Conf. Realignment (for hoops nerds): WAC adds Grand Canyon

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Boy, what a hot mess the WAC is. Remember when this conference wasn't half bad? But it has been absolutely ripped to shreds.

Let me preface this post by saying it has nothing to do with football. The WAC is essentially dead there. Only Idaho and New Mexico State remain for 2013. Idaho sounds content to play a year of independent ball while NMSU is probably begging C-USA or the Sun Belt to come save them.

As far as hoops goes, here's this season's lineup:

Denver
Seattle
NMSU
Idaho
UTSA
Louisiana Tech
Texas State
Utah State
UT-Arlington
San Jose State

The last six teams on that list are bolting for new conferences after this season. Denver recently announced they are heading to the Summit League for basketball and some other sports after this season.

Seattle, Idaho and NMSU remain. Utah Valley and Cal State Bakersfield are joining the league as full members next season.

So where does Grand Canyon come in? A desperate attempt to keep their automatic bid to the tournament. They need another school or two to field a respectable league. If memory serves, the NCAA will let them pass with seven teams, but the league has said they want eight by the start of next season.

Grand Canyon will join the league next year and begin a four-year Division I transitional process. The WAC, however, needs to quickly find another school to join the league for next year, even if they won't be postseason eligible.

You feel bad for all the kids in this, because they are the ones being most affected. Seems like the WAC may have to dip into Division II again for its other school. The independent ranks are thin as ever in Division I basketball.