Conference expansion candidates

[Aargh]

I am more familiar than most with how the MVC has handled this historically. That's because most of the posters here are fans of schools that the MVC added after losing one of their top teams.

I doubt this is the exact way any specific replacement went, but the MVC essentially replaced Louisville with Evansville. Replaced Memphis with Indiana State. At the time many of the current members were added, they had been the equivalent of UMKC or Southeast Missouri in the current situation.

Look for the Valley to immediately take action and add a school that irritates every fan of every Valley school. That's been the historic pattern for the last 40+ years. That school will become better because of their membership in the Valley, but they will dilute the conference and the SoS and NCAA at-large possibilities of every current member. That's the MVC way of doing business.

There are many fans here that are really irritated by WSU's fans criticism of the Valley for inviting their school to join the league. Wait till it happens to you. Wear that shoe and see how it feels. Then you might better understand the irritation that WSU fans feel for what the Valley has done when one of the top-tier team leaves.

[MoValley John]

Does Creighton have a track team to take to the Drake Relays? Casey says they do so they must.

[unipanther99]

If Creighton turned their back on the league? In reality, the rest of the league has already turned their backs on Wichita State and Creighton. Nobody else tries. And the talk is punishing Creighton by not scheduling them? Really? I think if either Creighton or Wichita State leave, neither would want to schedule the likes of MSU, UNI or Evansville in much of anything. When you are expanding your athletic budgets, why would you want to play a bunch of teams that are cutting? Why would you play a bunch of teams that whined about the 150 rule? It wasn't either Creighton or Wichita State that had a problem with the 150 rule, and neither Creighton nor Wichita State have problems spending money.

The whole pretext of punishing Creighton is laughable. If Creighton leaves and is still willing to play you, feel fortunate.

Agree that "punishing" Creighton if they leave is not going to happen, however I disagree with the idea that "nobody else tries." All over the conference coaching salaries are going up on average (except SIU for obvious reasons). Some schools are facing budget cutbacks, but they seem to be doing a good job of isolating men's bball from the impact. New facilities have been opened and old facilities have been renovated. Sure, WSU and Creighton spend more than the others. But most of the other conference schools are viewed favorably from a national perspective and have either had recent success, or are seen as having the potential to be successful. When you look at the schools in the MVC, you can't really say "this program sucks and always will" about any of them. That's fairly unique among mid-major conferences.

[GoShockers89]

When you look at the schools in the MVC, you can't really say "this program sucks and always will" about any of them. That's fairly unique among mid-major conferences.

I feel pretty confident saying that about UE and MSU. Pretty tough to compete when you pay your coach 20% of what the head guys make at WSU/CU. That gap is much, much bigger than what we saw ten years ago in the league.

I guess it also depends on what a program's goals are. Sure, teams like UE and MSU might be able to career it every once in a while and have a "good" year or two. But even these programs' best years still aren't good enough for an at-large bid, which is the only way the league adds revenue.

The Bears cannot afford to pay Lusk's 700k buyout to avoid sinking further into the abyss for years to come. That same amount is less than what Gregg Marshall makes in 6 months, but it might as well be a billion dollars to MSU fans. I take poops that are more financially sound than the MSU athletic department. That kind of disparity exists and acting like everyone should get an A for trying is a little disingenuous.

[unipanther99]

When you look at the schools in the MVC, you can't really say "this program sucks and always will" about any of them. That's fairly unique among mid-major conferences.

I feel pretty confident saying that about UE and MSU. Pretty tough to compete when you pay your coach 20% of what the head guys make at WSU/CU.

The Bears cannot afford to pay Lusk's 700k buyout to avoid sinking further into the abyss for years to come. That same amount is less than what Gregg Marshall makes in 6 months, but it might as well be a billion dollars to MSU fans. That kind of disparity exists and acting like everyone should get an A for trying is a little disingenuous.

UNI competed fairly well paying even less. You could argue they competed at a higher level than they have since they bumped up the salary. Paying coaches well is only important if you are sure you want to hang onto them.

[Haha]

Well now everybody is done whipping them out...

UNI fans acting all proper here. When u go to their board they want to figure a way out because the league will suck without CU. Something about travel in the MAC being too expensive for all sports as an option.

Yes UNI has been lucky enough to keep their coach cheap and that's sweet if u can get it. MSU couldn't, I doubt ISUb could if Lansing ever sustains some real success, Drake couldn't with their coach after only 1 season, etc. Obviuosly it all depends on the individual coach and situation.

To get back on topic. It's simple...9 is an acceptable number for a league and no need for anyone to do anything crazy by adding another school. It's when that next school finds an acceptable place to go that the valley will have to do something.

I pu some schools out there, anyone else?

[unipanther99]

I'll stand by my earlier suggestion that if (and its a big if) North Dakota State can expand our current TV package to Fox Sports North, they would make a solid addition. They have a rabid fan base with deep pockets and tons of potential. Some of their fans are annoying as hell, but consider who they would be replacing.

[Wufan]

I got a crystal ball that has been pretty good to me so far and I see the Valley being okay either way. Will CU be okay? I don't know. I suspect the hubris will die down within a decade in the Catholic League and if CU fans are talking smack...well...it will only be on a men's soccer board somewhere. Fate has not shined for your instate brethren who left the Big XII. You better hope that that karma is a Husker specific conundrum and not a statewide thing. Good luck to you all.

Casey's crystal ball says the Valley will be "okay." If this is the same crystal ball that predicted an MSU top 4 finish and WSU bottom half finish, then the Valley is likely to be worse than the OVC. Is this the same one that predicted a KC Chiefs AFC championship and an MSU invite? The Valley may well implode in 5 years. Perhaps Creighton will be kind enough to give us a game at Omaha each during our independent years.

[Snaggletooth]

\
\It's simple...9 is an acceptable number for a league and no need for anyone to do anything crazy by adding another school.

how are you going to do the MVC tournament then? Schools are not going to accept one team not getting to go.

[Haha]

\
\It's simple...9 is an acceptable number for a league and no need for anyone to do anything crazy by adding another school.

how are you going to do the MVC tournament then? Schools are not going to accept one team not getting to go.

Hey bud...do we not already have a 8-9 play in game? Geez almightly