bleach wrote:MissouriValleyUnite wrote:^ That’s the same argument people used against Butler 10 years ago. They then went to 2 ncaa title games and were snatched up by the A10 and Big East.
Murray State adds value whether it’s contending for at-large bids (2012, 2015) or winning NCAA games to add to a league’s credits (2010, 2012) or travelling to Arch Madness (they outnumber the entire OVC combined in Nashville). Don’t forget if they hadn’t run into the national champion (Kansas) or runnerup (Butler) or a 1 seed (Michigan St in OT) in one possession losses, they’d have even deeper runs in their history. Keep in mind they lose out on top end recruits because of the OVC so their talent level should increase in the MVC to reach these levels again.
Last time we didn’t add a school right under our nose that would raise the value of the league, it burned us. Let’s not make that same mistake again.
I was unaware Butler wanted in the MVC. Never would have opposed that. Can you provide some info on this?
I also see value in Murray but nobody else. If it must be a 2 for, I don't see that much value in Murray.
I think he is referring to the fact that after Butler started making some NCAA appearances, it was several years before they left the Horizon...why didn't we go after them during that time.
It has been heavily rumored that Butler did try to get in when Evansville did during the MCC implosion. It would make sense if they did, as everyone else was jumping ship during that time. What these people don't realize is Butler was horrific during that time. They were on a 30+ year NCAA tournament drought, finishing near the bottom of the MCC every year, and drawing less than 2,000 a game. If 1994 Butler applied now, there isn't a poster on here that would be in favor of adding them. Quite simply, Butler made themselves by remaining in a significantly weakend Horizon, and was able to compete. By getting the auto-bid frequently, they were able to catch lightning in a bottle, and make those improbable runs to the finals.
The assumption Butler would have been what they are now in the MVC is not valid. I am sure had they been in the MVC during the early 2000's, they would have finished mid-pack at best against those Creighton and SIU teams.
With that in mind, I get the feeling Belmont understands this. Why go to the MVC, increase your competition day in and out, and get nothing for it? Stay in the OVC, and in most seasons, only have Murray in your way.
I have no problem with Murray, but that is about it. They are the only school that actually fits, and brings any type of tradition or history with them. Either take them and work out 11, or stay where we are, and work on improving the 10 we have to start earning multiple bids. Until we do that, adding schools for the sake of adding, only makes that 1 bid less attractive. Some on here act like if we don't go to 12, we will implode. The 10 we have is the most stable we have had in years. The only way I see things changing anytime soon is if there is some type of public/private split, and in the remote chance that happens, being at 10 or 12 will not make a difference.