A little more from Doug Elgin

[KillerB]

I had the opportunity to talk to Elgin after the tournament. He is very open and a good interview. Some highlights besides what's been discussed on the other threat about SOS.

He says there are no talks about St. Louis U joining the MVC.

He is dead set against expanding the MVC to 12 teams or more. He does not like the 2 division format where you don't play each school twice every year.

He is very excited about the renovation under way at SIU.. as well as the new facilities being built at Bradley.

He does believe WSU has an outside shot at the NCAA.. but agrees their SOS hurts the Shockers' resume badly. (I talked to him before the season and he picked WSU as his wildcard team in the MVC race)

He doesn't see the talked about changes in the Big East.. Big Ten or Pac 10 having any significant impact on the MVC.

If the MVC were to add a team and had to pick one to drop.. he has a school in mind. That probably isn't for public consumption, but you can probably figure it out on your own anyway.

[SFP]

Thanks KillerB for sharing.

I do believe though that if the musical chairs begin that BU better be ready and have a plan.

[BUfan14]

Butler would be my first choice if we added a team. Butler needs a conference upgrade, and we are a conference upgrade over the Horizon League, and are in a conference that focuses on basketball. They are also in a perfect location to be part of The Valley. I like the Valley though so I'm glad it looks like it will stay intact for the most part. I like the 10 team format too, so as far as dropping a team to get Butler, well I don't care as long as it's not us, but I assume it would be Evansville.

Good for Butler, Good for the Valley....I see no down side to it.

[LittleBrave]

I'd be in favor of dropping Drake over Evansville. Drake has lived on a high the past 4 seasons, (though they've only 1 stellar season to show for it) but will probably return to the basement like they've dwelled for a couple decades. Evansville is generally more successful in non-conf. too, which helps our conf. RPI.
Anyways, it's probably not worth getting into it too much.

[BradleyBrave]

It would appear Butler could use a conference upgrade, but could they really? They absolutely dominate the Horizon League, and are having no problem getting recruits, television exposure, or national respect despite playing in such a lowly conference. But, I am sure if an opening ever came up, Butler and SLU would be at the top of Doug Elgin's wish list.

[BUfan14]

Yes right now Evansville looks to be improving while I expect Drake to be at the bottom next year. Like I said, I don't care as long as it's not us that leaves, and I don't think it would be.

Doesn't sound like Butler or SLU coming soon is very likely, but a BU-BU rivalry would be cool to see.

[SFP]

I take academics into consideration and Drake does well with that! I know this is a sports conference but when it is all said and done that is the business these universities are in.

[BUfan14]

I take academics into consideration and Drake does well with that! I know this is a sports conference but when it is all said and done that is the business these universities are in.

Based on academics you would kick ISU or SIU out then?

I don't know much about their academics, but I think it would be Evansville, but I'm just completely speculating with no evidence. But I agree academics is something to consider, and people don't recognize it much, but that is part of a coaches job too.

[SFP]

Based on academics you would kick ISU or SIU out then?

In reality I'd love it if BU and a few other top academic schools started their own conference. The sports program is an end to a means. A strong sports program helps attract a larger pool of applicants, helps raise endowment and raises the overall university brand. Now create a conference that is made with this in mind and it is a win win situation. The Ivy league which has the number one brand out of any conference is one that we could only dream of emulating. With that closed there is no other conference that really focuses on the two exclusively. The Ivies focus on academic. Others give lip service while a few schools really walk the walk there is not a whole conference that does both. There lies the opportunity and I'd have to say neither SIU or ISU would make the cut!

[BUSongwriter]

The Des Moines metro area has a population of a half-million. Why would the Valley want to leave that market? Drake is a good Valley fit. But there is a problem if Drake and Butler were in the same conference -- two blue and white Bulldogs.

Good trivia question: Does any conference have two teams with the same nicknames?

[SFP]

The Des Moines metro area has a population of a half-million. Why would the Valley want to leave that market? Drake is a good Valley fit. But there is a problem if Drake and Butler were in the same conference -- two blue and white Bulldogs.

Good trivia question: Does any conference have two teams with the same nicknames?

Drake would also make my mid-west Ivy Conference.

[amckillip]

In reality I'd love it if BU and a few other top academic schools started their own conference. The sports program is an end to a means. A strong sports program helps attract a larger pool of applicants, helps raise endowment and raises the overall university brand. Now create a conference that is made with this in mind and it is a win win situation. The Ivy league which has the number one brand out of any conference is one that we could only dream of emulating. With that closed there is no other conference that really focuses on the two exclusively. The Ivies focus on academic. Others give lip service while a few schools really walk the walk there is not a whole conference that does both. There lies the opportunity and I'd have to say neither SIU or ISU would make the cut!

I'd say the Big Ten does pretty well taking academics into consideration. When schools like Iowa and Minnesota are the bottom of the conference, you're doing alright. Especially when you consider the top schools like Northwestern and Michigan, and they're good at sports... Make no mistake, I don't think the Big Ten is Ivy League quality, but there probably the next best D-I top to bottom and do at least consider academics for admission.

[BradleyBrave]

The Des Moines metro area has a population of a half-million. Why would the Valley want to leave that market? Drake is a good Valley fit. But there is a problem if Drake and Butler were in the same conference -- two blue and white Bulldogs.

Good trivia question: Does any conference have two teams with the same nicknames?

They don't and won't. Drake is the longest tenured member of the MVC.

And yes, the SEC has the Mississippi St Bulldogs and the Georgia Bulldogs. They also have the LSU Tigers and Auburn Tigers.

[SFP]

I'd say the Big Ten does pretty well taking academics into consideration. When schools like Iowa and Minnesota are the bottom of the conference, you're doing alright. Especially when you consider the top schools like Northwestern and Michigan, and they're good at sports... Make no mistake, I don't think the Big Ten is Ivy League quality, but there probably the next best D-I top to bottom and do at least consider academics for admission.

I was going to mention them and the Pac 10 but they also have a few schools which are not exactly top notch. I'm talking top to bottom, top tier academics that can be built on with further concentration, conference afiliation and cooperation.