New Expansion Poll Thread

by **TBS_20** » January 22nd, 2022, 7:58 pm

Now that UIC is in it's time an updated poll of realistic teams that have been mentioned for expansion. I realize some teams have refuse to increase spending. If the Valley decides to further expand it probably won't be until at least 2025 I would imagine at the earliest but who knows. There doesn't seem to be a dominant team right now that could move up so maybe we'll have more stability now. I could oy choose 10 teams so I deleted Detroit Mercy.

**Sponsor**

by **DUBulldog** » January 22nd, 2022, 8:17 pm

Nobody.

by **jsaluki080** » January 22nd, 2022, 8:27 pm

Where is the "nobody" option?

by **smidge34** » January 22nd, 2022, 8:29 pm

Nobody

by **pafan** » January 22nd, 2022, 8:30 pm

for DUBulldog

I'm not sure why you wouldn't at least wait to see how the new 12 member version of the Valley works.

If the Big East implodes in the fugure, sure, you inquire with Creighton, Butler, Xavier and DePaul. But until then, I don't see a reason to go beyond 12.

by **Campbellproud** » January 22nd, 2022, 8:35 pm

We really don’t need another thread on this. It looks like the league is done expanding for now. And now that we got the best teams we could get (all good adds), we should be done talking about it too.

by **05Racer** » January 22nd, 2022, 9:04 pm

Would like to see Bellarmine added to that list. We beat them by 20 but it was at Murray. Have a couple really solid players just lack depth. They are in Louisville so would check the market size box for those who think that actually matters. Also a box for 'none' though based on what we've heard I think that's unlikely.

by **squirrel** » January 23rd, 2022, 12:06 am

Bellarmine can have a Creighton-esque trajectory. They play in Freedom Hall, which would be fun to have back in the league.

They and NKU make the most basketball sense.

But I think the league and prezzies want to capture the exponentially growing west and sun belt. The 2 Kentucky schools are in the sun belt (region, not league

), that makes 3 adds from the same state, so you aren't really growing your footprint, which is going to be a major motivation.

I'm not sure where else they would look immediately, as I find Omaha and UMKC underwhelming options. It's part of why UT Arlington was intriguing to me. . .they look like a Valley member, walk like a Valley member, and talk like a Valley member.

Denver is loaded, but terrible in basketball. BUT, they could be Loyola 2.0.

If you go that far west, keep an eye on Utah Valley and Utah Tech (what Dixie State will become this summer).

by **SalukiWorld** » January 23rd, 2022, 12:06 am

None, 12 teams is perfect.

I voted for Northern Kentucky and St. Thomas though for years down the line. St. Thomas is going to be a huge riser soon and Northern Kentucky has always been on my list.

by **Chuck A** » January 23rd, 2022, 1:48 am

I choose NKU and Bellarmine. They'll be ready much quicker than the Tommies, in my opinion. St. Thomas is still a ways out. They have to put shovels in the ground (an 1,800 seat gym won't cut it). They also focus on Football and Hockey.