MVC Expansion

[ISU86]

Went to the Murray State board and read from page 22 to the end on their quest to the MVC. Link is on Redbird football thread. Always good to get an outside perspective and came away with 4 takeaways.

1. When talking about the elite basketball programs in the MVC, ISU red was never mentioned.

2. When talking about basketball doormats of the MVC, ISU red was mentioned, more than once. Face it gang, our glory years are distant distant memories.

3. MVCF, they were not worried about competing with the “east” teams, but thought they would have trouble competing with the “western” teams, specifically mentioning the Dakota schools.

4. They also mentioned how great an addition South Dakota State all sports program would be to the valley. Specifically mentioning SDSU women’s basketball program is on par with Belmonts and how both of those programs will raise MVC women’s basketball exposure. Also that SDSU brings other things that are desirable to the table.

Looks to me ISU needs improvement in several sports areas. We are not looked upon as an elite program in football, men’s and women’s basketball and that is pretty much the marquee sports in college. Donors and recognition mainly comes from very few sports programs.

I think Aggie is being a bit disingenuous on number 2.

The main message was screw the MVC (if it did not offer membership), a comparison of the MVC versus SoCo in men's basketball (NET rankings for this season), and that if the MVC could not retain CU, WSU and LU, why would they want to join. Basically the message was that all remaining current MVC members (minus LU) were flotsam and jetsum.

But they are happy now.

 

[Aggie]

I think Aggie is being a bit disingenuous on number 2.

The main message was screw the MVC (if it did not offer membership), a comparison of the MVC versus SoCo in men's basketball (NET rankings for this season), and that if the MVC could not retain CU, WSU and LU, why would they want to join. Basically the message was that all remaining current MVC members (minus LU) were flotsam and jetsum.

But they are happy now.

Now that they are in the MVC we shall all see just how well they stack up against the rest of the MVC. I still stand by the assertion that ISU has not been to the dance for years and ISU “footprint” in men’s college basketball is quite small at the moment. Hopefully that changes ASAP.

 

[Seven]

Pretty good video on the Racers' history. MVC KenPom rankings better than I thought over the past 5 years. Final minutes are a stadium/history slideshow.

 

[isuquinndog]

I thought this was an interesting slide. It shows us has having the biggest athletic budget in the conference in 19/20 of the teams that will be the MVC in 2022.

 

[isuquinndog]

Also he used ISU red and ISU blue for the two ISUs but said BU Peoria and BU Nashville. Why do they get cities and we get colors? Lame.

Oh, and for photos of each league member arena it was from a game with a full crowd. Except ISU....it was when Redbird was empty with no game. WTH.

 

[Adunk33]

Also he used ISU red and ISU blue for the two ISUs but said BU Peoria and BU Nashville. Why do they get cities and we get colors? Lame. .

This topic came up on MVCFans.
ILST-INST
MoState-Murray
Bel-Bra (Badley)

 

[Redmax]

As a longtime Redbird fan and backer, 1964 Graduate, I’ve watched the athletics programs over the years and been a longtime contributor. Got my name on the Bone Student Center Wall as a donor. Also donated to help funding of Redbird Arena and name on the N wall. I would sure like to see the football program elevated to FBS, a conference like the MAC. Football could evolve into a great venue I think, but obviously we need funding help to make that happen. I’m curious how many fans would be onboard with this. I think Brock Spack has done a great job with the FB program, the last couple of years I know have been down but I do feel the coming season will be a good one. Putting in the new inflated football field is a big step forward and we can thank our new AD Kyle Brennan for making that happen. I‘m disappointed to see the MVC taking on some of the schools that they have. The Valley is not the same as it was 20 years ago when we had 4 teams make the post season! It’s time for ISU to start the process of seeing what would be available.

 

[Seven]

I‘m disappointed to see the MVC taking on some of the schools that they have.

The MVC literally just took the top 2 programs not in a top 10-12 conference. You’d have to not care or not follow college basketball to be disappointed.

 

[Manchester Matt]

As a longtime Redbird fan and backer, 1964 Graduate, I’ve watched the athletics programs over the years and been a longtime contributor. Got my name on the Bone Student Center Wall as a donor. Also donated to help funding of Redbird Arena and name on the N wall. I would sure like to see the football program elevated to FBS, a conference like the MAC. Football could evolve into a great venue I think, but obviously we need funding help to make that happen. I’m curious how many fans would be onboard with this. I think Brock Spack has done a great job with the FB program, the last couple of years I know have been down but I do feel the coming season will be a good one. Putting in the new inflated football field is a big step forward and we can thank our new AD Kyle Brennan for making that happen. I‘m disappointed to see the MVC taking on some of the schools that they have. The Valley is not the same as it was 20 years ago when we had 4 teams make the post season! It’s time for ISU to start the process of seeing what would be available.

I mean, ISU hasn’t been to the tournament since 1998, so I’m not going to complain when the conference adds perennial tournament teams like Belmont (eight appearances since 2006) and Murray (eight appearances since 1999).

 

[cpacmel]

UIC to join Missouri Valley Conference in July, rounding out league's expansion effort at 12 teams

The move marks the third time in the past few months the Valley has added a team

www.cbssports.com

 

[DougSutton]

I'm not sure if this has been discussed or not but I'm genuinely curious if the MVC has the right or ability to kick up members. There is no justification to keep Evansville in the MVC. I feel Belmont and Murray State are good additions overall. I'm not aware of where UIC is at today compared to where Loyola was at prior to joining the Valley from an overall athletic department perspective however this feels like somewhat of a wash when considering where each (basketball) program was at the time of joining the Valley and it's nice for Chicago to have a Valley presence.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

How bout the Dan Muller coaching tree in the valley? I was hoping his coaching legacy would be bring NCAA tourney bids and not training assistants to coach against within conference.

 

[TIMMY]

I'm not sure if this has been discussed or not but I'm genuinely curious if the MVC has the right or ability to kick up members. There is no justification to keep Evansville in the MVC. I feel Belmont and Murray State are good additions overall. I'm not aware of where UIC is at today compared to where Loyola was at prior to joining the Valley from an overall athletic department perspective however this feels like somewhat of a wash when considering where each (basketball) program was at the time of joining the Valley and it's nice for Chicago to have a Valley presence.

Evansville is bad at sports. It's who they are.
I do remember this board crying about the addition of Loyola in 2017. How things change.

 

[ISU86]

Evansville is bad at sports. It's who they are.
I do remember this board crying about the addition of Loyola in 2017. How things change.

Seem to recall in 1994, when it came down to Butler and Evansville, the conference thought the Bulldogs were a small fish in a big pond and preferred the Aces as having the run of the town.

Not saying Butler would still be in the conference, but wonder how history/membership would be now if that decision is different.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

When is our TV deal back up for purchase? I could see it being worth more with these three adds.

 

[cubird]

When is our TV deal back up for purchase? I could see it being worth more with these three adds.

Reports today say UIC will be in the MVC this fall.

 

[SgtHulka]

Seem to recall in 1994, when it came down to Butler and Evansville, the conference thought the Bulldogs were a small fish in a big pond and preferred the Aces as having the run of the town.

Not saying Butler would still be in the conference, but wonder how history/membership would be now if that decision is different.

Evansville came in off a nice run of 20+ win seasons and their average attendance was more than Redbird holds. Looked like a good add at the time. The Valley killed their program, but grew Loyola's. Go figure

 

[RedbirdFanatic32]

Sucks to lose Loyola, but all said and done, it's not too bad a deal: gaining Belmont and Murray st, and keeping the Chicago presence through UIC

 

[TBS_20]

The Valley definitely got the correct three.

 

[Redbird Alum 2004]

The Valley definitely got the correct three.

Not gonna lie but am shocked by it.