Welcome Loyola

[Drakey]

A basketball program can turn around rather quickly. Particularly a program in a large metropolitan area with lots of money. Creighton wouldn't have looked like such a great addition before Altman. I seem to recall WSU languishing in the cellar pretty consistently a few years back. I think every program in the Valley is improving and making more of a commitment to being better. I assume Loyola has made such a commitment also or they would not be invited. I'm sure Doug Elgin probably has a greater interest in improving the conference than many posters on this board.

[DUBulldog]

A basketball program can turn around rather quickly. Particularly a program in a large metropolitan area with lots of money. Creighton wouldn't have looked like such a great addition before Altman. I seem to recall WSU languishing in the cellar pretty consistently a few years back. I think every program in the Valley is improving and making more of a commitment to being better. I assume Loyola has made such a commitment also or they would not be invited. I'm sure Doug Elgin probably has a greater interest in improving the conference than many posters on this board.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this choice made by the university presidents, and not by Elgin?

[IllinoisState]

A basketball program can turn around rather quickly. Particularly a program in a large metropolitan area with lots of money. Creighton wouldn't have looked like such a great addition before Altman. I seem to recall WSU languishing in the cellar pretty consistently a few years back. I think every program in the Valley is improving and making more of a commitment to being better. I assume Loyola has made such a commitment also or they would not be invited. I'm sure Doug Elgin probably has a greater interest in improving the conference than many posters on this board.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this choice made by the university presidents, and not by Elgin?

I believe 7/9 schools needed to vote "yes".

[Drakey]

I assume without knowing that Elgin plays a key role in this decision. Somebody has to have a lot of discussions and negotiations with these schools before a vote can be taken.

[iSASO]

Whatever needs to be done to put WSU at a greater disadvantage nationally, is what must be done.

[m-v-c]

Also, calling ORU a better candidate than Loyola is deplorable. Is there a part in your baseball scenario when virgins start thumping bibles for the Hobby Lobby express because that will happen with ORU. I don't mind some religious institutions but lets not go the way of a televangelist. Seriously... I would take Oklahoma City University long before ORU for a WSU minded addition. Please stop the televangelist angle.

Belmont and Denver are the best two out there. Hope they join with Loyola to make 12. Doubtful but we will see.

This is ridiculous and classless. You may not like it, but you better respect it every bit as much as you ask those groups to respect your views.

[m-v-c]

A basketball program can turn around rather quickly. Particularly a program in a large metropolitan area with lots of money. Creighton wouldn't have looked like such a great addition before Altman. I seem to recall WSU languishing in the cellar pretty consistently a few years back. I think every program in the Valley is improving and making more of a commitment to being better. I assume Loyola has made such a commitment also or they would not be invited. I'm sure Doug Elgin probably has a greater interest in improving the conference than many posters on this board.

Exactly. All the doom & gloom that Loyola is going to stink forever...nobody knows that. They were actually very solid out of conference this year, it was in the Horizon League where they sunk. If they finish 4th next year, nobody will be complaining about them. People need to give them a chance and get over themselves.

[BEARZ77]

Whatever needs to be done to put WSU at a greater disadvantage nationally, is what must be done.

Yeah cause it's always all about Wichita. Some people just have a knack for turning a win into a loss.

[CBB_Fan]

Whatever needs to be done to put WSU at a greater disadvantage nationally, is what must be done.

Yeah cause it's always all about Wichita. Some people just have a knack for turning a win into a loss.

In this case, you opposition is mostly coming from Wichita State fans. Do you think Evansville or Drake are really upset about the addition? Those schools are not currently competing for at-large bids anyway.

Wichita State fans, however, feel that Loyola hurts their chances of getting an at-large bid. We want to keep Marshall for as long as possible, and one part of that is staying in a conference that gives the chance to get an at-large bid.

Imagine if MSU went to the Final Four. For your reward you get to replace your biggest rival with a team that had 4 winning seasons in the last 25 years. You'd be pissed. We are pissed. It has little to with Loyola themselves, and more to do with the fact that our destiny lies with forces beyond our control. Even when we take care of business, the conference gets significantly worse.

[TheDrake]

Whatever needs to be done to put WSU at a greater disadvantage nationally, is what must be done.

Yeah cause it's always all about Wichita. Some people just have a knack for turning a win into a loss.

In this case, you opposition is mostly coming from Wichita State fans. Do you think Evansville or Drake are really upset about the addition? Those schools are not currently competing for at-large bids anyway.

Wichita State fans, however, feel that Loyola hurts their chances of getting an at-large bid. We want to keep Marshall for as long as possible, and one part of that is staying in a conference that gives the chance to get an at-large bid.

Imagine if MSU went to the Final Four. For your reward you get to replace your biggest rival with a team that had 4 winning seasons in the last 25 years. You'd be pissed. We are pissed. It has little to with Loyola themselves, and more to do with the fact that our destiny lies with forces beyond our control. Even when we take care of business, the conference gets significantly worse.

Butler went to back-to-back championships from a league that was and is significantly worse than the valley. Your destiny does not lie with forces beyond your control.