Conference Realignment - May 1

[Bluejay09Bear06]

New Mexico State - YES
I think New Mexico State would be a good addition to the Valley; aren't they a former member, as well? Not sure they bring in much of a market but they are a historically good team and much more of a "name" than the other suggestions. As has been suggested, they can go independent in football and park their other sports in the Valley.

North Dakota State - NO
As a rule, the Valley should not consider admitting teams that are Division I infants (and yes I realize that MSU, UNI, and UE had only been D1 for about ten years when they joined the Valley, but those schools transitioned from D2 to D1 long before it became common to do so), because frankly it just looks bad. Furthermore, the Dakota market is pitiful and the Dakota teams bring nothing to the table.

Oral Roberts - NO
I would caution those tempted to bring another Omaha-sized market to the Valley. This is because ORU would bring the Tulsa market to the same extent that Chicago State would bring us the Chicago market, or SIU-Edwardsville would bring us the St. Louis market. ORU typically fields a decent basketball team, but that school's image and financial condition is a massive trainwreck just waiting to happen.

University of Denver - YES
Denver would be a good addition because they have generally good facilities and resources, and they have the potential to be a solid program year-in and year-out. They are also in a great media market. So I'd say, if we must expand, go to 12 teams and add New Mexico State and Denver.

[LMS]

It's funny that last year people were losing their minds about Air Force wanting to join the valley. Now we're talking about two geographical misfits instead of one.

[TheAsianSensation]

People were flipping out on Air Force because that's a program that can't compete in this league, honestly. I think NMSU and Denver, and maybe Oral Bob, have the resources to be consistent performers for the league.

NMSU and Denver aren't gangbusters, but if for whatever reason the MVC loses members in the future, name me a prospective school with a better basketball profile than those two. You could find a couple with similar profiles, but none better as far as I can tell.

[valleychamp]

I'd probably take North Dakota St before New Mexico St.

Huh?

You've got to be kidding with NMSU. Crap basketball and way outside the footprint of the league. I can't think of one reason why we'd add them.

You have to realize that people like DJA only look at a 1-2 year window when deciding conference membership. They believe that adding ANYONE is a positive (media markets!), because they just want to be included in these conference realignment (!!!) stories. The irony is that the same people that are clamoring for the Valley to add teams like Denver and freaking Oral Roberts are the same people that are outraged at whomever is at the bottom of the league dragging down the RPI in a given year, and wants them dismissed from the conference.

And also, you aren't allowed to raise your concerns with travel costs or financial responsibility, because if you do, you are obviously broke and should be banished from the league.

[DoubleJayAlum]

You have to realize that people like DJA only look at a 1-2 year window when deciding conference membership.

And you are a moron or can't read. Yeah, I'm only looking at a one or two year window - that's why I included the following quote (emphasis added):

A Lou Henson-coached team gained national attention during the 1970 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament by advancing to the Final Four. And in 1992 a Neil McCarthy-coached team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Aggie Basketball has seen 19 NCAA Tournament appearances, 5 NIT Tournament appearances, 15 regular season conference championships, and 6 conference tournament championships.

Not exactly a one or two year window, is it?
Reading -try it sometime!

They believe that adding ANYONE is a positive (media markets!), because they just want to be included in these conference realignment (!!!) stories. The irony is that the same people that are clamoring for the Valley to add teams like Denver and freaking Oral Roberts are the same people that are outraged at whomever is at the bottom of the league dragging down the RPI in a given year, and wants them dismissed from the conference.

You obviously have me confused with someone else. I'm more particular about adding teams than most. Outside of Butler, NMSU is the first team I've had any interest in. Usually, I'm poo-pooing the teams everybody else wants because I don't think that most of the available teams have much to offer; we have enough schools that are flat broke and located in the middle of nowhere, we don't need more. If you are going to try to call me out, at least know what the hell you are talking about; don't make me the personification of everybody and every thought that you have a problem with.

And also, you aren't allowed to raise your concerns with travel costs or financial responsibility, because if you do, you are obviously broke and should be banished from the league.

You can always go back to D2 if D1 is too expensive for you.

[Turner]

If we could add New Mexico State for basketball only we'd be foolish not to. Can they house their Olympic sports elsewhere?

[Ali]

If we could add New Mexico State for basketball only we'd be foolish not to. Can they house their Olympic sports elsewhere?

They need to figure out what to do with football first.

[MoValley John]

A little off topic from the Valley, but all things considered, I would think NMSU would be a great fit for the Big 12. Maybe I'm wrong, but NMSU always seemed to me as a school worthy of a major conference and being a member of a major conference would give them the resources to compete and not only raise their own profile, but also the profile of the conference. And even with anchors Oklahoma and Texas in football, and Kansas in basketball, I think the Big 12 should look to schools like New Mexico State for stability and long- term success.

[TheAsianSensation]

A little off topic from the Valley, but all things considered, I would think NMSU would be a great fit for the Big 12. Maybe I'm wrong, but NMSU always seemed to me as a school worthy of a major conference and being a member of a major conference would give them the resources to compete and not only raise their own profile, but also the profile of the conference. And even with anchors Oklahoma and Texas in football, and Kansas in basketball, I think the Big 12 should look to schools like New Mexico State for stability and long- term success.

I actually think regular New Mexico would be a reasonble darkhorse candidate for the Big 12. Send UNM to the Big 12 and NMSU to the MWC. Everyone wins.

[MoValley John]

I think either of the schools from New Mexico would be great for the Big 12. While not the most populous state, they do support their teams and are passionate. Not everything revolves around media markets. In fact, having a few schools in major markets and a few secondary markets does work in college athletics.