According to ESPN:

Multiple sources within the CAA told ESPN.com that they expect the Cougars to move to the CAA.

Still not official, but the writing’s on the wall. Davidson on the other hand is officially staying put in the SoCon. Personally, I consider Davidson to be the SoCon’s only premiere basketball team. Sure College of Charleston did ok here, but they never made a huge splash in the NCAA tournament like Davidson did. The bottom line is College of Charleston is replaceable, Davidson is not.

But who do we replace CoC with? Well it has to be a team that has something to gain by coming to the SoCon, someone within the footprint, and probably a basketball/olympic sports only team. But it could be a football school, but that would likely mean a couple of schools are coming along.

Likely Suspects

Coastal Carolina
No brainer pick. It puts another school in SC to replace Charleston. They would compete in baseball/football/basketball right off the bat.

Tennessee Tech
Fits well within the footprint. Decent RPI. Doubt they would move since OVC fits them better.

Winthrop
They haven’t been good lately, but

they still have a “name” in the basketball world and they are (barely) in SC.

Mercer
Starting a football team and they have good academics – located in Macon, GA. Similar RPI to CoC. We could leave their football in the pioneer league similar to Davidson’s situation.

Kennesaw State
Starting up a football team and is one of the largest schools in Georgia. Horrible RPI #330.

UNC Asheville
The SoCon is too NC centric as it is, but they’ve had a decent couple of years in basketball.

Charleston Southern
Hate the name of the school, but it would put another school in Charleston and they’re actually one of the better teams in the Big South.

South Carolina State *Added*
Not sure why we are even considering this, but apparently we are. Their RPI was #343 last year (out of 344). Their football team is 2-4. Just say no.

Other Possibilities

Campbell
Small NC school halfway between Raleigh and Fayetteville (also called the middle of nowhere). Nothing gained here.

Liberty
FBS desires will keep this one out.

Presbyterian College
I only mention them because they are in SC. But they are way too small and we gain nothing.

High Point
Thanks but no thanks.

Gardner-Webb
Fits the footprint but they don’t quite add anything.

Radford
Only 2.5 hrs from Boone, outside Blacksburg, VA. RPI last season was worse than bad though at #329.

South Carolina Upstate
Less than 5 miles from Wofford College. RPI isn’t horrible. Another SC school.

East Tennessee State
They have history in the SoCon. They’re near Boone. Academics doesn’t quite fit in.

North Florida
Located in Jacksonville, FL. RPI isn’t great but would be better than average in the SoCon.

Jacksonville
Gets us into FL. Bad RPI. Fits in the A-Sun better.

Jacksonville State
Academics and FBS desires will likely keep this one out.

Murray State
Had an unbelievable season last year, top-25 RPI, but is slightly outside the footprint and I doubt they would even join if we asked.

Tennessee State
Would get us into Nashville and would be a travel partner for Chattanooga.

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Got anymore? Leave them in the comments and I’ll add them to the list.