WAC keeps NCAA hoops bids with Chicago State

DENVER (AP) - The ever-changing Western Athletic Conference is adding Chicago State University next July, meaning the league will keep its automatic qualifying berths for the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments for another year.

Chicago State joins Cal State-Bakersfield, Grand Canyon, Idaho, New Mexico State, Seattle and Utah Valley in the WAC, which is losing the University of Denver to the Summit League next year.

Leagues need seven schools to maintain their AQ status for NCAA basketball tournaments, but because Grand Canyon is in the process of moving up to Division I, it is ineligible for NCAA postseason bids next year.

The WAC has a two-year grace period in which it can have six Division I schools, however, so it maintains its AQ status for 2013-14 with the addition of the Cougars.