Loyola leaving for the Atlantic 10 ?

by **Salukimadness86** » March 22nd, 2021, 5:49 pm

Some folks over On Saluki Insider are saying Loyola to Atlantic 10, and/or Porter Moser to Marquette? Too big for the Valley after only six years? I just think it's silly rumors that usually pop up this time of year. Thoughts?

**Sponsor**

by **sivert** » March 22nd, 2021, 7:41 pm

Wait. The A10 is a bigger conference?

by **VUGrad1314** » March 22nd, 2021, 8:01 pm

I mean the NET ratings have the A-10 ahead of the MVC and definitely the selection committee is far kinder to A-10 teams in general than it is to MVC teams. Plus it is inarguable that the institutional fit and profile of the A-10 fits Loyola far better than the MVC. I hope this isn't true because it would really hurt the MVC not just because losing Loyola would be a heavy blow but also it might impact who we could reasonably expect to replace them with. Would Murray State still consider joining a Loyola-less MVC for example? but the move makes a lot of sense for the Ramblers and the A-10. Adding Loyola-Chicago to the A-10 would probably turn them back into a 3-4 bid league most years and there are far more Q1 and Q2 opportunities to be had for Loyola in the A-10 than in the MVC. Plus, they would expand their institutional reach and be able to recruit nationally even better than they already do for students as well as have the opportunity to compete against other like-minded Jesuit schools. The A-10 benefits by adding another great program weakening a rival league and gaining greater access to the Chicago market for students and athletes while likely increasing their chances at getting more bids. It's a win-win. Again I hope it's not true but there are several good reasons to believe that it is.

by **Rambler63** » March 22nd, 2021, 8:04 pm

Silly. The A10 is only marginally better than the MVC (at least right now... the MVC should be pretty good next year), the travel costs for non-revenue sports are really high, and there's always a risk when switching conferences. My sense from talking to other Loyola fans is we're all pretty happy in the MVC.

There are always minor complaints (some schools are cheapskates, Valpo's facilities might be affecting their ability to keep players, is it time for a new MVC logo?, and we need a conference-led scheduling program to aid schools getting good non-con opposition), but there would be "wish lists" in any conference. We hope the new Commissioner is good. That's about it.

by **VUGrad1314** » March 22nd, 2021, 8:15 pm

Rambler63 wrote:Silly. The A10 is only marginally better than the MVC (at least right now... the MVC should be pretty good next year), the travel costs for non-revenue sports are really high, and there's always a risk when switching conferences. My sense from talking to other Loyola fans is we're all pretty happy in the MVC.

There are always minor complaints (some schools are cheapskates, Valpo's facilities might be affecting their ability to keep players, is it time for a new MVC logo?, and we need a conference-led scheduling program to aid schools getting good non-con opposition), but there would be "wish lists" in any conference. We hope the new Commissioner is good. That's about it.

Valpo's coaching and leadership might be a bigger problem there but yeah our facilities are embarrassingly poor. You'll get no argument on this from this or any other Valpo fan. I hope we start pulling our weight in this conference soon because we've been an embarrassment to be frank but that's hard to do when you can't even freaking retain freshmen and sophomores.

by **Rambler63** » March 22nd, 2021, 8:19 pm

Sorry, VU Grad, you posted while I was posting. I didn't mean it to look like I was calling you silly, I was referring to the question in the title of the topic.

Here's a post on the Loyola site that kind of sums up the feeling most Rambler fans have right now, and there's a lot of respect/gratitude for the MVC....

http://www.ramblermania.net/forum/viewt ... =30#p38826

by **Action10** » March 22nd, 2021, 8:30 pm

Wasn't Porter an assistant at SLU when Coach Majeras wanted SLU to join the MVC?

by **VUGrad1314** » March 22nd, 2021, 8:37 pm

Rambler63 wrote:Sorry, VU Grad, you posted while I was posting. I didn't mean it to look like I was calling you silly, I was referring to the question in the title of the topic.

Here's a post on the Loyola site that kind of sums up the feeling most Rambler fans have right now, and there's a lot of respect/gratitude for the MVC....

http://www.ramblermania.net/forum/viewt ... =30#p38826

I know. I was just expounding on your point about how bad Valpo has been since joining and the potential reasons and issues why. Thank you for posting that. Loyola has been a terrific member and we're glad they're here and hope they don't leave. But I totally get it if they do for the reasons I stated in one of my previous posts. I've long said that this could be logical given Loyola's success and the obvious institutional fit but the travel costs are definitely something that should be considered. I have to believe Loyola would be able to step up and pay them but I obviously don't know the financial realities of the institution. Flying to the East Coast for all sports several times a year is obviously significantly more expensive than remaining in a league where you can bus to most opponents. The step up in competition and prestige in men's basketball might be worth it though. I hope this is all speculation but as I said there are a lot of reasons to think there might be some real legs here.

by **E-Villan** » March 22nd, 2021, 9:24 pm

VUGrad1314 wrote:
Rambler63 wrote:Sorry, VU Grad, you posted while I was posting. I didn't mean it to look like I was calling you silly, I was referring to the question in the title of the topic.

Here's a post on the Loyola site that kind of sums up the feeling most Rambler fans have right now, and there's a lot of respect/gratitude for the MVC....

http://www.ramblermania.net/forum/viewt ... =30#p38826

I know. I was just expounding on your point about how bad Valpo has been since joining and the potential reasons and issues why. Thank you for posting that. Loyola has been a terrific member and we're glad they're here and hope they don't leave. But I totally get it if they do for the reasons I stated in one of my previous posts. I've long said that this could be logical given Loyola's success and the obvious institutional fit but the travel costs are definitely something that should be considered. I have to believe Loyola would be able to step up and pay them but I obviously don't know the financial realities of the institution. Flying to the East Coast for all sports several times a year is obviously significantly more expensive than remaining in a league where you can bus to most opponents. The step up in competition and prestige in men's basketball might be worth it though. I hope this is all speculation but as I said there are a lot of reasons to think there might be some real legs here.

I realize the Valpo fans are the newest in the league, but I just read a blog from another one (or maybe it's you) talking about the downward slide of the Valley, and fear that Loyola would be moving out as a result. Maybe I should remind you this is the second oldest conference in the country, and contrary to your opinion, has been one of the most stable through the last couple of decades. I am old enough to have seen every team in this conference go through both ups and downs.

I can't speak for Rambler fans, but I think Rambler63 is pretty much spot on. There just isn't this huge gap you seem to think there is to warrant a move from the MVC to the A-10. Plus, they currently have 14 teams. I can't imagine they are adding anyone else unless it is a replacement. Does going to the A-10 as a Chicago school make as much sense if SLU or Dayton is no longer around? No. Loyola doesn't need the so-called east coast exposure as others desire. They are currently the top program in a metro of 8 million people. They have a 100 year old nun who is a national household name. Sister Jean alone has given them more national publicity and exposure than playing a 100 regular-season games at LaSalle or Fordham could ever do. There are some solid programs at the top of the A-10, and there are some real dregs at the bottom. You fret that Valpo's facilities could run them away. They may be last in the MVC, but you would be about mid-pack in the A-10. What little bump you might get with your basketball program in the A-10 would be eaten up quickly with the non-revenue sports. There is no more prestige in sending the womens team to Davidson as there is sending them down to Peoria or Carbondale, and it is a hell of a lot more expensive.

Loyola has turned out to be a great addition for the Valley, and I think the Valley has been a great fit for them. They can continue to do big things as a member.

by **Blers42** » March 22nd, 2021, 9:42 pm

This thread is a bit ridiculous. People are all talking about Porter potentially leaving, that’s the reality of being a successful coach. I have no idea why Loyola would lose their head coach then move to the A-10. Watson has ties to the A10 and he’s an advocate of it, but that’s about the only thing I’ve ever heard and it was a couple years ago. I’m focused on March madness right now, and I know Porter is focused on Oregon State. Once the tourney is over I hope he decides to stay at Loyola and I hope we stay in the valley. Why ruin something that’s working out great for all involved?