If we go to 12 who do you want (choose 2) poll?

[BEARZ77]

The only value St Louis University adds to the MVC is money because of all the fans they'd bring to Arch Madness. But I doubt they will come knocking on our door anytime soon if ever.

You guys need to do your research; they've been in more MBB NCAA Tourneys in the last 25 years than any current Valley member [same #as UNI] and more total NCAA and NIT appearances than any current Valley member. They've had years when in the Scott trade where they averaged over 16,000 attendance. They would be no less than a top 3 -4 program in the Valley most years under Ford, be in the top 2-3 attendance and have a significantly more prestigious imprint than anyone else we are considering.

[uniftw]

I mentioned this not long ago.

They had a real nice run from 11/12-13-/14 but since then they are 11-21 11-21 12-21 and now 3-3.
They were 12-19 in 10/11
They had 1 20+ win season between 1994 and when Majerus got there.

Outside of the Hickey years in the 50s and the 3 year run a handful of years back they have 4 NCAA tournaments all time.


I can see the value that SLU could have, but man there is a ton not to like about them.

[ptownbraves]

I mentioned this not long ago.

They had a real nice run from 11/12-13-/14 but since then they are 11-21 11-21 12-21 and now 3-3.
They were 12-19 in 10/11
They had 1 20+ win season between 1994 and when Majerus got there.

Outside of the Hickey years in the 50s and the 3 year run a handful of years back they have 4 NCAA tournaments all time.


I can see the value that SLU could have, but man there is a ton not to like about them.

SLU is far and away the best option if it were ever on the table. Their spotty past performance is far outweighed by the school's investment in their basketball program, which is a better indicator of where they'll likely be in a few years anyways. I've been to some games at Chaifetz Arena and it is a great atmosphere with strong fan support that would rival any MVC school, even when they were terrible.

All of this means nothing, of course, since SLU would rather die waiting in the Big East queue than tuck in their tails and join the lowly Valley.

[Mikovio]

The MVC would be insane not to accept SLU. You people are crazy. Yeah their only good recent years were under Majerus, but does Majerus come to NDSU or SDSU? Of course not. And if he does, he jumps ship as soon as a Horizon or better offer comes along.

[oklahomacrusader]

The only value St Louis University adds to the MVC is money because of all the fans they'd bring to Arch Madness. But I doubt they will come knocking on our door anytime soon if ever.

You guys need to do your research; they've been in more MBB NCAA Tourneys in the last 25 years than any current Valley member [same #as UNI] and more total NCAA and NIT appearances than any current Valley member. They've had years when in the Scott trade where they averaged over 16,000 attendance. They would be no less than a top 3 -4 program in the Valley most years under Ford, be in the top 2-3 attendance and have a significantly more prestigious imprint than anyone else we are considering.

SLU has been to a total of 7 NCAAT since 1990. Valpo has been to 9 NCCAT since 1990.

SLU 7 < Valpo 9

[BEARZ77]

My bad, had only looked at the previous existing MVC teams. Point still the same in that no other school we are considering has that type of success. Also, not demeaning Valpo's accomplishments, but SLU made those appearances while competing in much higher level leagues while Valpo's was entirely done in the Horizon.

Again the major point being, SLU is far and away the best add we could hope to have. Also if you bring a Dakota school in, where's the great rivalry............... UNI maybe ? SLU would immediately have at least two MSU/SIU and an old traditional foe and similar University in Bradley.

[RacerJoeD]

Murray St. has 12

[oklahomacrusader]

Murray St. has 12

sureley Bearz77 will respond Also, not demeaning Valpo's (Murray St.) accomplishments, but SLU made those appearances while competing in much higher level leagues while Valpo's (Murray St.) was entirely done in the Horizon (Ohio Valley Conference).

I think the OVC actually ranked behind the Horizon the last 10 years.

[RacerJoeD]

Yeah I'm done apologizing for the OVC (part of the reason I personally am ready to move on from the OVC), but in that last ten years, Murray State has won games in the NCAA tournament (not play in games), made an NIT QF, been ranked in the Top ten in the AP and Coaches Poll and had an NBA lottery pick. SLU has 3 NCAA wins, but hasn't had an NBA draft pick since 1998, and in their three NIT appearances since 1990, has only won one game.

Don't get me wrong, SLU is a good program and has an incredible history. I just don't like to see other good programs dismissed out of hand, especially since we are talking about programs, irrespective of their conference affiliations.

[BEARZ77]

I wasn't referring to Murray State as I was already assuming them as having an offer in hand as number 11 since the topic was who should be #12. Guess it's not a done deal, but that was my assumption. For me Murray has always been a no brainer at #11.

As far as the comment about level of play between the Horizon and some of SLU's conferences, I simply speak by experience. When the Bears were in the Mid Con, they made 6 straight Tourney appearances between 86 and 92, an NIT in 86, 4 straight NCAA's then an NIT in 91, followed by an NCAA in their 1st year in the Valley in 92. We've made one NCAA] since; Evansville was similar with NCAA appearances in 89,92, 93, from a lower level league, but I think only twice since joining the Valley. IMHO Missouri State has had at least 4 other teams since that if playing in a league like the Horizon would have been NCAA Tourney teams. We've had 3 teams with RPI's below 40 not make it. So that's all I'm saying about SLU is that they have been in the tournament more than most of current Valley teams and more than any of the others on this list[ sans Murray] despite generally playing against superior competition. That suggests they would do well here.
I just think a lot of people see their poor 3 year record and overlook things like their budget, their facilities, their attendance potential, the natural rivalries,as well as their historical success when they talk about schools on this list being superior options. Again not Murray State included.