More conference shuffling afoot?
Stony Brook guard Marcus Rouse reacts on the court against Vermont in the second half of the NCAA Division I men's basketball game at Pritchard Gymnasium. (February 15, 2013) PHOTO CREDIT: KATHLEEN MALONE-VAN DYKE Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
News of the “Catholic 7” having a lucrative TV deal with Fox along with its reported plans to bring Butler, Xavier, Creighto, Dayton and St. Louis into the fold will certainly create a ripple effect in the Northeast region.
That means Stony Brook could be impacted.
The CAA already lost VCU and is set to lose Georgia State and Old Dominion. The College of Charleston will join the league as a fulltime member next year. Even with the addition of Charleston, the CAA needs to prepare for the possible loss of a program like George Mason to the Atlantic-10.
The league also needs to cope with the eventual loss of Richmond from its football contingent.
Charleston will give the CAA nine teams in basketball, which not exactly a desired number to be at. Most leagues prefer 10 to 12 teams. So where does Stony Brook, which will begin playing football in the CAA in the fall, come in?
The CAA could ask the Seawolves to become a full member of the league instead of just for football. It’s a logical move considering the success of Stony Brook’s baseball, softball and lacrosse programs.
But asking Stony Brook to become a fulltime member of a league that has all but three of its teams south of Delaware might be a lot to ask. The travel budget would be significantly higher than it is now.
If the CAA opted to expand to 12 teams, it would make a move for Stony Brook a little more enticing. Further expansion would open the door for Maine, New Hampshire (both football members of the CAA) or maybe Albany, which has been successful in both football and basketball.
Adding Maine, New Hampshire and or Albany to the mix would allow the CAA to break into north and south divisions, something Stony Brook would likely prefer.
There is an outside chance this could have an impact on Hofsra, too. It's a long shot, but the Atlantic-10 could come calling the Pride. Think it's crazy? With a few of its best teams possibly on the way out and Temple set to bolt in all sports next season, the league could be looking for another non-football member.
Hofsra could fit that bill. Again, it's a long shot, but you never know these days.
