Missouri Valley to add UIC

[egib52]

We've seen this discussion before. What other conference would you realistically suggest a small, private, non-football school like Bradley should move to? The only conferences that would even consider Bradley, and which are not logistically impossible, are a big step down like the Horizon League, Summit League or Ohio Valley Conference.
The only solution, IMO, is stay in the MVC and make it better. The MVC's RPI this year is not much different than it's been in several past years. They are currently 14th in Conference RPI and 11th in NET. They have rebounded from those off years in the past, and I think they will again.

I agree. Bradley isn't getting an invite to the Big East. A10 maybe if we show sustained success, but that financially doesn't make sense for non-revenue sports. In my opinion the ideal scenario is becoming the Gonzaga of the MVC.

[Tommy]

In my opinion the ideal scenario is becoming the Gonzaga of the MVC.

Bingo!

[Braves2006]

Bingo!

. Uhh…. That would require playing the absolute best (top 25)and loading the non conference with those teams. Oh…. And beating them too.

[Tommy]

. Uhh…. That would require playing the absolute best (top 25)and loading the non conference with those teams. Oh…. And beating them too.

Yeah, that's where we want to be, right? Gonzaga wasn't always that way, so who is to say we couldn't become that some day?

[Cousins Cuts podcast]

Hate to say it but best case for us would be something like creighton or wsu were, where we are usually in the NCAA tournament as an at large without question and on off years still favorites to win the valley. Gonzaga has way to much money to be mentioned in the same sentence as us

[MacabreMob]

Horizon has reversed decision and will allow UIC to play in conference tourney.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/horizon-league-slams-illinois-chicago-but-will-allow-flames-to-play-in-its-conference-tournament-after-all/

[egib52]

Hate to say it but best case for us would be something like creighton or wsu were, where we are usually in the NCAA tournament as an at large without question and on off years still favorites to win the valley. Gonzaga has way to much money to be mentioned in the same sentence as us

My point was that Gonzaga has built up to where they are currently. They haven't always been the monster. Creighton and WSU headed that direction too, and then both left for greener pastures. So therefore, best case scenario is to build a perennial powerhouse, and not leave the conference. Dominate the conference year in, year out.

"From 1944 to 1994, the Bulldogs compiled a record of 628–531 (.542), earning regular season titles in 1965–66 and 1966–67 (Big Sky) under Hank Anderson,^[6][7] and in 1993–94 (WCC) under Dan Fitzgerald.^[8][9] That season also saw the team qualify for its first postseason tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT),^{[10][11][12][13]} and in the following season, the fourth-seeded Bulldogs won the WCC tournament to secure their first appearance in the NCAA tournament."

So they weren't a monster during that part of their history. Only three regular season titles.

"They have been to every NCAA Tournament held since 1999, a year in which they made a Cinderella run to the Elite Eight, and have appeared in every final AP poll since the 2008–09 season."

So they built their program, and with constant success came national recognition and support. Similar to where WSU and Creighton were headed, then they both left the conference and have had some success. Arguably if one had stayed, they could have built Gonzaga type success. It is a lot easier to sell higher level recruits on Spokane, Omaha or Wichita, with a nearly yearly guarantee of making the tournament.

[Go_Braves]

Even with losing Loyola I think gaining two good programs in Murray State and Belmont is still a net win for the conference. Things are looking up for the Valley, the top half of the conference is going to be pretty darn good. I expect we will get back to the multi-bid ways of the early 2000s.

I totally agree - Loyola you are welcome to leave - do not let the door hit you on the way out. Murray State is currently ranked 21st in the AP Top 25, Belmont is currently ranked 41st in the AP Top 25. Loyola Chicago does not show up anywhere in the AP Top 25.

Previous Missouri Valley Teams - that are not making any noticeable headlines this season include Louisville, Cincinatti, Memphis, Wichita State, and even Creighton - all leaving for what they thought would be Greener Pastures. It is not greener on the other side of the mountain. Their share of TV revenue may be up - but are their fans (and even the players and teams) just as happy and satisfied not even being considered for a NCAA berth.

You just wait - Chicago Loyola is going to have a very tough time in the Atlantic 10.

So from my point of view - Bradley is in the right place - being a member of the Missouri Valley - which as others have also shared will be much better conference with Murray State and Belmont.

As for UIC joining the conference. UIC can only improve. But let me share something that has not really been discussed. Why is Nebraska's football team unable to recruit the "ELITE" Texas high school football players. One quick answer is - because Nebraska no longer plays any Texas teams in football. As for UIC being a member of the MVC conference - this is great - this leaves the door "more" open to recruit high school players from Chicago - because these Chicago area high school players - their family and friends can go to UIC and watch them play for any MVC team.

GO BRADLEY !!!

[bradleyfan124]

I totally agree - Loyola you are welcome to leave - do not let the door hit you on the way out. Murray State is currently ranked 21st in the AP Top 25, Belmont is currently ranked 41st in the AP Top 25. Loyola Chicago does not show up anywhere in the AP Top 25.

Previous Missouri Valley Teams - that are not making any noticeable headlines this season include Louisville, Cincinatti, Memphis, Wichita State, and even Creighton - all leaving for what they thought would be Greener Pastures. It is not greener on the other side of the mountain. Their share of TV revenue may be up - but are their fans (and even the players and teams) just as happy and satisfied not even being considered for a NCAA berth.

You just wait - Chicago Loyola is going to have a very tough time in the Atlantic 10.

So from my point of view - Bradley is in the right place - being a member of the Missouri Valley - which as others have also shared will be much better conference with Murray State and Belmont.

As for UIC joining the conference. UIC can only improve. But let me share something that has not really been discussed. Why is Nebraska's football team unable to recruit the "ELITE" Texas high school football players. One quick answer is - because Nebraska no longer plays any Texas teams in football. As for UIC being a member of the MVC conference - this is great - this leaves the door "more" open to recruit high school players from Chicago - because these Chicago area high school players - their family and friends can go to UIC and watch them play for any MVC team.

GO BRADLEY !!!

Totally agree. Exposure in the Chicago market plus we also now have exposure in the Nashville and St. Louis markets as well and all the towns in between