Welcome Murray State to the MVC!

[VUGrad1314]

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/RftFkxvJwNGZFKyN6

Bryan Mullins endorses the admission of Murray while hinting at UIC indirectly.

Was there another part of the clip that was left out because I didn't hear any indirect hints at UIC? I heard him say, "I don't care" and, "If it's another team that can help us...". Neither of those comments hinted at UIC.

By the way, I disagree with Mullins on the number of league games the conference should play. 22 is a nice number which allows for the double round robin. 9 non-con games should be more than enough to establish a good NET and also eliminate non-D1 teams from schedules.

Problem is that it won't eliminate the non-DIs.

We still have to play home games and adding a bunch of league games limits dates available to schedule non-con. Plus, playing non-DIs is better from a strategic standpoint than playing a bunch of SWAC/MEACs.

Plus, there are some real advantages in being able to game the league schedule so that your top teams don't have to play all the bottom teams twice

20 is the right number. 9 double plays, two singles.

It needs to eliminate Non-D1s though. With only like 7 available slots for non conference games assuming we play 20 conference games there's no excuse anymore. Find the home and homes necessary. Buy a decent D1 opponent or 2 like UNI has done in the past and take 1-2 paycheck games ourselves. That's the schedule. No need for non D1s with 20 games in conference.

[Action10]

By the way, I disagree with Mullins on the number of league games the conference should play. 22 is a nice number which allows for the double round robin. 9 non-con games should be more than enough to establish a good NET and also eliminate non-D1 teams from schedules.

Problem is that it won't eliminate the non-DIs.

We still have to play home games and adding a bunch of league games limits dates available to schedule non-con. Plus, playing non-DIs is better from a strategic standpoint than playing a bunch of SWAC/MEACs.

Plus, there are some real advantages in being able to game the league schedule so that your top teams don't have to play all the bottom teams twice

20 is the right number. 9 double plays, two singles.

It needs to eliminate Non-D1s though. With only like 7 available slots for non conference games assuming we play 20 conference games there's no excuse anymore. Find the home and homes necessary. Buy a decent D1 opponent or 2 like UNI has done in the past and take 1-2 paycheck games ourselves. That's the schedule. No need for non D1s with 20 games in conference.

I think we all hate non-D1 games, but I am afraid they aren't going anywhere.
I think 18 or 20 league games is the number, but will play devil's advocate on scheduling... Maybe it is a coincidence, but the 16 game schedule that the WCC is using seems to be helping to elevate the top teams SOS numbers and also allows them to play tougher games in non-conference without sacrificing home games for season ticket holders. Seems like the teams competing at the top of that league take full advantage of that. I personally would love that, but I very seriously doubt that many MVC coaches would take advantage of this. Seems like most would buy 2 more home games against the MEAC & SWAC or non-D1's.

[RacerJoeD]

Non D1s suck as fans, but they, unlike buy games with low ranked teams, don’t count against your NET.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

Murray St is having an MVC Community Celebration Event at CFSB Center in 30 minutes. Airs on espn+ live, probably takes 24 hours to be up on On Demand.

[RacerJoeD]

I’m there now. Anything weird happens I’ll let everyone know.. lol

[unipanther99]

I was skeptical on Murray, but if there's a potential for weirdness - I'm all in. Let's get weird.

[RacerJoeD]

We presented the commish jockeys silks worn by the rider of Racer 1. Does that count as weird?

[Chuck A]

I’m there now. Anything weird happens I’ll let everyone know.. lol

This could possibly fall under "weird" or maybe more like...,"Whaaat"! After the last video during the celebration portion, The Valley banner was unfurled. It was in the CFSB Center. That had me wanting to say, "Come on guys, that seems a bit unnecessary". I truly understand the excitement that's going on but you're not officially in The Valley until July 1, 2022. Until then, that banner will be in the face of every OVC program coming to your arena. Then I thought, well maybe that was just for the celebration and the press conference and Murray will take it down after today as the season resumes. It would seem a bit out of order to have that banner hanging while you're still a part of your current conference.

[unipanther99]

I like this weirdness already.

By the way, the most fun I've had attending an NCAA tournament game we lost was at Dayton, OH in 2006. Stayed at a hotel with a bunch of Racer fans and the Davidson cheerleaders. The hotel bar (and hot tub) was lit.

[30ASaluki]

First, welcome aboard Murray.

It's weird. When Loyola announced they were leaving, of course I was upset. But they have cool fans, and I understand, A10 is a slightly better league at the top so probably more consistent multiple bids and exposure to East Coast Market.
But after the additions of Belmont and now Murray, staying at 12 with Loyola, I feel confident that we'd consistently be a multiple bid league, at least on par with the A10. ... so as I dwell on this, I've become upset once again (edit: still wish the best for loyola in the A10. Go dominate there and tell them how much better the MVC was )

Well, one of the MVC teams needs to really step it up, now. Murray? Belmont? one of the existing members that hasn't done much in years?

Regardless if we're a multiple bid league or not or whatever,
next year will be an exciting year.

SIU (not the one that almost beat Murray this past weekend, but the real SIU) will be the dominant team in the Valley sooner rather than later. Book it.