YES- Writer argues that A-10 should pursue Wichita State

[Rlh04d]

1. Money. In 2011, Bradley spent $800K more on men's basketball than UNI and UNI's budget has been cut by the state since then. Nearly half of the UNI budget is subsidized by the state of Iowa and money is always going to be a major question for that school. While not a direct athletic department comparison, it is telling that Bradley has an endowment nearly 4 times that of UNI, since it demonstrates the difference in donor base between the two schools.

http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2012/10/11/college-basketball-spending-doesnt.html?appSession=294299979106355&RecordID=&PageID=2&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=9&CPISortType=desc&CPIorderBy=Conference

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/schools/finances/

http://www.coachad.com/pages/Breaking-News---Northern-Iowa-Athletics-Expecting-Financial-Hit,-Not-Cutting-Sports---2-24-12.php

2. Fan support. Last year, Bradley averaged 6,557 fans (#79 in the nation) compared to 4,249 for UNI, in spite of the fact that UNI had 3 more wins than Bradley on the year.

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attend/2013.pdf

I'm not saying we would bring a "buddy," but if we chose Bradley this would be why.

Indeed.

Bradley has a lot of potential. Granted, potential means squat, but UNI has pretty much reached their ceiling. They are what they are. And what they are is a pretty successful Valley team who have had some very good years lately, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them get an at-large bid and a Sweet 16 this decade still. But their past success is their ceiling. Even with recent high level success, they don't have good attendance, can't pay their coach much, etc.

Bradley is the only team in the conference that I think has the potential to do what we've done. They have fan support (fallen in recent years, but would come back with winning). They have money. They don't have football diverting resources. They have past high level success. They are, IMO, Wichita State in the 90s. They'll need good decision making and good coaches to get to WSU now, but the potential is at least there.

What other Valley program has the potential to come close to our level? Maybe SIU.

[Shocks2005]

I really don't see how people are looking down on the A-10 right now.. They have five teams with 20 wins and eight have winning records. Even if you take out SLU and possibly Dayton that leaves four 20 win teams and seven winning records.. The MVC has two 20 win teams and only five winning records..

If the AAC does look to only add basketball, we would stupid to not want to join, but I see our chances of that happening at around 5%. The A-10 however is not a bad league at all. Good revenue. East coast exposure. I really don't see where they are and where the MVC is heading anywhere near each other. I hate being so negative on the MVC because we have always been a better league and still should be, but I'm having a hard time being positive with the league.

[Shocker-maniac]

I really don't see how people are looking down on the A-10 right now.. They have five teams with 20 wins and eight have winning records. Even if you take out SLU and possibly Dayton that leaves four 20 win teams and seven winning records.. The MVC has two 20 win teams and only five winning records..

If the AAC does look to only add basketball, we would stupid to not want to join, but I see our chances of that happening at around 5%. The A-10 however is not a bad league at all. Good revenue. East coast exposure. I really don't see where they are and where the MVC is heading anywhere near each other. I hate being so negative on the MVC because we have always been a better league and still should be, but I'm having a hard time being positive with the league.

THIS. +100

[Perezident]

I really don't see how people are looking down on the A-10 right now.. They have five teams with 20 wins and eight have winning records. Even if you take out SLU and possibly Dayton that leaves four 20 win teams and seven winning records.. The MVC has two 20 win teams and only five winning records..

If the AAC does look to only add basketball, we would stupid to not want to join, but I see our chances of that happening at around 5%. The A-10 however is not a bad league at all. Good revenue. East coast exposure. I really don't see where they are and where the MVC is heading anywhere near each other. I hate being so negative on the MVC because we have always been a better league and still should be, but I'm having a hard time being positive with the league.

Absolutely agree! The MVC and A-10 have in the past been compared; both being quality non-bcs leagues. And I think that rubbed a lot of MVC faithful the wrong way, I guess because we thought/think we are better. I really wish it were so, but it's not. The A-10 has continued to evolve and progress as a conference despite major defections and realignment. The MVC has simply stagnated. If we get the opportunity, I'd hope we're smart enough to make the move.