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Report: New Mexico State targeted by Sun Belt Conference in realignment move

wendellmckines

New Mexico State could be a potential target for addition to the Sun Belt conference, reports Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News.

In response, Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson called the consideration of New Mexico State “premature.”

The Aggies were previously part of the Sun Belt, before moving to the WAC in 2005. The situation is made more interesting, considering the fact that Benson was the WAC commissioner until 2011, when he moved to the Sun Belt.

In the wake of the rumors, school president Barbara Couture and athletic director McKinley Boston released a statement to clarify the situation.

“We continue to explore all options and ask our university community of alumni, supporters and students to stand united with us as we seek solutions,” the statement said.

“We want to assure the community that we will continue to take any and all measures we feel might assist us in reaching a successful solution to this current challenge.”

The statement acknowledges the predominance of football in the decision-making, but New Mexico State’s basketball team crept into the national spotlight in 2011-12.

The Aggies finished 26-10 on the season, including 10-4 in the WAC, before losing to Indiana in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

Couture and Boston strongly affirmed the school’s current position for the upcoming season.

“Make no mistake, we will be playing football next year and we will be competing in a revised WAC conference for the 2012-2013 school year.”

Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_