Report: Loyola-Chicago to join MVC

[Kung Wu]

They basically play in Hartman Arena....

Actually, that's a pretty freakin' sweet layout for a hoops court. The fans are practically sitting on the court. Other than the obvious "where do the other 4,000 fans sit", I'm surprised at how cool that setup is.

[SB Shock]

Actually, that's a pretty freakin' sweet layout for a hoops court. The fans are practically sitting on the court. Other than the obvious "where do the other 4,000 fans sit", I'm surprised at how cool that setup is.

high school gyms are cool

[SubGod22]

I've slept on it and this add still sucks. Their max attendance, assuming they could ever fill that place to capacity, is pretty much less than just about everyone else's average. And I'm talking the teams that have sucked lately and if they play better will easily average more.

Have I mentioned how much this sucks and how badly I want to get out?

[Kung Wu]

high school gyms are cool

Well, you posted a picture of a volleyball game where they have closed off the second tier of seating, so you didn't exactly provide the full picture:



But regardless of seating capacity the layout near the court is very cool. If they expand the stadium at some point, I seriously hope they don't change that aspect of it.

[pinstripers]

1. This is a false report. (I hope)
2. there is a lot more to Loyola than meets the eye.
3. This is a horrible joke.

I cannot come up with a number 4.

[Kung Wu]

The locker rooms are dope.



The training areas are top notch.



The weight room is freaking awesome.



The exterior is a modern throwback and excellent choice.



The corridor architecture and design are great.





The only downside I see is seating capacity, and that's a very big deal but one they can fix IF (and that's the sucky part) they get their program cranking. There is plenty to ***** about, but the quality of the facility isn't even close to one of them.

[wsu789]

So, for two decades, Loyola has been stuck in a one bid league behind Butler? In the last 25 years, Loyola has had, what, four winning seasons? So it doesnt appear they've even been a threat to Butler. And Butler, of course, departed. No doubt the Valley is stronger than the Horizon, but the loss of CU and inclusion of Loyola brings those conferences much closer together. The fear, Rambler63, is that the Valley is now a one-bid league. Ask yourself, other than Wichita, what Valley team truly has a legitimate chance to earn an at large bid to the tournament next year? There simply isn't one.

We cannot risk being the "Butler" of the MVC. With our investment in basketball and facilities, and our extraordinary success this season, I hope we are doing absolutely everything in our power to make a Butleresque move out of the Valley.

[proshox]

We cannot risk being the "Butler" of the MVC. With our investment in basketball and facilities, and our extraordinary success this season, I hope we are doing absolutely everything in our power to make a Butleresque move out of the Valley.

I would prefer a three bid minimum league, but being part of one bid leagues actually helped Butler and Gonzaga. There are benefits to owning the league and getting in every year. The MVC has been the perfect storm for years - it is good enough to beat you, but not good enough to allow teams to overcome the selection committee.

[shockerfan]

The more I research I feel a LITTLE better about the POTENTIAL. I am VERY concerned about lack of fan support and seating capacity for an arena they just built or renovated. To me if they kept it that small they either aren't very forward thinking or they just flat don't think they will get more than 4500 people regardless of success. That is a concern either way I feel. The potential of fan support is big IMHO. I think, while all of the possible schools lack strong fan support, some may have had more potential. And a few of the options are at least competitive teams right away. This may be the best option for the Valley in the long run, but this is going to be a slow process which hurts the teams at the top of the conference as far as strength of schedule goes. Trading a top 50 school in Creighton twice a year to a 200+ school won't help seeding or at large possibilities. Also makes our margin of error a LOT smaller. We could have at least brought in a team that had a good shot at being top 100 right away. Now I hope we go to 12 and at least add Belmont and another team that can help balance RPI some.

I will say that the facilities are great at Loyola, the location seems nice, they are wealthy and the new AD and president seem very focused on improving the athletic department. The potential is strong in the long run. But it will be tough on the Valley for the foreseeable future, which concerns me.

[Capitol Shock II]

It's time to go...we're late. The bus is leaving.

[SubGod22]

And I just want to say, Denver averages more than Loyola could possibly hold.

And I don't care how nice their gym might be. I can build some extravagant temple made of gold, but if I put a piece of **** in there for display, it's still a piece of ****.

[pinstripers]

We got outvoted

[SubGod22]

You think?

[pinstripers]

No way were the Illinois and Indiana schools gonna accept Denver. That was always a stupid suggestion.

[SHOXAAC]

...quick, does LaSalle know what state the Loyola Ramblers are located?