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Wichita State to the American??


Walter

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PHOENIX – The American Athletic Conference is engaged in talks to add Wichita State, according to multiple sources. The conversations have advanced to where a timeline for potential membership has emerged, including the possibility of Wichita State playing in the AAC as soon as next season.

 

There’s strong mutual interest between both sides, and sources said that a final decision could be made within the next month or in as few as the next two weeks. Any decision would need to be approved by the American Athletic Conference’s presidents, but the mutual interest is strong enough where neither side sees any looming issues.

 

The biggest lingering detail remains when Wichita State would leave the Missouri Valley Conference to begin play in the AAC. Sources said there’s a strong chance that the Shockers could play in the AAC in the 2017-18 season, as both sides would prefer Wichita State avoiding playing a lame duck year in the Missouri Valley Conference.

 

Valley officials are prepared for the move, as one told Sports Illustrated on Thursday night: “We understand that this is in the works and that it’s a strong possibility.”

 

The incentive would likely be for the American to move quickly.

 

Wichita State returns virtually its entire team from last season, which finished 31-5 and took No. 2 Kentucky to the final seconds in the Round of 32. (Former walk-on John Robert Simon is the team’s lone scholarship senior).

 

.....Multiple sources pointed to Creighton’s exit from the Missouri Valley in 2013 as a potential blueprint for Wichita State to follow. Creighton announced it was leaving the league in March of 2013 and started play in the Big East later in the year. Wichita State’s decision to exit could come as early as April, which would mean a similar timeline. There’s no significant exit fee penalty for Wichita State to leave the league. (By leaving without giving the requisite 12 months notice, per Valley by-laws, Wichita State would forfeit a portion of its share of the annual conference revenue distribution).

 

When Creighton left in 2013, one Valley source pointed out that Wichita State officials fought hard against a hefty exit fee. That showed other schools in The Valley that the potential of Wichita State moving had always lingered in the minds of administrators there.

 

....Wichita State would join the American as a non-football member. The league is currently an 11-member basketball conference, giving Wichita State a natural spot as the 12th team. The Shockers would join in other non-football sports as well, including the school’s perennially strong baseball program.

 

The potential move appears mutually beneficial on paper. For Wichita State, it helps bolster their strength of schedule and national profile. For the AAC, it injects another program that’s immediately competitive nationally to increase its national competitiveness.

 

Two weeks ago, Missouri Valley Commissioner Doug Elgin expressed his worry over a potential move to Sports Illustrated: “It wouldn’t be a genuine response if I said we weren’t concerned,” Elgin said prior to the start of the NCAA tournament. “We want them to stay. Losing Creighton was a blow to the league. Losing Wichita State would be the same.”

 

Sources: Wichita State could join AAC as soon as 217-18 | SI.com

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This has seemed inevitable for some time. It actually makes sense: the league doesn't need a football member since Navy fills that role, but Wichita gives them an even 12 in basketball and other sports. Plus, with Tulsa, SMU, Houston, and Memphis fairly close, travel isn't a huge impediment.

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This has seemed inevitable for some time. It actually makes sense: the league doesn't need a football member since Navy fills that role, but Wichita gives them an even 12 in basketball and other sports. Plus, with Tulsa, SMU, Houston, and Memphis fairly close, travel isn't a huge impediment.

 

I agree. Once Creighton left, it really reduced the capacity for the MVC to be a multi-bid league most years in the NCAA tournament, which in turn hurt Wichita's ability to get quality wins after Jan. 1 in any given year.

 

Marshall seems like he's sticking it out there on Koch money, so it's a good move for all parties as long as that's true.

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Wouldn't it make far more sense for them to be in the BEast? They could also add Dayton and it would be perfect.

 

The Big East seems very comfortable where they are. I'd imagine Creighton would veto Wichita and I'm sure Xavier would veto Dayton.

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The Big East seems very comfortable where they are. I'd imagine Creighton would veto Wichita and I'm sure Xavier would veto Dayton.

 

That seems dumb. Natural rivals that should play 2x per year. The whole reason I thought of it.

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@JonRothstein 16 hours ago

Sources: AAC members preparing for Wichita State to join league during 17-18 season.

 

@JonRothstein 10 hours ago

Sources: MVC to hold emergency meeting with presidents and AD's on Sunday in Saint Louis

 

@JonRothstein 10 hours ago

One important thing when & if Wichita State joins AAC: League needs to ensure that Shockers play Cincinnati, UConn, & SMU twice next season.

 

@JonRothstein 10 hours ago

Best part of Wichita State joining the AAC for existing league members? Two potential games next season against a legitimate Top-10 team.

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