(04-29-2013 11:15 PM)Poliicious Wrote:  IUPUI & IPFW would be a large travel issue for the ASUN. FGSU has a great run in the men's tourney and if ETSU, Mercer & Kennesaw St leave they won't get their share of those tourney credits

For all of ETSU, Mercer, and KSU, they want out of the ASun because starting up football is their priority, not basketball.

ASun current roster and must retain 7 full DI members to keep autobid:

NKU (maybe gone to Horizon)
Lipscomb
ETSU (likely to SoCon)
USC-Upstate (possibly to Big South)
Kennesaw St (rumored to SoCon)
Mercer (likely to SoCon)
Jacksonville
N Florida
Stetson
FGCU

If the ASun loses 4 or 5 or 6 schools, the ASun has to return to 7 full DI members (NKU isn't fully DI yet, and DII schools that are interested in joining the ASun - Nova Southeastern, Wingate, Columbus St, Lincoln Memorial, Bellarmine, maybe UNA, and West Georgia - won't count for four years). The ASun won't be able to pull from either the SoCon or the Big South, but might be able to pull in IPFW and IUPUI from the Summit. Flying to Florida is actually probably a cheaper option for the IPU's than flying to the Dakotas.

The ASun and Summit will likely have to battle it out between each other for enough members, or merge. The Atlantic Sun, with FGCU's units, would have more cash to waive around, as the Summit has zero extra units.

(04-29-2013 05:23 AM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  With the WAC up to eight and the Summit down to eight, it's hard to see either conference taking any school from the other just yet. The Summit probably would have to lose another member or two for the WAC to become the preferred option for the leftovers. If that happens, I could see the WAC making a play for UNO and trying to lure back Denver. The Dakota schools might also be targeted if the WAC wants to establish eastern and western divisions to reduce travel costs.

Why did Denver leave the WAC for the Summit? UMKC leaving the Summit for the WAC is a strange one also. Denver is a long trip from WIU, IUPUI, IPFW and even the Dakota programs since they are all practically on the MN or IA border.

Conversly UMKC"s closest conference mate is Chicago State which is at least 450 miles.

Perhaps these 2 leagues will come to a meeting of the minds and merge at least for hoops and Olympic sports and divide into 2 divisions to save on travel expenses.

If the Big 12 ever decides to get back to 12, BYU will be on their candidate list which means the WCC will be looking to replace them and likely with either NM ST or Seattle. So there's a likelihood that the WAC losses at least one while the Horizon league is going to look at Summit league teams for replacements as they are down 2 from what they had 2 years ago.

A merger here might make sense.

If horizon takes Oakland, they should be begging for NDSU/sdsu to join. NDSU already has beaten uw Milwaukee and green bay numerous times, recruits heavily in wisconsin and adding them would allow for a east/west split.

(04-29-2013 11:26 PM)Poliicious Wrote:  

(04-29-2013 05:23 AM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  With the WAC up to eight and the Summit down to eight, it's hard to see either conference taking any school from the other just yet. The Summit probably would have to lose another member or two for the WAC to become the preferred option for the leftovers. If that happens, I could see the WAC making a play for UNO and trying to lure back Denver. The Dakota schools might also be targeted if the WAC wants to establish eastern and western divisions to reduce travel costs.

Why did Denver leave the WAC for the Summit? UMKC leaving the Summit for the WAC is a strange one also. Denver is a long trip from WIU, IUPUI, IPFW and even the Dakota programs since they are all practically on the MN or IA border.

Conversly UMKC"s closest conference mate is Chicago State which is at least 450 miles.

Perhaps these 2 leagues will come to a meeting of the minds and merge at least for hoops and Olympic sports and divide into 2 divisions to save on travel expenses.

If the Big 12 ever decides to get back to 12, BYU will be on their candidate list which means the WCC will be looking to replace them and likely with either NM ST or Seattle. So there's a likelihood that the WAC losses at least one while the Horizon league is going to look at Summit league teams for replacements as they are down 2 from what they had 2 years ago.

A merger here might make sense.

A merger loses one of the autobids though.

(04-29-2013 10:58 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(04-29-2013 10:37 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  I like the idea of going NKU, Murray and Belmont in the Horizon with the idea of maintaining that image of a Top 12 basketball conference.

Do these schools have better prospects than something like the Horizon? If they want to break out of the low major pack not really.

I wonder if UMKC would be willing to take a look at the Horizon?

It might take both Murray and NKU to get Belmont into the HL, with the promise of a southern/Ohio division. But Murray's profile doesn't fit well into the HL.

UMKC would jump at the chance of a Horizon League bid. They entertained an MVC visit just weeks ago.

If Horizon moves to 12 I like then UMKC, NKU and IUPUI.

Horizon West: UMKC, UWM, UWGB, UIC, Valpo, IUPUI
Horizon East: Oakland, Detroit, CSU, YSU, WSU, NKU

Horizon takes 1 from the WAC, Summit and ASun and 1 private school in each division.

I don't see the point of Belmont switching leagues unless its for the A10 and that even 5 years down the road once St. Louis/Dayton are gone.

(04-30-2013 12:46 AM)lakesbison Wrote:  If horizon takes Oakland, they should be begging for NDSU/sdsu to join. NDSU already has beaten uw Milwaukee and green bay numerous times, recruits heavily in wisconsin and adding them would allow for a east/west split.

I'd actually be cool with that, would make for a decent conference.

(04-29-2013 11:26 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(04-29-2013 11:15 PM)Poliicious Wrote:  IUPUI & IPFW would be a large travel issue for the ASUN. FGSU has a great run in the men's tourney and if ETSU, Mercer & Kennesaw St leave they won't get their share of those tourney credits

For all of ETSU, Mercer, and KSU, they want out of the ASun because starting up football is their priority, not basketball.

ASun current roster and must retain 7 full DI members to keep autobid:

NKU (maybe gone to Horizon)
Lipscomb
ETSU (likely to SoCon)
USC-Upstate (possibly to Big South)
Kennesaw St (rumored to SoCon)
Mercer (likely to SoCon)
Jacksonville
N Florida
Stetson
FGCU

I agree that the ASun, WAC and Summit are in the most trouble.

If its just NKU going to the Horizon leaving the Summit at 8 full D1 members I can't see the ASun pulling off a raid of IPUPI or IPFW.

If the Horizon league added IPFW or IPUPI, knocking the Summit down to 7 Division I members then IPFW or IPUPI will probably be willing to look at the ASun.

The ASun also has NJIT they can add but I'm not sure if they are fully transitioned.

The Summit may be forced to merge in with the WAC which is funny considering that Denver was in the WAC last year making a plea to keep the WAC together to maintain the automatic bid.

(04-30-2013 07:37 AM)DexterDevil Wrote:  

(04-30-2013 12:46 AM)lakesbison Wrote:  If horizon takes Oakland, they should be begging for NDSU/sdsu to join. NDSU already has beaten uw Milwaukee and green bay numerous times, recruits heavily in wisconsin and adding them would allow for a east/west split.

I'd actually be cool with that, would make for a decent conference.

It would make for a nice Horizon West division too of NDSU, SDSU, UWM, UWGB, UIC and Valpo. Northern Kentucky can be added to round out the East Division.

One move like that and the Summit is finished. Denver, UNO and USD will have to go to the WAC. Western Illinois possibly the OVC. IUPUI, IPFW will have to take the ASun seriously.

Its the fact the WAC has a TV deal with ESPN which will ultimately be the undoing of the Summit....

(04-30-2013 12:46 AM)lakesbison Wrote:  If horizon takes Oakland, they should be begging for NDSU/sdsu to join. NDSU already has beaten uw Milwaukee and green bay numerous times, recruits heavily in wisconsin and adding them would allow for a east/west split.

Assuming geography matters, NDSU and SDSU appear too far out of the footprint.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co..._teams.png

Northern Kentucky is still transitioning from Division 2 and won't improve the Horizon's conference strength right away, but it's in the footprint, urban, plays in a new 10,000-seat arena, and has a Horizon-caliber fan following having averaged 3,551 per home game last season despite a losing record. It looks like a logical 10th member.

From a competitive standpoint Murray State and Belmont would be good pickups as 11th and 12th members. They wouldn't stretch the footprint as far as NDSU and SDSU. They're well-supported, having averaged 5,436 and 2,734 per home game respectively. But as noted above, Murray State would have to find a new home for football which is a problem.

I think Robert Morris is an unlikely choice with its 3,000-seat gym and average home attendance of only 1,196 last season despite a 24-11 record.

How about NKU, UMKC and Western Illinois for travel?

Horizon West: UMKC, WIU, UIC, UWM, UWGB, Valpo

Big Sky and WAC then pick through the Dakota schools and Denver...

What about schools from the Summit, WAC, and Big Sky form a best of the rest conference?

Big North

NDSU
UND
USD
SDSU
UNC
Montana
Montana State
Idaho State
Weber State
Idaho*
Denver*
UNO*

9 football, 3 Olympics...Would easily be the third best conference of schools that are West of the Mississippi.

(04-30-2013 11:30 AM)Shox Wrote:  What about schools from the Summit, WAC, and Big Sky form a best of the rest conference?

Big North

NDSU
UND
USD
SDSU
UNC
Montana
Montana State
Idaho State
Weber State
Idaho*
Denver*
UNO*

9 football, 3 Olympics...Would easily be the third best conference of schools that are West of the Mississippi.

Thanks, but no.


Tell you what - here's a conference that makes as much sense:

Wichita State
UNO
UMKC
SDSU
UND
NDSU
UNC
USD
Denver
Western Ill



Go for it, buddy!

did davidson join the a-10 or not

(04-30-2013 05:27 PM)Cardiff Wrote:  did davidson join the a-10 or not

No, at least not yet and maybe won't. There is talk that Davidson wants exemptions to certain A10 travel requirements due to its location and academics. Another Carolina school (CofC) may be what Davidson wants.

looks like Oakland to the Horizon is happening later today.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130506/SP...zon-league

(04-30-2013 01:27 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Thanks, but no.


Tell you what - here's a conference that makes as much sense:

Wichita State
UNO
UMKC
SDSU
UND
NDSU
UNC
USD
Denver
Western Ill



Go for it, buddy!

You're joking, right?

(05-07-2013 06:24 AM)BirdstheWord Wrote:  

(04-30-2013 01:27 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Thanks, but no.


Tell you what - here's a conference that makes as much sense:

Wichita State
UNO
UMKC
SDSU
UND
NDSU
UNC
USD
Denver
Western Ill



Go for it, buddy!

You're joking, right?

It makes as much sense as his set up


But as a serious conference proposal - no

(05-07-2013 03:49 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  looks like Oakland to the Horizon is happening later today.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130506/SP...zon-league

Big news and this drops the Summit League down to 8 schools. Only brings the Horizon up to 8 since both Butler and Loyola have left.

The Summit is teetering on collapse with the Big Sky and WAC also eyeing their programs. The Dakota schools sound like they are trying to leverage an invite to the highest bidder among the Big Sky, WAC and Horizon.

(05-07-2013 08:56 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(05-07-2013 03:49 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  looks like Oakland to the Horizon is happening later today.

http://www.freep.com/article/20130506/SP...zon-league

Big news and this drops the Summit League down to 8 schools. Only brings the Horizon up to 8 since both Butler and Loyola have left.

The Summit is teetering on collapse with the Big Sky and WAC also eyeing their programs. The Dakota schools sound like they are trying to leverage an invite to the highest bidder among the Big Sky, WAC and Horizon.

Horizon at 9 with Oakland

Oakland
Detroit
UIC
Valpo
Wright State
Cleveland State
UWM
UWGB
Youngstown State

Horizon was at 9 from 01 to 07 and has been at 10 from 08 to 12. ran at 9 this past year. So they could settle in at 9 and take from summit as needed from this point on to keep the Summit alive and as a feeder league. Oakland gets Horizon baseball back to 6 so Horizon will meet minimum requirements. No need to kill Summit if you are Horizon so Horizon may be done.

Question is, does Horizon stop at 9 or try and even the number up? If so, who else do they add?