Robert Morris is looking into leaving the Northeast Conference, which has been its home since 1981.
While a potential move to the Horizon League or MAAC would impact most of RMU’s 16 varsity sports, any move will be primarily predicated on finding more success for the Colonials’ flagship men’s basketball program.
Of course, RMU wouldn’t be the first team to leave the NEC in search of stronger competition since the league was founded with the Colonials as a charter member in 1981.
How have the other teams that have left the NEC fared? Let’s take a look at the most recent five teams to make the jump.
Quinnipiac
Left NEC: 2013
New conference: MAAC
Best regular-season finish: 2019 T-2nd (11-7)
Postseason berths: 2014 CIT, 2019 CIT
Monmouth
Left NEC: 2013
New conference: MAAC
Best regular-season finish: 2017 1st (18-2)
Postseason berths: 2016 NIT (Second Round), 2017 NIT
UMBC
Left NEC: 2003
New conference: America East
Best regular-season finish: 2008 1st (13-3)
Postseason berths: 2008 NCAA Tournament, 2018 NCAA Tournament (Second Round), 2017 CIT (Semifinals)
Rider
Left NEC: 1997
New conference: MAAC
Best regular-season finish: 2018 T-1st (15-3)
Postseason berths: 2018 NIT, 2008 CBI, 2015 CBI, 2009 CIT, 2011 CIT, 2013 CIT (Second Round)
Marist
Left NEC: 1997
New conference: MAAC
Best regular-season finish: 2007 1st (14-4)
Postseason berths: 2007 NIT (Second Round)
All five have had regular-season success, with only Quinnipiac failing to win a conference title in their new homes. But postseason success has been harder to find. The five schools have just two NCAA Tournament berths combined and one victory — UMBC’s historic upset of Virginia as a No. 16 seed in 2018.
