RE: The Next Realignment Effect on the Horizon League
I don't see a good fit for the Horizon. They would want a school whose Basketball budget is in line with their top 7 school (6 if MVC raid UIC or Valpo) $2.2-2.9m per year. Definitely don't want to add more to the bottom (Don't need another YSU in basketball). So look at schools in the top 175
Not investing anywhere near enough (only UMKC is not below below NKU who are still growing their program, increasing budget):
216) University of Missouri-Kansas City (WAC ) $1,815,762
253) Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (tSL) $1,564,479
300) University of Nebraska at Omaha (tSL) $1,288,481
303) Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne (tSL) $1,269,206
304) Western Illinois University (tSL) $1,238,197
I think all the above can be ruled out as simply not investing enough for the Horizon. The Dakotas schools are also in teh above range, but never will be in consideration for the urban based Horizon anyway due to location. Schools on the above list may have strong interest in the Horizon, but the Horizon has little interest in them. These schools don;t help the Horizon.
More serious contenders would have to come from this list
114) University of Denver (tSL) $3,361,111
125) New Mexico State University-Main Campus (WAC) $3,003,045
127) Belmont University (OVC) $2,951,040
140) Oral Roberts University (tSL) $2,741,483
177) Murray State University (OVC) $2,218,712
178) Stephen F Austin State University (SLC) $2,188,109
197) Robert Morris University (NEC) $1,962,797
NMSU actually talked with the Horizon seriously over a year ago. They would up the profile, fit academically. But it's a heck of a travel issue, and not sure the interest was ever more than "what if" stuff. Denver also could fit, and although as far away as NMSU, well connected as a major UAL hub. Belmont would be nice with Nashville metro, but all indications are they are looking another direction (to the South) and like the OVC. Murray is the fan choice, but small metro, not easy to get to - well supported program. SFA always shows well on metrics, had a strong team a year ago; but Nacogdoches is not exactly a metro fit. RMU has been discussed, fits the metro, but right on the border line of acceptable investment. No great performance. Oral Roberts is not an academic fit, but has the metro, good support.
Football also is a concern that complicates RMU, SFA, Murray State, and NMSU. Belmont is not interested. ORU is just not a logical fit. Denver is a strange bird, passed on MVC because of their unique sports mix. I see no reason for them to move.
Unless the Horizon is willing to reach for an underfunded program, I don't see a fit at this time. They have the minimums in all their sports and losing a school actually leaves all team sports, except basketball, on even numbers which is easier to schedule. There just isn't a pressing need. Based on that my conclusion is nobody will be taken.
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