Report: Loyola-Chicago to join MVC

[pogo]

Exactly, Hatter -- Pogo and the other worrrywarts (including the not-so-astute KWCH pundits) are being silly with their fear du jour about Marshall leaving.

As long as Marshall is at WSU -- and I personally expect it to be quite a while -- the MVC is no more a "one-bid league" than the WCC is with Gonzaga. It may become one bid for the other teams (although maybe not even that; there are certainly Valley teams that are at least capable of playing the role of a midwestern St. Mary's), but unless 3G has an unexpected stumble, we can plan on seeing WSU as a tournament regular whether they win in St. Louis or not. And that's all that really matters: Marshall no longer has to win his conference tournament to get his team into the NCAA field the way he did at Winthrop.

Huh? I'm a worry wort? I have said that Marshall is not leaving even if it becomes a one bid league because of the RPI that we will most probably still have. Also unlike most of the others I recognize the Loyola pick was based purely on what they may bring in the FUTURE. So please leave me out of your worry wort classification. It also kind of pisses me off to be lumped in with jeffry parsons.

[ShockerPrez]

Love to see what the vote was, and if it was another FU to WSU from the other members of our esteemed conference.

[60Shock]

http://www.kwch.com/news/kwch-jab-fo...3355032.column


Posted by Bruce Haertl today. He sounds less than excited about the addition of #3 as well.

As stated in the above post: "That’s not to say that the Valley should genuflect to WSU—but they are coming off a Final Four and while MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin is right to say that the conference is bigger than any one school---I’m not sure that would hold if they were to lose two."

In this humble fan's opinion, there certainly does not appear to be anything wrong with a little genuflection aimed our way!

Even the deaf, dumb, and blind should be able to realize that following CU's recent departure, if Wichita State departs the MVC, the Valley takes a final 10 count and becomes totally irreverent as a significant BB conference.

[WstateU]

I'm just an old fart wasting away drinking Margaritas on a beach in Florida, who can't sing, and don't know ****.

But, based on this university's nearly half century of standing pat, why would we even expect it's present leaders to consider pursuing any other course of action?

The old, 'Don't rock the boat, don't mess with success' conservative philosophy is deeply embedded in bedrock. And this is not totally a bad thing. But there are times one has to look at the future possiblilites and the present limitations, and if appropriate take your chances and move on.

Is there any evidence or information, anywhere, that Bardo or Sexton, have initiated any action whatsoever, concerning realignment or are they just sitting back on their haunches hoping some conference will miraculously beg us to join them?

The apparent lack of information from our leaders on this subject is deafening, but then again, perhaps they do not consider it a major factor.

I was very impressed upon my hearing Bardo speak at the Final Four Rally. He definitely appears to be a real mover.

Is there any hope that we could move Wichita a little further East or West? Or did I just drink one two many Margaritas? Or was it that skimpily clad beauty that just sauntered slowly by.

You lucky ole codger! :)

[SubGod22]

I've been scanning the UNI and both ISU boards this morning. While there are some fans that are okay with the add, I get the feeling that most aren't pleased. Yes, we all see that if they pump money into the program that 10 years down the road they MIGHT be competitive and show to be worthy, but that's taking a huge leap of faith based on where they're currently at and that there were other programs that have a more successful recent history and potential. I haven't finished reading the Trees board yet and haven't made my way over to the Drake board. I'm guessing it'll be more of the same from those fans.

Essentially, most seem to agree with most on here. An add that doesn't bring much if any value to the MVC for at least 5-7 years if we're being overly optimistic.

[Aargh]

My understanding is that there is no longer a league imposed scheduling mandate? I recall it being cancelled several years ago and I thought Elgin said that when interviewed on kgso last week. But I've been wrong before.

Can any of the shockernet math or statistical whizzes calculate what the MVC's conference rating would have been last year if we replaced Creighton's rpi with Loyola's? In that hypothetical league, what sort of rpi would a first place team that did not win the conference tournament need to ensure an at large berth? Would wsu have received an at large had we played three games with Loyola rather than CU?

While this is apples and oranges to some degree, it may be a look at our future.

I calculated the league RPI if CU were replaced with Loyola. We dropped just below Conference USA. Then I calculated it without WSU to see the level of league the Shox could join to be equivalent to the current MVC. The answer? The Horizon League without Loyola! The Horizon League gets an RPI boost by shedding Loyola. Loyola's RPI was well below the Horizon League average.

[Shox21]

As stated in the above post: "That’s not to say that the Valley should genuflect to WSU—but they are coming off a Final Four and while MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin is right to say that the conference is bigger than any one school---I’m not sure that would hold if they were to lose two."

In this humble fan's opinion, there certainly does not appear to be anything wrong with a little genuflection aimed our way!

Even the deaf, dumb, and blind should be able to realize that following CU's recent departure, if Wichita State departs the MVC, the Valley takes a final 10 count and becomes totally irreverent as a significant BB conference.

These deaf, dumb and blind folks you are talking about probably don't think that's gonna happen because they don't think there is anywhere we CAN go.

[tw805]

These deaf, dumb and blind folks you are talking about probably don't think that's gonna happen because they don't think there is anywhere we CAN go.

I don't think there's anywhere we can go without football. So count me among them. Presumably, we want to be in a Conference USA-esque conference, and those boys all play football and have budgets $10 million higher than ours. I think Southern Miss is in the same ballpark as we are, but everyone else has budgets around $30 million, if I recall correctly.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

Can any of the shockernet math or statistical whizzes calculate what the MVC's conference rating would have been last year if we replaced Creighton's rpi with Loyola's? In that hypothetical league, what sort of rpi would a first place team that did not win the conference tournament need to ensure an at large berth? Would wsu have received an at large had we played three games with Loyola rather than CU.

Obviously a few liberties must be taken and assumptions made, but IMO:

If WSU replaced the 3 games with Creighton with 3 games against Loyola (and went 3-0 instead of 1-2) they would have won the regular season title, the conference tournament, and have had a 28-6 record entering the Big Dance. I bet they still end up in the 8-9 game. Main difference being that they had to take care of business 3 times against Loyola without faltering instead of getting 3 opportunities against Creighton and simply needing to avoid getting swept. The problem is lack up upside (some years, WSU could take 2 of 3 from Creighton) and an introduction of downside (Loyola will steal a game from WSU once in a while).

Crossing my fingers that Loyola really does improve their program as they invest in this new opportunity of playing in the MVC.

[SubGod22]

I was reading on one of the boards that there are still on going discussions about moving to 12 in the future. Sounds like Crapola is it for this year, but they may consider adding two more in the not too distant future. It's possible that the MVC knows we're not thrilled with how things sit and will continue to add to the east, expecting us to depart. However, if they'd at least add a decent school or two, I could see where that could carry some weight and possibly keep the administration thinking the MVC is still good for the long term.

Loyola won't be relevant for a very long time. While none of the options were stellar, there were options that would have helped in the near future and beyond. Part of me thinks the MVC knows how hard it is for us to move and simply doesn't care and will continue to do as the poor sisters in the east want. And I'm not sure they want more competition. We would be better off with 9 than adding Crapola.

[Shocker-maniac]

I suggest that everyone bring signs to tonight's final 4 celebration that have messages like: "We need a new conference". I think that the rest of the conference is presuming that we are stuck with no options which may be true for the short term. However, there may be options that open up in the future. We need to send a message that this is not acceptable.

[ShockerPrez]

Time for us to just eat all the cake ourselves, since we appear to be the only program serious about being a national program.

[RoyalShock]

According to this article, the vote to add Loyola was unanimous. You can now forward your grievances to President Bardo.

Missouri State president Clif Smart said today that Loyola of Chicago – which is expected to formally accept an invitation to join the Missouri Valley Conference on Friday – was a unanimous choice by the Valley nine-person president’s council in a vote taken last Friday

[GoShockers89]

It would have been a poor political move for us to vote no. Don't wanna be seen as a prickly pear when shopping around for suitors.

[Rixtoy1]

I suggest that everyone bring signs to tonight's final 4 celebration that have messages like: "We need a new conference". I think that the rest of the conference is presuming that we are stuck with no options which may be true for the short term. However, there may be options that open up in the future. We need to send a message that this is not acceptable.

Seriously?
You want to take away from a "Thank you" to these players and coaches for their accomplishments this year with the politics of an athletic director and university administration decision? This is not the time or place.
I am the first to go for the light-hearted side of things around here, but I sincerely hope this does not happen (the signs).
Make your own decision. Count me Out.