UEACES80 wrote:[We could have at least had a schedule that gave us a chance at an atlarge bid. However, I saw nothing that would indicate that we would have beaten any top 50 teams./quote]
Maybe UE can try to schedule Ball State, Butler and Valpo or a more regular basis.
I've always been intrigued with an Indiana pre season tourney with these six teams every year Ball State / IUPUI / IUPUFW / Valpo / UE and Indy State (in separate brackets to only meet in a championship)
Then have Indiana and Purdue (every other year) as well as Butler / Notre Dame (every other year).
I just think it would be a cool tournament that could allow for all teams to get 3 games in with reasonable travel costs. Butler / IU / ND / Purdue could host every fourth year.
I like the idea, but Butler does not get equal footing in the state with IU and Purdue. UE and Butler were each other longest rivals, going back over 100 years. When UE moved to the Valley from the MCC, they made sure Butler remained on the OOC schedule every year. When Butler got into the Big East, UE was dropped immediately. WIth that in mind, I don't see them resuming the series. Screw them.
You can have the Indiana tournament at Conseco every year, conference mates, such as IU-Purdue, UE-ISU in different brackets. No need to designate a host school.