Updated 1/6/18: MVC Expansion Poll

[VUGrad1314]

Say no to slow playing it. If the opportunity is there, both sides need to take it. I'm getting excited and I don't know if I should be. This could be the opportunity the MVC has been waiting for. Belmont is a risk with Byrd gone but I can't see them completely cratering. I could see them being a very creditable member of the conference and we already know what Murray State brings to the table. But are the credits the OVC just earned enough to keep both schools where they are or do they and the MVC recognize what could come of a union between Belmont and Murray State and the MVC. I have little doubt that that's a 2 occasionally 3 bid league with internal improvement from current members and continued better OOC scheduling. Please let this happen!

[TheAsianSensation]

I'm not very interested in a version of Belmont that doesn't have Byrd. I need to see them handle turnover before I'm in.

[VUGrad1314]

This isn't so much about Belmont for me as it is Murray State. Belmont is the best 12 we could reasonably hope for. Even if they're a bit down off their highs with Byrd they should do okay in the league and even if they don't they shouldn't crater the league and offset the gains the Racers would bring themselves. If a diminished Belmont is the cost of adding Murray State to the MVC sign me up and get them in. I have no doubt the Bruins will make a spectacular hire. They have multiple great choices from their own bench to Alexander at Lipscomb even possibly to Bryce Drew who is in Nashville. (Though his Valpo love might make him anti MVC which means he''s not my favorite choice that and I wouldn't mind seeing him come back to Valpo one day if possible).

[E-Villan]

This isn't so much about Belmont for me as it is Murray State. Belmont is the best 12 we could reasonably hope for. Even if they're a bit down off their highs with Byrd they should do okay in the league and even if they don't they shouldn't crater the league and offset the gains the Racers would bring themselves. If a diminished Belmont is the cost of adding Murray State to the MVC sign me up and get them in. I have no doubt the Bruins will make a spectacular hire. They have multiple great choices from their own bench to Alexander at Lipscomb even possibly to Bryce Drew who is in Nashville. (Though his Valpo love might make him anti MVC which means he''s not my favorite choice that and I wouldn't mind seeing him come back to Valpo one day if possible).

If Belmont is the best 12 we can hope for, then we need to hold off. I have the upmost respect for Rick Byrd, and how he runs his program, but I am with Asian on this, we need to wait and see what transpires there in the post-Byrd era.

They have a rather small fan base. I have attended the last two OVC Championships in Evansville between Murray and Belmont, and the place is 90% Murray. If they don't bother going a little over 2 hours to see their team in a championship game, they certainly aren't going 5+ to St. Louis. I spend a lot of time in Nashville, and they are pretty far down the pecking order of what is covered there. Nashville media doesn't care about the OVC with 4 teams within an hour, and they certainly won't care about the MVC.

Without Byrd, I see zero positives at this point for them.

[Milanmiracle]

IF there's an expansion, I am in favor of Murray State and Northern Kentucky. Murray State has the track record of being consistently good, and N. Kentucky has the coach, facilities, and desire to grow the program. They can likely keep Brannan with the move to the MVC, as he's less likely to leave with the pay raise. He's from there, grew up there and I know the family likes it there. That's my 0.02.

[Rogers101]

I'm in on the Murray State and N Kentucky, but we know the private schools wont let that happen.

[MOST]

Make it Wisc Green Bay and Wisc Milwaukee!!!!!! Maybe Green Bay and Murray State. If necessary drop Valpo.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Hell no to GB

[MOST]

Hell no to GB

Why hell no to GB. A public school. No FB. Decent BB--3rd in the HL in 18/19 Fits right into the mid range of the MVC. Good facilities. In the MVC north to south foot print--slightly stretched to the north. GB a good sports town, but no competing D1 or D2 programs till you get to Milwaukee or U Wisc. Better option than Belmont or N. KY.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Lipscomb just beat Wichita State and will play for the NIT championship!