MVC going to 12 with UIC and UTA?

[Rt98]

Looks like we (UTA) won't be getting an invite. I believe Murray St and UIC are the best additions for you guys. I'll admit I was hoping to get into the MVC , y'all are such a good basketball conference. Hopefully we find a home soon, and maybe we can improve our basketball enough that next time someone leaves the valley. the MVC will consider us again

[VUGrad1314]

Looks like we (UTA) won't be getting an invite. I believe Murray St and UIC are the best additions for you guys. I'll admit I was hoping to get into the MVC , y'all are such a good basketball conference. Hopefully we find a home soon, and maybe we can improve our basketball enough that next time someone leaves the valley. the MVC will consider us again

I'd be all for it if UTA can take this opportunity in the WAC and run with it showing improvement. Personally I think the WAC is a great landing spot for you all with lots of in state rivals and some solid programs. I think UTA will do well there and I wish them the best even if they weren't my favorite potential MVC addition. Good luck!

[BCPanther]

I'd prefer UTA to UIC but I get it. Easier to try to keep a place in a market than carve out a new one.

I do love the diversity of the student body at UIC. Let's hope this gets them going.

[Buxcies]

Assuming the UIC addition formally goes through, I'll be very happy with the two adds. One very solid program and one school with potential in a large market. I hope the conference decides to stand pat for awhile and see where things go before bringing on any other additions.

I don't think we'll be able to find another addition like Murray State in the next round of alignment as there aren't many programs left like them that aren't already in conferences perceived to be better than the MVC so we'll probably have to focus on markets. Wright State seems like a 'Murray State lite' but I would be concerned that they could turn into another Valparaiso type add where they struggle to compete against improved competition. I think Omaha, UMKC, Denver, NKU, St. Thomas, and UTA are all schools that we should continue to monitor to see if they have sustained success in Men's basketball as well as other sports important to the conference.

[Mikovio]

I was on board with Wright State until they started cutting sports. Don't want schools with budget problems.

I'd add UIC for 12 and stand pat. If UTA or KC or UWM or Denver et al can win or demonstrate a commitment to MBB success in the years ahead we can expand to 14 then. I still like Grand Canyon (Phoenix market, rabid support, big coaching hires) but university presidents are understandably going to balk.

[Rt98]

Thanks VUGRAD. I also believe the WAC would be a good landing spot. Hopefully this wakes our administration up and they start taking our athletics more seriously. Then maybe we will improve our BBall and be more attractive to a league such as the MVC.

[IllinoisState]

Assuming the UIC addition formally goes through, I'll be very happy with the two adds. One very solid program and one school with potential in a large market. I hope the conference decides to stand pat for awhile and see where things go before bringing on any other additions.

I don't think we'll be able to find another addition like Murray State in the next round of alignment as there aren't many programs left like them that aren't already in conferences perceived to be better than the MVC so we'll probably have to focus on markets. Wright State seems like a 'Murray State lite' but I would be concerned that they could turn into another Valparaiso type add where they struggle to compete against improved competition. I think Omaha, UMKC, Denver, NKU, St. Thomas, and UTA are all schools that we should continue to monitor to see if they have sustained success in Men's basketball as well as other sports important to the conference.

I don't see Omaha and Denver making the commitment to basketball because of hockey. UMKC already rejected making a financial commitment and so did NKU. I don't know what UTA said. I'm not against adding St. Thomas if the right situation appears and they have more and continued success.

[TBS_20]

The thing with St. Thomas is if you bring them in you really don't have an excuse for the Dakotas anymore. It's like an extra 1 hour in the plane

[VUGrad1314]

The thing with St. Thomas is you if you bring them in you really don't have an excuse for the Dakotas anymore

Good. The MVC should do it (especially for SDSU).

Assuming the UIC addition formally goes through, I'll be very happy with the two adds. One very solid program and one school with potential in a large market. I hope the conference decides to stand pat for awhile and see where things go before bringing on any other additions.

I don't think we'll be able to find another addition like Murray State in the next round of alignment as there aren't many programs left like them that aren't already in conferences perceived to be better than the MVC so we'll probably have to focus on markets. Wright State seems like a 'Murray State lite' but I would be concerned that they could turn into another Valparaiso type add where they struggle to compete against improved competition. I think Omaha, UMKC, Denver, NKU, St. Thomas, and UTA are all schools that we should continue to monitor to see if they have sustained success in Men's basketball as well as other sports important to the conference.

I don't see Omaha and Denver making the commitment to basketball because of hockey. UMKC already rejected making a financial commitment and so did NKU. I don't know what UTA said. I'm not against adding St. Thomas if the right situation appears and they have more and continued success.

Apparently UTA to the MVC was almost a done deal under Elgin according to Matt Brown but the sticking point was not travel or distance but money. UTA didn't want to pay the entrance fee to the MVC and the MVC refused to waive it. Brown suspects that even despite the leadership changes one big stumbling block to MVC membership for UTA was simply hurt feelings over that decision. If that's the case then we don't want or need them. Maybe if they show some success and reconsider we can reevaluate that but right now good luck in the WAC then. St Thomas would be a great and very interesting add. As I said before they are the closest thing to a Loyola analogue that the MVC could realistically grab. I would be monitoring them closely and with great interest if I were the MVC.

Here's the Matt Brown stuff if anyone's interested.

https://csnbbs.com/thread-935663-page-22.html

[Buxcies]

The thing with St. Thomas is if you bring them in you really don't have an excuse for the Dakotas anymore. It's like an extra 1 hour in the plane

The big problem that I see with the Dakotas is can you bring in just 1? Or do all 4 need to come? I'd take SDSU but I don't want to add 3 other schools just to get them.