(non-MVC) Realignment News

[IllinoisState]

If the A-Sun rumor is true and Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky are indeed leaving the OVC I wonder if that would give Belmont Murray State and the MVC more mutual interest and appetite for a move. It's possible but of course removing two of the more far flung schools in the footprint might be exactly what Belmont would want and make them feel even cozier in their home conference. Murray State (if their fanbase is any indication) still has the appetite for a move, but we'll see if it all comes together. I don't know what the MVC's feelings on the matter would be even if these schools did become interested at this point.

Doug Elgin is leaving as commissioner so anything can happen. Maybe we can be proactive as a conference now.

As critical as I have been for not going to 11 teams and 20 games by adding Murray State I really believe that has more to do with the presidents' reluctance as well as Belmont's reluctance than Elgin himself. I think Elgin would have added Murray State and done 11 teams temporarily if it were solely his decision; and it would have been a moot point and we would have been at 12 had Belmont not been so reluctant to move before. We'll see what the coming realignment moves will do if they happen. Maybe Belmont will change their mind now and we can expand.

I know Belmont continues to say know and that the presidents do have the say, but the commissioner has a lot of sway. The private schools need to be more lenient with their one to one public/private split to get the best available schools.

[VUGrad1314]

Doug Elgin is leaving as commissioner so anything can happen. Maybe we can be proactive as a conference now.

As critical as I have been for not going to 11 teams and 20 games by adding Murray State I really believe that has more to do with the presidents' reluctance as well as Belmont's reluctance than Elgin himself. I think Elgin would have added Murray State and done 11 teams temporarily if it were solely his decision; and it would have been a moot point and we would have been at 12 had Belmont not been so reluctant to move before. We'll see what the coming realignment moves will do if they happen. Maybe Belmont will change their mind now and we can expand.

I know Belmont continues to say know and that the presidents do have the say, but the commissioner has a lot of sway. The private schools need to be more lenient with their one to one public/private split to get the best available schools.

I agree. There are a few schools that could really benefit from joining up and the league could really benefit from having them. South Dakota State is one that comes immediately to mind and (if they have their financial house in order) Wright State as well. I wish we could build a full best of the rest in the midwest kind of conference that allows for more Q1 and Q2 games. Valpo in particular needs to get their act together and become part of the solution in this conference but unfortunately it could really be awhile because we just extended Lottich and there are rumblings that some players aren't super happy with his coaching. Unfortunately there's not a chance on this Earth that we'll buy him out and get somebody else in so we're stuck and it really sucks.

[bleach]

I agree. There are a few schools that could really benefit from joining up and the league could really benefit from having them. South Dakota State is one that comes immediately to mind and (if they have their financial house in order) Wright State as well. I wish we could build a full best of the rest in the midwest kind of conference that allows for more Q1 and Q2 games. Valpo in particular needs to get their act together and become part of the solution in this conference but unfortunately it could really be awhile because we just extended Lottich and there are rumblings that some players aren't super happy with his coaching. Unfortunately there's not a chance on this Earth that we'll buy him out and get somebody else in so we're stuck and it really sucks.

I was pretty impressed this weekend with the young talent assembled by Lottich.

[VUGrad1314]

I agree. There are a few schools that could really benefit from joining up and the league could really benefit from having them. South Dakota State is one that comes immediately to mind and (if they have their financial house in order) Wright State as well. I wish we could build a full best of the rest in the midwest kind of conference that allows for more Q1 and Q2 games. Valpo in particular needs to get their act together and become part of the solution in this conference but unfortunately it could really be awhile because we just extended Lottich and there are rumblings that some players aren't super happy with his coaching. Unfortunately there's not a chance on this Earth that we'll buy him out and get somebody else in so we're stuck and it really sucks.

I was pretty impressed this weekend with the young talent assembled by Lottich.

I don't think it's an issue of talent so much as an issue of coaching and gameplanning. I hope it gets fixed this year and we don't have any huge transfers this year to set us back even more.

[Dawgbit]

If the A-Sun rumor is true and Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky are indeed leaving the OVC I wonder if that would give Belmont Murray State and the MVC more mutual interest and appetite for a move. It's possible but of course removing two of the more far flung schools in the footprint might be exactly what Belmont would want and make them feel even cozier in their home conference. Murray State (if their fanbase is any indication) still has the appetite for a move, but we'll see if it all comes together. I don't know what the MVC's feelings on the matter would be even if these schools did become interested at this point.

You sure worry about the OVC a lot. I see the MVC Wannabe Racers are winless on the road this season.

[squirrel]

Doug Elgin is leaving as commissioner so anything can happen. Maybe we can be proactive as a conference now.

He was pro-active and visionary by recognizing the league's survival depended on basketball. He ushered in controversial league admissions in UNI and Loyola, both of which have validated their selection.

While I am also in the camp that I would like (and would like to have seen a little more aggression) expansion, Elgin has always acted in the best interests of the league. Had he been more reactionary along the way, it could have been a lot different, and not in a good way.

Nothing could have prevented Wichita or Creighton leaving, unless another league member replaced them due to success.

Losing Tulsa didn't kill the league. Arguably it became better without them.

I don't understand the criticisms of Elgin in this regard.

[squirrel]

This one has been out there, but the announcement is officially coming tomorrow, and there may be some surprises in store. . .

The WAC is set to add Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston and Abilene Christian from the Southland Conference, and Southern Utah from the Big Sky. While the presser is occurring under the WAC banner, some media sources are terming it as the formation of a "new league" which could be the creation of a new entity for all sports, or a football-only entity.

The creation of a new league, which could be under the same banner is also possible, with enough of the core of the current WAC remaining part of the new entity (similar to when the Mountain West splintered from the WAC.

[Dawgbit]

The MVC does not not need to add anyone else. Period. The wannanbes need the MVC a hell of a lot more than MVC needs them.

[RacerJoeD]

The MVC does not not need to add anyone else. Period. The wannanbes need the MVC a hell of a lot more than MVC needs them.

You sure worry about the OVC a lot. I see the MVC Wannabe Racers are winless on the road this season.

Nice to see my Racers are living rent-free in your head...

[Dawgbit]

The MVC does not not need to add anyone else. Period. The wannanbes need the MVC a hell of a lot more than MVC needs them.

You sure worry about the OVC a lot. I see the MVC Wannabe Racers are winless on the road this season.

Nice to see my Racers are living rent-free in your head...

You sure worry about the MVC a lot.