Updated 1/6/18: MVC Expansion Poll

[30ASaluki]

Belmont and Murray need the MVC a whole lot more than the MVC needs them. Remember, they do play in the OVC after all.

[letsgoAces]

Belmont and Murray need the MVC a whole lot more than the MVC needs them. Remember, they do play in the OVC after all.

Murray State and Belmont would probably both be upper division teams in the MVC. Their track record against Valley teams is strong. Should they both join I think we can safely assume it is "win, win" for both sides for multiple reasons.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

Belmont and Murray need the MVC a whole lot more than the MVC needs them. Remember, they do play in the OVC after all.

Murray State and Belmont would probably both be upper division teams in the MVC. Their track record against Valley teams is strong. Should they both join I think we can safely assume it is "win, win" for both sides for multiple reasons.

I generally agree with this but I would like to note something. Do they have a good track record against the good teams in the MVC? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember seeing them beat UNI, MO State, Loyola, or Drake in recent years. Most of the time they beat the weaker teams here, including my Salukis a few times in recent memory. I'd say Murray is a middle of the pack team here most years, and Belmont might be a bit better.

With that said, I'd still LOVE to have both teams in our conference!

[letsgoAces]

Belmont and Murray need the MVC a whole lot more than the MVC needs them. Remember, they do play in the OVC after all.

Murray State and Belmont would probably both be upper division teams in the MVC. Their track record against Valley teams is strong. Should they both join I think we can safely assume it is "win, win" for both sides for multiple reasons.

I generally agree with this but I would like to note something. Do they have a good track record against the good teams in the MVC? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember seeing them beat UNI, MO State, Loyola, or Drake in recent years. Most of the time they beat the weaker teams here, including my Salukis a few times in recent memory. I'd say Murray is a middle of the pack team here most years, and Belmont might be a bit better.

With that said, I'd still LOVE to have both teams in our conference!

Yes...I would agree with what you have wrote. Should be interesting to see if this comes to be a reality. The new MVC commissioner is open to expansion. He needs to be in light of what is happening.

[RacerJoeD]

Belmont and Murray need the MVC a whole lot more than the MVC needs them. Remember, they do play in the OVC after all.

Murray State and Belmont would probably both be upper division teams in the MVC. Their track record against Valley teams is strong. Should they both join I think we can safely assume it is "win, win" for both sides for multiple reasons.

I generally agree with this but I would like to note something. Do they have a good track record against the good teams in the MVC? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember seeing them beat UNI, MO State, Loyola, or Drake in recent years. Most of the time they beat the weaker teams here, including my Salukis a few times in recent memory. I'd say Murray is a middle of the pack team here most years, and Belmont might be a bit better.

With that said, I'd still LOVE to have both teams in our conference!

Since 2010-11, Murray State is 2-2 vs Missouri St. although the Racers and Bears did meet in the NAIB National championship in 1951-52.
Murray and Loyola have only played once, in the 1964 NCAA tournament.
As far as I can tell, UNI and Murray have never played.

[BEARZ77]

I think the thing people always overlook when a team from a lower level conference is considered for moving up, is that it's a lot different to play teams as a single occasional game as opposed to playing them consistently in league play. While no doubt teams like Murray State and Belmont can play with teams in the MVC, there's a big difference in the middle and bottom of lower level leagues usually, so the grind of a conference season isn't the same. Then what happens is you aren't gaining the same momentum and confidence by winning all the time like you have in your previous league . When you look historically at teams that made the move up you see a similar pattern often. For example , Evansville, Missouri State and Valpo were all very used to going to the NCAA tourney when they entered the MVC and had been just as dominant is their leagues , but none were able to maintain that level of play in the Valley. I don't think they were overmatched, they just weren't able to roll right thru their schedules anymore and so you lose momentum, confidence, you have to adjust to losing streaks, the coaching is better and more consistent across the teams you're playing nightly, you can't out recruit the majority of your constituents etc. WSU, Tulsa, Davidson all experienced the same in moves up to the AAC and A-10. It's just a lot different than playing a couple occasional games in the noncon as opposed to playing that level of competition H/H nine different times. JMO

[letsgoAces]

I think the thing people always overlook when a team from a lower level conference is considered for moving up, is that it's a lot different to play teams as a single occasional game as opposed to playing them consistently in league play. While no doubt teams like Murray State and Belmont can play with teams in the MVC, there's a big difference in the middle and bottom of lower level leagues usually, so the grind of a conference season isn't the same. Then what happens is you aren't gaining the same momentum and confidence by winning all the time like you have in your previous league . When you look historically at teams that made the move up you see a similar pattern often. For example , Evansville, Missouri State and Valpo were all very used to going to the NCAA tourney when they entered the MVC and had been just as dominant is their leagues , but none were able to maintain that level of play in the Valley. I don't think they were overmatched, they just weren't able to roll right thru their schedules anymore and so you lose momentum, confidence, you have to adjust to losing streaks, the coaching is better and more consistent across the teams you're playing nightly, you can't out recruit the majority of your constituents etc. WSU, Tulsa, Davidson all experienced the same in moves up to the AAC and A-10. It's just a lot different than playing a couple occasional games in the noncon as opposed to playing that level of competition H/H nine different times. JMO

I don't disagree at all with what you are saying. OVC heavyweights, Belmont and Murray State will not have the luxury of playing off multiple bottom feeder schools. The depth of the MVC is considerably stronger with generally not as a great a margin of talent between the top to the bottom of the league, as opposed to the OVC. Most basketball fans would agree that Belmont and Murray State can be competitive in the MVC and would be great additions. I may be wrong, but I don't think the MVC should wait around to see how conference realignments continue (I am not implying they are). I am hoping for a proactive approach from the league office and university presidents as we approach the future of this league.

[MVCfans]

Two questions:
1- Would adding Murray State and Belmont make the MVC better?
2- Would joining the MVC make Murray State and Belmont better?

I think the answer to both questions is yes. How about we get this done?

[RacerJoeD]

I think the thing people always overlook when a team from a lower level conference is considered for moving up, is that it's a lot different to play teams as a single occasional game as opposed to playing them consistently in league play. While no doubt teams like Murray State and Belmont can play with teams in the MVC, there's a big difference in the middle and bottom of lower level leagues usually, so the grind of a conference season isn't the same. Then what happens is you aren't gaining the same momentum and confidence by winning all the time like you have in your previous league . When you look historically at teams that made the move up you see a similar pattern often. For example , Evansville, Missouri State and Valpo were all very used to going to the NCAA tourney when they entered the MVC and had been just as dominant is their leagues , but none were able to maintain that level of play in the Valley. I don't think they were overmatched, they just weren't able to roll right thru their schedules anymore and so you lose momentum, confidence, you have to adjust to losing streaks, the coaching is better and more consistent across the teams you're playing nightly, you can't out recruit the majority of your constituents etc. WSU, Tulsa, Davidson all experienced the same in moves up to the AAC and A-10. It's just a lot different than playing a couple occasional games in the noncon as opposed to playing that level of competition H/H nine different times. JMO

This is a serious point, and one I do not want to dismiss. But what isn’t often understood about being a big fish in a small pond is that you play every single game with a target on your back. For many of these programs, a home win vs Belmont or Murray means a coach’s contract extension. For many, it’s the only time a nationally respected program will set foot in their arena. This might be the only time they see an All American play in their town. The only time they see NBA caliber players in person is when the Racers or the Bruins come to town.
To play, and win, consistently Thursday and Saturday every week isn’t easy. That’s why you don’t see consistently dominant teams emerging even in weaker conferences.

[BEARZ77]

Very valid points as well. But again I think it's common not to understand the ramifications of going from being "the team " in a smaller conference to being a good team in a better conference. Being a really solid team in the MVC gets you squat come post season time w/o winning the MVC tourney.Maybe you came in 3rd, a very respectable finish and made the semi's in STL. But now instead of making an NCAA appearance and having your name mentioned nationally for a couple weeks, you're just another MM team going home. 3rd probably won't get you in the NIT most years either, not that anyone pays attention to that anymore. Ultimately that can effect recruiting, in todays world also transfers who are looking to play in the NCAA tourney etc. I'm really not so sure being top dog in a conference ranked in the mid teens isn't better than being a good team in one ranked around 9-12 at least as far as opportunity to make post season play and be in the public sporlight.