Updated 1/6/18: MVC Expansion Poll

[VUGrad1314]

Relax pro expansion folks. He could very well be telling the truth that there's nothing on but this is also what he's supposed to say right now. The MVC doesn't want expansion rumors detracting from the conference race and Arch Madness. This isn't going to be a very long process anyway. They just visited Murray State and really NKU is the only non-Belmont addition that does anything for anyone and the conference doesn't have to make a move until 2020 at the earliest. I think they're just biding their time making sure NKU is the right move for #12 and when they're finally convinced or Belmont wakes up they'll pull the trigger.

[uniguy]

“Waiting for restructuring” is the same reactive strategy the Valley employed in the 2000’s when it passed on expanding with Butler. Fast forward 10 years and the Valley had neither Butler’s 2 Final Fours nor its 2 biggest members.

In the early '90s when the decision to add Evansville was being made, Butler was a consideration to be added. However, Evansville was seen as the more promising school from a basketball standpoint.

"In 1994, the MVC added Evansville instead of Butler. It appeared the obvious choice. Evansville had made three NCAA tournaments in the previous five years and its average home attendance exceeded 10,000. Butler had not danced since 1962 and drew meager crowds."

This is from the former Peoria Journal Star sports editor and is a good read on MVC expansion after Wichita left. https://www.pjstar.com/sports/20170506/ ... ew-members

There was also mid-2000s when WKU wanted in and Butler showed interest. MVC turned it down to wait on SLU, WKU went FBS, Butler Butler’d, and the rest was history.

Well you know what they say. Butler gonna Butler.

[uniguy]

Kyle Moats, Missouri State's AD, tonight on Sports Talk in Springfield said MVC isn't actively looking at expansion at this time. League is happy at 10. If they expand it would be to 12 and no candidate is standing out at this time to make it feasible for expansion.

I guess that “expansion comittee” was BS the entire time. Too bad. I guess we’ll just keep being mediocre.

[VUGrad1314]

I mean, we were 8th last year and we did have a final 4 participant our second in 5 years. It's in each program to be great we just have to find it again. I just think we're missing a chance to get even better and push consistent multibid status again which I am given to understand has been the goal.

[VUGrad1314]

In 2012 we were pretty close to a MVC/WAC merger but Idaho was the problem.

Wow! How would that have looked and what quashed it?

[VUGrad1314]

Man every time I want to talk up NKU they go and lose a big statement game opportunity. Let's just do 11\20 with Murray State. There's no good reason not to.

[BearsCountry]

In 2012 we were pretty close to a MVC/WAC merger but Idaho was the problem.

Wow! How would that have looked and what quashed it?

Denver and New Mexico State added to the MVC. Basically the premise was to take over the WAC's spot at the FBS table getting their access to bowls and BCS money. Idaho for FB only would have been fine, but not for all-sports. Lots of moving parts.

[TheAsianSensation]

Just to depress the Murray St fan base even more....if they were in the MVC this year, they'd probably have 8-10 games on national TV through ESPN2/ESPNU, and with the Morant hype machine in full throttle...maybe more.

This is why you get out ahead of these things in expansion. You get all of Butler's money from their deep runs. You get full value out of the Morant hype machine.

(of course on the other hand, you could say we got out ahead of Loyola's new budget commitment)

[Dean Wormer]

Man every time I want to talk up NKU they go and lose a big statement game opportunity. Let's just do 11\20 with Murray State. There's no good reason not to.

Can someone please lock this thread already.

This is why no one should take you seriously. It is a complete obsession which changes on the outcome of every individual game. NKU would make a great add...wait, they just lost a game. Hey guys, BFE State just upset a P5 school, let's talk about them joining.

Take a deep breath. Conference expansion is decided upon a game or two, or even seasons, and not solely on basketball results. We don't need to expand to be great. No one is leaving for the A-10 or anywhere else. There isn't one single benefit for any private school in this league to leave for the A-10. A very marginal increase in exposure, which would be completely eradicated with the increased travel costs for all of the programs. I also don't see any football school stepping up and investing in FBS anytime in the near future..and if they do, then make a call to Murray.

It's the middle of a very competitive conference season, and all you want to talk about is the same schools over and over and over. How about discussing your team, or what the conference as a whole can do to improve, or how your school can improve your facilities to be on par with the rest of the league? There are plenty things to discuss and opine on than continually asking what everyone thinks about NKU or some Dakota school.

[MOST]

Have to agree with Moats. Not the time for MVC to expand--plus adding Murray, N. KY or Belmont is not going to elevate the MVC to a 2 or 3 bid conference--maybe a 2 bid occasionally--very occasionally.

Don't know if there is any move that is going to move the MVC higher in the rankings or more bids. They are probably locked in the one bid 12 to 15 rankings unless there is a total redo top to bottom of NCAA BB.