Conference Shake Up 2.0

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

Thanks for putting that together for us Sub. Some thoughts:

I don't like the fact the Dakotas are thought of as some of our first options. It's obvious from your research that adding any of them would be a disaster for the Valley from an RPI standpoint--they're even worse than Evansville. It is true that their RPI would likely increase due to being in the Valley, but seriously, we're looking to strengthen the Valley, not just add more Drakes.

Belmont and Murray State should clearly be the top options. And ORU is a better option than I had previously thought.

Our options are so limited it's scary.

[SubGod22]

Thanks for putting that together for us Sub. Some thoughts:

I don't like the fact the Dakotas are thought of as some of our first options. It's obvious from your research that adding any of them would be a disaster for the Valley from an RPI standpoint--they're even worse than Evansville. It is true that their RPI would likely increase due to being in the Valley, but seriously, we're looking to strengthen the Valley, not just add more Drakes.

Belmont and Murray State should clearly be the top options. And ORU is a better option than I had previously thought.

Our options are so limited it's scary.

I've never been a fan of the Dakotas being added. Belmont may be a no brainer. Outside of that, I still like Milwaukee as I think there's a lot of potential there, and I've seen others elsewhere say the same. I wonder if Murray can keep up or not. ORU would be a solid option to at least put one in the west.

[LuskingforGuttin]

North Dakota State would be a great addition. I really like them a lot across all sports. Football obviously, but women's basketball, softball, volleyball. They are my co-number one along with ORU.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

North Dakota State would be a great addition. I really like them a lot across all sports. Football obviously, but women's basketball, softball, volleyball. They are my co-number one along with ORU.

Dude. NDSU averages an RPI of 170 over the past few years. 170. On the suck scale they're in between Eville and Drake.

[SubGod22]

My top five are Belmont, ORU, Milwaukee, Murray State and Wright State. That's if New Mexico State isn't a legit option.

[BAShocker]

Sub, curious...other than geography, why ORU?

[SubGod22]

Geography has nothing to do with it. Consistency does.

[ShockTalk]

My top five are Belmont, ORU, Milwaukee, Murray State and Wright State. That's if New Mexico State isn't a legit option.

Not really getting the Milwaukee love. Over the last 7 years, they would have a worse average RPI than any Valley team.

Over the last 3 years, Valpo has probably had the most consistent, high RPI of any team on your list above other than WSU and Belmont. Their overall compares with ISU B and R.

[SubGod22]

I'm not alone in thinking Milwaukee has a lot of potential. Plus it puts us in Milwaukee which wouldn't suck for the conference. Valpo would have been my sixth team on the list.

[BAShocker]

So geography has nothing to do with it, gotcha. Thanks.

[SubGod22]

Not in my mind it doesn't. I have no problem expanding the footprint and actually prefer it. ORU is a solid program and if their financial situation is under control, as I've been told, they'd be a solid addition. Belmont would be number one on my list though. Solid, impressive and in Nashville.

[ShockTalk]

I'm not alone in thinking Milwaukee has a lot of potential. Plus it puts us in Milwaukee which wouldn't suck for the conference. Valpo would have been my sixth team on the list.

Well, to have potential, they'll need to have a basketball arena bigger than for 3,500 butts. Other than being in Milwaukee, can you list the other highlights?

[MadDog]

I saw Milwaukee on TV about a week ago. They had a home game and it looked like they were playing in a high school gym. Far worse than any venue in the MVC. No way!

[SubGod22]

I saw Milwaukee on TV about a week ago. They had a home game and it looked like they were playing in a high school gym. Far worse than any venue in the MVC. No way!

But some of it comes down to potential and over the last decade, they've been OK. I go back and forth on them but they will be discussed as I've heard them mentioned by others in the past. And I'd rather have a team that could fill up said gym than some of our members who have empty gyms/arenas. Milwaukee would be a "potential" add. You have to believe most schools would get a boost from joining the MVC.

Someone on the CSNbbs board mentioned Little Rock for consideration. It is a basktball focused school that's trying to improve their standing in the sport and is in a nice market not far from out current footprint. I don't think they'd be at the top of the list, but could see where some consideration could be given them.

In my current thinking, today, if we lost CU, I'm still all for going to 12 and adding ORU (Tulsa, OK), Belmont (Nashville, TN) and Wright State (Dayton, OH). If UE left, I'd consider Valpo and Milwaukee. I think Little Rock still has some work to do.

[ShockTalk]

But some of it comes down to potential and over the last decade, they've been OK. I go back and forth on them but they will be discussed as I've heard them mentioned by others in the past. And I'd rather have a team that could fill up said gym than some of our members who have empty gyms/arenas. Milwaukee would be a "potential" add. You have to believe most schools would get a boost from joining the MVC.

Someone on the CSNbbs board mentioned Little Rock for consideration. It is a basktball focused school that's trying to improve their standing in the sport and is in a nice market not far from out current footprint. I don't think they'd be at the top of the list, but could see where some consideration could be given them.

In my current thinking, today, if we lost CU, I'm still all for going to 12 and adding ORU (Tulsa, OK), Belmont (Nashville, TN) and Wright State (Dayton, OH). If UE left, I'd consider Valpo and Milwaukee. I think Little Rock still has some work to do.

Did you drop Murray St?