It seems that since South Dakota is now part of the Summit League plans as the 11th team, that North Dakota should soon follow as the 12th. The biggest stumbing block has been the NCAA legal issue over the schools nickname (and fight to retain) “Fighting Sioux.

But making the logical move by inviting North Dakota might not come to be. There are supposedly 6 schools that have applied to the Summit league excluding South Dakota. The group likely consists of UND, Utah Valley, UTPA, Houston Baptist, NJIT and Longwood. North Dakota seems to be sitting at the top but Utah Valley might have another advantage. Southern Utah needs a travel partner as their current one, UMKC, is 1200 miles away.

But should the Summit cater to the one school so far outside the current conference footprint? Or just go with the convenient pick, North Dakota, to give the conference all 4 members from the Dakotas?

Jeff Kolpack wrote a piece today about the USD move to the Summit League and the ramifications it’ll have on North Dakota joining in the future.