Conference Realignment: VMI Leaving Big South for Southern Conference

The Southern Conference has been pillaged this spring by the likes of the Sun Belt Conference and the Atlantic 10. The SoCon now finds themselves replacing three cornerstone programs in Davidson, Charleston, Appalachian State, and Georgia Southern. To replenish the SoCon now seems to be reaching into their past to solidify their future.

According to the Roanoke Times, VMI head basketball coach Duggar Baucom all but confirmed the Keydets move to the Southern Conference at a recent speaking engagement:

"The Southern Conference did visit [the school] two weeks ago on a Wednesday [May 8] and all indications are that we're going to go back to the Southern Conference. It will be formally announced, I think, May 30th or 31st at the Southern Conference meeting."

VMI was a member of the Southern Conference from 1924 to 2003 before joining the Big South about ten years ago. The Keydets are known for their up-tempo offense and regularly are in the top of the country in scoring. VMI has not won a conference championship in basketball since 1977.

Mercer and East Tennessee State are also expected to defect the Atlantic Sun Conference for the Southern. The Southern Conference will reach into their past to replenish their dwindling membership as VMI is expected to join the conference by the end of the month.