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

[Mikovio]

Well MVU those fans you saw wearing X and UC shirts are bandwagonners. They're at games because NK is "up" now. Miami and Milwaukee are not, but if they were, you could bet their attendance would be much better. Miami made the Sweet 16 in '99 and Milwaukee made it in '05. In 2006, the year after that S16, Milwaukee averaged 5,304 per game. See:

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketb ... d/2006.pdf

That's higher than NK has shown it's capable of. Last year, NK's average attendance was 2,824.

[VUGrad1314]

You're badly underestimating NKU and you're also underestimating how far Milwaukee has to go to win back the trust and goodwill of their fanbase. Ask any passionate Milwaukee fan how they feel about their AD and chancellor. They hate them and until Milwaukee finds itself under new management I firmly believe that the crowds will stay away no matter what the team does. They get outdrawn by minor league hockey. You don't want to hitch your wagon to that. It's got anchor city written all over it. You forget that NKU is doing all of this in just their second year of tournament eligibility. Two of their top three scorers will be back next year, and I would say that any team that lost by single digits to Vermont Memphis and Texas A&M is plenty capable of doing well in the MVC. And they'll pull in more revenue from MVC fan travel and even more bandwagoners since they'll be in a higher profile league.

[VUGrad1314]

Heads up everyone. Possible expansion news coming today!
https://twitter.com/FatherHarry1/status ... 6757641218

[VUGrad1314]

Here's the article. Some key points:

Murray State has to be a frontrunner Commissioner Elgin stated that Murray State felt like an MVC institution and even had the support of some of the coaches.

Basketball success is a driving factor but so are academics

11 teams is a no-go Any expansion will be to 12 teams

Expansion process will be slow methodical and well thought out Not necessarily taking effect next year

Possibility of not expanding at all exists but is unlikely

SLU NOT mentioned as viable option

Public\Private split purported to be important to commissioner Elgin but not listed as important factor in article

Geography and proximity to St Louis matter For conference tournament and missed class time purposes

Market size is important but not as much as you might think

Schools with easy air travel options will be considered

Teams mentioned in article: Milwaukee NKU Belmont UT-Arlington Denver Grand Canyon South Dakota State Oakland SEMO I assume there are even more schools not mentioned here that are under consideration and that this list is not exhaustive. I think UT-Arlington is a name to watch here.

http://www.valleyhoopsinsider.com/whats ... expansion/

[RacerJoeD]

http://www.valleyhoopsinsider.com/whats ... expansion/

Teams Mentioned:

Belmont
Murray St
South Dakota St
Oakland
Northern Kentucky
Texas- Arlington
Milwaukee
Southeast Missouri
Denver
Grand Canyon

March 1st meeting

[RacerJoeD]

I had heard UTA before, but I think that will depend upon Sun Belt football.

[VUGrad1314]

What do you mean?

[uniftw]

I've lobbied for SFA/UTA as a pair before.

I'll take UTA.

Let's get real crazy and go UTA/NMSU

Or UTA/SFA
OR UTA/MSU

UT-A and UALR are doing/have done/have announced they will study adding football to join the SBC as football playing members as well

I can't imagine either one getting pro football results unless they pay for pro football results

[VUGrad1314]

I keep thinking it makes sense for CUSA to add UTA and FGCU as basketball only members. It would help both schools in-state recruiting while (especially in the case of FGCU) providing a nice bump up in competition.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

UTA loses 7 seniors and a projected first rounder next year. Don’be surprised if they drop like Little Rock.

They might discuss GCU, NMSU, etc. but they’ll never go through with it. It’ll come down to the same schools we’re debating for #12.