It's official: George Mason is heading to the Atlantic 10 conference

Finally, after all the rumors and supposed turning down of this opportunity last summer, George Mason will be playing in the Atlantic 10 conference. Both Steven Goff of the Washington Post and Jeff Goodman of CBS are reporting that the official renouncement will come tomorrow. Mason will move immediately on July 1, like VCU did last year, to avoid being a lame duck CAA member like ODU and Georgia State were this season.

George Mason, founding member of CAA in 1985, joins Atlantic 10 in all sports as of July 1 #masonmbb
— Steven Goff (@GMUWashPost) March 24, 2013

For those that think the A10 won't be that great in two years consider this, it's a basketball conference with zero football obligations or aspirations. That alone makes it a good move for Mason's basketball program. The CAA, while known for basketball, is still trying to be a player in college football. George Mason doesn't have football and isn't going to get it, so why not join a conference that is basketball only? Even if Dayton and St. Louis leave, you still have VCU, La Salle (currently in Sweet 16), UMass, George Washington, Richmond, and a hand full of other schools who have a much better basketball history and resources than the likes of the remaining CAA members. 

George Mason will make the announcement tomorrow at 1 pm.