MVC going to 12 with UIC and UTA?

[TOPSTRAIGHT]

Most of these arguments have merit and even more IF this was a marginal or borderline choice. But Murray State is an EXTREMELY strong basketball addition. They are not some random team with "potential". It is not anywhere close to how much better a BB add they would be compared to the other possibilities.

The powerful add they would be to the MVC OVERSHADOWS these objections. No-- they are not GONZAGA and maybe not WSU------- but they would be a top tier league team most every year.

You can have theoretical arguments about this for a long time-- but the choice is as clear as clear can be.

[BCPanther]

Most of these arguments have merit and even more IF this was a marginal or borderline choice. But Murray State is an EXTREMELY strong basketball addition. They are not some random team with "potential". It is not anywhere close to how much better a BB add they would be compared to the other possibilities.

The powerful add they would be to the MVC OVERSHADOWS these objections. No-- they are not GONZAGA and maybe not WSU------- but they would be a top tier league team most every year.

You can have theoretical arguments about this for a long time-- but the choice is as clear as clear can be.

No, it isn't.

Men's Basketball does not exist in a vacuum.

[RacerJoeD]

We currently aren’t WSU. That is a simple fact. But we have been recruiting with a boat anchor around our necks (the OVC) for years and we put guys into the league. There is no reason to expect our recruiting won’t improve with an MVC invite.

[TOPSTRAIGHT]

I know I am a guest here but strongly disagree with BCPanther.

What is the main focus of the MVC?
What do most sports fans think about when they see those three letters?
What brings in the revenue, media money, and media exposure?
What sport has the best possibility to increase national awareness for the MVC?

BASKETBALL.

Sure other variables exist but if your overwhelming focus is BB then as Mickey said in ROCKY II ---

"What are we waiting for?-- TAKE THIS!!!"

[Aces44]

Most of these arguments have merit and even more IF this was a marginal or borderline choice. But Murray State is an EXTREMELY strong basketball addition. They are not some random team with "potential". It is not anywhere close to how much better a BB add they would be compared to the other possibilities.

The powerful add they would be to the MVC OVERSHADOWS these objections. No-- they are not GONZAGA and maybe not WSU------- but they would be a top tier league team most every year.

You can have theoretical arguments about this for a long time-- but the choice is as clear as clear can be.

No, it isn't.

Men's Basketball does not exist in a vacuum.

It does if you want this league to succeed

[BCPanther]

Most of these arguments have merit and even more IF this was a marginal or borderline choice. But Murray State is an EXTREMELY strong basketball addition. They are not some random team with "potential". It is not anywhere close to how much better a BB add they would be compared to the other possibilities.

The powerful add they would be to the MVC OVERSHADOWS these objections. No-- they are not GONZAGA and maybe not WSU------- but they would be a top tier league team most every year.

You can have theoretical arguments about this for a long time-- but the choice is as clear as clear can be.

No, it isn't.

Men's Basketball does not exist in a vacuum.

It does if you want this league to succeed

This league has been around and successful for 110 years outside of a short period in the early-mid 90s.

Guys, I'm as much of a basketball guy as y'all are. I live for Panther Basketball. If we were making a basketball decision, I'm with you. Murray and stop at 11. I don't disagree at all from a basketball standpoint.

The problem is that this isn't a basketball decision. This is the first time we've had to think like a University President rather than an Athletic Director. I'm privy to some of UNIs enrollment projections based on HS classes in Iowa and and Midwest. The coming cliff starting in 2025 is absolutely terrifying and that's as a state school. The private schools have to be positively shitting their pants at this point. That's why it's got to be Arlington and UIC first. 1 or 2 extra out of state students pet class paying out of state or private tuition can and will make a huge difference.

There are 1.5 million people within 2 hours of Cedar Falls and UNI is terrified there aren't enough people. We've got to get into growing areas with large populations.

[RacerJoeD]

What we are saying is that by chasing $5000 dollars you risk $5 million. The reasoning being used about markets, and students just doesn’t add up. Not when your media contract coming due will be impacted much more by “is the product worth watching” than “what markets will be involved”.

[valleydays]

I'll mention this again. Whenever Murray State wins a game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, Murray's admissions office says it is flooded with interest. I'm sure it's the same with other mid-majors.

How is this any less significant than Evansville/Bradley/Drake potentially gaining three or four students every five years from Arlington, Texas?

[Action10]

This league has been around and successful for 110 years outside of a short period in the early-mid 90s.

Guys, I'm as much of a basketball guy as y'all are. I live for Panther Basketball. If we were making a basketball decision, I'm with you. Murray and stop at 11. I don't disagree at all from a basketball standpoint.

The problem is that this isn't a basketball decision. This is the first time we've had to think like a University President rather than an Athletic Director. I'm privy to some of UNIs enrollment projections based on HS classes in Iowa and and Midwest. The coming cliff starting in 2025 is absolutely terrifying and that's as a state school. The private schools have to be positively shitting their pants at this point. That's why it's got to be Arlington and UIC first. 1 or 2 extra out of state students pet class paying out of state or private tuition can and will make a huge difference.

There are 1.5 million people within 2 hours of Cedar Falls and UNI is terrified there aren't enough people. We've got to get into growing areas with large populations.

I agree with almost all of what you post on here BC and I think you are right that the President's are concerned with enrollment. That said, I think the President's are chasing something ridiculous if UT-Arlington is added instead of Murray State simply over a population base. Do people in Texas realize what league UT-Arlington plays in? Is having a basketball game between Bradley and UT-Arlington on Bally's Sports Southwest going to cause a high school kid to go school in Peoria?
Again, I agree with what you say and am positive that you are right about what the President's are thinking. I just think they are wrong.

[Aces44]

This league has been around and successful for 110 years outside of a short period in the early-mid 90s.

Guys, I'm as much of a basketball guy as y'all are. I live for Panther Basketball. If we were making a basketball decision, I'm with you. Murray and stop at 11. I don't disagree at all from a basketball standpoint.

The problem is that this isn't a basketball decision. This is the first time we've had to think like a University President rather than an Athletic Director. I'm privy to some of UNIs enrollment projections based on HS classes in Iowa and and Midwest. The coming cliff starting in 2025 is absolutely terrifying and that's as a state school. The private schools have to be positively shitting their pants at this point. That's why it's got to be Arlington and UIC first. 1 or 2 extra out of state students pet class paying out of state or private tuition can and will make a huge difference.

There are 1.5 million people within 2 hours of Cedar Falls and UNI is terrified there aren't enough people. We've got to get into growing areas with large populations.

I agree with almost all of what you post on here BC and I think you are right that the President's are concerned with enrollment. That said, I think the President's are chasing something ridiculous if UT-Arlington is added instead of Murray State simply over a population base. Do people in Texas realize what league UT-Arlington plays in? Is having a basketball game between Bradley and UT-Arlington on Bally's Sports Southwest going to cause a high school kid to go school in Peoria?
Again, I agree with what you say and am positive that you are right about what the President's are thinking. I just think they are wrong.

Well said.