Should the Valley add Toledo?

[MissouriValleyUnite]

A huge shocker just dropped
https://x.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1839466606831063438

Expect Toledo/MVC discussion to pickup heavily soon. Toledo instantly would be one of our top programs in yearly performance, attendance, and budget. It's also a shorter drive for many schools than you think. They would be a big addition, IMO. Historically, they are very Murray/Belmont-like in the regular season -- they just keep getting upset in the MAC Tournament.

[DUBulldog]

All I saw was a link about Toledo joining MWC for football. Not sure why you'd think they're potentially joining MVC

[MissouriValleyUnite]

All I saw was a link about Toledo joining MWC for football. Not sure why you'd think they're potentially joining MVC

I'm using common sense. They have to find a home for BB -- the MAC is not going let them park everything after taking their most valuable sport out of the league.

Toledo's 10-year KenPom is 89th, which would rank 2nd in the MVC.

Toledo's attendance is 4829, which would rank 3rd in the MVC.

I don't know if the MVC would add Toledo, but Toledo likely would be interested and they certainly have the sustained performance/fan base to help improve the league. 89th in 10-year KenPom means they're a consistent provider of Q2 games. The league's stated goal this summer was to focus on getting a 2nd bid.

[IllinoisState]

All I saw was a link about Toledo joining MWC for football. Not sure why you'd think they're potentially joining MVC

Toledo would be kicked out of the MAC for taking their football program to the MWC.

If this did happen I would support taking them.

[MovingScreenOfDeath]

Northern Illinois/Toledo should be the #1 priority for our Missouri State replacement IMO. NIU is already in our footprint and the Chicagoland market, and already has natural rivalries with SIU, ISU Red, UIC, and Bradley. Toledo probably gets us Bally Sports Ohio coverage and a new market.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

Northern Illinois/Toledo should be the #1 priority for our Missouri State replacement IMO. NIU is already in our footprint and the Chicagoland market, and already has natural rivalries with SIU, ISU Red, UIC, and Bradley. Toledo probably gets us Bally Sports Ohio coverage and a new market.

I would heavily caution on NIU. They're an annual 300-ish team, their MBB expenses are in the bottom-50 of Division I, and they draw less than 900 people per game. If you put NIU, EIU, and WIU side-by-side in those 3 categories, you wouldn't know the difference.

Toledo legitimately improves the league's metrics and attendance. Not any of the other schools we talk about can say that, which makes Toledo specifically unique. If they were 86th instead of 89th in Ten Year KenPom, they'd be first in our league. They draw close to 5k attendance too.

[IllinoisState]

Northern Illinois/Toledo should be the #1 priority for our Missouri State replacement IMO. NIU is already in our footprint and the Chicagoland market, and already has natural rivalries with SIU, ISU Red, UIC, and Bradley. Toledo probably gets us Bally Sports Ohio coverage and a new market.

I would heavily caution on NIU. They're an annual 300-ish team, their MBB expenses are in the bottom-50 of Division I, and they draw less than 900 people per game. If you put NIU, EIU, and WIU side-by-side in those 3 categories, you wouldn't know the difference.

Toledo legitimately improves the league's metrics and attendance. Not any of the other schools we talk about can say that, which makes Toledo specifically unique. If they were 86th instead of 89th in Ten Year KenPom, they'd be first in our league. They draw close to 5k attendance too.

I completely agree. We don't need a 5th Illinois team that will bring down our basketball and softball/baseball rankings just because they are in our footprint.

[ReZyNeZy]

In my 0pinon. This should be the route all schools in the G5 level take. Bring football to a larger footprint and keep all your other sports separate and smaller. You get the brand recognition from the conference you are in for football, while not sacrificing the integrity of your other sports in the process. Toledo and NIU should be major priorities for the Valley.

1. Keeps the regional aspect of the conference intact.
2. Competitive schools in the MAC for a variety of sports (not just basketball)
3. Brand recognition (Particularly Toledo)
4. Increased market pull with the Ohio market.

Comish said he was waiting on an opportunity. This is that opportunity. As others have said, Toledo is most likely the option that improves the Valley long term, but these schools could attempt to market themselves as a package deal, ultimately with the boost Toledo pulls, I would be ok with taking NIU.

Another concern to note. Il St has been wanting a MAC invite for years at this point. If these schools leave the MAC, there is a very real consideration that Il St might jump ship from the Valley to the MAC.

[IllinoisState]

In my 0pinon. This should be the route all schools in the G5 level take. Bring football to a larger footprint and keep all your other sports separate and smaller. You get the brand recognition from the conference you are in for football, while not sacrificing the integrity of your other sports in the process. Toledo and NIU should be major priorities for the Valley.

1. Keeps the regional aspect of the conference intact.
2. Competitive schools in the MAC for a variety of sports (not just basketball)
3. Brand recognition (Particularly Toledo)
4. Increased market pull with the Ohio market.

Comish said he was waiting on an opportunity. This is that opportunity. As others have said, Toledo is most likely the option that improves the Valley long term, but these schools could attempt to market themselves as a package deal, ultimately with the boost Toledo pulls, I would be ok with taking NIU.

Another concern to note. Il St has been wanting a MAC invite for years at this point. If these schools leave the MAC, there is a very real consideration that Il St might jump ship from the Valley to the MAC.

Some fans have wanted the MAC. I can't even say it's a majority.

If we added a team like this I'd hope we'd have some sort of rider to stop a fracturing of the conference like the old Big East. NIU is still a non-starter. I'd rather have Kansas City.

[jsaluki080]

If we're able to get Toledo, of course we should. but let's be realistic, this is highly unlikely. If they join the MWC, wouldn't they have to join as a full member? wouldn't they prefer that anyways?