Big East Basketball: Could expansion force conference realignment?

Belmont Leaves Ohio Valley, Joins A10

…if Dayton leaves.  The thought of the Atlantic 10 losing one of its key members would be a tough pill to swallow.  Their replacement would have to be a team who is already moving the needle and is a proven threat.  This season, at 8-1 with true road wins over Lipscomb and UCLA, the up-start Belmont Bruins would be perfect.

With their last losing season coming back in 2005, the Bruins continue to show year-in-and-year-out why they are one of the better Low/Mid-Major teams out there.  Led by a group of talented underclassmen, it isn’t far-fetched to say that the transition, if it were to happen sooner than later, would make the Bruins one of the better teams in the conference right off the bat.

Should it unfold that way, Belmont would be at a larger stage with what one could assume to be larger resources to use in the recruiting game.  This could prove to be a win-win right away for both Belmont and the Atlantic 10.

Loyola-Chicago Leaves Missouri Valley, Joins A10

…if Saint Louis leaves.  Rather than saying Old Dominion again, I wanted to change things up a bit.  Loyola-Chicago is in a bit of a hung over state.  After their miraculous run in March last season, the Ramblers came back down to earth and realized who they are.

However, record aside, the reason I’m campaigning for this move to happen is two-fold.  Over the years, be it Rhode Island, VCU or a blink-and-you-miss-it stay from Butler, the A10 has housed some lovable underdog stories at one point or another.  And who wasn’t on the Sister Jean bus last season?

With their woes being evident, the Ramblers are looking one of their best recruiting classes in program history for the 2019-20 campaign.  According to 247Sports, the Ramblers have three of their five best recruits in program history joining the mix next season.

America’s underdog rose to the top, spiraled to the bottom then had their chance at redemption.  The moment the Ramblers begin their ascension again, the nation will remember who they are.  It would draw ratings and eyes to the Atlantic 10 when they do.

Western Kentucky Leaves C-USA, Joins A10

…if Davidson leaves.  I admit, this one was tough and I struggled between the Hilltoppers and Marshall.

Western Kentucky, despite their hot-and-cold start, is an intriguing prospect for the A10.  In recent years they’ve recruited two 4-star recruits and two 5-star recruits, one being Mitchell Robinson and we know how that turned out, but it speaks to the ability to get skilled players to their campus.

Likewise, they can fill out a tough non-conference schedule.  This year alone they have seven KenPom Top-100 games in their non-league portion of the schedule.  Teams want to play them and this is a rare thing for mid-major programs. But who knows which WKU team the A10 could get?

It could be a total swing and a miss leaving the Hilltoppers to be very average and middle of the pack, or it could be a total grand slam move for the Atlantic 10.