Belmont to Missouri Valley

[BEARZ77]

This is why I really hope we are able to wait a couple years instead of just jumping if a conference like the Sun Belt dangles the FBS carrot. I think that opportunities could look a lot different in 2-4 years because i think there will be a movement towards G-5 and top level FCS being the same, which then could result in much different leagues forming out of the aftermath. I agree with both sentiments in that basketball is the only ticket for schools at our level for national prominence and the only thing that makes money, but I also recognize we are a large state university and seek to be aligned with similar universities going forward and that football is seen as the a possible stepping stone to do so. When MSU entered the Valley we had 3 regional rivals in the western part of the league in WSU,Creighton, and Tulsa . They're all gone and have been replaced by Evansville, Valpo, and Loyola, all more eastern privates. Like I said before, with SIU's financial difficulties and declining enrollment, the only school that we are similar to is Illinois State .

My preferred scenario is things continue to shift, the MVCF league becomes the top league in a new level combining G-5 and FCS, the league is able to add some quality combo fb/bb schools and we stay in the Valley. But that's pie in the sky most likely.

[BearsCountry]

I hope Missouri State has plans to get out.

Why? And go where realistically?

American to rejoin our actual rivals Wichita and Tulsa would be the ultimate goal but CUSA, Sun Belt or the MAC would be fine and realistic. I would like to join a league with public universities with similar profile. I don't mind some private schools - Creighton, Tulsa, Saint Louis, SMU, etc. I really don't have a problem with them. The Valley has changed since we joined and it was the perfect setup. But we have lost 3 of our 4 rivals and replaced them with schools that aren't similar. The entire league has shifted from St. Louis in the center to St. Louis being the western edge. Our public peers are declining. SIU is a shadow of its former self and not talking about athletics either. It was a thriving 20k plus university that keeps losing enrollment. UNI was a growing university at 17k enrollment that now appears heading in a downward spiral that does not bode well for them. I shutter to think what would happen if Ben Jacobson finally leaves. Missouri State on the other hand is now at 26k students and on growth pace to go 30k. MVC is growing towards becoming the Midwest's version of the WCC. Which it could easily be here soon. St. Thomas and Bellarmine are young D1s who fit well with the private schools of the MVC. Throw in Detroit Mercy and you got the WCC of the Midwest. Which is future of MVC and will be a great league. It just doesn't look what Missouri State is going to be in the future wise institutionally.

[BCPanther]

This is why I really hope we are able to wait a couple years instead of just jumping if a conference like the Sun Belt dangles the FBS carrot. I think that opportunities could look a lot different in 2-4 years because i think there will be a movement towards G-5 and top level FCS being the same, which then could result in much different leagues forming out of the aftermath. I agree with both sentiments in that basketball is the only ticket for schools at our level for national prominence and the only thing that makes money, but I also recognize we are a large state university and seek to be aligned with similar universities going forward and that football is seen as the a possible stepping stone to do so. When MSU entered the Valley we had 3 regional rivals in the western part of the league in WSU,Creighton, and Tulsa . They're all gone and have been replaced by Evansville, Valpo, and Loyola, all more eastern privates. Like I said before, with SIU's financial difficulties and declining enrollment, the only school that we are similar to is Illinois State .

My preferred scenario is things continue to shift, the MVCF league becomes the top league in a new level combining G-5 and FCS, the league is able to add some quality combo fb/bb schools and we stay in the Valley. But that's pie in the sky most likely.

How come us lowly message board idiots can seem to figure out that the G5 and the top of the FCS (MVFC, Big Sky, CAA, New WAC) need to all merge with a 75 scholarship limit and our own playoff but the people that do this for a living can't possibly wrap their heads around it? No amount of hoping and praying and throwing fits is going to get the G5 into the P5 stratosphere.

There's plenty of money to be made on a 32 team playoff from that group.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

This is why I really hope we are able to wait a couple years instead of just jumping if a conference like the Sun Belt dangles the FBS carrot. I think that opportunities could look a lot different in 2-4 years because i think there will be a movement towards G-5 and top level FCS being the same, which then could result in much different leagues forming out of the aftermath. I agree with both sentiments in that basketball is the only ticket for schools at our level for national prominence and the only thing that makes money, but I also recognize we are a large state university and seek to be aligned with similar universities going forward and that football is seen as the a possible stepping stone to do so. When MSU entered the Valley we had 3 regional rivals in the western part of the league in WSU,Creighton, and Tulsa . They're all gone and have been replaced by Evansville, Valpo, and Loyola, all more eastern privates. Like I said before, with SIU's financial difficulties and declining enrollment, the only school that we are similar to is Illinois State .

My preferred scenario is things continue to shift, the MVCF league becomes the top league in a new level combining G-5 and FCS, the league is able to add some quality combo fb/bb schools and we stay in the Valley. But that's pie in the sky most likely.

How come us lowly message board idiots can seem to figure out that the G5 and the top of the FCS (MVFC, Big Sky, CAA, New WAC) need to all merge with a 75 scholarship limit and our own playoff but the people that do this for a living can't possibly wrap their heads around it? No amount of hoping and praying and throwing fits is going to get the G5 into the P5 stratosphere.

There's plenty of money to be made on a 32 team playoff from that group.

Tie for the MVFC Championship 1 time in the last 30 years and they're ready for the AAC. Lol

[SalukiWorld]

I hope Missouri State has plans to get out.

Why? And go where realistically?

American to rejoin our actual rivals Wichita and Tulsa would be the ultimate goal but CUSA, Sun Belt or the MAC would be fine and realistic. I would like to join a league with public universities with similar profile. I don't mind some private schools - Creighton, Tulsa, Saint Louis, SMU, etc. I really don't have a problem with them. The Valley has changed since we joined and it was the perfect setup. But we have lost 3 of our 4 rivals and replaced them with schools that aren't similar. The entire league has shifted from St. Louis in the center to St. Louis being the western edge. Our public peers are declining. SIU is a shadow of its former self and not talking about athletics either. It was a thriving 20k plus university that keeps losing enrollment. UNI was a growing university at 17k enrollment that now appears heading in a downward spiral that does not bode well for them. I shutter to think what would happen if Ben Jacobson finally leaves. Missouri State on the other hand is now at 26k students and on growth pace to go 30k. MVC is growing towards becoming the Midwest's version of the WCC. Which it could easily be here soon. St. Thomas and Bellarmine are young D1s who fit well with the private schools of the MVC. Throw in Detroit Mercy and you got the WCC of the Midwest. Which is future of MVC and will be a great league. It just doesn't look what Missouri State is going to be in the future wise institutionally.

If the MVC adds Belmont and Murray State and loses Missouri State, I'm not sure the American is even a better basketball conference than the Valley.

[squirrel]

Someone actually has to want Missouri State first.

[Drakey]

I hope Missouri State has plans to get out.

Why? And go where realistically?

Mo State Is wrapping up a feasibility study by the end of this year for a possible move up to FBS and having an architect do drawings for $40-50 million worth of upgrades to the football stadium. No one knows for sure but they may be trying to get into CUSA or the Sun Belt. Would still need to fundraise all the money and get an invitation to one of those conferences but as our president has stated on more than one occasion, we have to get ourselves ready and we are no longer going to sit on the sidelines.

Those conferences will take anybody. If you want in, join up.

[BEARZ77]

Someone actually has to want Missouri State first.

If you want to be petty , then go for it. This has nothing to do with MSU thinking it's too good for the MVC, but everything to do with being prepared for opportunities to advance the University as a whole using sports as a mechanism. While on the court results get attention, the reality is things like enrollment, facilities, and progressive administrations are probably more important to having opportunity to make a move and we check all those boxes pretty well. Again I think most MSU fans love the Valley for basketball , but the league has really changed as far as membership toward the east, towards private schools with many of the remaining state universities struggling. We're growing and will continue to; we have feeder systems established with Ozarks Technical College, Missouri State WP, and Jeff Co, among others, are in a great geographical location for kids from KC/STL etc. Like I said our prez is more a business man than an academic type and he is pretty aggressive in advancing our brand. It is what it is, and it may not be anything; but we'd be fools not to put ourselves in position to take advantage of what's happening in conference realignment if an opportunity presents itself.

[BCPanther]

Someone actually has to want Missouri State first.

If you want to be petty , then go for it. This has nothing to do with MSU thinking it's too good for the MVC, but everything to do with being prepared for opportunities to advance the University as a whole using sports as a mechanism. While on the court results get attention, the reality is things like enrollment, facilities, and progressive administrations are probably more important to having opportunity to make a move and we check all those boxes pretty well. Again I think most MSU fans love the Valley for basketball , but the league has really changed as far as membership toward the east, towards private schools with many of the remaining state universities struggling. We're growing and will continue to; we have feeder systems established with Ozarks Technical College, Missouri State WP, and Jeff Co, among others, are in a great geographical location for kids from KC/STL etc. Like I said our prez is more a business man than an academic type and he is pretty aggressive in advancing our brand. It is what it is, and it may not be anything; but we'd be fools not to put ourselves in position to take advantage of what's happening in conference realignment if an opportunity presents itself.

It's jealousy. I'd trade places with MSU in a heartbeat (as long as I get to bring Jake). They've done a fantastic job of planning out a road map and sticking to it to get where they want as an institution.

[Drakey]

.[/quote]

Tie for the MVFC Championship 1 time in the last 30 years and they're ready for the AAC. Lol[/quote]

The Bears won a basketball title once in those thirty years too.