Loyola to the A-10, Murray State, UMKC, and UT-Arlington considered to join Valley

[Bird Friend]

I’m not sure the Big East wants to expand. Those schools seem happy and can be as slow and choosy as they want.

Well, given the chance, I think the Big East would be happy to convince DePaul to leave and replace them with Loyola.

 

[BirdFan10]

I’m not sure the Big East wants to expand. Those schools seem happy and can be as slow and choosy as they want.

That's what I think too. A-10 is still a step up from MVC right now and also gets you in the head of Big East should they look to expand in the future, but that is still probably 5-10 years out.

 

[Dmills]

I think the conference needs to be patient and make the best decision moving forward. I generally trust the new commissioner to do that. The conference does not necessarily need to add another school. We shouldn't just be adding schools just to add them and IMO Jeff Jackson has handled expansion very well so far. Belmont was a huge addition. I like keeping the Midwest footprint, so I am opposed to UT Arlington for that reason. UTA is also a massive school that would have double the enrollment of any other conference school, so I find that interesting.

Kansas City just rejoined the Summit League after 7 years in the WAC. UMKC has 10 seasons with a winning record in the last 32 seasons. Their best season (21-7) was in 1991-92 as an independent, their second best (18-11) was in 2001-02 in the Mid-Continental Conference (Summit League), their next best season (16-12) was in 2004-05. They have had 5 seasons where they were more than 2 games over .500 in 32 years. They are 403-545 overall during that time. Their only postseason appearance was 1 trip to the CBI.

Loyola was a good add that was great for the conference and initially was criticized by some, yes. On the other hand, Valpo may not have been the best addition, they have yet to prove they will be sustainable in our conference and they have probably the worst facilities in the conference.

I would love to have Murray State or potentially Murray State +1. Just not all that set on either UTA or KC, I do not feel they add any quality to the conference which is what I care about most. I understand the MVC has other priorities and motivators than I do, but I find it hard to see what these programs offer.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

I’m not sure how serious I am with this, but what about expanding by 2 schools. Murray State then UIC. Don’t feel strongly about UIC but that would give a Chicago game to alums of Bradley, ISU, and SIU that litter Chicagoland.

 

[TBS_20]

Isu and msu need conference usa. Unless we want to die in a sinking conference then let's get into that shit conference and price ourselves worthy of a non shit conference

 

[jwa123]

Isu and msu need conference usa. Unless we want to die in a sinking conference then let's get into that shit conference and price ourselves worthy of a non shit conference

I’m starting to move my thinking in this direction as well. Personally I don’t like the spread across the USA Conference USA. Too much geographic distance between the schools. On the other hand, I am growing a bit concerned about the direction of The Valley. As I’ve stated before, what does ISU have in common with Valparaiso besides basketball? What’s with Arlington and Kansas City? The closest in The Valley to ISU is MSU.
I don’t know what the answer is. Maybe The Valley is as good as it gets for ISU but part of me thinks that perhaps The Valley has outlived it’s usefulness for ISU.

 

[Sycamorefan96]

I think Missouri State is probably on the way out pretty soon. I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't kicking the tires on CUSA now that WKU and MTSU are staying.

I would prefer to see the MVC replace Loyola and quite possibly Missouri State with Belmont and Murray State and call it a day.

If MSU ultimately stays and the league wants to go to 12 then NKU seems like the best fit that is in the lower mid-west region. Nothing about UMKC is very attractive and UTA is just too far away.

DBU for baseball is fine because they are a first class program and we only have to travel there once every two seasons, and we only go there for baseball. UTA is not even a very good program, and there's no guarantee they ever will be; and the same is true for UMKC. Just because the Loyola experiment worked once doesn't mean we should expand to Texas and try it there. And as with Loyola they might just leave too if they ever get good.

 

[Redbird Ray is Back]

ISU athletics has four paths forward if it ever wants to be relevant in the future. At this point, the status quo basically means the administration doesn’t really care, which is probably the case.

1) Beg to join CUSA

2) Beg to join the Sun Belt

3) See if the NCAA will allow a move up to FBS as an independent, while keeping other sports in the MVC.

4) Ditch the MVC and form a league of publics (Dakotas, UNI, ISU, SIU, Murray, maybe Indiana State if they’re interested) that plays high level FCS football and basketball at an equal or better level than the current MVC. A league like this would probably be a viable candidate for whatever “middle ground” will someday be comprised of FBS G5s and maybe high end FCS leagues. Would create more crossover and rivalry between sports and if done right, could be a sort of corn belt version of the MAC someday.

 

[Redbird222]

ISU athletics has four paths forward if it ever wants to be relevant in the future. At this point, the status quo basically means the administration doesn’t really care, which is probably the case.

1) Beg to join CUSA

2) Beg to join the Sun Belt

3) See if the NCAA will allow a move up to FBS as an independent, while keeping other sports in the MVC.

4) Ditch the MVC and form a league of publics (Dakotas, UNI, ISU, SIU, Murray, maybe Indiana State if they’re interested) that plays high level FCS football and basketball at an equal or better level than the current MVC. A league like this would probably be a viable candidate for whatever “middle ground” will someday be comprised of FBS G5s and maybe high end FCS leagues. Would create more crossover and rivalry between sports and if done right, could be a sort of corn belt version of the MAC someday.

I would not have said this 5 years ago but I am moving more and more towards #4 if you could add WKU and become FBS or that middle tier with G5 if that happens

Redbirds,
Missouri State
Murray St
SIU
Sycamore
WKU
NDSU
SDSU

If NDSU and SDSU won't come without SD and ND then add them. You could also invite Middle Tennessee State and offer Drake to step up from Pioneer. This seems better than what's left in Conference USA and I don't think the Sun Belt would take us now.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

I would not have said this 5 years ago but I am moving more and more towards #4 if you could add WKU and become FBS or that middle tier with G5 if that happens

Redbirds,
Missouri State
Murray St
SIU
Sycamore
WKU
NDSU
SDSU

If NDSU and SDSU won't come without SD and ND then add them. You could also invite Middle Tennessee State and offer Drake to step up from Pioneer. This seems better than what's left in Conference USA and I don't think the Sun Belt would take us now.

No UNI? ISU, MSU, SIU, and UNI need to be joined at the hip. Indy State can come too if they are financially ready for anything.

 

[Redbird222]

No UNI? ISU, MSU, SIU, and UNI need to be joined at the hip. Indy State can come too if they are financially ready for anything.

Sorry left them off by mistake. UNI should have been on there

 

[ISUBird]

I would not have said this 5 years ago but I am moving more and more towards #4 if you could add WKU and become FBS or that middle tier with G5 if that happens

Redbirds,
Missouri State
Murray St
SIU
Sycamore
WKU
NDSU
SDSU

If NDSU and SDSU won't come without SD and ND then add them. You could also invite Middle Tennessee State and offer Drake to step up from Pioneer. This seems better than what's left in Conference USA and I don't think the Sun Belt would take us now.

I don't want to leave the MVC, but if UTA and UMKC are the best we have and MTSU would come along then sure.

 

[TBS_20]

No to SIU, Murray, UNI, and INST. They're schools going in the wrong direction money wise and enrollment.

Illinois State
Missouri State
North Dakota State
South Dakota State
St. Thomas

Poach some of these MAC and CUSA teams and create a decent conference of at least 10

Ohio
Akron
Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky
Western Michigan
Alabama State
Louisiana Tech

Yes, it's somewhat of a spread out conference but much better than joining the MAC or the travel of CUSA. I think that's in par wuth the MAC and CUSA.

 

[crazzymark]

told ya Loyola was leaving... it would be a bad move for NDSU,NDS,SDSU and SDU to move the the mico valley coop. They are the better teams in there respective conferences. Why move to a lesser one bid league? Non I am afraid. CUSA would be a better match for ISUFB, but MAC West would be good as well.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

No to SIU, Murray, UNI, and INST. They're schools going in the wrong direction money wise and enrollment.

Illinois State
Missouri State
North Dakota State
South Dakota State
St. Thomas

Poach some of these MAC and CUSA teams and create a decent conference of at least 10

Ohio
Akron
Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky
Western Michigan
Alabama State
Louisiana Tech

Yes, it's somewhat of a spread out conference but much better than joining the MAC or the travel of CUSA. I think that's in par wuth the MAC and CUSA.

Give me NIU over Alabama State or St Thomas. Close road game. Schools have a connected history. Natural rival.

 

[TBS_20]

Seems like more people are coming around to football being the way out of purgatory for ISU

 

[cardinal]

MVC should add Murray State, Grand Canyon, UIC & St. Thomas

 

[TBS_20]

MVC should add Murray State, Grand Canyon, UIC & St. Thomas

sounds good

 

[stats]

For basketball, I think ISU should start it's own conference with less teams. Chicago State, Northwestern State, Alcorn State, Idaho, Central Arkansas, Binghamton and Central Connecticut State. Those are some of the worst teams I could find. This should increase our chances of making the tournament again. Adding more good teams only makes it more difficult for us.

 

[TBS_20]

For basketball, I think ISU should start it's own conference with less teams. Chicago State, Northwestern State, Alcorn State, Idaho, Central Arkansas, Binghamton and Central Connecticut State. Those are some of the worst teams I could find. This should increase our chances of making the tournament again. Adding more good teams only makes it more difficult for us.

i mean if you want to go 28-4 and still be a 16 seed every year