Another Expansion/Realignment Thread

[jturner38]

if the Dakotas make a move, does this push teams like UMKC, St Thomas, or ORU even closer toward the MVC?

[ReZyNeZy]

I was looking at some of the comments on Twitter and videos on social media. The consensus seems to be the PAC may look at schools like SDSU and NDSU to round out their lineup. Or the MWC might ask them to move up to recoup their losses. With the MWC being a defacto power conference, I thought they would stay together to try and boost themselves. Clearly that does not seem to be the case. While people may believe SDSU and NDSU may try to move up to FBS and twitch the MVFC. I fail to see why they would want to make such a big jump, but one cannot ignore the talk.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

The MWC is going to grab UTEP/NMSU before any Dakotas and Montanas. The MWC has 7 full FBS members (FB-only Hawai’i does not count as a full member), and 8 are needed to stay compliant as an FBS conference. That’s where UTEP/NMSU come in.

[tribecalledquest]

The MWC is going to grab UTEP/NMSU before any Dakotas and Montanas. The MWC has 7 full FBS members (FB-only Hawai’i does not count as a full member), and 8 are needed to stay compliant as an FBS conference. That’s where UTEP/NMSU come in.

I agree. Outside of winning a lot of football games the Dakota schools are wildly unappealing.

[VUGrad1314]

Wow. San Diego State Boise State Fresno State and Colorado State have departed the MWC Effective 2026 for the PAC... So... About that conference challenge... I'd say we're peers again so let's make it happen. AAC also likely to take a hit with schools like UTSA North Texas Rice Memphis Tulane and even Tulsa possibly on the radar. MVC Scheduling agreements could be coming as a matter of necessity for those left behind in these leagues. I also have to float the possibility (even without a travel partner) if the AAC loses enough of its firepower does Wichita State come back? Of course It's also possible the AAC will be adding Air Force to join the academies if they don't get into the PAC and one or both of UNLV and New Mexico could be elsewhere as well. One thing is certain now though: Gonzaga is staying put in the WCC. If they wouldn't jump for a MWC that had these four (or more?) schools in it they certainly aren't leaving for a lesser version especially with the WCC having strengthened itself with Grand Canyon and Seattle U. I think them accepting GCU and acquiescing to allow Seattle back in even though it represents in state competition was them deciding to make the best of their present situation and that they have no ambitions to leave for anywhere maybe not even the Big East.

[Buxcies]

A few years ago and I'd agree with everything you say about Gonzaga but....... It feels like a split is going to happen in the near future that will include basketball. There is going to be a threshold you need to be across in order to remain in the club with the big boys from the Big Ten and SEC. I'm not positive that the new Pac-X will be on the right side of the split but they stand a much better chance than the WCC does. Gonzaga was talking to the Big-12 so they're clearly open to a move up in conference. They may look at the current landscape and realize the Pac-X is their best option to remain in the upper echelons of the sport.

[ReZyNeZy]

A few years ago and I'd agree with everything you say about Gonzaga but....... It feels like a split is going to happen in the near future that will include basketball. There is going to be a threshold you need to be across in order to remain in the club with the big boys from the Big Ten and SEC. I'm not positive that the new Pac-X will be on the right side of the split but they stand a much better chance than the WCC does. Gonzaga was talking to the Big-12 so they're clearly open to a move up in conference. They may look at the current landscape and realize the Pac-X is their best option to remain in the upper echelons of the sport.

It would be a nightmare for the SEC and B10 to split for anything other than basketball. The allure and national prescience of march madness cannot be repeated with the B10 and the SEC. A much smaller tournament, no Cinderella's, the list goes on and on as to why that would be a logistical nightmare. I do however see football and their conferences becoming completely separate from the conferences of other sports. Much like how hockey works where the conferences do not align with the other sports.

[VUGrad1314]

A few years ago and I'd agree with everything you say about Gonzaga but....... It feels like a split is going to happen in the near future that will include basketball. There is going to be a threshold you need to be across in order to remain in the club with the big boys from the Big Ten and SEC. I'm not positive that the new Pac-X will be on the right side of the split but they stand a much better chance than the WCC does. Gonzaga was talking to the Big-12 so they're clearly open to a move up in conference. They may look at the current landscape and realize the Pac-X is their best option to remain in the upper echelons of the sport.

Maybe It very much depends on the brands added. WSU and OSU aren't home run hitters. BSU and CSU are solid but not better than SMC San Diego State is nice. With Grand Canyon the gap isn't that large between what the Pac X has and the WCC unless they're able to pull in Memphis and probably North Texas or South Florida. Brands like UTSA and Fresno State do not move the needle in basketball. Gonzaga MIGHT have a place to go in the new PAC if they want it but I can't see the Big East or the Big XII happening. The Presidents don't want them. MAYBE they go to the New PAC but something in me doubts they make the move (though I could certainly be wrong here).

[Chuck A]

With all that has happened in the last few years and the recent PAC-X rebuild move, the MVC looks to be lying in the cut with a chance to "strengthen" itself. Even with the loss of Wichita State and Loyola, the Valley has maintained its perceived status as a top ten basketball league. Even with less Conference revenue coming in than that which Wichita is experiencing with the AAC, the Valley is sitting in a nice place. With the ESPN/CBS extension and OTA deal coming, the MVC looks like a Conference that is stable, focused and strong. Don't get me wrong, I understand the perceived disparity between the A-10/Valley and the AAC/Valley, but it was never as wide and A-10/AAC favored, respectively, as was made out to be. With the recent and upcoming realignment moves, there could be a small pool of schools for the taking. Wichita State is still very much in play for a return to the Valley. With the upheaval at the Mountain West, it makes that Conference no longer a viable choice for the Wheatshockers. An AAC basketball only membership was inevitably going to lose its luster as well as its viability for WSU, because of continued expansion/realignment. It has caught up with them and the powers that be at Wichita State University, have serious and difficult conversations on the Horizon.

The aforementioned pool, in my opinion, includes Wichita State, Oral Roberts, St. Louis, St. Thomas, as well as the previous MVC expansion candidates.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

With all that has happened in the last few years and the recent PAC-X rebuild move, the MVC looks to be lying in the cut with a chance to "strengthen" itself. Even with the loss of Wichita State and Loyola, the Valley has maintained its perceived status as a top ten basketball league. Even with less Conference revenue coming in than that which Wichita is experiencing with the AAC, the Valley is sitting in a nice place. With the ESPN/CBS extension and OTA deal coming, the MVC looks like a Conference that is stable, focused and strong. Don't get me wrong, I understand the perceived disparity between the A-10/Valley and the AAC/Valley, but it was never as wide and A-10/AAC favored, respectively, as was made out to be. With the recent and upcoming realignment moves, there could be a small pool of schools for the taking. Wichita State is still very much in play for a return to the Valley. With the upheaval at the Mountain West, it makes that Conference no longer a viable choice for the Wheatshockers. An AAC basketball only membership was inevitably going to lose its luster as well as its viability for WSU, because of continued expansion/realignment. It has caught up with them and the powers that be at Wichita State University, have serious and difficult conversations on the Horizon.

The aforementioned pool, in my opinion, includes Wichita State, Oral Roberts, St. Louis, St. Thomas, as well as the previous MVC expansion candidates.

This all sounds great but… I’ll believe it when I see it.