What conference will the other Dakotas be in 2015?

[SiouxVolley]

The Summit can lose their men's basketball autobid if they don't get to six baseball teams or if they don't have at least seven full members (Omaha won't count for a couple more years until they finish their transition). In Baseball, the Summit doesn't have enough members now if Oakland leaves (NDSU, SDSU, Omaha, W Ill, IPFW) and UND and UNC won't be joining. In full membership, the MVC grabbed another Horizon team, so the Horizon needs to add two members, likely from the Summit League. The Atlantic 10 could still steal members from the Horizon (like Detroit or Valparaiso or Cleveland), which could force the Horizon to raid the Summit even deeper. There is also talk that the Horizon could lose two more - Illinois-Chicago and Valpo - to the MVC if the Missouri Valley decides to go all in on the Chicago area and go to 12 members.

With the Horizon League being a much richer conference than the Summit (HL has a TV contract and has Butlers NCAA credits going out for at least four more years that are worth millions), practically any Summit League team would leave for there in a minute.

So what will happen?

Almost would feel sorry for these fans if they get relegated to independence (but then again, UND would be able to clean up on Minnesota basketball and volleyball recruiting.)

[JohnboyND7]

Summit or Horizon

[WeAreNorthDakota]

Big Sky adds all three. West coast teams are furious and join the WAC. We're left with us, Montana, MSU, NDSU, SDSU, USD, UNC, NAU, Idaho, Idaho State, Weber State, and SUU.

[SIOUXFAN97]

imo i don't think fullerton would ever answer a phone call from vermillion...ever

[Hawkster]

I don't see any of them going to the Sky. They'll go Horizon if the Summit folds.

[Herd]

Give me aything central or east for olympic sports. BSC would be last resort, well msybe WAC.

[darell1976]

I say a merge with what's left of the Horizon league. Douple will do anything to keep his conference alive (of course not adding UND and UNC was a huge blunder on his part).

[zonadub]

I say a merge with what's left of the Horizon league. Douple will do anything to keep his conference alive (of course not adding UND and UNC was a huge blunder on his part).

A league merger would likely cost Douple his job. Don't see him giving up his position.

More likely the Summit becomes the new move-up league. Adding teams like NJIT and DII move-ups.

[darell1976]

A league merger would likely cost Douple his job. Don't see him giving up his position.

More likely the Summit becomes the new move-up league. Adding teams like NJIT and DII move-ups.

He would be the bitch of the Horizon League Commissioner. " Hey Douple get me my coffee"

[bincitysioux]

I really don't think the Summit will just fold. Autobids don't die easily, as we saw with the WAC.

[NDSU grad]

Big Sky adds all three. West coast teams are furious and join the WAC. We're left with us, Montana, MSU, NDSU, SDSU, USD, UNC, NAU, Idaho, Idaho State, Weber State, and SUU.

I have to admit that would be pretty awesome. Are you thinking UC-Davis, Portland St., Cal Poly, and Sac. St. would still be in the Sky for football?

[North Dakota]

I see the Summit and Horizon eventually merging.

[southpaw]

I see the Summit and Horizon eventually merging.

I just don't see the Summit willfully giving up their autobid. It will die a slow painful death. Additionally, the Horizon won't want to take on all of the remaining members of the Summit and would probably just pick and choose several to get back to a respectable number.

I could see the Summit becoming like a Great West where it's just a random collection of schools just for the sake of a scheduling alliance but now with an autobid.

[zonadub]

I just don't see the Summit willfully giving up their autobid. It will die a slow painful death. Additionally, the Horizon won't want to take on all of the remaining members of the Summit and would probably just pick and choose several to get back to a respectable number.

I could see the Summit becoming like a Great West where it's just a random collection of schools just for the sake of a scheduling alliance but now with an autobid.

they would have to keep their membership number up to retain the autobid, wouldnt' they?

[southpaw]

they would have to keep their membership number up to retain the autobid, wouldnt' they?

Yes, which is why they would need to start adding some random teams with no geographic relation in order to survive.

[zonadub]

Yes, which is why they would need to start adding some random teams with no geographic relation in order to survive.

Hello, NJIT? Can you come out to play with me and bring a friend, like maybe New York IT ? Pretty please.

[darell1976]

Hello, NJIT? Can you come out to play with me and bring a friend, like maybe New York IT ? Pretty please.

Don't forget about DII schools close to the SL tourney like St. Cloud, Mankato State, and Augy.

[andtheHomeoftheSIOUX!!]

Don't forget about DII schools close to the SL tourney like St. Cloud, Mankato State, and Augy.

I've always thought SCSU would be good fit in the Summit.

[darell1976]

I've always thought SCSU would be good fit in the Summit.

Even they would pick DII over the Summit.

[SiouxVolley]

I just don't see the Summit willfully giving up their autobid. It will die a slow painful death. Additionally, the Horizon won't want to take on all of the remaining members of the Summit and would probably just pick and choose several to get back to a respectable number.

I could see the Summit becoming like a Great West where it's just a random collection of schools just for the sake of a scheduling alliance but now with an autobid.

The WAC took in most of the Great West schools, and the WAC would have an exit fee and maybe forced on them a several year commitment. Only NJIT is left to pick up.

Can't see Horizon schools choosing the Summit when that means the Horizon schools have to pay an exit fee and lose out on an 1/8th share of Butler's $4 mill NCAA credits for the next 4 years.

The Horizon going to pick schools based on markets: even UMKC and Omaha would get looks before the Dakota's or W Ill. The Dakota's could be hung out to dry with other DII schools or be forced into the WAC, which would likely take them. Maybe there could be a deal with an eastern or southern league that will need teams too.

[SiouxVolley]

Don't forget about DII schools close to the SL tourney like St. Cloud, Mankato State, and Augy.

They would need to be DI within two years rather than the four year transition required, which the NCAA probably wouldn't allow, otherwise the Summit would be short of DI members.

Happen to think the situation is pretty bleak for the other Dakotas.

Thank God for a stable Big Sky.

[darell1976]

The WAC took in most of the Great West schools, and the WAC would have an exit fee and maybe forced on them a several year commitment. Only NJIT is left to pick up.

Can't see Horizon schools choosing the Summit when that means the Horizon schools have to pay an exit fee and lose out on an 1/8th share of Butler's $4 mill NCAA credits for the next 4 years.

The Horizon going to pick schools based on markets: even UMKC and Omaha would get looks before the Dakota's or W Ill. The Dakota's could be hung out to dry with other DII schools or be forced into the WAC, which would likely take them. Maybe there could be a deal with an eastern or southern league that will need teams too.

I wonder if the Big Sky would welcome the SU's over the WAC? I don't see them (BSC) inviting USD.

[SiouxVolley]

I wonder if the Big Sky would welcome the SU's over the WAC? I don't see them (BSC) inviting USD.

Could see them adding them for football, but adding them for other sports just limits how often any school can go to the Big Dance. With the rate FCS schools are moving to FBS, the Big Sky and FCS championship might be one and the same.

[zonadub]

At least so far, the MVC is not going to save the Dakota Big 3. Loyola of Chicago made it official today, replacing Creighton.

[WeAreNorthDakota]

I have to admit that would be pretty awesome. Are you thinking UC-Davis, Portland St., Cal Poly, and Sac. St. would still be in the Sky for football?

All sports. 16 teams would be too big for a football conference. That's just my "build an ideal FCS level conference from scratch" scenario.