Evansville to the Horizon

[havoc]

I wouldn't say the team has to make the dance regularly to get in, but would say that they should be in either the NCAA tourney or NIT most years.

That is a pretty strict criteria. By my count, only 4 current MVC members have made either the NCAA or NIT more than 5 times over the past 10 years, and one of them is SIU.

[DoubleJayAlum]

I wouldn't say the team has to make the dance regularly to get in, but would say that they should be in either the NCAA tourney or NIT most years.

That is a pretty strict criteria. By my count, only 4 current MVC members have made either the NCAA or NIT more than 5 times over the past 10 years, and one of them is SIU.

True, but even if we relax it to the extreme, Evansville ain't nowhere close!

[Aces44]

By all accounts, Evansville has had their worst run over the past 7-10 years in the history of the school.
Many factors have contributed to this, however, most have been remediated. Additionally, most of the common fans in the conference act like UE should be booted from the conference this afternoon, yet can't count it as a win on their schedule.

[Turner]

By all accounts, Evansville has had their worst run over the past 7-10 years in the history of the school.
Many factors have contributed to this, however, most have been remediated. Additionally, most of the common fans in the conference act like UE should be booted from the conference this afternoon, yet can't count it as a win on their schedule.

Has it been the worst run in school history because they're in the MVC and unable to compete? I think that's the question.

What every school's fans should ask themselves is whether they give more to the conference or take more from the conference. You can understand why schools like CU and WSU might harbor a graudge against someone like UE.

[TheAsianSensation]

Every league has a team at the bottom. Someone has to be there. You can't have traditionally good teams, traditionally average teams, and not have traditionally bad teams. Conference play records always zero out to .500.

Kick out Evansville and a new team becomes the bottom feeder that everyone wants to boot out. To think that getting rid of them and assuming no team takes their place as the bottom feeder is naive.

[Turner]

Every league has a team at the bottom. Someone has to be there. You can't have traditionally good teams, traditionally average teams, and not have traditionally bad teams. Conference play records always zero out to .500.

Kick out Evansville and a new team becomes the bottom feeder that everyone wants to boot out. To think that getting rid of them and assuming no team takes their place as the bottom feeder is naive.

I really don't have an issue with Evansville and I like the commitment it seems they are making. I wish their fans cared more maybe but that's all the negative I can say, but it goes without saying that if you add a team that is better than the team removed, the overall quality increases.

[Aces44]

By all accounts, Evansville has had their worst run over the past 7-10 years in the history of the school.
Many factors have contributed to this, however, most have been remediated. Additionally, most of the common fans in the conference act like UE should be booted from the conference this afternoon, yet can't count it as a win on their schedule.

Has it been the worst run in school history because they're in the MVC and unable to compete? I think that's the question.

What every school's fans should ask themselves is whether they give more to the conference or take more from the conference. You can understand why schools like CU and WSU might harbor a graudge against someone like UE.

Fair question, but Evansville's troubles have very little to do with the MVC. Keep in mind that UE was without an AD for almost 2 years durring that period! Let that sink in and see how competitive any team would be under those circumstances. For the most part, it appears that the administrations laissez faire attitude is in the rear-view (evidenced by a new arena, new practice facility, and 40% of the buildings on campus being updated, remodeled or rebuilt in the last 4 years), thus setting the stage for a more competitve and enticing environment for athletes and co-eds alike.
As to your 2nd statement, simply ask Butler if they harbor a grudge against Youngstown State. I don't think your statement is competely rediculous, but I don't think any school asks itself wether it "gives or takes" from a conference, and I would highly doubt anyone harbors grudges against other schools, unless they lose a recuit to said school, and then they are just simply upset. Grudges are for fans, simply put.

[Wufan]

Why on Earth would any NCAA I team allow their athletic program to go without an AD for two years????? That may be the best reason I could possibly come up with to show that Evansville doesn't belong in the Valley.

[Aces44]

Why on Earth would any NCAA I team allow their athletic program to go without an AD for two years????? That may be the best reason I could possibly come up with to show that Evansville doesn't belong in the Valley.

The NCAA doesn't regulate Athletic Administration. I only make that point to remind people when they want to replace Evansville (who has a fan base and historical success) with other "up and coming" schools. If we were having this conversation 16 years ago, UNI and SIU would have been kicked to the GLVC in most of your minds.
Conferences are not GE in that the bottom 20% should be eliminated each year. That being said, it is absolutely better to be in the top 1/3 in terms of funding, etc; so if UE decides that it wants to be the big dog in the HL, I could get on board with it.

[MoValley John]

By all accounts, Evansville has had their worst run over the past 7-10 years in the history of the school.
Many factors have contributed to this, however, most have been remediated. Additionally, most of the common fans in the conference act like UE should be booted from the conference this afternoon, yet can't count it as a win on their schedule.

I wouldn't mind losing Evansville. Not at all. And what I find funny about this is that now the rumors are USI. If it's true that the Horizon wants the local D-2 school and not Evansville, really, what does that say about Evansville today or historically?