Denver/Ohio

[flybird1]

Now that Crayton's out, eastern schools have more pull, don't see any reason why Ohio and Akron shouldn't be considered, MAC might not be to excited about that, but maybe we can work something out, excellent basketball and open to joining. My list of possibilities would be these guys, Detroit, Dayton, and possibly Loyola. Adding a Chicago school might be a wise move for the Valley.

[tribecalledquest]

Why would any MAC school move to the MVC?

[valleychamp]

Would it be crazy to think that maybe it could be beneficial to form some sort of partnership/consolidation with a conference like the MAC? Maybe not a complete consolidation, but some type working partnership b/t the conferences for scheduling and stuff. Maybe have one huge conference with separate divisions (Valle and MAC divisions)?

Just thinking outside the box a little bit. But that could potentially solve a lot of issues, IMO. MAC schools could use the basketball boost the Valley would give them, and some of the Valley football schools could use the MAC as well. Would solve a lot of scheduling problems too.

[jwa123]

Why would any MAC school move to the MVC?

Because MAC bball sucks.

Ohio and Akron have indeed spent $$ on bball but the rest of the MAC sees nothing but football (even though most are fortunate to crack 15,000 fans most gamedays which is a FBS requirement). I do see Ohio and Akron not wanting to jettison their FBS football yet on the other hand I can also see them getting weary of the MAC in general being content with a substandard bball situation.

[Athens and Akron]

MAC bball is really bad.
Akron and Ohio have shown a commitment to hoops with their most recent coaching contracts and their overall expenditures with men's hoops. Both fanbases are well-sized.
Neither wants to drop their FBS football programs, but I don't think that is a deal breaker, and the MVC's hoop situation is definitely something that would intrigue both programs.
For anything to happen, it might need to be something creative. Valleychamp makes an interesting point. Even if it isn't a merge, possibly some sort of agreement to guarantee home games in football or hoops for one of the conferences. The MAC won't like losing Akron and Ohio, but with their lack of any commitment to hoops they need to realize Akron and Ohio aren't just going to sit around forever. The MAC has shown a willingness to make some creative deals in the past. When both UMass and Temple moved to the MAC in football, they were required to play home and away basketball games with the MAC members for a number of years. Obviously this is a different situation, but something like that could be beneficial to everyone involved. Even if it's not as simple as just adding aDenver or Loyola.

[thefish7]

I'd love a shot at either Akron or Ohio, I just think it has too many moving pieces to work well.

I think 12 teams makes the most sense for the MVC now, predicting some future realignment losses. For me, first priority has to be Dayton and SLU. They may already have their ticket punched for the new Big East, but you have to exhaust all options with those schools first. After that, Akron and Ohio would be the best choices, but again you have the problem with football. After that, I think I'm most excited about Belmont, Detroit, Loyola, and Murray St. Loyola only excites me if they make some commitments to support their athletics at a level more similar to an MVC school... But I like the tradition, and I like the market.

If WSU really wants a buddy out that way, then I'd be happy with Denver or ORU also. I don't want anything to do with XDSUs though.