Welcome Murray State to the MVC!

[RacerJoeD]

I’m pretty sure MURRAY would like a H/H with Loyola

[Murraygrad05]

https://youtu.be/oooOQhST8fI

Just a friendly reminder of what you can expect to see now with the addition of us and Belmont.

[VUGrad1314]

Okay I obviously love love LOVE this addition! I've beaten this drum even since Valpo was added and I am happy to see it finally come to fruition! These two additions Belmont and Murray State should help the league adapt nicely to the post-Loyola world. As for the 12th I'm not sure how to feel about UIC. I understand they bring solid men's soccer and baseball I believe so that's good and they are the sort of school that if conferences weren't about athletics you would be absolutely honored to be associated with in addition to getting us back into Chicago which is important but their basketball program is really unspectacular (yes I know they swept us in a home and home but we are in a huge down cycle ourselves). Maybe Yaklich who knows the Valley can get them moving in the right direction but I'm far less bullish on that add and don't see them as another potential Loyola. Truth be told I probably see more potential in UTA even though I don't find that potential addition overly palatable either. Still I'm prepared to welcome them but I do wish we had continued to work in a basketball centric direction for any additions to the MVC especially those that upset the double round robin. Belmont and Murray State add a lot of sorely needed basketball punch and hopefully Valpo can get their act together and help build the Valley up but I still think this league could benefit from adding at least one more solid program. Overall I am very happy today and am okay with UIC or UTA but either of them is far from my favorite addition. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong.

[VUGrad1314]

https://youtu.be/oooOQhST8fI

Just a friendly reminder of what you can expect to see now with the addition of us and Belmont.

Wow! Ja Morant is coming back?! What tremendous news! (Just teasing Can't wait to see these two great programs and the Racers' passionate fanbase in the MVC. This league unquestionably got better and deeper today.)

[freddycat68]

The A10 for Loyola was a horrible choice. It's one thing for a team like Creighton to go to the Big East. Great choice and nobody can quarrel with it. Loyola is more like Tulsa or WSU ... taking its fleeting success and making a lateral move. Without the stellar coaches who made them flashes, Tulsa and WSU now languish in conferences where they are also-rans when they could just have well stayed put and helped build the Valley into a better conference. I wish Loyola well, but I don't understand this move. Hey, we can make the Final Four from this conference -- let's go make ourselves a new and unproven commodity in another mid-major league! Makes no sense.

[Murraygrad05]

https://youtu.be/oooOQhST8fI

Just a friendly reminder of what you can expect to see now with the addition of us and Belmont.

Wow! Ja Morant is coming back?! What tremendous news! (Just teasing Can't wait to see these two great programs and the Racers' passionate fanbase in the MVC. This league unquestionably got better and deeper today.)

I’m all in favor of granting him a covid year. LOL… I had to pick the game that we won of course although every game between us is as closely contested.

[IllinoisState]

The A10 for Loyola was a horrible choice. It's one thing for a team like Creighton to go to the Big East. Great choice and nobody can quarrel with it. Loyola is more like Tulsa or WSU ... taking its fleeting success and making a lateral move. Without the stellar coaches who made them flashes, Tulsa and WSU now languish in conferences where they are also-rans when they could just have well stayed put and helped build the Valley into a better conference. I wish Loyola well, but I don't understand this move. Hey, we can make the Final Four from this conference -- let's go make ourselves a new and unproven commodity in another mid-major league! Makes no sense.

I don't blame them. The A-10 has like minded institutions and they are like notre Dame with the ACC in that it brings eyes from the east coast. Plus the conference is a little better.

[VUGrad1314]

Great add--took long enough. Belmont/Murray State were really the two best additions from a basketball perspective. I wish Loyola got a chance to play with these two teams, could have been fun trips. Now it'll be interesting to see if the MVC adds a 12th with more of a "potential" / "market" mindset (UIC, UTA, UKMC).

I'm not going to lie, I already have FOMO now that these two additions have been added. The valley would be so deep if Loyola had also stayed, and next year is going to be entertaining to watch. I still think the A10 was a good choice, but I love the valley and I'll miss it. I'm glad they landed the two best available/interested schools, I hope they also add UIC.

The A-10 is absolutely the right move for Loyola. You are going to love the institutional fit and the programs you are able to play as well as the likely effect it will have on Loyola institutionally. The Ramblers unquestionably earned that invitation. While we certainly appreciate the kind words the FOMO is on both ends (at least as far as I am concerned). I really wish Loyola was sticking around to see these two additions through as well because it would have created a league that might have a shot at three bids somewhat regularly. We will miss Loyola as well. Hopefully they will schedule plenty of MVC teams in the non con so we can keep up the rivalry. We can only hope that UIC assuming they are added works out a fraction as well as Loyola did but to say that I am not excited for this new era of Valley basketball would be wholly untrue. I think the recent realignment moves will ultimately work out for all concerned. This MVC fan wishes the Ramblers the best of luck in their new home and welcomes both the Racers and Bruins (and potentially the Flames) with open arms!

[SalukiWorld]

Looks like UT Arlington is heading to the WAC
https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1 ... 8556550151

[smidge34]

Racer Nation message board. We’ll be watching and will get you approved to post ASAP.

https://www.racerfans.com/board/