Loyola Leaving for A-10

[DUBulldog]

A lot of interesting discussion here. Seems like there are two schools of thought on what the MVC should be looking for in new members

1. Best basketball schools
2. Best markets for drawing prospective students

I am firmly in favor of #1. However, I know that college enrollment in general is likely to decline significantly in the next 5-10 years, and I don't doubt that several Division 1 universities might end up closing. So, recruiting students successfully will become even more important. I know a lot of MVC schools are currently in a downward trend in enrollment. But, if the competition level in the conference falls too far, we all could end up in Division 1-A, or whatever they'll call it when the P5 schools break away.

As far as Drake goes with option #2, Drake students are mostly from Chicago area, Minneapolis area, Kansas City area, Wisconsin....with Dallas rapidly becoming a source of more DU students. A friend of mine who lives in Dallas told me that Drake received 600 applications from that area last year. No idea how many actually ended up at Drake. So, I wouldn't be surprised if Drake is one of the schools pushing for UTA. Personally, I would have no interest in them joining. Somebody on this thread mentioned the Dakota schools, and how Drake and UNI probably recruit heavily in that area. I can't speak for UNI, but I've never met a Drake student from the Dakotas, and I meet probably 20-30 Drake students a year at my job.

My top schools for MVC expansion (of schools that the MVC could realistically get)

Murray State----great basketball tradition

UIC----strong school academically, seems to be doing well as far as enrollment. Like Loyola before they joined the MVC, there is huge potential there....they just don't have the history.

UW-Milwaukee--Like UIC, I think there is potential there for big-time basketball

Northern Kentucky---starting to put together a good program, definitely the potential to be another Belmont or Murray State

[VUGrad1314]

A lot of interesting discussion here. Seems like there are two schools of thought on what the MVC should be looking for in new members

1. Best basketball schools
2. Best markets for drawing prospective students

I am firmly in favor of #1. However, I know that college enrollment in general is likely to decline significantly in the next 5-10 years, and I don't doubt that several Division 1 universities might end up closing. So, recruiting students successfully will become even more important. I know a lot of MVC schools are currently in a downward trend in enrollment. But, if the competition level in the conference falls too far, we all could end up in Division 1-A, or whatever they'll call it when the P5 schools break away.

As far as Drake goes with option #2, Drake students are mostly from Chicago area, Minneapolis area, Kansas City area, Wisconsin....with Dallas rapidly becoming a source of more DU students. A friend of mine who lives in Dallas told me that Drake received 600 applications from that area last year. No idea how many actually ended up at Drake. So, I wouldn't be surprised if Drake is one of the schools pushing for UTA. Personally, I would have no interest in them joining. Somebody on this thread mentioned the Dakota schools, and how Drake and UNI probably recruit heavily in that area. I can't speak for UNI, but I've never met a Drake student from the Dakotas, and I meet probably 20-30 Drake students a year at my job.

My top schools for MVC expansion (of schools that the MVC could realistically get)

Murray State----great basketball tradition

UIC----strong school academically, seems to be doing well as far as enrollment. Like Loyola before they joined the MVC, there is huge potential there....they just don't have the history.

UW-Milwaukee--Like UIC, I think there is potential there for big-time basketball

Northern Kentucky---starting to put together a good program, definitely the potential to be another Belmont or Murray State

It was me thinking geographic proximity would help the Iowa schools if we added Dakota schools. It would appear that I'm mistaken there. Your list however is tremendous and I'd be all for it. I have to say as a fan of an ex HL school those schools would be very interesting for our fans I think due to the old rivalries we used to have.

[ColonialBulldog]

I can't speak for UNI, but I've never met a Drake student from the Dakotas, and I meet probably 20-30 Drake students a year at my job.

I don't think anyone on here would consider Des Moines to be a big city. But the reality is the Des Moines "metro" population is basically the same as the entire population of the North Dakota and about 150k less than South Dakota. My point is that there just aren't people to recruit from those areas.

[BCPanther]

I'll reiterate that we want nothing to do with an all sports league with NDSU. They're the Texas of the north. Just entitled, selfish and impossible to work with.

UNI left the old NCC specifically because of them thinking that they should get two votes on every league issue because they are the only 'flagship' university in the league. Not much has changed and there's no people there.

[ColonialBulldog]

A friend of mine who lives in Dallas told me that Drake received 600 applications from that area last year. No idea how many actually ended up at Drake. So, I wouldn't be surprised if Drake is one of the schools pushing for UTA.

You're starting to sway my opinion on this. If Marty Martin does in fact think that UTA should be in the Valley, then I'm all-in. The guys is a miracle worker in my mind and has hit a homerun on every major decision.

[Drakey]

At this point we may need to look at potential as much as history. Loyola was nothing but potential and a commitment. I thought Arlington was a ridiculous suggestion until i read about the school and saw it has 45,000 students. If they are truly committed to their basketball program, they may be a great choice. I also think Milwaukee could be a good addition if they could get their athletic department in order. I know St. Thomas has NO history, but it is a good market and would be the only D1 school in the state other than UM? I know they have a lot of money. I'm really opposed to the Dakotas. They offer nothing.

[Redhawk]

With Loyola leaving Belmont is #10. UIC seems to be a must so they would be #11
The question becomes is the final number of teams 12, 14 or 16?

At this point I would tend to go all in to 16. Murray (#12) is a for sure!

The next adds would be based on market & potential. UTA offers the best of both(#13)
After that I have always thought UWM (#14) has great potential and would fit well in the Valley.

I'm okay with NKU but not really interested in going East. Therefore if going to 16 I would suggest the best fits would then be UALR (#15) and UMKC (#16). They would be nice travel partners for UTA & MoSt and fit into the footprint expansion south & west.

The problem is these are all Publics! The Privates that apparently run the Valley will never allow it.
In that case MoSt & ISUR need to band together to get into CUSA or the MAC ASAP!

[BCPanther]

I'm not sure why we're still debating this.

It's Arlington, Kansas City, Murray (actually in that order per Matt Brown). From a source at UNI, sounds like Arlington comes in next year and Murray and Kansas City (assuming they sign a long term lease with Municipal Auditorium) in 23-24.

I'm guessing that UIC is 14 because they didn't realize that Loyola was going to be gone but there's some due diligence to do there. They would also, presumably, join in 23-24.

From that same UNI source, the Dakotas are an absolute no from UNI, MSU, SIU and Illinois State.

Milwaukee has had real problems in their athletic department and the Milwaukee metro doesn't offer anything that Drake, Bradley, etc don't already have access to.

[IllinoisState]

Kansas City isn't as bad as I thought they would be this year. 228 in Kenpom. ISU is 227. That's not good though. UTA is 281. That's horrible.

This will tank our SOS.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

Kansas City isn't as bad as I thought they would be this year. 228 in Kenpom. ISU is 227. That's not good though. UTA is 281. That's horrible.

This will tank our SOS.

It isn't about what they are this year. It is about what they will be in the future if inside the MVC. They will spend more. They will have better facilities (assuming these things are in the agreement). Everyone gets so caught up in the past vs. what we could see in the future. What teams have done in the past doesn't matter. Loyola's national championship 50 years ago doesn't help us...But their Final 4 and Sweet 16 while being here does. People get so hung up in "tradition" around here.