(non-MVC) Realignment News

[uniguy]

Looking like Eastern Kentucky, Central Arkansas, and Jacksonville State leaning toward moving to the A-Sun.

Could have interesting ripple effect implications for the Valley, or not. The OVC becomes a little bit less stable losing two squads. Could be interesting to see how the new financial landscape impacts conferences at the mid-major level. Might leagues consolidate into more geographically friendly setups?

Could have big implications for FCS football too as all three of those programs are solid FCS programs that could be relocating into the Big South and transforming that into a pretty solid league.

https://www.midmajormadness.com/2020/11 ... l-arkansas

[VUGrad1314]

I don't see how moving to the A-Sun is more geographically friendly for Central Arkansas than the Southland. This has to be about competitive opportunities for them. Same for EKU and Jacksonville State (though the geography is more of a push for them I think. I know this sounds crazy but this might be a step towards FBS for them. The loss of EKU and Jacksonville State really hurts the OVC as they were frequently among the conference's better basketball programs outside of Murray State and Belmont. The loss of basketball strength and an in state rival probably doesn't sit too well with Murray State and I suspect the Murray State to the MVC chatter might heat up as a result of this but I'm not sure how that affects Belmont at all. It would depend on who the OVC adds (if anybody) but EKU was one of their furthest trips so losing them would be a blessing for them and further confirm their rationale for moving to the OVC in the first place. I really hope if Murray State makes a call the MVC presidents are smart enough to answer this time with or without Belmont they would be a huge get for us.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

I don't see how moving to the A-Sun is more geographically friendly for Central Arkansas than the Southland.

I dont know what article you read but he A-Sun is going to 20 teams then splitting off into two separate regional conferences as to get a second bid to the NCAA tournament. One league is for FCS football. Longer travel will only be temporary.

[VUGrad1314]

It's just that it's hard to see what other schools would\could be involved to make this move make more sense for Central Arkansas in particular. I also can't see this league becoming FBS at least not for awhile so I don't get the appeal for EKU and Jacksonville State if that is their ultimate ambition. third this is just asking for the P5 to split off and form its own independent league. No way are they going to let conferences like the A-Sun expand and split and siphon off at large bids that way. (More AQs means less at larges of course and the P5 is what drives the money bus for the NCAA Tournament unfortunately. I just hope the MVC can find a way to capitalize on this state of flux to become a stronger league and more prepared no matter what happens. But it seems like if ever there was a time to pitch to Murray State and Belmont about a possible move now would be it. If anything happens in the SOCON (and I have read some speculation that some SOCON teams may well be involved in this) maybe we could also consider East Tennessee State if they end up being left behind though that might be a bit too far afield for the conference. I would personally love it though because that's a really good basketball program.

[IWokeUpLikeThis]

If anything happens in the SOCON (and I have read some speculation that some SOCON teams may well be involved in this) maybe we could also consider East Tennessee State if they end up being left behind though that might be a bit too far afield for the conference. I would personally love it though because that's a really good basketball program.

ETSU? They’re right on the TN/NC border!

[VUGrad1314]

Occam's razor would suggest this kind of massive realignment probably won't end up happening because most conferences follow the lose 1 add 1 lose 2 add none lose 3 add 1 formula but if the OVC decides to add schools which they might because this is not good for basketball OR football which means every member is probably unhappy and considering their options here's how it could shake out if what I have heard about the SOCON possibly losing some teams to the A-Sun project is accurate:

More likely here's how I see it shaking out (if the speculation I have read about the SOCON losing Chattanooga and Western Carolina as part of this is true):

To OVC: Western Illinois Southern Indiana (from D2) Chicago State(?) (Have heard they could also lose Tennessee Tech in this scenario OVC could also go after another D2 move up and Chicago State could possibly find it's way to the MEAC but the OVC would obviously be an ideal landing spot for them from a travel costs perspective. Western Illinois would probably reluctantly give up its MVFC membership for the greater good of its athletics programs as a whole which would open the door for the MVFC to stay at 10 or grow to 12 absorbing Murray State and (potentially) Northern Colorado or Robert Morris

To Summit League: One (or both) of Augustana (from D2) Northern Colorado Northern Colorado would obviously be the more palatable choice as it would be a better overall replacement for WIU than Augustana but would the MVFC accept Northern Colorado as a member Or Augustana for that matter? Probably not I could see Augustana in the Pioneer league. Northern Colorado might have a shot but I could see football holding this up unless the MVFC signs off on taking Northern Colorado which seems like a tough sell geographically. Maybe the Big Sky will be nice and let them stay on FB only like they've done for the California schools. if the MVFC needs an even number it would make far more sense to just offer Robert Morris who probably isn't super thrilled about the notion of having to possibly make trips to Alabama and Arkansas. MVFC travel probably wouldn't be much better but it's probably a little bit better than the Big South would be.

To MVC: Murray State Belmont (Big boost for the MVC These two schools seek better greener more stable pastures with likeminded basketball first programs. Belmont would probably prefer the SOCON but their lack of a football program might make it hard for them to get an invite. Coming along with Murray State preserving that rivalry and playing the majority of their conference season in fertile recruiting territory for them (Illinois and Indiana) seems like the best step forward for their program.

To SOCON: Austin Peay Tennessee State (SOCON would be looking to at least tread water in football and hoops and these two would help them do that. Austin Peay which is moving into a nice new facility soon would also probably relish the bump up in competition in hoops they would get.

Not sure who the Southland would look to add in this scenario to replace Central Arkansas and it sounds like they might be under threat from the West with the WAC rumored to be expanding potentially involving multiple Southland teams. Needless to say it's about to get very interesting and fun from a realignment perspective in a part of the college basketball\football landscape that isn't known for initiating big realignment moves like this very often. It's good to see mid major leagues being proactive and I hope this brings benefit to the Missouri Valley in particular but also to Mid major basketball at large.

[VUGrad1314]

If anything happens in the SOCON (and I have read some speculation that some SOCON teams may well be involved in this) maybe we could also consider East Tennessee State if they end up being left behind though that might be a bit too far afield for the conference. I would personally love it though because that's a really good basketball program.

ETSU? They’re right on the TN/NC border!

That's what I'm saying it's probably a bit too far afield but they're definitely the type of program we should be targeting. My preference is to get Murray State and Belmont and that's where my focus is because that makes the most sense geographically and institutionally for this conference but I don't think we should turn our noses up at the idea of expanding our footprint if a good program wants in. ETSU fits that bill for me personally but I am fully aware that it is very unlikely and probably won't happen.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

If anything happens in the SOCON (and I have read some speculation that some SOCON teams may well be involved in this) maybe we could also consider East Tennessee State if they end up being left behind though that might be a bit too far afield for the conference. I would personally love it though because that's a really good basketball program.

ETSU? They’re right on the TN/NC border!

That's what I'm saying it's probably a bit too far afield but they're definitely the type of program we should be targeting. My preference is to get Murray State and Belmont and that's where my focus is because that makes the most sense geographically and institutionally for this conference but I don't think we should turn our noses up at the idea of expanding our footprint if a good program wants in. ETSU fits that bill for me personally but I am fully aware that it is very unlikely and probably won't happen.

The question is why do you care so much? Is it because the MVC isnt doing anything at all? If the schools involved like it then that's all that matters.

[VUGrad1314]

ETSU? They’re right on the TN/NC border!

That's what I'm saying it's probably a bit too far afield but they're definitely the type of program we should be targeting. My preference is to get Murray State and Belmont and that's where my focus is because that makes the most sense geographically and institutionally for this conference but I don't think we should turn our noses up at the idea of expanding our footprint if a good program wants in. ETSU fits that bill for me personally but I am fully aware that it is very unlikely and probably won't happen.

The question is why do you care so much? Is it because the MVC isnt doing anything at all? If the schools involved like it then that's all that matters.

There was a time in the not too distant past that you were right there with me in wanting to see this conference do everything possible that it could to enhance it's chances at being a multibid league... What changed? This seriously looks like the opportunity we as fans have been waiting for to add one (or possibly two if Belmont really might consider moving) programs that can help us achieve those goals and I would love to see the MVC take advantage of that. We all should want that.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

]

i still am with you in the mvc doing something. but i dont care what etsu, central arkansas or any others down that direction do. you seem to think its a bad idea. who cares. let them do them.