Another Expansion/Realignment Thread

[MoValley John]

I know the league has shifted east, but UNO is a good add for Drake, UNI and even Bradley, and Illinois State. They have great facilities and donors waiting for them to grow. It would fill the Creighton void as well. Look up Baxter arena, you'd be a little impressed.

I was there recently. It’s definitely an impressive arena and very similar to the Ford Center. The problem with UNO is they’re all-in on hockey - it’s been a total hockey school since 1999 or so (they even sold out their entire first couple seasons even though the team was at the bottom then) - and the fan support for hockey is significantly higher than for MBB. As a result, that’s where the athletic department’s focus goes. Basically the public school version of University of Denver.

Fan support there is very contingent on success. I've met a few of their bmd'$, they are chomping at the bit for something better than the Summit. Hockey does pay the bills, but other than that, they look the part of a Valley member. The only drawback is Creighton sells out every game, so you need to pick up a fanbase from somewhere outside of that demo

[SalukiWorld]

https://x.com/burziyech/status/1891178451215798445

Major NIU Olympic sports update:
I’m told NIU has NOT made a final decision on where Olympic sports will end up, though a decision is expected “very soon.”

They have narrowed the process down to two conferences, the Horizon (as expected) and…the Missouri Valley. #sauces

[MissouriValleyUnite]

I’ve actually known Nick (guy behind that tweet) since back when he was in college and he’s a fun person.

But 99% chance that tweet isn’t true. If NIU actually had an offer from the MVC, they would’ve already accepted it in a heartbeat. Also, Matt Brown said the 3 leagues interested in NIU were Horizon/Summit/OVC and that Horizon is expected.

[BCPanther]

No chance. Like you said, if there was an offer, NIU would've accepted before the league finished the question.

It's going to be the Horizon.

[Campbellproud]

No chance. Like you said, if there was an offer, NIU would've accepted before the league finished the question.

It's going to be the Horizon.

Of course NIU would accept if they had an offer. They likely don’t have an offer. But they might be in talks. NIU basketball is terrible but so were UIC and Valpo when they joined and they’re getting better. NIU would be a good institutional fit. I don’t hate it.

[SalukiWorld]

No chance. Like you said, if there was an offer, NIU would've accepted before the league finished the question.

It's going to be the Horizon.

Of course NIU would accept if they had an offer. They likely don’t have an offer. But they might be in talks. NIU basketball is terrible but so were UIC and Valpo when they joined and they’re getting better. NIU would be a good institutional fit. I don’t hate it.

Valpo was 24-9 the season before the Valley added them. UIC was bad but brought the Chicago market and even UIC bad isn't as bad as Northern Illinois is this season.

[BCPanther]

No chance. Like you said, if there was an offer, NIU would've accepted before the league finished the question.

It's going to be the Horizon.

Of course NIU would accept if they had an offer. They likely don’t have an offer. But they might be in talks. NIU basketball is terrible but so were UIC and Valpo when they joined and they’re getting better. NIU would be a good institutional fit. I don’t hate it.

I do.

Consistently in the 300s budget and metrics wise and Naperville ain't Chicago.

[tribecalledquest]

No chance. Like you said, if there was an offer, NIU would've accepted before the league finished the question.

It's going to be the Horizon.

Of course NIU would accept if they had an offer. They likely don’t have an offer. But they might be in talks. NIU basketball is terrible but so were UIC and Valpo when they joined and they’re getting better. NIU would be a good institutional fit. I don’t hate it.

I do.

Consistently in the 300s budget and metrics wise and Naperville ain't Chicago.

Hell - DeKalb ain’t even Naperville.

[IllinoisState]

Counting this season, NIU's past 5 years NET rankings averages 307.2 41-96* .299* (current season not completed) all losing seasons. 0 D-1 wins this season.

UIC's was 249.4 (one season of RPI) 77-78 .497 2 losing seasons.
Valpo's was 83.8 (all RPI) 126-46 .733 no losing seasons.

Valpo also had 2 amazing seasons and made the tournament twice (NIT once) before joining the MVC and UIC kept the MVC in Chicago.

We already have teams in southern, central, and northern Illinois. NIU does nothing to help expand the footprint in a positive way and would mean more competing for Illinois players in conference.

There is absolutely no upside to adding NIU.

[BCPanther]

Hell - DeKalb ain’t even Naperville.

My bad. DeKalb, Naperville, Northbrook, Lake Forest. Take your pick.

None of them are Chicago.