Missouri Valley - Mountain West Challenge to end?

[2livewu]

The past couple of years I actually rooted for Indiana State. I can promise you that will not be the case this year. I don't think UNI fans were ever this bad and we actually won titles and NCAA games.

You're sort of half right. Like you said, UNI was actually good.

I do remember a particular UNI fan(s) that proclaimed, nay guaranteed, the Panthers would not finish below WSU for at least 4 seasons after back to back titles. There may have been a little too much purple koolaid in the Chip Rank smoothie.

But that being said, it never rose to the level of the anthracnose infecting some Indiana State fans lately.

[SubGod22]

For reference, the Valley average is 8.63 and CUSA is 9.75

Impossible, MSU fans and a few WSU fans are positive that the CUSA is a much superior league.

Most have said they're about equal, and if you take away WSU and MSU they could very well become better. I know a lot of WSU fans would love it because of baseball as well. But if the Valley loses one or two at the top, it's going to hurt. If the possibility of that is around, then you can be sure that all of those teams are going to be open to listening to what someone like CUSA would have to say.

[SubGod22]

You could also make the case that CUSA has a higher profile in the media and have to think of what that could possibly do for recruiting. I'd also have to check into what their TV package includes. And you also have to consider that they put multiple teams into the Dance every year. Expanding the exposure of schools that would consider joining is also a factor. At worst, it would be a lateral move for basketball. If the offer came, I guarantee that both WSU and MSU would strongly consider the move.

[DoubleJayAlum]

If the MWC, CUSA and Big East are going to merge, I think we should contact the A10, CAA and perhaps wven the Horizon to see if they would have interest in some sort of scheduling alliance.

[valleychamp]

You could also make the case that CUSA has a higher profile in the media and have to think of what that could possibly do for recruiting. I'd also have to check into what their TV package includes. And you also have to consider that they put multiple teams into the Dance every year. Expanding the exposure of schools that would consider joining is also a factor. At worst, it would be a lateral move for basketball. If the offer came, I guarantee that both WSU and MSU would strongly consider the move.

Again, most of that is simply misconception. Go ahead and check their NCAA bids, and and NCAA wins. Take away Calipari's Memphis teams and it aint pretty.

[MoValley John]

But you can't take away Memphis, just like you can't overlook UNI in the Valley. C-USA isn't a better league than the Valley but national perception is probably different.

[gtmoBlue]

You could also make the case that CUSA has a higher profile in the media and have to think of what that could possibly do for recruiting. I'd also have to check into what their TV package includes. And you also have to consider that they put multiple teams into the Dance every year. Expanding the exposure of schools that would consider joining is also a factor. At worst, it would be a lateral move for basketball. If the offer came, I guarantee that both WSU and MSU would strongly consider the move.

Again, most of that is simply misconception. Go ahead and check their NCAA bids, and and NCAA wins. Take away Calipari's Memphis teams and it aint pretty.

The fact of the matter is that the MVC is the better conference - top to bottom.
The CUSA has not consistently had multi teams in the dance. Usually it is just Memphis...and no others. Last season was an exception for CUSA, not the rule. Perhaps they have better PR and kiss up to the Media better than the MVC, but we have (MVC) the better conference. Check the stats...check the dance bids (over time).

[glm38]

The way I see it is that the MWC, CUSA, MVC, A10, CAA and Horizon are all fighting to get what few extra bids there are for mid-majors come NCAA tourney time. I see playing and beating any of those conferences as getting us an edge over them when those decisions need to be made.

....what do you think the bracketbusters are for.....

If valley teams could try and schedule at least one game against each of those conferences, I think we would be better off for it.

But better off only if we win those games.......

sure, but you have to win to get in regardless. If we don't beat those teams, then we clearly don't deserve the extra bids wouldn't you say?

I agree. We have to play those games even though it is a risk.

[glm38]

For reference, the Valley average is 8.63 and CUSA is 9.75

Impossible, MSU fans and a few WSU fans are positive that the CUSA is a much superior league.

Not all MSU fans feel CUSA is superior to the MVC. I don't. At least not in basketball. And I don't know enough about the other sports to have an informed opinion.

[SubGod22]

I was a bit wrong. They've had one more bid in the last five years than we have but have 7 more shares of tournament money than we do. Like I said, it'd be a lateral move, but CUSA is higher profile in the media and that would play into recruiting. And if two of the top 4 or so teams from the Valley left for CUSA, I believe CUSA would then be better than the MVC. Assuming Memphis stays put.