WAC BB blog article(previously posted in another thread)discussing NMSU interest in "possibly" joining the Horizon league at http://www.campuspressbox.com/2016/new- ... conference

I don't get the Horizon League idea.

It doesn't do a thing to solve their FBS football problem.

If NMSU doesn't like the WAC (understandable), why not talk to the Summit ? It is more favorable from a travel perspective, and there are some Indiana teams that (if they are thinking of recruiting up there).

I don't think NMSU makes sense for the members of the Horizon. I can't imagine what they would get out of inviting a team from down in Las Cruces, NM... just a lot of travel expense.... so I have a hard time seeing this happen.

I don't think the NMSU thing makes any sense either. Why would the Horizon either entertain a member that far away from the tight footprint they've cultivated?

The prevailing thought on HL team boards is the HL is just posturing with NMSU and for that matter Eastern Michigan. They're not in the least bit interested in either team for expansion, but using them in order to get Belmont and/or Murray State to make a decision about joining the League.

The Horizon League has been making a steady move toward the south and it would be rather foolish to all of a sudden make a horrendous move 1500 miles west of the League's footprint.

There are two years left on the Belmont men's soccer affiliate contract and the HL is looking for Belmont to give them an answer. As of right now, they seem content to be a big fish in a little pond. But the League will never say never. Belmont does quite a bit of recruiting in Chicagoland and the HL footprint for that matter, so who knows. But if their answer is no, the Horizon League will do just as well staying at 10 teams.

SBN blog article discussing "possible" future Horizon League realignment situation at http://www.midmajormadness.com/2016/6/1 ... big-12-aac

None of that is happening anytime soon, if at all. "IF" the Big 12 does any expansion and the trickle down effect begins, in all likelihood, the Valley will probably look to invite a team from the Summit. I know they're usually behind the Horizon, but South Dakota State has been on an uptick as well as IPFW. The Mastadons won't get it because of facilities and no real sustained winning. The Dakotas (SDSU & NDSU) are the teams that are building tradition and have money. The Valley could also look to UMKC- a hotbed of basketball talent and still in the Valley's footprint.

Belmont has already said no to the MVC and to the Horizon, the Valley has lost some of its luster. They might still appeal to Valpo, Wright State and Milwaukee, but some other fans are still hoping the HL will regain its 10-12 RPI rating.

Article out of Omaha (previously posted in another thread)discussing possibility of MVC realignment causing a domino effect on the Horizon League at http://www.omaha.com/sports/shatel-if-w ... ac62b.html

Very interesting! Commissioner Jon LeCrone said during the HL Tourney that the League was in talks with potential invitees. Maybe Omaha was one of them. It would be of note to see who the HL brings in once Wichita State leaves, leaving an opening in the Valley which will probably be filled by UIC.

I would hope that if the Horizon loses someone to the MVC, they might go after IUPUI and / or IPFW, not some Summit school WAY out west.

Article out of Munster discussing possibility of Horizon League member Valparaiso being considered for MVC invite at http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/ ... 76901.html

Valley Hoops Insider blog article(previously posted in another thread)discussing possible MVC candidates MSU and Horizon League member Valparaiso at http://www.valleyhoopsinsider.com/murra ... lley-bound

Valley Hoops Insider blog article(previously posted in another thread)discussing reported MVC campus visits this week to 4 schools to include Horizon League members Valparaiso and Milwaukee.Link at http://www.valleyhoopsinsider.com/phase ... -expansion

Assuming that Valpo and / or UWisc.-Milwaukee are part of an MVC expansion (replacement for Wichita State), the Horizon League will soon be in search of replacement school(s).

IUPUI and IPFW (currently forced to travel to play Summit League schools in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado) have both got to be screaming:
"Take Me ! Take Me !"

Article out of Omaha(previously posted in another thread)with comments from Horizon League Commish regarding conference realignment and with discussion regarding UNO's chances of possibly getting either an Horizon League or MVC invite.Link at http://www.omaha.com/uno/budgets-tv-exp ... 2b70c.html

Dave Reynolds from Peoria reporting(previously posted in another thread)that MVC has invited Valparaiso only effective,1July 2017.Link at http://twitter.com/DaveReynolds2