MVC Games Week 14

[BCPanther]

Fair enough, I would never expect anywhere here outside of Loyola fans to care about Loyola outside of being in the MVC. Similar to how I don't care about the other programs in the MVC.

Also I was not aware of a lot of those details you pointed out. I think Sister Meme would prefer to call it the Sister Jean East Coast Jesuit Jam Tour.

Imma need a picture of Sister Jean in a Loyola colored 80s Hair Band wig immediately.

[tribecalledquest]

At least Loyola has actually done something relevant in MBB unlike fellow A10 school SLU - one that thinks it's a lot better program than it really is.

[BCPanther]

At least Loyola has actually done something relevant in MBB unlike fellow A10 school SLU - one that thinks it's a lot better program than it really is.

Travis Ford has a long history of living up to expectations, so just wait a little longer....

[05Racer]

At least Loyola has actually done something relevant in MBB unlike fellow A10 school SLU - one that thinks it's a lot better program than it really is.

Wasn't SLU in the MVC at one point years ago? Don't see anybody pining for them to return...

[BEARZ77]

At least Loyola has actually done something relevant in MBB unlike fellow A10 school SLU - one that thinks it's a lot better program than it really is.

Wasn't SLU in the MVC at one point years ago? Don't see anybody pining for them to return...

I do; would be the most natural rival we could hope for @ MSU, plus they are a quality program. SLU has always been in conferences with some pretty big dogs starting with their time in the MVC, then the Metro and so on; teams like Memphis, Louisville, Cinn., etc. No they haven't been at those levels, but they've been decent thru most of their history. But yes, they do have an elevated sense of importance in the scheme of things which is why I loved usually besting them in our rivalry. I would have picked them returning to the Valley along with WSU as my expansion pipe dream.

[bradley_townie]

At least Loyola has actually done something relevant in MBB unlike fellow A10 school SLU - one that thinks it's a lot better program than it really is.

Wasn't SLU in the MVC at one point years ago? Don't see anybody pining for them to return...

Everyone has wanted SLU in the MVC for the past decade or two except for SLU boosters, fans, coaches, players, administration...pretty much anyone connected to SLU, with the exception of Rick Majerus from over a decade ago. That ship has sailed and barring some crazy realignment, it's just not going to happen. Maybe there is a world where Loyola, Creighton and SLU could have been Jesuit buddies in the MVC if the timing was right and been content, but I doubt it. That would have been some league though.

[05Racer]

At least Loyola has actually done something relevant in MBB unlike fellow A10 school SLU - one that thinks it's a lot better program than it really is.

Wasn't SLU in the MVC at one point years ago? Don't see anybody pining for them to return...

I do; would be the most natural rival we could hope for @ MSU, plus they are a quality program. SLU has always been in conferences with some pretty big dogs starting with their time in the MVC, then the Metro and so on; teams like Memphis, Louisville, Cinn., etc. No they haven't been at those levels, but they've been decent thru most of their history. But yes, they do have an elevated sense of importance in the scheme of things which is why I loved usually besting them in our rivalry. I would have picked them returning to the Valley along with WSU as my expansion pipe dream.

I think they have the Catholic connection to the A10, so I doubt they'd ever leave, but I wouldn't mind seeing them in the MVC myself.

[BradleyFan71]

I have now seen it referenced more than once in this thread, but how does the A10 get more auto-bids?
It's no wonder Loyola is packing their bags.

[Salukimadness86]

At least Loyola has actually done something relevant in MBB unlike fellow A10 school SLU - one that thinks it's a lot better program than it really is.

This.

[Campbellproud]

No one "trashed" their decision. At least I didn't see it. Everyone agreed they understand the move from a cultural, educational and religious fit. The question is about the A10 vs the MVC in basketball and how that relates to Loyola.

And fans of EVERY league get defensive when being compared to other similar leagues. Some of it isn't rational.

I personally feel the A10 is buying high on Loyola and it's better days on the hardwood are behind them. Porter Moser was smart to get out when he did. Of course I could be 100% wrong.

Ok so you start this post by saying no one trashed their decision, then saying at least you didn’t. Speaking for all, then saying you actually have no clue other than yourself. Go look at the first page of this thread, “the move was short sighted and dumb, good riddance Loyola”.

I never once stated the A10 was far and away the better league, but as of lately they’ve been more successful getting to the tournament and seem to get more respect from the media. When people bash the move and s*** talk Loyola I’m going to defend them as I’d expect most super fans would do.

I think the move was good for Loyola. I think the A10 gives Loyola better odds to get into the tournament each year and the culture fit is obvious. Majority of basketball analytics have ranked the A10 above the MVC in recent years, that could change because the disparity is not that large. With Murray State and Belmont joining the MVC I think the gap gets even smaller. Did Loyola know either was going to join when they left? Where both going to join/get invited if Loyola didn’t leave? Would that have changed Loyola’s mind about leaving? Those are all questions that I don’t know and if I did, it would help me evaluate the decision to leave better.

It’s fair to assume that Loyola’s glory days are behind them, most would think that after a mid-major goes to the final four and loses the head coach that took them there that there is going to be a regression. They seem to be doing fine this year after losing their HC and star player. Not to mention Loyola is recruiting better than ever. The school has invested in the program and Porter left it in a substantially better place than he found it, so I think the program will be fine in the A10. Like you all have stated the bottom feeders there are atrocious anyways, so it’s not like Loyola is going to be below them. If the level of competition is really as close as you all make it seem to be, then how could possibly going to a conference that the media seems to like more and that receives more auto bids be bad for a program? If we use the logic that Loyola isn’t going to do well in the A10 but the level of competition is the same, then that means they wouldn’t have done well if they stayed in the MVC. So what does it even matter? You might as well go to the place that historically has had better odds to make the tourney. I like the Valley, I didn’t make this choice but I can understand why they made it. I’m just tired of the jabs and reacted, I’m over it now after getting that out.

I would like to know too which came first: Loyola’s decision to leave of the leagues decision to add Murray and Belmont. Because I grant you that the records show that the A10 is a slightly better league in the last ten years. But I think instead of asking which league has been historically better, we should ask which league will be better going forward? The Valley is going to be stacked now. It will catch up to or surpass the A10 in terms of bids soon enough. Wouldn’t it make more sense to stay in a tighter geographical footprint if the basketball was the same? I’m guessing WSU is thinking about that right about now, sitting 3-6 in conference play. They left long rivalries and a stable conference to be bad in a wobbly American that’s poised to dip below the Valley when it loses Houston. I wish we had both teams back, but it seems like both took a pretty big gamble that might not pay off.