Conference Talk: CAA, A10, Horizon

Fans looking for a mid-major super conference got some interesting news on Friday, as George Mason announced they have decided to remain in the Colonial Athletic Association for the time being. After the news of Butler leaving the Horizon for the Atlantic Ten, it seemed like we might see another conference clear out, with the likes of George Mason, Old Dominion, and VCU looking at other options across college basketball.

Now it looks at least one of the big three is staying in what I believe was the toughest mid-major conference in the country.

The George Mason program helped put the Colonial on the map as a founding member and the first mid-major in quite some time to make a run to the Final four. It was that run that brought out the best in the likes of Virginia Commonwealth, Old Dominion, James Madison, and Drexel.

Now the Patriots are remaining with the conference in hopes that it will have the same level of competition the school has accustomed to. More importantly, their real hopes of staying long term balance on the existence of an auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2013.