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

[VUGrad1314]

Just thought everyone would like to know that Murray State freshman guard Ja Morant recorded a triple double tonight against Eastern Illinois after narrowly missing one the previous game against Detroit. I hope we can get the Racers into the MVC for next season because that program looks like it's positioned to do just fine in the league.

[VUGrad1314]

According to numbers pulled from a Horizon League fan thread NKU is averaging over 3000 fans a game with the numbers being even better when higher level competition comes in. That's more than twice the number Milwaukee sees go through the door, and their KenPom right now would be second to Missouri State. If they aren't being considered as a serious candidate, then the MVC isn't doing its job. They are 3.5 hours from the closest MVC school (Evansville) BUT they are within 5 hours of EVERY MVC member except Drake UNI and Missouri State. They have the market, the potential, and the team success and fanbase are steadily growing. Murray State and NKU would go a long way toward restoring the multi-bid MVC. NKU needs to be considered over Milwaukee. We can consider Milwaukee if the MVC ever considers expansion beyond 12 members (i.e. whenever Belmont and\or SLU realizes how badly they need the MVC.)

Here's the link to the discussion of Horizon League attendance: http://horizonleaguefans.freeforums.net ... attendance

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Murray and nku. I'm all about it. Then GCU and nmsu. Then ndsu and sdsu.

[jackwagon]

North Kentucky and call it a day.

[Redbird222]

Take Murray and hold out for next round of conference shakeups. If Conneticut and Zags move to Big East, perhaps Dayton and St. Louis will stop holding out for e Big East dream. I think Xavier keeps Dayton out of Big East permanently. If A-10 has any movement then these would be the two teams I would like to join and they may be open. NKU needs to have more sustained success before we should extend an offer. Please no to Milwaukee ... this is A commuter school. I wouldn't mind NMSU but the MVC does not align with their football aspirations.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Highly unlikely Gonzaga goes to the big east due to geography. the mvc is Midwestern based. The big East is predominately east coast based. It's more likely the zags will eventually join MWC with gcu, byu, and St mary's as basketball only members.

[VUGrad1314]

That would be incredible for the Mountain West and would absolutely force the AAC to raid the A10 for the likes of Dayton VCU Richmond and Rhode Island just to maintain its strength. I have to believe that Dayton would take an invitation to the AAC before the MVC, especially if one or more of its A10 rivals goes that route with them. I also think the Mountain West is third on the list of considerations for Gonzaga behind the Big East and the AAC. But here are the scenarios I see as possible for this realignment:

Don't overestimate the complications of football or count out the Big 12. They can provide the cleanest simplest most desirable solution for both UCONN and BYU by simply admitting them as full members. Under this scenario the Big East does nothing while the AAC has two options:
1. Admit Liberty as a full member or
2. Admit Army (football only) and find a basketball only member looking to make a jump Since the loss of UCONN constitutes a major blow to the brand I don't believe that anyone below the level of Gonzaga\VCU\Dayton would be considered. They might even take all three
NMSU could be another option as a full member for the AAC as well though they could very well jump to the WCC along with GCU as that conference would be in serious need of quality if BYU and Gonzaga both defect

If the Big East does not expand and the A-10 loses one or more members (particularly if one of these schools is Dayton) SLU becomes an option for the Valley.

Just like with NMSU it will be hard to get UCONN to another conference because of FBS Football but if they can't find a willing conference association I'm sure they'd just let the football program be an FBS Independent. This appears to be the solution NMSU has adopted at least for next year. But the primary goal will be finding a permanent FBS home.

Let's suppose UCONN joins the Big East and chooses to go independent in football The Big East then has two choices:

1. Stay at 11 and keep the double round robin
2. Pick up a 12th member

Although I believe that option 1 is far more likely I'll entertain option 2. If the Big East is seeking a 12th member I have to believe that that member would have to be a team that moves the needle from a basketball standpoint and\or opens up a new market. The only schools that fit the criteria are Dayton VCU and Gonzaga Rumors are already suggesting that Dayton is being blocked by Xavier. If that's the case then I doubt Georgetown would be too terribly keen on VCU and even if Georgetown didn't block them would they really compromise the institutional profile of their conference for a school they don't have a past relationship with when they wouldn't do so for Wichita State-- a better program to bend the rules for than VCU? That leaves Gonzaga. Travel costs don't matter for a league like the Big East, Gonzaga can afford the move, they fit the institutional profile of the conference and have a profile no other candidate can match. The litmus test for Big East expansion was Creighton. When the Jays were admitted that proved that the Big East will expand anywhere for the right program. Gonzaga is that program.

Then the AAC will search for at least one member with Dayton and VCU heading that list. VCU seems more likely although Dayton has the nicer facilities the Flyers may run into the same problem getting into the AAC that they have getting in to the Big East since UC is there to block them from the AAC. Who could the A10 add to help ensure that it stays ahead of the MVC if VCU left? Does any combination of Vermont Siena Iona Albany Stony Brook Northeastern James Madison UNC-Wilmington Charleston Elon or any hypothetical addition or combo of additions do that especially with the MVC ready to add more strong schools? Not really and this would put both Dayton and SLU in play for the MVC and probably restore it to multibid status. If the Big East does not take Gonzaga the AAC will and either leave the A10 alone or go after the leading members of the conference to increase its basketball strength and profile. What this means for the MVC we don't know because these conferences need to make their moves first.

[mvfcfan]

I used to be against adding NKU, but they are pretty good based on watching a few of their games this year (on ESPN3). Wouldn't mind having them at all and it would be another close game I could go to.

[VUGrad1314]

That's the spirit! It makes absolutely no sense to consider Milwaukee but not NKU. NKU offers similar market similar or greater potential much better attendance and a much better team.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Knowing that my dream of GCU is unlikely I love the idea of Murray State and NKU. I agree NKU over Milwaukee. It would also be quite an accomplishment for NKU to go from D2 to a top 12 conference in 6 years.