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

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Since superconferences seem to be the future is there any appetite on the part of the MVC for going beyond 12 teams and embracing a 14 or 16 team model if the right mix of schools could be found? Like let's say if SLU and Belmont both said yes and we had two willing public schools for balance and travel partners (Murray State and Northern Kentucky) would that be something the Valley would pursue? If that scenario did unfold would there be any appetite for further expansion such as adding the Dakotas or NMSU\GCU?

This is a big yes. I want all 8. Best teams going into season will play other best teams. But, I can't see mvc going past 12

[TheAsianSensation]

Superconferences work when the media deals you sign as part of it expand the coverage of your conference.

The MVC will have no such media considerations.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

St. Louis; Missouri State
New Mexico State; Grand Canyon
North Dakota State; South Dakota State
Bradley; Illinois State
Valparaiso; Loyola Chicago
Northern Iowa; Drake
Southern Illinois; Evansville
Murray State; Belmont
Indiana State; Northern Kentucky

Everyone has a travel partner. Play each other once (17 games), play your travel partner twice (1 more game), the final two games with be versus the most like opponents in RPI (best play best). 20 total conference games. Also 11 football teams in that group of 11. But, one is FBS and two others are non-scholarship. Still 8 legit FCS teams. The MVC could put football under the same umbrella and sponsor football and do away with affiliated teams like WIU, YSU, etc. Maybe they could convince NMSU to drop down to FCS or convince Drake or Valpo to go to scholarship football.

[uniftw]

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.

You're spending a lot of time making a case for them based on the 70s 80s and early 90s.

We aren't forgetting that 3 year run. I think we are seeing that 3 year run in the early 10s as the except at SLU.

In the 15 seasons, outside of those 3 seasons, since the turn of the century SLU has zero trips to the NCAA tournament and is under .500 as a program at 218-231.

Outside of those three seasons going all the way back to 1990 they have 5 total 20+ win seasons. 5 20+ win seasons in 25 years.

Talking about SLU is like talking about Drake, Loyola or Evansville. "LOOK AT THE RESOURCES, ARENA AND POTENTIAL THEY HAVE FOR THE MARKET THEY ARE IN! IF THEY GET THE EXACT RIGHT SITUATION THEY COULD RETURN TO THEIR GLORY DAYS OF THE 50S-60s (DRAKE AND LOYOLA) OR 80S (EVANSVILLE AND LOYOLA).

I understand the reasons people would sell them as "the next coming", but holy crap that is actually hard to believe when looking at their last 30 seasons, their actual lack of fans showing up to games, and their administrative inability to do anything.

[mvfcfan]

Any more than 14 is too many.

The good news is that Milwaukee and NKU are both 5-2 right now. Since the MVC will most likely go that route it's good to see that both of those schools are having good seasons so far.

[MissouriValleyUnite]

Be careful erasing a program’s 3 best seasons. Yours might be out of ncaa wins too.

[bleach]

In my opinion, 12 is too many. What is the benefit of adding teams that don't raise the perceived level of the conference? The AAC adding WSU raises the level of the AAC. Adding Northern Kentucky (or insert any other team available) doesn't add name recognition, facilities, history, or anything I can think of.

[glm38]

In my opinion, 12 is too many. What is the benefit of adding teams that don't raise the perceived level of the conference? The AAC adding WSU raises the level of the AAC. Adding Northern Kentucky (or insert any other team available) doesn't add name recognition, facilities, history, or anything I can think of.

I agree. And if we aren't adding teams that raise the level of the Valley and we only get one team in the ncaa tourney then the odds of getting in are decreased for each team you add. And the tournament shares would be smaller too.

[VUGrad1314]

Be careful erasing a program’s 3 best seasons. Yours might be out of ncaa wins too.

Fair point but there's a difference between doing that to an SIU a UNI a Belmont a Murray State or a Valpo where you'd still find a slew of 20- win seasons and NCAA\NIT appearances and doing it to the Billikins where you're basically left with 15 years of awful basketball. As I said though if they are to turn it around the Valley is the place best set up to help them do it. Now it's up to them to realize that.

[VUGrad1314]

In my opinion, 12 is too many. What is the benefit of adding teams that don't raise the perceived level of the conference? The AAC adding WSU raises the level of the AAC. Adding Northern Kentucky (or insert any other team available) doesn't add name recognition, facilities, history, or anything I can think of.

Their facilities are actually pretty nice and they're investing heavily in athletics. Their D2 history is really strong. They made the NCAA Tournament in their first year of eligibility and gave Kentucky everything it could handle. It makes the MVC the preeminent mid major league in the state of Kentucky and gets the MVC into the Cincinnati market. You don't know them that well because they haven't been a D1 school that long but they'll soon become a household mid major name with plenty of clout and recognition. Plus they're our best chance at finding a reasonable travel partner for the Racers that actually has a chance to elevate the league unless Belmont or SLU gets off their high horse. Look at their schedule this year: their only losses are close losses to Vermont in the Bahamas and on the road to Memphis, and that is without the recruiting bump going to the MVC would provide them. This team has serious giant killer potential and would be a fantastic addition to the MVC.