We knew it would happen with three teams leaving the Big East for the ACC: the big reshuffle dance. SI has the details:
Rice, Southern Methodist and Tulsa will leave the Western Athletic Conference to join Conference USA, presidents from two of the schools said Friday.In a statement, Rice president Malcolm Gillis said the school's board of trustees gave him permission to sign the membership agreement with Conference USA.
Tulsa president Bob Lawless said in a statement that the school's Board of Trustees "has authorized this proposed change in conference membership. We anticipate having a formal announcement with Conference USA regarding its membership realignment in the near future."
Gillis said in the league's new expected configuration, Rice, Southern Methodist and Tulsa would join current members Texas Christian, Houston and Tulane to form a western division of Conference USA.
"This configuration will allow for very substantial savings in travel costs," Gillis said. "Even more importantly, the proximity of these schools will benefit our men and women athletic teams through large reductions in time away from class."
Conference USA is repositioning itself as it braces for the expected departure of Big East-bound Louisville, Cincinnati, Marquette and DePaul.
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