UIC a good fit for Valley?

[unipanther99]

Serious question. What kind of media coverage would adding UIC (and/or Loyola-Chi) get us in the Chicago area? When UIC plays, can fans expect to see the highlights on the nightly WGN sportscast?

Obviously the Bulls and Blackhawks are always going to be a priority in Chicago, but what is the pecking order after that during basketball season?

Illini? Northwestern? Notre Dame? Depaul?

With Belmont, yes, they will always be second or third fiddle in Nashville, but is that better than 7th or 8th fiddle in Chicago? I really don't know.

[CaliRdBrd]

UIC would be a great fit. Much better than the Dakota's, or any other middle-of-nowhere program.

[squirrel]

No UIC. The only condition I'm OK with BU being in the same league as UIC is the scenario of a Horizon-A10 hybrid.

[usmcsaluki]

UIC has the location, the market, and the private label to make it a great fit; they're tradition however isn't all that reassuring. You can't really say Chicago is a selling point if you can't land the recruits that are coming out of there.

I'd prefer to go with Murray State or Belmont if we decide to round it back up to 10 teams. I think basketball tradition and brand name should outweigh public/private; heck, location should weigh heavier than public/private as well.

[thefish7]

UIC has the location, the market, and the private label to make it a great fit; they're tradition however isn't all that reassuring. You can't really say Chicago is a selling point if you can't land the recruits that are coming out of there.

I'd prefer to go with Murray State or Belmont if we decide to round it back up to 10 teams. I think basketball tradition and brand name should outweigh public/private; heck, location should weigh heavier than public/private as well.

Private label? University of Illinois in Chicago? What?

[Chuck A]

Yeah, we do have a bit of a totem pole to deal with. During the season, it is the Bulls, Blackhawks and the Bears (until the Bears' season is over). College-wise, it is the Illini, Notre Dame (which I truly hate..they're not even in Illinois!) and DePaul. If we're winning however, we do get moved up a notch. We do have highlights as our games (as well as Loyola's) are on CSN Chicago. Winning, and winning consistently, solves all of that. When our program was winning, we got the pub, it just wasn't sustainable. This coaching staff has what it takes to sustain a winning tradition. Their incoming recruiting class has a local & regional flavor.

Mark my words, UIC will be a winning program, regardless of Conference affiliation, but if the Horizon doesn't get Belmont, Murray State and either one of Evansville/Oakland, I'd love to make the move to the Valley.

[Chuck A]

I believe we (UIC) might have had our visit from the MVC contingent. I saw one of our Faculty Representatives for Athletics very sharply dressed (more so than usual) and heading for the Flames Athletic Center. I'm scrambling for more information.

[uniftw]

I believe we (UIC) might have had our visit from the MVC contingent. I saw one of our Faculty Representatives for Athletics very sharply dressed (more so than usual) and heading for the Flames Athletic Center. I'm scrambling for more information.

Not really news....it was posted here a day or two ago that the conference is visiting ORU, UIC, Loyola, UMKC, and possibly UWM.

[Chuck A]

I knew that. Was just mentioning the actuality of it. That's all. Relax.

[Dawgbit]

I'd bet most would agree with your "it can't be a football first school". However, I do wonder what the opinion of Murray State would be then.

They have football...but they aren't a football first school. The could move all sports to MVC but leave football where it is in the OVC.

Murray State is Podunck. That is my opinion. Murray is not in a major or semi-major population base. From their standpoint, they would no longer be the big fish in the little pond. Please look at their long-term record in the Dance and tell me why you would want them.