those arguments got stronger."

Read the rest here: https://www.si.com/college-basketball/20...ealignment

(04-07-2017 09:44 PM)BigEastHomer Wrote: [ -> ]Wichita State joining the AAC a realignment move that—for once—makes total sense



"Every realignment move in college sports is born of at least a hint of dissatisfaction. A team thinks it deserves more. A conference wants more clout. New connections are made, and they’re often forced. Missouri in the SEC East despite lying farther west than all but two teams in the conference? Sure. The Big Ten stretching from Nebraska to New Jersey? Alright. We convince ourselves these moves make sense when they often, well, don’t.

On Friday, though, a piece of realignment news broke that trend. When the American Athletic Conference announced Wichita State would be joining its ranks effective July 1 as a basketball-only member, there was little head-scratching. It made sense for both sides. Here was a spread-out conference built from the fallout of a shifting league and a basketball powerhouse from a Kansas town that had outgrown its world joining forces and building their respective resumes. The Shockers are perennial national contenders. The AAC markets itself as having the strength to make a “Power Six” in college sports. On Friday, both those arguments got stronger."

Read the rest here: https://www.si.com/college-basketball/20...ealignment

Nice. The Wichita State brand has been pretty strong for the past several years. Today just makes it that much stronger. The disrespect WSU has had the past few years has helped rally the media. Actually made the brand even stronger. A lot of talking heads have really helped shine a light on WSU basketball. I think that just helps elevate the AAC that much more. I agree, this is a win-win. No losers here

I wish journalists would stop saying 'basketball' only...

(04-07-2017 09:54 PM)Chappy Wrote: [ -> ]I wish journalists would stop saying 'basketball' only...

Yeah. That part is a little annoying.

Everyone in the college basketball world believes this is an interesting move.

Wichita by aligning with an FBS conference secures its athletic future in the event of a D1 split. AAC will be going with the power schools.

What does this do for some of the AAC's other positions?

-Aresco has always said they may stay at 10 FB members if they were to lose 2. Is there a solid commitment to a 12 team sports league now?

-Is the logical backfill for Cincinnati going to be Dayton moving forward? That would give the AAC 11 in football, 12 in basketball. St. Louis for Memphis?

-Does this mean MWC schools are permanently off the table with an AAC that is focused as an eastern basketball conference?

(04-07-2017 09:53 PM)shockerfan1313 Wrote: [ -> ]I agree, this is a win-win. No losers here

Remaining members of the MVC were just consigned to a guaranteed 1-bid league, basically forever.

But for all 12 basketball programs now affiliated with the AAC, this is a big step up.

the Dayton and VCU mentions were interesting.

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