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Message: [QUOTE="shizzle787, post: 4263556, member: 6581"] With the Final Four upon us, I believe that we are about to enter the final stages of Division 1 realignment. The [B]CAA[/B] has been trying to pursue Howard, but I don't think the latter will blow up the [B]MEAC[/B]. Fairfield has also been mentioned as a candidate, but I believe it is Howard or bust for the CAA so they stay put. [B]C-USA[/B] only has nine members from 2023, but there are no indications they plan on expanding further even if it might be prudent. The [B]WCC[/B] will be down to nine members from 2023 as well, but no one moves the needle enough to expand, and Gonzaga's best bet for now is to stay in the league. The [B]Big South[/B] is down to ten schools after a few defections, but ten is a good number and there is no immediate need to expand. The [B]Horizon[/B] has been linked to Bellarmine but the latter seems to be content in a souther league. There is no pressing need for the Horizon to expand past eleven. The first move I see happening is Tennessee State to the [B]SWAC[/B]. Thirteen members is doable in both major sports. They can shelve divisions in football and play four permanent opponents and rotate through the other eight. The [B]OVC[/B] responds by adding Grand Valley State (D2) to get back to ten members. The [B]A-SUN[/B] has been linked to Queens (D2), and they make it happen to expand the league to twelve. The [B]Southland[/B] expands to nine by adding Chicago State. The final drama is in the Northeast. The [B]America East[/B] expands back to ten by adding Bryant and Quinnipiac. The [B]MAAC[/B] responds by adding Wagner to get back to 10. The [B]NEC[/B] is up last and they add New Haven (D2) and Stonehill (D2) to get back to 10. This leaves Division 1 with [B]363[/B] schools. [/QUOTE]

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