Another Expansion/Realignment Thread

[BCPanther]

Whether there's been slippage can be debated, but not the fact the rules have been changed . That's why I just can't see all the angst about expansion at our level; it just won't matter. I'm not against the idea of expansion, I just don't see it doing anything for the holy grail of multi bids when the simple fact is you can't play enough Q1 games as a MM to ever have more than a lottery ticket chance at an at large most years. I've said it before, they came up with the perfect tool and criteria to limit access for 80% of the D-1 teams because the P-5+1 and the networks control noncon scheduling , and the only way a MM gets an at large is noncon scheduling at a level not available 99% of the time.

We're now also being squeezed out of the better MTEs because of the rule changes there. It's gone from we're not playing you on the road to we're not playing you at all.

The Big Ten, ACC and SEC are all headed for 22 league games as well which is going to reduce opportunities even more. Those schools are only going to have 3 or 4 dates they have any choice or control over

[ColonialBulldog]

While there may be times when the MVC gets two bids it will be regularly a 1 bid league from here on out.

My hope (please bold and underline "hope") is that the tournament is not going to accept .500 and sub-.500 at-large teams from the Power 4/5 conferences. Right now, the NCAAs are basically letting in any P5 team that goes above .500 in conference into the tournament. They're at capacity for total bids already. Consolidating the 12 teams from the old Pac12 into four other conferences shouldn't really add more than 1 or 2 bids total to the B1G, ACC, B12, SEC. In other words, my hope is that the Pac12s average of 3 at-large bids per year mostly go to mid-major conferences.

I believe that the Valley can be a two-bid league on average. I just really like the trajectory of the programs in this league relative to our "peers" in the A10 and MWC. That being said, I would absolutely settle for being a 1.5 bid league on average.

[ColonialBulldog]

VCU looking at becoming a basketball only member of AAC. Army is joining as a football only member, so this would balance that equation.

https://x.com/HitmenHoops/status/171721 ... 74247?s=20

[BEARZ77]

We're now also being squeezed out of the better MTEs because of the rule changes there. It's gone from we're not playing you on the road to we're not playing you at all.

The Big Ten, ACC and SEC are all headed for 22 league games as well which is going to reduce opportunities even more. Those schools are only going to have 3 or 4 dates they have any choice or control over

With Q1 wins being the #1 deciding factor in at large bids, it's a totally stacked deck anymore. UNI, who schedules as aggressively as anyone in the Valley , has had 2 and 8 Q1 games the last two years. That 8 is a really good total for a MM, 2 a more average for most. A team like Kansas St who plays in a great conference, but probably doesn't have the noncon scheduling pull of a Texas or KU in the same conference, has played 35 Q1 games in that 2 year period[ 15/20] and generally half of those will be at home. All they have to do is win a majority of home games , they could lose almost every roadie, and they still would have more Q1 wins than UNI could hope to even play .

When you look at P-5+1 playing 20-22 conference game schedules, 2 conference challenge games, a couple made for tv 4 team/2 game events , etc,P-5 just don't have many openings for MM to get games , but even if they can , a couple road or neutral court Q1 games vs 70 some teams getting 15-20 isn't a recipe for increased at large bids for Mids. It's a little better chance than an FBS football team from the MAC getting into the National Championship playoff in football, but pretty much the same sentiment, they don't want ya. They can maintain the fan lure of the cinderella's because of the auto bids, but feel no compulsion to provide beyond that and are quite happy if all the at large go to name teams. And they have the perfect system and tool to make it happen all under the guise of objectivity /fairness , because if MM want to be an at large, they just need to schedule better, wink wink.

[True2TheRoos]

Hello MVC fans, best of luck to your programs this upcoming season.

As a fan and alum of UM-Kansas City, I’m a little nervous about the fate of the Summit League which will depend on what NDSU and SDSU do as a result of Pac-12/Mountain West realignment. I know we were mentioned in the previous round of MVC expansion… from your perspectives, is there any chance your conference considers us down the line?

Since 2021, we’ve announced plans for a 5,000-seat, on-campus basketball arena that will finally give our men’s basketball team the necessary facilities to grow the program. We’ve also committed to renovate and expand other athletic facilities as part of a larger campus master plan. This is the first time I can remember that we’ve made a commitment to athletics. Also of note:

- UMKC is a top 250 institution (US News) and is under consideration for the ‘R1’ Carnegie Classification
- Inviting our university grants the MVC better access to the Kansas City market for undergrad recruiting purposes and could keep the MVC in Missouri should Missouri State leave for FBS purposes

Perhaps the MVC will consider us if a spot becomes open. Maybe us and the University of St. Thomas can be a package deal.

[Chuck A]

Hello MVC fans, best of luck to your programs this upcoming season.

As a fan and alum of UM-Kansas City, I’m a little nervous about the fate of the Summit League which will depend on what NDSU and SDSU do as a result of Pac-12/Mountain West realignment. I know we were mentioned in the previous round of MVC expansion… from your perspectives, is there any chance your conference considers us down the line?

Since 2021, we’ve announced plans for a 5,000-seat, on-campus basketball arena that will finally give our men’s basketball team the necessary facilities to grow the program. We’ve also committed to renovate and expand other athletic facilities as part of a larger campus master plan. This is the first time I can remember that we’ve made a commitment to athletics. Also of note:

- UMKC is a top 250 institution (US News) and is under consideration for the ‘R1’ Carnegie Classification
- Inviting our university grants the MVC better access to the Kansas City market for undergrad recruiting purposes and could keep the MVC in Missouri should Missouri State leave for FBS purposes

Perhaps the MVC will consider us if a spot becomes open. Maybe us and the University of St. Thomas can be a package deal.

First off, welcome and thanks for the luck. Same to you and your team this season. Secondly, be prepared for some Valley posters to knock, rip and even disparage your program. It'll mostly be because of your hoops team, not your academics.

As to your question, yes you guys will be considered again, whenever the Valley considers expansion. The Presidents are looking for regular students and Kansas City is a prime target. I'm sure the Roos took notes, advice and suggestions during the vetting/interview process to make your University stand out for an invite. For the Valley fans, you guys are at the bottom of the list, with the Presidents though, probably 2nd or 3rd (Northern Kentucky, St. Thomas<>Kansas City, Bellarmine, Texas-Arlington).

[BCPanther]

Hello MVC fans, best of luck to your programs this upcoming season.

As a fan and alum of UM-Kansas City, I’m a little nervous about the fate of the Summit League which will depend on what NDSU and SDSU do as a result of Pac-12/Mountain West realignment. I know we were mentioned in the previous round of MVC expansion… from your perspectives, is there any chance your conference considers us down the line?

Since 2021, we’ve announced plans for a 5,000-seat, on-campus basketball arena that will finally give our men’s basketball team the necessary facilities to grow the program. We’ve also committed to renovate and expand other athletic facilities as part of a larger campus master plan. This is the first time I can remember that we’ve made a commitment to athletics. Also of note:

- UMKC is a top 250 institution (US News) and is under consideration for the ‘R1’ Carnegie Classification
- Inviting our university grants the MVC better access to the Kansas City market for undergrad recruiting purposes and could keep the MVC in Missouri should Missouri State leave for FBS purposes

Perhaps the MVC will consider us if a spot becomes open. Maybe us and the University of St. Thomas can be a package deal.

I wouldn't be too nervous about the bluster from the Dakotas. Nobody is increasing their travel budgets to that extent to go where there aren't people and recruitable students.

[jsaluki080]

Hello MVC fans, best of luck to your programs this upcoming season.

As a fan and alum of UM-Kansas City, I’m a little nervous about the fate of the Summit League which will depend on what NDSU and SDSU do as a result of Pac-12/Mountain West realignment. I know we were mentioned in the previous round of MVC expansion… from your perspectives, is there any chance your conference considers us down the line?

Since 2021, we’ve announced plans for a 5,000-seat, on-campus basketball arena that will finally give our men’s basketball team the necessary facilities to grow the program. We’ve also committed to renovate and expand other athletic facilities as part of a larger campus master plan. This is the first time I can remember that we’ve made a commitment to athletics. Also of note:

- UMKC is a top 250 institution (US News) and is under consideration for the ‘R1’ Carnegie Classification
- Inviting our university grants the MVC better access to the Kansas City market for undergrad recruiting purposes and could keep the MVC in Missouri should Missouri State leave for FBS purposes

Perhaps the MVC will consider us if a spot becomes open. Maybe us and the University of St. Thomas can be a package deal.

First off, welcome and thanks for the luck. Same to you and your team this season. Secondly, be prepared for some Valley posters to knock, rip and even disparage your program. It'll mostly be because of your hoops team, not your academics.

As to your question, yes you guys will be considered again, whenever the Valley considers expansion. The Presidents are looking for regular students and Kansas City is a prime target. I'm sure the Roos took notes, advice and suggestions during the vetting/interview process to make your University stand out for an invite. For the Valley fans, you guys are at the bottom of the list, with the Presidents though, probably 2nd or 3rd (Northern Kentucky, St. Thomas<>Kansas City, Bellarmine, Texas-Arlington).

Pretty much what ChuckA said. Until your school makes noticeable progress in basket or at least shows some true dedication, you're not going to find much love from posters here. But they don't make the decision so, yeah, I'd say it possoble UMKC joins

[True2TheRoos]

Thanks for the responses, and a special 'kudos' to ChuckA for visiting the UMKC message board this week as well.

What makes me optimistic is that not only is the university committed to investing in the program, but they're also making large investments in student housing and the campus as a whole. I'm hoping that we will gradually move away from being a 'commuter school' and, in return, develop a stronger following around the program. For the UIC fans on this site, you're a great example of what we can aspire to be someday.

[squirrel]

Right. The main reason KC (formerly UMKC) is on the outside looking in is the fact that their basketball program historically has been on a level with Chicago State. I get that that's a bit unfair, and given the most recent history, things are trending up, potentially big-time. But it takes a track record to erase such a history.