WAC Basketball: 4 takeaways from major expansion news
By Joey Loose
The Future of the WAC
If we take just one second to look at the construction of the WAC, we’ll see how this move certainly helps strengthen the conference. In its current formation, there are nine programs in the conference, though only the Aggies were even in the league just ten years ago. In fact, several of these schools weren’t even D1 programs ten seasons ago; Dixie State and Tarleton State only just joined this past year.
Let’s be fair, Abilene Christian is a fairly new D1 program as well, but the rest of these teams help bring solidity to the league. As previously mentioned, Stephen F. Austin has been a fantastic program for nearly a decade, while Lamar and Sam Houston State have had their moments in recent years.
One consequence of this move is that there is now a cluster of schools in Texas, while another cluster exists in and around Utah. Six of the 13 programs will now be in Texas, and mostly the eastern part of the state. Three Utah programs now exist, while Cal Baptist, Grand Canyon, and New Mexico State aren’t too far away. Geographically, Seattle is now the lone distant team, especially with Chicago State’s exit.
From a sheer numbers standpoint, the future of the WAC is much stronger with 13 teams as opposed to having just 9. The conference can now play a conference slate with more than 16 games, and will no longer be at risk of falling apart if any more of the programs depart the league. Things are looking bright for the WAC’s future.