So, now that Arizona State is joining the NCHC... what's the next domino to fall?

Do the NCHC and CCHA sit on 9 teams? Is the B1G holding it's breath for Illinois to get off their duffs -- and moving to 8?

I just mentioned on Twitter that the NCHC and CCHA are in a position to help the Alaska schools with a resurrection of the Mason Compromise.

Also know Omaha fans are disappointed to be podded with WMU and Miami (OF OHIO).

But... it's a fit three ways:

1. Geography -- like when paired with UAF in the CCHA, Omaha is the closest school on the map.

2. Old CCHA Ties -- we have a history with them. Let's rekindle.

3. Big Picture / Long Game -- worst kept secret is that Miami (OF OHIO) wants out. If that happens AND ONLY THAT happens... Lindenwood fits. If Miami (OF OHIO) bolts and the Broncos follow them. Omaha falls into a pod with the replacements -- two of: Mankato, St. Thomas, Augustana, Lindenwood. I don't mind any of that.

Quinn wrote:

I don't see Western going anywhere -- from everything I've read they are extremely happy LUCKY to be in the NCHC.

Fixed!

I agree. Western are happy. But you have to wonder if Miami leaves, if that changes anything. Or if the NCAA puts an end to one-sport conferences.

When former NCHC commish Josh Fenton took the reins of the Summit League, I felt like that was a sign that the NCHC might end up merging with that conference — essentially creating an all-sport conference (with affiliate members in sports like hockey). 

Arizona State muddles that prospect a bit (at least in the near term), but it is still not out of the realm of possibility. 

Also... we had heard several seasons ago that Omaha was considering the Horizon League (which still seems weird, but they are featured on ESPN+) for the non-hockey sports, so I'm never quite sure how settled in they truly are... 

I think that Hastings leaving Mankato helped clear the lane for this. While he was there (and while Mankato was making the tourney and having success against top tier teams during the season) I think a lot of people thought they should be in the NCHC. 

Now that he's at Wisconsin, I think Mankato's future success is in doubt. Some programs have success because of institutional patterns and support. Others have success because they have a coach who is a force of personality that helps them transcend what they are. 

I think Mankato has largely been the latter of the two. 

As a result, you didn't hear a big outcry among fandom when ASU was brought in alone. 

This will increase the NCHC's recruiting footprint and exposure on the west coast. 

Omaha will now be playing for 24 PTS each season in the conference race against WMU and Miami. (For reference, second place in the NCHC was 44 PTS last season). 

So I think the Mavs have the opportunity to have success in this new pod structure. 

I know some fans will be disappointed not to see North Dakota in Omaha every season, but 4 games annually against a program that attracts the nation's top talent is always going to be a tough run (and it is hard to win at The Ralph, regardless of whether Dakota is having a "down" year or not). 

Part of the reason Coach Kemp was able to build a solid reputation for UNO in the late 90s and early 00s was because "the meat of our schedule" featured comparable schools in the conference. 

If we had played home-and-home against Michigan and Michigan State EVERY season during those years, it would have been a much, much tougher road for UNO. 

NOTE: I understand the desire to play the best each season — and I have advocated that we need a stronger non-conference slate each season.

But... North Dakota is 35-18-2 all-time against Omaha. 

To put that in perspective, all-time UNO is 25-29-7 against Miami and 34-25-6 against Western Michigan. 

I think that bodes well for the Mavericks...

I keep forgetting the Summit rejected Augustana. Otherwise, I'd say they have an inside track for the NCHC.

I think you're right about St. Thomas. The investment and the connections are there.

Mankato -- with Hastings in Madison -- are now in a wait-and-see position.

Meanwhile, for the CCHA... there is a new player in the field.

Roosevelt University in Chicago just went to D-II, and joined the GLIAC... where Tech, NMU, Lake State, Ferris (and Augie as an affiliate) all reside. Right now, Roosevelt plays hockey in the ACHA (club). But is Illinois continues to sit on their thumbs... Roosevelt is showing they have money to make big things happen.