Updated 1/6/18: MVC Expansion Poll

[IWokeUpLikeThis]

Missouri State's AD was on the radio yesterday and was asked about this and he said he expects more movement in the near future. Thinks the SEC will add two more teams causing a ripple effect throughout again. Said his personal opinion for the Valley was to add a couple of new teams from the west to help Mo State out since we are now the outlier in the conference.

That would rule out NKU. Wonder who’s the other school MSU likes other than Murray St.

Only 3 schools <4 hr drive: ORU, UMKC, UALR.

It's funny and kind of sad that when I visit other Valley fans chat boards , that as soon as they have some success, there is a lot of talk about how they are too good for the Valley instead of recognizing that unless it's a move to a P-5 or BE , the Valley still represents the best option and still has excellent potential to be consistently a top 8 conference in basketball yearly. Chasing non-existent FB $$$ at the expense of the rest of your athletics especially the main money maker MBB, is well, UCONN like and I just can't see the A-10 as a better option for the privates all things considered.

Yeah, I noticed the ISU board has 4-5 people who post 864 times how the Valley is the SWAC (direct quote), ISU would be with Iowa St & Kansas St if not for the school’s poor leadership, and - my favorite - every ISU alum thinks so (because 4-5 posters spamming the same thing 864 times speak for everyone).

It’s incredible how little some of every school’s “my school deserves better than this league” crowd know about the sport, realignment, how it’s driven, how important being grandfathered into the power structure is, and how difficult upward mobility is to attain without demographics or sustainable success.

[VUGrad1314]

UCONN going to the Big East as the sole addition and all of the possible instability in the A10 this could create might just MIGHT shake St Louis loose for us. Belmont isn't far enough west to be of much help if we're looking for a western school. I REALLY hope it's not ORU or UALR or UMKC (Who just went to the SL so I doubt it's them). If we're focused only on adding western schools we need to add Murray State only unless St Louis is available or something crazy happens like a team like Air Force needs a basketball home. They're not a great program but it's really good for the Valley's prestige to have them as an Olympic member. Hoping against hope that South Dakota State would consider themselves for MVC membership if we're looking west but that seems really unlikely.

[IllinoisState]

If this shake up did force the MVC to add at least one western school who would be good? Grand Canyon, NMSU, Denver? Even if you want a Dakota school adding one would probably require adding two.

[VUGrad1314]

That's the point. There is nobody out west that isn't crazy travel. Murray State and SLU are our best (and really only) chances to both boost the league's profile and help out Missouri State's isolation. The likelihood of SLU to the MVC just increased a bit with UCONN taking the 11th (and possibly final) spot in the Big East. Now if we can get the AAC to poach at least one A10 team... It's at least possible assuming Loyola is not an option for the A10.

[RacerJoeD]

There is talk that the AAC and Big East are staying at 11members and 20 game schedules. I wonder if that is voodoo... (jk. Kinda)


And sustained success is no guarantee of upward mobility

[uniguy]

There is talk that the AAC and Big East are staying at 11members and 20 game schedules. I wonder if that is voodoo... (jk. Kinda)


And sustained success is no guarantee of upward mobility

Would be surprised if they stayed at an odd number for football. But it would make sense if they added a football only member like Army or BYU.

[uniguy]

UCONN going to the Big East as the sole addition and all of the possible instability in the A10 this could create might just MIGHT shake St Louis loose for us. Belmont isn't far enough west to be of much help if we're looking for a western school. I REALLY hope it's not ORU or UALR or UMKC (Who just went to the SL so I doubt it's them). If we're focused only on adding western schools we need to add Murray State only unless St Louis is available or something crazy happens like a team like Air Force needs a basketball home. They're not a great program but it's really good for the Valley's prestige to have them as an Olympic member. Hoping against hope that South Dakota State would consider themselves for MVC membership if we're looking west but that seems really unlikely.

Air Force would never join the MVC (there are more geographically fit leagues to park their sports), but it would be pretty cool.

[IllinoisState]

That's the point. There is nobody out west that isn't crazy travel. Murray State and SLU are our best (and really only) chances to both boost the league's profile and help out Missouri State's isolation. The likelihood of SLU to the MVC just increased a bit with UCONN taking the 11th (and possibly final) spot in the Big East. Now if we can get the AAC to poach at least one A10 team... It's at least possible assuming Loyola is not an option for the A10.

It makes no sense for St. Louis to join the MVC. They have the east coast recruiting which is what they want.

Air Force would never join the MVC (there are more geographically fit leagues to park their sports), but it would be pretty cool.

I would love to add Air Force, but the chance is 0 like you said.

[Red]

SLU is waiting for the Big East to go to 12. They are the most logical next addition in my opinion.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Dayton is far more logical