Evansville bolting for greener pastures?

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

My concern, I have little to no faith in Elgin.

You still have a little?

[DUShock]

I guess I am hopeful/wishing for an epiphany from Dougie.

[Capitol Shock II]

Bring Tulsa back into the fold. Or SMU. Or Houston.

[pinstripers]

and ORU is already gone..............

[Shockerman]

and ORU is already gone..............

Not sure how New Mexico State fits geographically but they would be a good get. The problem is it would likely be short term until they get their MWC invite.

SLU is the best option but is not happening. Here's a prediction....Elgin offers SDSU and NDSU to placate UNI so they don't head to the MAC.
How about them apples?

[SubGod22]

Not sure how New Mexico State fits geographically but they would be a good get. The problem is it would likely be short term until they get their MWC invite.

Geography shouldn't matter too much. They were once in and should be again. Also, they're not getting a MWC invite unless the BE takes another team or two from them. New Mexico would prefer that they're not in the same conference.

SLU is the best option but is not happening. Here's a prediction....Elgin offers SDSU and NDSU to placate UNI so they don't head to the MAC.
How about them apples?

SLU is an overrated option but one many love. They'd be a slight upgrade over UE but I don't see them ever doing much. Especially with Majerus looking like he's done there. And if the XDSU's got invited, I guarantee that both CU and WSU would start begging other conferences. Those two may be worse than UE. Not much better to be sure.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Not sure how New Mexico State fits geographically but they would be a good get. The problem is it would likely be short term until they get their MWC invite.

SLU is the best option but is not happening. Here's a prediction....Elgin offers SDSU and NDSU to placate UNI so they don't head to the MAC.
How about them apples?

There is no way that either of the Dakotas would be let in if evansville mercifully leaves. The remaining privates (Creighton, Bradley and Drake) would never go for it, nor would you guys and perhaps even MSU too. For those of you that like to think of UNI as frostbite falls, trying go to the Dakotas.

Secondly, why in thw world woukd we worry about placating UNI? They are easily replaceable, probably by a team with a better TV market, a real fan base, a baseball team and an athletic department that is not on the verge of financial ruin.

I think Elgin would do just fine if Evansville were to leave. In fact, it is probably an answer to his prayers. That being said, there is no way the Horizon is going to try to poach one of our schools. Every single member of that conference would jump if they received an offer from the MVC; and, because of geography, you can bet that the Horizon would be the first place we look. Why would they take a school to fill an opening only to risk losing another school and create another opening? It makes no sense.

If we are going to add anyone, here is my selection criteria (all need not apply, but the more the better):
(1) Basketball program must be a perennial post season participant (NIT is fine);
(2) Decent sized TV market (recruiting hotbed would be an added plus);
(3) Must be committed to basketball success, willing to invest in the program, etc;
(4) No scholarship football (I just don't trust schools with football - those with solid programs will always look to move up, while those with weak programs by and large aren't appealing anyway);
****
(5) Have baseball and soccer programs (obviously not anywhere near as important as the top 4, but a nice little extra).

Distance should not be a factor, except as a possible tie breaker. I know many are frustrated with the MVC, but I bet we would have a ton of applicants if we made it known that we are looking.

[DoubleJayAlum]

SLU is an overrated option but one many love. They'd be a slight upgrade over UE but I don't see them ever doing much. Especially with Majerus looking like he's done there. And if the XDSU's got invited, I guarantee that both CU and WSU would start begging other conferences. Those two may be worse than UE. Not much better to be sure.

With Majerus perhaps done, SLU is even less of an option. He was the one that wanted SLU to move to the MVC; the egomaniac of president would never let it happen.

[pogo]

I don't think going with nine for a while would be such a bad thing but I doubt Elgin feels that way.

My reaction to this happening would be like when the FBI guys cut the power to Nakatomi Plaza in Die Hard and they were able to open the safe, pure joy.

We're going to need some more FBI guys.

[SubGod22]

There is no way that either of the Dakotas would be let in if evansville mercifully leaves. The remaining privates (Creighton, Bradley and Drake) would never go for it, nor would you guys and perhaps even MSU too. For those of you that like to think of UNI as frostbite falls, trying go to the Dakotas.

Secondly, why in thw world woukd we worry about placating UNI? They are easily replaceable, probably by a team with a better TV market, a real fan base, a baseball team and an athletic department that is not on the verge of financial ruin.

I think Elgin would do just fine if Evansville were to leave. In fact, it is probably an answer to his prayers. That being said, there is no way the Horizon is going to try to poach one of our schools. Every single member of that conference would jump if they received an offer from the MVC; and, because of geography, you can bet that the Horizon would be the first place we look. Why would they take a school to fill an opening only to risk losing another school and create another opening? It makes no sense.

If we are going to add anyone, here is my selection criteria (all need not apply, but the more the better):
(1) Basketball program must be a perennial post season participant (NIT is fine);
(2) Decent sized TV market (recruiting hotbed would be an added plus);
(3) Must be committed to basketball success, willing to invest in the program, etc;
(4) No scholarship football (I just don't trust schools with football - those with solid programs will always look to move up, while those with weak programs by and large aren't appealing anyway);
****
(5) Have baseball and soccer programs (obviously not anywhere near as important as the top 4, but a nice little extra).

Distance should not be a factor, except as a possible tie breaker. I know many are frustrated with the MVC, but I bet we would have a ton of applicants if we made it known that we are looking.

Based on those criteria, Milwaukee would be at the top of the list. NMSU would also be up there, but they have football. Denver would be a stretch as they don't have long term success. Same for Arlington if you wanted to get into Dallas. But both appear to be trending up.

[Ta town]

UTA

[shock]

I think Elgin won't, but I would like to see a call made to Butler, DePaul, Marquette. I think they all would have a small measure of interest in joining WSU, CU, and UNI for some competitive ball. The only problem is, that could potentially make it harder for all four to get to dance. OTOH, think of the recruits all four could bring in.

[SubGod22]

I think Elgin won't, but I would like to see a call made to Butler, DePaul, Marquette. I think they all would have a small measure of interest in joining WSU, CU, and UNI for some competitive ball. The only problem is, that could potentially make it harder for all four to get to dance. OTOH, think of the recruits all four could bring in.

I think Butler is happy with the A10. DePaul isn't all that good and do we really need another Illinois school?. Marquette isn't leaving the BE either. Not unless something happens that cripples it (UConn, Rutgers and L'ville all leave).

[shock]

I don't think it hurts to try, and I think DePaul would be a better option than the Dakota schools

[DoubleJayAlum]

I think Elgin won't, but I would like to see a call made to Butler, DePaul, Marquette. I think they all would have a small measure of interest in joining WSU, CU, and UNI for some competitive ball. The only problem is, that could potentially make it harder for all four to get to dance. OTOH, think of the recruits all four could bring in.

The attempt would be futile.

Butler just joined the A10, a conference that is dedicated to basketball and probably situated as the top midmajor conference at the present. Why would they leave now?

Depaul and Marquette aren't leaving the Big East for the MVC. Don't be silly.