Yet Another Reason to Depart the Valley

[WuDrWu]

"Elgin said he would provide unspecified financial incentives to compel Valley schools to appear in such tournaments, particularly if the field includes a BCS team among the top 50 or top 25 in RPI."

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20111025/SPORTS/310250097/MVC-basketball-Schools-told-to-play-difficult-schedules

Gee, thanks Doug. WSU has only been leading the way for the last decade (9 of 10), usually with a top 10 RPI BCS team. I don't suppose we should expect any back pay?

I am anxious to hear what kind of "unspecified financial incentives" he's planning on....I certainly hope it is a negative incentive, but even then, I'd like to see Evansville and the like send Eric a check.

Freaking Valley.

[shock]

There should be a bounty for winning those games, not having your name next to KU or NC or another big name school.

[Kung Wu]

"Elgin said he would provide unspecified financial incentives to compel Valley schools to appear in such tournaments, particularly if the field includes a BCS team among the top 50 or top 25 in RPI."

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20111025/SPORTS/310250097/MVC-basketball-Schools-told-to-play-difficult-schedules

Gee, thanks Doug. WSU has only been leading the way for the last decade (9 of 10), usually with a top 10 RPI BCS team. I don't suppose we should expect any back pay?

I am anxious to hear what kind of "unspecified financial incentives" he's planning on....I certainly hope it is a negative incentive, but even then, I'd like to see Evansville and the like send Eric a check.

Freaking Valley.

Hahahha, probably Elgin will buy 'em a round of beers if they will even just listen to him.

[Veritas]

The crux of the issue is that most MoVal schools besides Wichita State, Creighton, and possibly MoState will never be invited to such tournaments anyway.

[ShockTalk]

The crux of the issue is that most MoVal schools besides Wichita State, Creighton, and possibly MoState will never be invited to such tournaments anyway.

I don't think that's accurate. UNI's program has been solid, better than MSU and probably better than us. SIU was solid in the past, and Bradley and ISUred have no more excuse not to be solid than we had in the 90's. The crux is the growing amount of dead wood, those not willing (to spend) to be better. The number of rotten apples in the barrel is growing and will taint the whole barrel unless this changes or those few solid members left are able to get out. For this league to hold on to its already diminished status, it will take 6, maybe 7, schools to be proactive in the future success of this league. For that status to improve, the remaining dead wood would need to be replaced. To me, that's the crux of the issue.

[Veritas]

Why is it then that they are not playing in those high profile tournaments? The answer is quite simple..... It is because they are not being invited. Who during SIU's glory years wants to watch that type of basketball? Who exactly gets excited to watch an IlSU, UNI, or ISU? There are only a few teams in the MoVal that can carry the conference banner along with a lot of fans to these tournaments. WSU is one of only a few.

[electricmayhem]

There are some good tournaments to watch early in the season involving MVC teams this year. One that sticks out is Bradley playing in Chicago with a guaranteed game against Wisconsin the day after Thanksgiving, and then a Saturday night game against either BYU or Nevada.

I suppose it sticks out because I'll be there, but it's a great get for BU nonetheless. Chicago could always use more Valley exposure...

[ShockTalk]

Why is it then that they are not playing in those high profile tournaments? The answer is quite simple..... It is because they are not being invited. Who during SIU's glory years wants to watch that type of basketball? Who exactly gets excited to watch an IlSU, UNI, or ISU? There are only a few teams in the MoVal that can carry the conference banner along with a lot of fans to these tournaments. WSU is one of only a few.

I guess that depends on your definition of high profile tournaments and how many of those are available. You give an exemption to WSU, CU and possibly MSU in a previous post. @electricmayhem: tells us Bradley is playing a tourney where they're guaranteed to play Wisconsin, then BYU or Nevada. Without looking all the MVC schools up, here's what I found: ISUred plays in Cancun against Rutgers, then Ill or Richmond; SIU plays in Hawaii against K St, then UTEP or Clemson; ISUblue plays in the Old Spice against Texas Tech, then Minn or DePaul; and UNI is part of ESPN's Tip Off Classic (I know it's not a tourney) against St. Mary's in California.

Seems like a number of Valley schools are playing tourneys or special events against quality opponents. The problem will be their success which leads back to my opinion of the problem.

[MVCFans]

"Elgin said he would provide unspecified financial incentives to compel Valley schools to appear in such tournaments, particularly if the field includes a BCS team among the top 50 or top 25 in RPI.".

On The MVC Report I offered an alternative idea to the financial incentives discussed by Elgin - just give the earmarked money to the best schools to buy better games or incentivize home-home or neutral sites games with BCS teams. If we want a radically different result from the one bid years, I propose a radical approach. Set aside 5-10% of the NCAA payout each year and make an investment in upgrading schedules which should pay off in the long run.