(01-14-2021 03:09 PM)schmolik Wrote: What exactly is Chicago State's plan? Do they even have a plan? Did the WAC kick Chicago State out? They have 13 teams so numerically it doesn't really hurt them to keep them. Geographically it does. If Chicago State voluntarily left, shouldn't they have at least talked to another conference or conferences that they have a chance to get in?
If you heard the Chicago St board meeting in early 2020 (or perhaps mid-to-late 2019), you got a taste of how unprepared and uninformed the school leadership really is. It is sad and I wish Chicago St the best but the cards aren't in their favor.
I'd be glad for them if they found a seat in the Summit but that's not happening. If leaving was their sole decision, it would have happened with another home already in place. Because it seems they will be playing as an independent for the foreseeable future, this was not their decision.
One possible lifeline I could see is if the Southland got desperate. As it stands they have 9 members after the 4 Texas schools officially leave. If Central Arkansas leaves for the Atlantic Sun, that drops the conference down to 8. The NCAA minimum is 7. Chicago St could be added as a 9th member buffer just in case any other Southland members decide to leave.
If the Atlantic Sun rumors are true and Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville St leave, the OVC will be down to 10 members from 12. They could stand pat or add two Louisiana schools from the Southland, like Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese St. That brings them back to 12, drops the Southland to 6 and suddenly Chicago St looks like an easy add.
All the Southland schools are in the central time zone with Chicago St so that would at least be somewhat of a positive.