Hypothetical question for Bradley fans

[thefish7]

Yeah, for what it's worth NDU would be *only* for basketball there, maybe soccer, as I figure that's the only way it'd ever happen. Football for them would always clearly be independent because of all the cash that's worth to them.

Creighton was the problem geographically too, as you pointed out. Believe it or not, I worked out the math to determine distance to other programs and geographic midpoint and all kinds of crap like that (like I said, spent way too much time, hehe)... And Creighton was the big outlier there. On the other hand I decided their profile in basketball and soccer was just too good to ignore. The other thing I liked about that conference design was that you ended up with good presence in good markets without direct competition between the member schools-- why I didn't jump at putting Loyola Chicago in there as an example. Better for DePaul and conference to have just the one Chicago school.

The key here in my mind is for Marquette, NDU, and DePaul to be the driving forces. Deciding they want a private school league, and deciding that they could compete at the highest levels from a basketball standpoint by forming a league like this one, and so to actually be the drivers out of their current conferences and the catalyst for destruction of the Big East. Such a conference would have a bunch of good markets, be geographically sound (with Creighton being a bit of a problem-- though less than one they currently have in the Big East), should be able to secure good TV deals, and be something like a top 5 or 6 multi-bid basketball conference annually.

Edit - I think the benefits for soccer are similar, but I don't have the knowledge of that sport to intelligently discuss it.

Edit - I had even more fun trying to make up a name for this conference and managed to come up with the most pretentious one possible, hehe-- The Private League.

[wizard1]

Hypothetical Question---

IMO Bradley should always keep its options open without any emotional ties to the MVC. If an opportunity for a clearly stronger basketball conference affiliation opened up and it was solid and stable, and included the likes of Dayton, Butler, Xavier, Marquette, as well as possibly Creighton and Drake, BU should join. This may never happen but nothing should prevent BU from conducting very private discussions with other schools about this possibility.
The MVC is OK but in reality, the conference is going nowhere in terms of national recognition, NCAA bids, and the recruiting of really strong players.

[TheAsianSensation]

The key here in my mind is for Marquette, NDU, and DePaul to be the driving forces. Deciding they want a private school league, and deciding that they could compete at the highest levels from a basketball standpoint by forming a league like this one, and so to actually be the drivers out of their current conferences and the catalyst for destruction of the Big East. Such a conference would have a bunch of good markets, be geographically sound (with Creighton being a bit of a problem-- though less than one they currently have in the Big East), should be able to secure good TV deals, and be something like a top 5 or 6 multi-bid basketball conference annually.

I'm not sure MU and DePaul would want to be catalysts. I think they'll always want to remain in the Big East. The key becomes them being "forced out" because the Big East needs to go to 12 for football. As good as the lineup of schools in the new conference would be, they aren't going to willingly leave the Big East for that.

[thefish7]

Yeah, I agree it's unlikely, but I can dream can't I?

My biggest fear in that conference would be that Bradley would be a perennial 6-10 place team, but we can't talk about how high we'd like to go and then be afraid to get there.

[SFP]

$$$ Is the deciding factor in all this. What if ESPN and the networks starts to feel that the BCS schools are asking for to much revenue? Then I would not be surprised to see them try to set up an alternative conference in large TV markets to try and even up the competition. There is zero chance of DePaul or Marquette leaving the Big East, unless they are forced out. Without those two there is zero chance of any re-alignment. DePaul brings with it Chicago! Marquette is a quality program with a decent TV market and nationally known.

[OrangeandBlack74]

IMO Bradley should always keep its options open without any emotional ties to the MVC. If an opportunity for a clearly stronger basketball conference affiliation opened up and it was solid and stable, and included the likes of Dayton, Butler, Xavier, Marquette, as well as possibly Creighton and Drake, BU should join. This may never happen but nothing should prevent BU from conducting very private discussions with other schools about this possibility.
The MVC is OK but in reality, the conference is going nowhere in terms of national recognition, NCAA bids, and the recruiting of really strong players.

I agree with this. I know change is uncomfortable (and often unpopular), but you have to be willing to adapt as circumstances change around you. I'm sure BU will approach any potential opportunity for change in conference affiliation with their eyes wide open.

[Beninator]

IMO Bradley should always keep its options open without any emotional ties to the MVC. If an opportunity for a clearly stronger basketball conference affiliation opened up and it was solid and stable, and included the likes of Dayton, Butler, Xavier, Marquette, as well as possibly Creighton and Drake, BU should join. This may never happen but nothing should prevent BU from conducting very private discussions with other schools about this possibility.
The MVC is OK but in reality, the conference is going nowhere in terms of national recognition, NCAA bids, and the recruiting of really strong players.

I agree with this. I know change is uncomfortable (and often unpopular), but you have to be willing to adapt as circumstances change around you. I'm sure BU will approach any potential opportunity for change in conference affiliation with their eyes wide open.

Orangeand Black, the post from Wizard is my favorite post on this thread so far.

[Indy_BB]

I dont know how much interest there would be in teams west of Illinois or in a divisional arrangement.

[wizard1]

Hypothetical Question---

Beninator----Thanks. You are obviously very wise and knowledgable and I'll bet you're also good with the ladies!

[BU RICK]

I like things just the way they are, I've got too much history with the MVC and I like the teams in it.

Now back to 'the markets', I'm having a very good week and have other more important things to contemplate before the close.

[thefish7]

I agree also with Wizard's statements. I don't think loyalty to the MVC should trump what's good for Bradley... And to Indy_BB, this fan would be extremely interested in a conference like that.

[squirrelgotdead]

I dont know how much interest there would be in teams west of Illinois or in a divisional arrangement.

Football controls EVERYTHING, like it or not. A lot would depend on non-scholarship football schools from the Pioneer League. As TAS and I are suggesting Dayton, Butler, Drake, and Valparaiso could very well stick together because of that.

[TheAsianSensation]

And furthermore, football would be the only way we'd see a MVC split - the football schools leaving the MVC to join FBS football. If the BCS implodes, or we see any type of football splits between BCS conferences and the rest, then all the non BCS conferences will be alone - and FCS schools will try to jump up a level and play with the likes of the MAC, WAC, etc. I could see a scenario where the Big 6 conferences create their own top division and many FCS schools join the MAC, Sun Belt, and a couple other conferences at the secondary level.


One other thought: I hope everyone realizes this is speculating, and that it WILL take a rather long series of events for all the dominoes to fall the right way in order for BU to leave the MVC. We're talking about ideal situations here. And even though I'm 100% sure we're just a couple years away from a massive conference realignment, that still doesn't guarantee all these private basketball-only schools are going to shelter together.

[houstontxbrave]

And furthermore, football would be the only way we'd see a MVC split - the football schools leaving the MVC to join FBS football. If the BCS implodes, or we see any type of football splits between BCS conferences and the rest, then all the non BCS conferences will be alone - and FCS schools will try to jump up a level and play with the likes of the MAC, WAC, etc. I could see a scenario where the Big 6 conferences create their own top division and many FCS schools join the MAC, Sun Belt, and a couple other conferences at the secondary level.


One other thought: I hope everyone realizes this is speculating, and that it WILL take a rather long series of events for all the dominoes to fall the right way in order for BU to leave the MVC. We're talking about ideal situations here. And even though I'm 100% sure we're just a couple years away from a massive conference realignment, that still doesn't guarantee all these private basketball-only schools are going to shelter together.

Wouldnt it likely take only one school with football who has BCS/higher level aspirations to start the domino? Tulsa took the plunge as did WKU, imagine if SIU or Missouri State decide they want parts of that BCS pie. The moves by both Tulsa and WKU has significantly evaluated both programs.

I think your speculation on the top 6 BCS and essentially everyone else is not to far away. I also dont think a school SIU or MSU are that far from "exploring" moves ie to the Sunbelt or OVC. Those BCS buy games in football can be big big money, as can that TV revenue even if it isnt directly from BCS TV.

[Out of Balance]

IMO Bradley should always keep its options open without any emotional ties to the MVC. If an opportunity for a clearly stronger basketball conference affiliation opened up and it was solid and stable, and included the likes of Dayton, Butler, Xavier, Marquette, as well as possibly Creighton and Drake, BU should join. This may never happen but nothing should prevent BU from conducting very private discussions with other schools about this possibility.
The MVC is OK but in reality, the conference is going nowhere in terms of national recognition, NCAA bids, and the recruiting of really strong players.

Wizard, never say never, and always (as you said) keep in the hunt for future possibility's I like your thoughts here in your post and feel very much the same. The MVC has fallen off the radar once again after a very good year when they put 4 teams in the big dance and two advanced to the sweet 16 If the MVC tournament attendance falls much more maybe we can host it here in P town at the New Field House Anyway good post friend Beni's head is so big now we'll never be able to talk to him again, until some lady tells him NO