Little Rock to the OVC

[BelmontBoulevardier]

Don't know how this effects any movement relative to the MVC next year, but it's another piece of the ever-evolving puzzle. I need Murray to announce soon.

[BCPanther]

Don't know how this effects any movement relative to the MVC next year, but it's another piece of the ever-evolving puzzle. I need Murray to announce soon.

Arlington, Murray, UIC, Kansas City and Omaha all make their presentations to the Valley on Dec 19.

The first 3 are locks.

For the 14th slot, Kansas City is in a more desirable location, Omaha is more ready for the jump with facilities. We'll see which way they go.

[SalukiWorld]

Don't think the Valley was ever interested in Little Rock. Interesting location and nice on-campus arena but they don't draw any fans at all. The fact that they're joining a dying OVC is telling.

[BelmontBoulevardier]

There is no reason to relive all of the discussion relative to this, but I really don't want Arlington. I could care less about market (nobody in the metroplex is tuning into an in-conference Arlington basketball game regardless of the conference) and there is nothing about the school or program itself that moves the needle. Combine that with their distance from the traditional footprint and it's way to meh.

And yes, I realize Belmont is outside the traditional MVC footprint, but we are right on the edge (short drives to SIU and Evansville) and once Murray is added there are no breaks in the MVC territory. On top of that Belmont brings solid basketball pedigree that's only getting better, incredible academic tradition, AND a solid market.

[RacerJoeD]

The biggest question I have is 10, 12, or 14 an where does Murray fall on that list.

[MSUBear42]

There is no reason to relive all of the discussion relative to this, but I really don't want Arlington. I could care less about market (nobody in the metroplex is tuning into an in-conference Arlington basketball game regardless of the conference) and there is nothing about the school or program itself that moves the needle. Combine that with their distance from the traditional footprint and it's way to meh.

And yes, I realize Belmont is outside the traditional MVC footprint, but we are right on the edge (short drives to SIU and Evansville) and once Murray is added there are no breaks in the MVC territory. On top of that Belmont brings solid basketball pedigree that's only getting better, incredible academic tradition, AND a solid market.

UTA and UMKC would be disastrious additions.

[Chuck_A]

There is no reason to relive all of the discussion relative to this, but I really don't want Arlington. I could care less about market (nobody in the metroplex is tuning into an in-conference Arlington basketball game regardless of the conference) and there is nothing about the school or program itself that moves the needle. Combine that with their distance from the traditional footprint and it's way to meh.

And yes, I realize Belmont is outside the traditional MVC footprint, but we are right on the edge (short drives to SIU and Evansville) and once Murray is added there are no breaks in the MVC territory. On top of that Belmont brings solid basketball pedigree that's only getting better, incredible academic tradition, AND a solid market.

Wow! Only been official for a few months and already spouting arrogance. It doesn't matter if YOU care about market. It only and apparently matters to the Presidents who are pretty much in survival mode for their respective universities. Belmont does happen to have all those qualities you mentioned in your last line. As Frank The Tank says, "Think like a President". For them, it's about marketing the MVC to a large and new market/potential student base. Arlington accounts for 1% of all MVC schools...and that's WITHOUT MVC marketing in the metroplex. Imagine what marketing would do? Not a winning basketball program, a ranked soccer program, or a baseball team that produces MLB draft picks. To the university Presidents, it's about regular students being made aware of other academic possibilities. If those prospective students give some Valley schools a try, it could keep those schools around for a minute and provide some financial stability.

[BCPanther]

There is no reason to relive all of the discussion relative to this, but I really don't want Arlington. I could care less about market (nobody in the metroplex is tuning into an in-conference Arlington basketball game regardless of the conference) and there is nothing about the school or program itself that moves the needle. Combine that with their distance from the traditional footprint and it's way to meh.

And yes, I realize Belmont is outside the traditional MVC footprint, but we are right on the edge (short drives to SIU and Evansville) and once Murray is added there are no breaks in the MVC territory. On top of that Belmont brings solid basketball pedigree that's only getting better, incredible academic tradition, AND a solid market.

Wow! Only been official for a few months and already spouting arrogance. It doesn't matter if YOU care about market. It only and apparently matters to the Presidents who are pretty much in survival mode for their respective universities. Belmont does happen to have all those qualities you mentioned in your last line. As Frank The Tank says, "Think like a President". For them, it's about marketing the MVC to a large and new market/potential student base. Arlington accounts for 1% of all MVC schools...and that's WITHOUT MVC marketing in the metroplex. Imagine what marketing would do? Not a winning basketball program, a ranked soccer program, or a baseball team that produces MLB draft picks. To the university Presidents, it's about regular students being made aware of other academic possibilities. If those prospective students give some Valley schools a try, it could keep those schools around for a minute and provide some financial stability.

1000000000000% This. Nailed it.

If Bradley, Evansville, Drake can get one extra out of state student from the Metroplex in every class, it's literally $1M over a 5 year period.

Arlington has money and will be in such better shape not being the misfit toy with all the football schools. I think they're an absolute no brainer with Valley level facilities in a metro with 7.5 Million people.

They've long been my first choice for expansion, after Belmont, and I think they're going to be a great add for the league. I apologize to the Eastern Schools that you're going to have to get on a plane one extra time per year.

[usmcsaluki]

Agree on the above: we should only be adding Belmont and Murray, period. UIC is the only one that brings a "market" benefit that I think is worthwhile since the program is decent, but I don't think they're ready or even needed. We also should not be bringing on UMKC or Omaha.

[bradley_townie]

There is no reason to relive all of the discussion relative to this, but I really don't want Arlington. I could care less about market (nobody in the metroplex is tuning into an in-conference Arlington basketball game regardless of the conference) and there is nothing about the school or program itself that moves the needle. Combine that with their distance from the traditional footprint and it's way to meh.

And yes, I realize Belmont is outside the traditional MVC footprint, but we are right on the edge (short drives to SIU and Evansville) and once Murray is added there are no breaks in the MVC territory. On top of that Belmont brings solid basketball pedigree that's only getting better, incredible academic tradition, AND a solid market.

Arlington, UMKC or Omaha might be the financially responsible decision for the schools, but from a basketball standpoint, I cannot get excited about those schools at all. I would put UIC slightly above UTA and UMKC in terms of MVC fit. They are about where Loyola was when they entered the Valley and they at least make some sense geographically.

IMO the identity of this league centers around basketball. MVC schools have solid basketball histories or at the least some recent success. None of those four, maybe with the exception of UIC, can check that box and I feel like we lose a bit of our identity if we expand this direction.

NCAA Tournament appearances:
UTA - 1
UMKC - 0
Omaha - 0
UIC - 3