Horizon adding IUPUI to replace Valpo.

[Dave Stalwart]

May expand to 14, looking at Grand Canyon, Fort Wayne, UNO, Robert Morris & SIU-Edwardsville. Maybe Belmont or Murray State.

The IUPUI thing is the only thing that seems to have legs. The other names were speculative. Although, the commissioner seems to be pretty openly working toward 14 down the road.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2017/06/22/source-iupui-receives-horizon-league-invitation/103102686/

https://www.midmajormadness.com/2017/6/22/15858124/horizon-league-iupui-conference-realignment-summit-league-report

https://www.midmajormadness.com/2017/6/22/15851372/horizon-league-conference-realignment-rumors-what-we-know-fort-wayne-grand-canyon

[Dave Stalwart]

IUPUI accepts

http://kelo.com/news/articles/2017/jun/27/report-iupui-to-accept-horizon-league-invitation-for-17-18/

Also, the article above makes mention of the Summit adding North Dakota out of the Big Sky Conference in 2018-19. I hadn't heard of that one yet. I went to the Summit League website and it shows UND, so it's a thing. I almost feel like the Summit came out ahead in this little shuffle. UND was a conference leader in the Big Sky in basketball last year.

http://www.thesummitleague.org/sports/mbkb/index

[Dave Stalwart]

I know I'm the only one who cares, but I enjoy it. You all might as well get the benefit of my frequent online searches.

Summit League likely options are:
1. Returning to 9 after North Dakota joins next year and sticking with that
2. Re-adding UMKC back from the "tumultous WAC"
3. Bringing in more Big Sky teams (like North Dakota) such as Weber State or Montana
4. Going after Grand Canyon. GCU is getting mentioned a lot when mid-majors go looking for a solid add. Horizon looked at them, too. I think the conference that brings them in regardless of the travel situation will be better for it.

https://www.midmajormadness.com/2017/6/29/15890852/what-now-for-the-summit-league-iupui-horizon-league-realignment-grand-canyon