North Dakota moving basketball, football to new conferences

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) The University of North Dakota is moving its basketball teams to the Summit League and its football team to the Missouri Valley Football

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) The University of North Dakota is moving its basketball teams to the Summit League and its football team to the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The programs currently compete in the Big Sky Conference. UND President Mark Kennedy and Athletics Director Brian Faison say the move to the Summit League in 2018 and to the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2020 will cut down on travel and renew rivalries, such as with North Dakota State.

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

• Miami (FL)
• Georgia
• Utah
• Indiana
• Alabama
• Kentucky
• Texas
• UCLA
• BYU
• Ole Miss
• Notre Dame
• Ohio State

PREREGISTER TO PLAY

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See Official Rules for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

The Big Sky issued a statement saying it understands and supports UND's decision.

UND's cross country, track, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and volleyball programs also will move to the Summit League.

UND's powerhouse men's hockey program will remain in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.