Who are the mvc teams in 5 years?

[Da Coach]

Not closely related, but I have a question. Growing up New Mexico State, West Texas, Tulsa were in the conference. NMSU and West Texas aren't really missed. But did Tulsa leave on bad terms? Seems like it would be nice to play them every few years. We had some great games with them. Dayton is another school that seems similar to Bradley (They are better than us now) I don't understand why we don't ever schedule these teams. Of course I know there is Louisville and Cincinnati also, but I have given up on them. They have moved up to another level.

Tulsa left after the 1996 season. They won the MVC tournament that year in a close game over Bradley and Anthony Parker et. al. They moved to the WAC which at that time was a decent football conference, and Tulsa had a good football team. But they didn't stay in the WAC long. By the time they got out of the WAC in 2005, the conference had deteriorated in both FB and BKB, and even Tulsa's basketball program had bottomed out. They joined the CUSA in 2005, but they have never made the NCAA since that move. Might they be interested in rejoining the MVC if an opening occurred? Probably not since some TU people still envision themselves as a football school.

[TheAsianSensation]

Tulsa got a bit trapped by having to make sure their football team had a home, and the WAC wasn't going to do a football-only invite with their grand manifesto 16-team disaster.

There's rumblings that Tulsa could be a candidate for the Big East in a football-only role, in that Frankenstein of a conference. Tulsa could come back for other sports then to the MVC.

[BUFanatic]

I say to hold the conference together we have to add football for all schools. If Valparaiso can afford to have a football team that wins 1 game in 5 years and still build a brand new visitor's center Bradley can finance a football team. WSU has their stadium still, not sure about the Jays, but I would like the MVC to be a basketball and FCS Football conference. It would provide (With the Big 10, Big XII, and the SEC) a regionally based conference that makes sense (With the exception of WVU in the Big XII) when you look at a map. The conference would become stable and hopefully start making more $$. I still say if we put train stations in all conference cities it would help traveling fans and grow the football culture. Maybe add SLU and SIUE?

[amckillip]

I say to hold the conference together we have to add football for all schools. If Valparaiso can afford to have a football team that wins 1 game in 5 years and still build a brand new visitor's center Bradley can finance a football team. WSU has their stadium still, not sure about the Jays, but I would like the MVC to be a basketball and FCS Football conference. It would provide (With the Big 10, Big XII, and the SEC) a regionally based conference that makes sense (With the exception of WVU in the Big XII) when you look at a map. The conference would become stable and hopefully start making more $$. I still say if we put train stations in all conference cities it would help traveling fans and grow the football culture. Maybe add SLU and SIUE?

WOAHHHHH OHHHH, Livin' on prayer, take my hand and we'll make I swear...

[stevebu91]

Interesting comments thus far. I'm a bit curious on the responses though...

All around us we have winners and losers in this reshuffle. It appears, at least, in the public, the MVC has only a few 7s and 8s in their poker hand to try to get a perceived strong mid major to join. Well, given that, how can we believe that 5 years from today that the conference will be better or even at the same level?

Money will attract Creighton and Wichita State. Millions ($$$) speak and result in conference decisions being made. They are the MVCs loss, but should be rewarded for their athletic improvement, if they so desire. The MVC, idling, may (and probably will) lose significantly by not having a better hand.

So, sit back and idle, I guess. Take the conservative, reactive approach and wait until decisions affect BU and the MVC, causing a reaction. Of course, this is a call to BU and the MVC. I HOPE YOU ARE BEING PROACTIVE BU.

[BUBalum05]

Let's get crazy with realignment...
How about a 12-17 team super conference of basketball only schools from MVC and A-10, and take in the Big East cast offs when that conference dissolves because of the football grab. Although, this would be a nightmare for NCAA Tournament selection committee with all these pesky mid-major programs trying to crash the tournament because now they only have 1 automatic bid. Let's call this conference the "Big Ball Conference" because it has to have "Big" in the name to be legitimate.

Bradley Braves - Missouri Valley
Creighton Bluejays - Missouri Valley
DePaul Blue Demons - Big East
Duquesne Dukes - Atlantic 10
Evansville Purple Aces - Missouri Valley
GW Colonials - Atlantic 10
La Salle Explorers - Atlantic 10
Marquette Golden Eagles - Big East
Providence Friars - Big East
St Bonaventure Bonnies - Atlantic 10
St Johns Red Storm - Big East
St Joseph Hawks - Atlantic 10
St Louis Billikens - Atlantic 10
Seton Hall Pirates - Big East
VCU Rams - Atlantic 10
Wichita State Shockers - Missouri Valley
Xavier Musketeers - Atlantic 10

[TheAsianSensation]

The problem is every time I try to break up the BEast and A-10 and try and find a way for Bradley to be included in the spinoff conference, I can't find it.

Remember, the Georgetown/Villanova/Seton Hall/St John's/Providence faction will want to build a conference around them and will dent into whatever conference forms below them.

[thefish7]

The problem is every time I try to break up the BEast and A-10 and try and find a way for Bradley to be included in the spinoff conference, I can't find it.

Remember, the Georgetown/Villanova/Seton Hall/St John's/Providence faction will want to build a conference around them and will dent into whatever conference forms below them.

It only works for me when I break east and west regions up. I personally think that the megaconference thing isn't that appealing in basketball (I actually think it'll prove fruitless eventually in football) and so that works for me. Also I think there's a decent chance that Gtown and Nova will add FBS football. I guess one way you could do it is do a two-sided megaconference of doom with a midwest and east division.

East
Duquesne
George Washington
Georgetown
Providence
Saint Johns
Saint Joes
Seton Hall
Villanova
Two of Richmond, St Bonny, Drexel, George Mason, ODU, VCU, Charlotte
*Four of above if GT and Nova do football

Midwest
Bradley
Butler
Creighton
Dayton
DePaul
Drake
Marquette
St Louis
WSU
Xavier
And one of Detroit, Eville, or Valpo

You could play 14 games in your division, 5 games in the other division, and 9-11ish non-con games. People like to talk about "market" and Detroit Mercy in the same breath, but Bradley is worth a lot of money to someone-- relatively large endowment, good attendance, and a market that would watch that conference, it also is no academic slouch. I think also a 20-team conference or a 2-conference alliance like this could probably support a TV network of its own and really rock and roll on basketball and soccer. I think it's far too difficult to achieve and has way too many moving pieces, but I don't buy that Bradley is unattractive to conferences either and ranks easily "above" any of the "and" schools I put at the bottom of each division as well as some of the others in list.

EDIT - The funny thing is, if you end up with GT and Nova due to football the East division in this structure isn't really all that interesting. I kind of think that's why a 10-12 basketball midwestern conference is a really good solution for those schools in the Midwest division and in some ways as long as you're not worried about football and having 85 members that that solution is maybe most lucrative for those schools.

[TheAsianSensation]

Detroit vs. Bradley (or Drake or E'ville) is going to be the signature decision of how much market matters in realignment. I honestly think Detroit has more options available to them because of market than a Horizon team typically would.

One thing about a megaconference of, say, 24 schools, the ones you listed....I have a gut feeling if they go to 24 schools, you start entering Gonzaga/St Mary's/BYU/San Diego/San Francisco and a couple others into the mix. Seriously.

Villanova was given every chance to upgrade to FBS and chose not to last year, so I think their fate is sealed. Georgetown plays in the budget-limited Patriot League, so I'm not sure if they have the resources or not.

[SFP]

It all starts with a vision and creating a value proposition which others believe will benefit them as well. In these situations it is best to lead with contingent of like minded players and start selling. I can't imagine what would happen with the alums if the worst case scenario played out. I hope the powers to be are seeking advice from experienced individuals. This is not a job for the meek.

[Bravesfan]

Tulsa got a bit trapped by having to make sure their football team had a home, and the WAC wasn't going to do a football-only invite with their grand manifesto 16-team disaster.

There's rumblings that Tulsa could be a candidate for the Big East in a football-only role, in that Frankenstein of a conference. Tulsa could come back for other sports then to the MVC.

Frankenstein is a perfect description for the Big East. What a mess they are!

[Bravesfan]

Let's get crazy with realignment...
How about a 12-17 team super conference of basketball only schools from MVC and A-10, and take in the Big East cast offs when that conference dissolves because of the football grab. Although, this would be a nightmare for NCAA Tournament selection committee with all these pesky mid-major programs trying to crash the tournament because now they only have 1 automatic bid. Let's call this conference the "Big Ball Conference" because it has to have "Big" in the name to be legitimate.

Bradley Braves - Missouri Valley
Creighton Bluejays - Missouri Valley
DePaul Blue Demons - Big East
Duquesne Dukes - Atlantic 10
Evansville Purple Aces - Missouri Valley
GW Colonials - Atlantic 10
La Salle Explorers - Atlantic 10
Marquette Golden Eagles - Big East
Providence Friars - Big East
St Bonaventure Bonnies - Atlantic 10
St Johns Red Storm - Big East
St Joseph Hawks - Atlantic 10
St Louis Billikens - Atlantic 10
Seton Hall Pirates - Big East
VCU Rams - Atlantic 10
Wichita State Shockers - Missouri Valley
Xavier Musketeers - Atlantic 10

LOL! Love the mandatory "Big" name for the conference.

Trade Evansville, La Salle and St. Bonaventure for Butler, Dayton and either George Mason and/or Old Dominion, and I think we would have a great conference here!

Too bad this conference would take about five or six spots away from the 4 superconferences.

[Bravesfan]

Detroit vs. Bradley (or Drake or E'ville) is going to be the signature decision of how much market matters in realignment. I honestly think Detroit has more options available to them because of market than a Horizon team typically would.

One thing about a megaconference of, say, 24 schools, the ones you listed....I have a gut feeling if they go to 24 schools, you start entering Gonzaga/St Mary's/BYU/San Diego/San Francisco and a couple others into the mix. Seriously.

Villanova was given every chance to upgrade to FBS and chose not to last year, so I think their fate is sealed. Georgetown plays in the budget-limited Patriot League, so I'm not sure if they have the resources or not.

Am I the only who feels the Valley is doing the right thing by not doing anything? I think we have a solid to strong conference on a year to year basis. I find it truly refreshing that we are staying out of this insanity right now. The only change I would have made was by trying to lure Dayton and/or Butler into the conference, either expanding to 12, or letting one or two of the consistently weaker teams out. But aside from this, I think we are doing very well as we are, and I don't see why we can't build mid-major powers from within than ruining a good thing.

[SFP]

Am I the only who feels the Valley is doing the right thing by not doing anything? I think we have a solid to strong conference on a year to year basis. I find it truly refreshing that we are staying out of this insanity right now. The only change I would have made was by trying to lure Dayton and/or Butler into the conference, either expanding to 12, or letting one or two of the consistently weaker teams out. But aside from this, I think we are doing very well as we are, and I don't see why we can't build mid-major powers from within than ruining a good thing.

The Valley is doing nothing because it does not have too many options. It could have courted Butler and SLU but besides that what could the Valley do? In order to get stronger it would have to attract better programs and or rid itself of teams that are not putting the invest into their programs to get better. BU's best option IMO is to help lead The Big Mid Major Conference. I'd even start looking west as well and perhaps create 3 separate leagues within the conference. The east anchored by G'twn and Villanova, The mid-west with Xavier and Marquette and the west with Gonzaga and perhaps Creighton. Basketball centric private schools who could also create some type research cooperation, faculty sharing and classes. I'd have to believe it could work! Think big or else we maybe out looking in.

[Bravesfan]

The Valley is doing nothing because it does not have too many options. It could have courted Butler and SLU but besides that what could the Valley do? In order to get stronger it would have to attract better programs and or rid itself of teams that are not putting the invest into their programs to get better. BU's best option IMO is to help lead The Big Mid Major Conference. I'd even start looking west as well and perhaps create 3 separate leagues within the conference. The east anchored by G'twn and Villanova, The mid-west with Xavier and Marquette and the west with Gonzaga and perhaps Creighton. Basketball centric private schools who could also create some type research cooperation, faculty sharing and classes. I'd have to believe it could work! Think big or else we maybe out looking in.

I like this option as well, but all the schools mentioned for this possible new conference would have to be on the same page. I'm not sure if all would go for this idea, but I like the premise. I agree that we either do something like this, or just stay where we are at for now. Again, maybe I'm in the minority, but I don't think the Valley is in any grave danger right now as long as we consistently have three or four teams in NCAA Tournament contention in any given year.

If the superconference template continues to develop as it has been, and the Valley does find itself on the outside looking in in a few years, then each team has to fend for themselves. Therefore, the most important thing for the Bradley program (and leaving out the Valley as a whole for a moment) is to become more competitive within the next 2 to 3 years, and stay at that level year in and year out. Then when the other superconferences start purging the best of the remaining mid-major conferences, Bradley, Creighton, Wichita St. and anyone else who is competitive should be in good shape to join somewhere else.