More conference realignment talk

[DFW HOYA]

The problem with UConn is time: Geno Auriemma will retire soon, and Dan Hurley will eventually move on, or self-implode. The value of UConn basketball will never be higher than it is right now, but the football part of the equation is still the driver, and right now UConn football isn't drawing the interest needed.

Maybe the Pac-12 will make a call. And to what end?

[Viper]

It makes sense financially for them with less travel for their non-football sports. They also aren't competitive outside of football. Men's Basketball is bad and has a ways go to in order to just be competitive in the Horizon.

Doug Gottlieb hopes you are correct

[DFW HOYA]

In other realignment news, the WAC may finally be running out of teams.

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1894160770218209321

[Pakuni]

With its football team now in the Mountain West, Northern Illinois is moving the rest of its teams to the Horizon League.

[The Sultan]

With its football team now in the Mountain West, Northern Illinois is moving the rest of its teams to the Horizon League.

I was reading more about this, and NIU is really excited about this move all around. First, their football program is going to be in a more lucrative conference. And, for as much as the mid-week MACTION game draw the headlines, NIU hates them because they don't draw the crowds.

Second, the Horizon League is a better geographic fit for their non-football sports. And lately it's been a better basketball conference as well.

The Horizon likes it because, with Loyola, UIC and Valpo leaving, they haven't had a Chicago-area member. (I know De Kalb isn't really Chicagoland, but its close at least.)

[Billy Hoyle]

In other realignment news, the WAC may finally be running out of teams.

https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1894160770218209321

and two more soon to be departing the WAC - Southern Utah and Utah Tech (f.k.a. Dixie State) are rumored to join the Summit League. This would put the Summit at 11, but Denver has eyed membership in the WCC for a while so that could be the next move and get the Summit down to 10.

The "hot rumor is that Utah Tech and Southern Utah will join the Summit League for next season," according to Inforum's Mike McFeely, who reports an announcement "could be coming this spring."

[The Sultan]

and two more soon to be departing the WAC - Southern Utah and Utah Tech (f.k.a. Dixie State) are rumored to join the Summit League. This would put the Summit at 11, but Denver has eyed membership in the WCC for a while so that could be the next move and get the Summit down to 10.

The "hot rumor is that Utah Tech and Southern Utah will join the Summit League for next season," according to Inforum's Mike McFeely, who reports an announcement "could be coming this spring."

Then the three remaining WAC members, who are all in Texas, could just join the Southland.

[WhiteTrash]

Then the three remaining WAC members, who are all in Texas, could just join the Southland.

You don't think the WAC will rise again like the PAC12? Maybe steal some Patriot League and MAAC schools?

[Billy Hoyle]

You don't think the WAC will rise again like the PAC12? Maybe steal some Patriot League and MAAC schools?

Speaking of the MAAC, they are exploring a name change as they are often referred to "the other MAC," "the MAAC with two As" and people don't know what the full name of the conference is.

[WhiteTrash]

Speaking of the MAAC, they are exploring a name change as they are often referred to "the other MAC," "the MAAC with two As" and people don't know what the full name of the conference is.

"Little East Conference"?

[The Sultan]

"Little East Conference"?

Taken

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_East_Conference

Honestly I wonder if they could just use the old "Metro Conference" or if that's still owned by Conference USA or whatever.

[Goatherder]

Taken

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_East_Conference

Honestly I wonder if they could just use the old "Metro Conference" or if that's still owned by Conference USA or whatever.

The Mediocre East?

[Shaka Shart]

The Mediocre East?

I thought that was the ACC

[Billy Hoyle]

the A10 will be adding at some point soon. UMass is leaving and the TV deal with A10 has requires them to have a minimum of 15 members. College of Charleston has been seen as a likely addition but there are some rumors of High Point being a possibility. That school has a ton of money and a new arena. How the A10 has fallen!

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

the A10 will be adding at some point soon. UMass is leaving and the TV deal with A10 has requires them to have a minimum of 15 members. College of Charleston has been seen as a likely addition but there are some rumors of High Point being a possibility. That school has a ton of money and a new arena. How the A10 has fallen!

Come on, they have Dayton!

[WhiteTrash]

Come on, they have Dayton!

I think we all understand that Dayton is next school up for the next round of Big10 expansion.

I believe they have invested in an additional tackling dummy for the football team to prove how serious they are in not only being in the Big10, but competing for Championships.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/article/university-new-haven-nec-ncaa-division-1-20312779.php

University of New Haven athletics moving up to NCAA Division I, accepts offer from Northeast Conference
By Dave Stewart
Staff Writer
May 6, 2025


The university accepted a full membership invitation from the NEC Council of Presidents and will join the NEC on July 1, UNH president Jens Frederiksen and NEC commissioner Noreen Morris announced on Wednesday.

According to a press release from the school, New Haven will begin its transition to NCAA Division I and the NEC during the 2025-26 academic year, and will then reach full Division I membership in 2028-29 following the NCAA-mandated reclassification period.

"We are thrilled to welcome the University of New Haven to the Northeast Conference family," Morris said. "Making the move to Division I is a bold step, and we're honored that New Haven chose to take that step with us. From the start, it was clear that they share our values – putting academics, competitive excellence and the student-athlete experience at the forefront.

"We're excited to partner with the Chargers as they make their mark in Division I and help elevate the NEC."

New Haven sponsors 20 varsity programs, 19 of which align with NEC-sponsored sports. The Chargers will become the NEC's 10th full-time member.

For more detail:
https://www.newhaven.edu/news/releases/2025/northeast-conference-invitation.php#:~:text=Located%20on%20Connecticut's%20southern%20coast,the%20NCAA%2Dmandated%20reclassification%20period.


Dave Stewart - Reporter
Dave Stewart is a sports reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group who has been covering sports in Connecticut since 1996 and serves as the GameTimeCT writer for volleyball, girls hockey, wrestling and girls lacrosse. He has won multiple New England Newspaper & Press Association and Connecticut SPJ awards for writing and photography and is a member of the FCIAC Hall of Fame.

[Billy Hoyle]

https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/article/university-new-haven-nec-ncaa-division-1-20312779.php

University of New Haven athletics moving up to NCAA Division I, accepts offer from Northeast Conference
By Dave Stewart
Staff Writer
May 6, 2025


The university accepted a full membership invitation from the NEC Council of Presidents and will join the NEC on July 1, UNH president Jens Frederiksen and NEC commissioner Noreen Morris announced on Wednesday.

According to a press release from the school, New Haven will begin its transition to NCAA Division I and the NEC during the 2025-26 academic year, and will then reach full Division I membership in 2028-29 following the NCAA-mandated reclassification period.

50/50 odds the NEC still exists when New Haven reaches full D1 membership.

[The Sultan]

I have no idea why a private school in the northeast, with an endowment of less than $100 million, is going D1. That sounds like an insane decision to me.

[Billy Hoyle]

I have no idea why a private school in the northeast, with an endowment of less than $100 million, is going D1. That sounds like an insane decision to me.

extra publicity/free marketing, buy games, and a piece of NCAA tourney shares. The NEC is a bus league so travel costs won't change.

[Uncle Rico]

I have no idea why a private school in the northeast, with an endowment of less than $100 million, is going D1. That sounds like an insane decision to me.

To get more portal players

[The Sultan]

extra publicity/free marketing, buy games, and a piece of NCAA tourney shares. The NEC is a bus league so travel costs won't change.

Right, but you also have to pay increased costs to elevate the program. I just don't know if athletics is ever going to be a driver at a place like that.

[The Sultan]

To get more portal players

Thanks Shaka!!!

[ATL MU Warrior]

To get more portal players

More ammo for Willie to tell us the gap is widening

[Uncle Rico]

More ammo for Willie to tell us the gap is widening

That gap is wider than Willie's basketball knowledge versus Shaka's