However, with Wes Miller leading the way and an athletic program as a whole that’s committed to success on the court, Cincy has the potential to thrive in their new environment.
The first five of those seasons were spent building a program that could compete at that level, and there will certainly be a readjustment period here. Cincinnati BearcatsĮmbed from Getty Images AAC ⇒ Big 12 Grade: AĬincinnati is no stranger to big time basketball, having been in the monstrous version of the Big East for 8 seasons. However, they’re following some of their more successful CUSA brethren and now have Memphis to deal with every season once again. The 49ers did, after all, win the CBI this past season. Maybe that opens the door for the rebirth of a program that saw lots of success in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Charlotte 49ersĮmbed from Getty Images Conference USA ⇒ AAC Grade: B-Ĭharlotte is coming off its first 20+ win season in 10 years, but is making what feels like, at minimum, a lateral move, if not a slight step down in competition. This is a jump up in competition, which didn’t do any of last year’s new league members any favors. Leaving the Big South actually makes it a bit tougher to do that, but for the CAA, it bolsters their other southern members for travel and brings in a Camels squad that’s been relatively competitive in its prior league over the past six seasons. Campbell CamelsĮmbed from Getty Images Big South ⇒ CAA Grade: BĬampbell comes to the CAA looking to break a 31-year tournament drought. Certainly BYU is making this move for football more than basketball, but perhaps being tested by Gonzaga, a power program within a mid-major league, gives the Cougars a glimpse of what it’ll take to succeed in their new home. However, it remains to be seen if that success will translate to what’s been arguably the best league in college basketball the past few seasons. The Cougars have won at least 19 games in each of the past 8 seasons but have just one NCAA appearance to show for it. Division I Conference Realignment Report Cards BYU CougarsĮmbed from Getty Images WCC ⇒ Big 12 Grade: BīYU is hoping this move for football pays off in basketball as well. For others, they will be quickly overwhelmed by unpacking a new home and neighbors that aren’t as friendly in competition. For some programs, that excitement will build into immediate contender territory, both in league and nationally. Regardless, moving into a new home can be exciting. Sometimes it’s for one particular sport (looking at you, football).
Leagues are constantly fighting for survival and supremacy, as are individual programs. The creation of super leagues like the Big Ten and the SEC. Conference realignment has become a pretty common thing in the college athletics ranks since the turn of the 21st century.
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