Coach Gill hopes to be leading the Flames into the Sun Belt
The time has finally arrived. The Sun Belt will be having its annual Spring meetings this week where one of the major items for discussion will be the possible addition of a new member. We have gone round and round over the past 12-18 months on this site with the rumors and developments of the ongoing flirtation between Liberty and the Sun Belt. (If you want to waste some time use the search function on this site for “Sun Belt”).
What do we know?
We know Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson has repeatedly stated he wants a 12th team and a team from the east. In recent weeks, most of Liberty’s main competition (JMU, Missouri State) has been eliminated.
We know there will be a vote on adding a new member this week.
Should we feel confident?
I’ve been asked several times what percentage chance I would give the Flames of being added to the Sun Belt. It’s really hard to say, but the large majority of what we’ve heard over the past several weeks & months has been pro-Liberty.
We’ve heard from several sources, both in and outside of Liberty circles, who have told us Liberty to the Sun Belt is a done deal. One source this week even said “I would put a serious amount of money on Liberty right now”.
Having said that, we should feel confident, but I would caution you to hedge your expectations. As we’ve all come to learn, realignment is a fluid topic.
What will the Sun Belt do?
Will they add Liberty? UMass? No one? I believe only a handful of people truly know what the Sun Belt will do this week. At least it’s time for the rest of us to find out.
