Report: ASUN ‘likely’ to add Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, and Central Arkansas

Just a few months after NJIT officially left the ASUN, the conference appears poised to fill that spot and then some.

The ASUN is looking to add a pair of Ohio Valley teams in Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky, as well as Central Arkansas out of the Southland Conference, according to multiple reports.

Kendall Rogers of D1baseball.com first reported the news, which was then confirmed by Stadium’s Jeff Goodman.

You might recall back in January, the ASUN said publicly that it was looking to expand — a rare admission by any conference. It even published a bonkers plan about expanding to 20 members by 2023 and splitting into two leagues.

The move is not a stretch geographically for either team and may even be a slightly better fit for Jacksonville State. It isn’t totally clear what the move means for football at Jacksonville State or at Eastern Kentucky. There is no official ASUN football league, but the conference has an agreement with the Big South to send its football-playing teams there. The change does boost the conference’s depth in hoops — and gives a cushion of other schools attempt to leave.

NJIT left the ASUN for the America East in June, putting the conference down to just nine teams.