Davidson Turns Down CAA, Will Remain in Southern Conference

The CAA continues to take their hits from conference realignment.

On Wednesday night, the story broke that Davidson had turned down an invitation from the Colonial Athletic Association and will remain a member of the Southern Conference.

The College of Charleston, a fellow member of the SoCon, also holds an invitation from the CAA. Their board of trustees is reportedly expected to vote on a decision this Friday. It will be interesting to see if Davidson’s recent announcement plays any role in Charleston’s decision.

Within the past year or so, the CAA has seen the likes of VCU (Atlantic 10), Old Dominion (Conference USA) and Georgia State (Sun Belt) all announce their departures. The losses have left the conference currently standing at nine members.

“It’s obviously a very good outcome for the conference,” Southern Conference commissioner John Iamarino told ESPN. “Davidson’s decision greatly helps stabilize our membership.”

From a college basketball perspective, Davidson’s decision allows the Wildcats to continue their search for conference supremacy with the SoCon, and although a move would not have affected the upcoming 2012-13 season, the same idea would have applied in future years.

Jake Cohen and De’Mon Brooks return to a Wildcats’ squad that won 26 games a season ago, advancing to the NCAA Tournament by way of the SoCon Tournament. Davidson once again has the potential to dance and potentially make a run this season, given their returning talent.

If Charleston chooses to also decline the CAA’s invitation, don’t expect things to stop there. The CAA appears adamant on increasing their members relatively soon.

 

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