S.I.: Wichita State to AAC, early as 2017-18

[cyclones500]

Sources: Wichita State could join American as soon as 2017-18.

(SIAP)

I knew there were rumblings of the move, but didn't know it could happen that soon.

Prediction: If it does happen, North Dakota State would move from Summit to Valley.

 

[kingcy]

Big loss for the Valley.

 

[cyclones500]

Big loss for the Valley.

And win-win for AAC and WSU in short-term at least, and probably also for Gregg Marshall: He can stay loyal to Wichita but possibly reap benefits of stronger conference (for both schedule profile and eventually $$$)

 

[EYEoftheSTORM]

Does UNI move next? I bet the SD and ND schools join the Valley really soon...

 

[Acylum]

They're gonna rack up some miles. Not as bad as Creighton though probably.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

I don't get it. Is the AAC really that much more prestigious than the Valley? They put 2 teams in the Tournament this year......The Valley has had years where they've sent 4. This is the first year in a long time they only sent one. I guess I don't understand the hype or reasoning for leaving. Would the AAC have better TV deals or something? I'll admit I don't know a lot about that side of conference realignment (mid-majors that is).

 

[kingcy]

Does UNI move next? I bet the SD and ND schools join the Valley really soon...

Where would UNI go?

 

[kingcy]

I don't get it. Is the AAC really that much more prestigious than the Valley? They put 2 teams in the Tournament this year......The Valley has had years where they've sent 4. This is the first year in a long time they only sent one. I guess I don't understand the hype or reasoning for leaving. Would the AAC have better TV deals or something? I'll admit I don't know a lot about that side of conference realignment (mid-majors that is).

Yes. It is a step up. Not a big one but a step up. They will at least play a few teams in conference with a pulse in the AAC.

 

[cyclones500]

I don't get it. Is the AAC really that much more prestigious than the Valley? They put 2 teams in the Tournament this year......The Valley has had years where they've sent 4. This is the first year in a long time they only sent one. I guess I don't understand the hype or reasoning for leaving. Would the AAC have better TV deals or something? I'll admit I don't know a lot about that side of conference realignment (mid-majors that is).

Wichita State most likely wouldn't dominant in American compared to MVC, for sure, but I think that's about the only downside. Your strength of schedule in-conference is going to rise, more opportunities to pick up good wins without it hinging entirely on non-conference scheduling.

And WSU seems able to compete well with the level of teams in AAC in regular-season and postseason. Instead of going 30-4, record might drop to 26-7, so it seems like a step down, but it's mostly even-steven.

There's probably money-trickle-down to be in a league that has D-1 football, too.

 

[cyclones500]

Where would UNI go?

I suppose UNI could try to move, but the better option is, with Creighton and Wichita State out of the way, Northern Iowa becomes The New Valley Kingpin.

 

[cyclones500]

This could begin a mid-major domino-effect, if NDSU/SDSU reach for The Valley. As much as P5 football-driven realignment annoys me, the musical-chairs team-shift in D-1 bball sometimes fascinates me.

My friend/fellow ISU fan in Fargo said UND is on a push to move from Big Sky to Summit. So, if ND State and SD State both moved to MVC, and UND landed in Summit, who fills the Big Sky vacancy?

 

[CyForPresident]

The valley might replace them with Nebraska Omaha. Omaha is a city that knows and loves the valley and also adds another big city. But this move definitely turns the valley into a low-major conference from a mid-major. They are a 1 bid league forever now. That's why I'm a little surprised to see Ben Jacobson get an extension. That job just got a lot easier, but a lot less valuable

And it's a great move for WSU. Cincinnati, UConn, Memphis, and WSU are all great basketball schools. Add in a SMU or Houston or Temple every few years and that's a 4 bid league most of the time. Plus the travel isn't bad with 5 schools within a 90 minute plane ride

 

[CyForPresident]

Valpo would be a great add for the MVC if they can get them. The MVC has traditionally been a better conference than the Horizon League so it's possible.

 

[scyclonekid]

Alright alright alright.

 

[Cy$]

How much of a benefit financially is a move from the Summit to the Valley? For basketball, the competition won't be much different IMO from the Valley to the Summit if Wichita St. leaves.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

This could begin a mid-major domino-effect, if NDSU/SDSU reach for The Valley. As much as P5 football-driven realignment annoys me, the musical-chairs team-shift in D-1 bball sometimes fascinates me.

My friend/fellow ISU fan in Fargo said UND is on a push to move from Big Sky to Summit. So, if ND State and SD State both moved to MVC, and UND landed in Summit, who fills the Big Sky vacancy?

Idaho i think with them moving down.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Where would UNI go?

UNI wants into the MAC. Badly.

Talk of a package deal with James Madison, because the MAC is obsessed with being on the East Coast.

The botching of the Creighton replacement (Loyola-Chicago) and the upcoming botching of the Wichita replacement (lots of people speculating it will be UMKC) have really alienated UNI and Illinois State. UNI now has an AD and President that aren't 'whatever's best for the conference' guys. They think big.

 

[FinalFourCy]

UNI to the MAC would be the end of both.

 

[knowlesjam]

Don't see UNO moving to the Valley...all about hockey and some big $'s spent by UNO to improve facilities (Baxter Arena) to stay competitive in the Summit. Same goes for the Dakota schools...UMKC makes more sense in a move to the Valley.

 

[mj4cy]

Good move for WSU but I think they'll take a bit of a hit in headlines at times. They've basically become the Gonzaga(lite) of the midwest. Now, they'll just be another solid team in the AAC. However, it'll be easier for them to get an at large now and my guess is more money.