Air Force to the MVC?

by **squirrel** » October 7th, 2011, 5:37 am

I know this made its way into another convo, but probably deserves its own thread:
http://blogs.pjstar.com/wessler/2011/10 ... -possible/

**Sponsor**

by **MVCfans** » October 7th, 2011, 6:18 am

There might be a distance concern for the eastern half of the conference, but if the Valley can add Air Force for basketball, I think we have to do it.

https://twitter.com/#!/MVCfans

by **BirdmanBB** » October 7th, 2011, 7:21 am

Airforce would be a solid addition to the valley.

by **havoc** » October 7th, 2011, 8:18 am

MVCfans wrote:There might be a distance concern for the eastern half of the conference, but if the Valley can add Air Force for basketball, I think we have to do it.

https://twitter.com/#!/MVCfans

Basketball would be great, but would it be worth it when you figure in the drain on the other sports? It's a long way from Terre Haute/Evansville/Carbondale to Colorado Springs to play a volleyball match.

by **Coogles** » October 7th, 2011, 8:30 am

Have to?

If somehow the Valley lost a member and needed a replacement to get back to 10 I could see it. To move to 11? Not sure that really moves the needle.

If the Valley is expanding beyond the current 10, the only two worth adding, in my opinion, are Butler and/or St. Louis. Beyond them, there really aren't any programs that would actally improve the conference that might reasonably join. I know neither of those is likely to move, but they would both fit well with the league.

by **Khan4Cats** » October 7th, 2011, 8:47 am

Yeah, I don't get why an Air Force move from the Mountain West to the MVC would be better for them. Trave wise they have CSU, Wyoming, even NMU nearby for easier travel as opposed to Terre Haute and Evansville (to go to the east side of the MVC) or even Wichita or Omaha as the nearest cities.

Is the MWC going to kick them out if they move football-only out of the conference? They're not a bad addition for basketball but not a huge splash, either. I'm not sure the added cost for travel or the unbalancing of schedules would be worth it for the Valley schools.

Now, if we are talking a multi-school expansion with AFA being included, I might be more inclined in favor.

by **bigdawg** » October 7th, 2011, 9:42 am

The article made it sound like the only reason for the move was because they'd be more competitive in the MVC than in the Mountain West. Ouch.

by **FeartheQ** » October 7th, 2011, 10:08 am

I'd like for the league to have 12 teams. We hurt ourselves every year playing 18 conference games. I'd rather play 16 conference games.

by **SubGod22** » October 7th, 2011, 10:11 am

Looking at RPI only, they appear to be a bottom tier team that offers little to the Valley. This does not make any sense on our end. I respect the AFA for who they are. But they're not a basketball school that offers the Valley anything whatsoever. The location doesn't bother me. The sad thing about all of this is it would look like the Valley wants to expand just to expand. Adding anyone would need to improve the league as they're going to take a piece of the monetary pie. If they're not going to add to it, it only weakens everyone else.

Why would you want to play fewer conference games? We already have a tough enough time scheduling noncon opponents and you want to add two more?!!!

by **unipanther99** » October 7th, 2011, 10:12 am

bigdawg wrote:The article made it sound like the only reason for the move was because they'd be more competitive in the MVC than in the Mountain West. Ouch.

I'm fine with letting them think that. When they get there they will find out what a grind this conference can be.

If we went to 11, what would the schedule look like? 20 game round robin starting the week before Christmas? That sounds better to me than an unbalanced schedule and playing another crappy non-conference game.