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BEARZ77 wrote:
He's a bit above average, think he made the NCAA 5 out of 8 years at OSU. But if he pulls a top 5[ IN STL] player out of STL yearly[ which he's done for 2017 and 2018] gets a couple other upper tier STL kids to complement, his roster will always be upper level in the Valley and his resources as well. But like I said, who knows if the Admin. at SLU gets off their high horse and comes to their senses. Probably not unless as we've discussed other A-10 teams move and another option like the AAC or Big East is not there for SLU.

VUGrad1314 wrote: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?

BEARZ77 wrote: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.

bleach wrote: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.