DBU leaving Valley baseball

[braves16]

Kendall Rogers
@KendallRogers

SOURCES: @DBU_Baseball
, which has been the headliner and mainstay in @MVCsports
, is expected to join @ConferenceUSA
for the 2023 baseball season. DBU’s move to #CUSA is a huge one from a baseball standpoint.

[Nashville Cat]

Adding SEMO or SIUe makes sense.

[Da Coach]

The reason Dallas Baptist (a Division II school) was an affiliate member of the MVC for baseball is because their baseball program was too good for the conference they belonged to for other sports (The D2 Lonestar Conference), and the MVC benefitted because they were very good in baseball, in addition to being a warmer weather location. Plus, only 7 MVC schools have baseball programs, so DBU made it an 8-team conference (an even number preferred for scheduling conference games)
It will not be easy to replace DBU, since most schools are already happy with their own conference affiliation. Plus, with a non-revenue sport, there isn't the same kind of incentive to jump to a new conference.

[egib52]

The reason Dallas Baptist (a Division II school) was an affiliate member of the MVC for baseball is because their baseball program was too good for the conference they belonged to for other sports (The D2 Lonestar Conference), and the MVC benefitted because they were very good in baseball, in addition to being a warmer weather location. Plus, only 7 MVC schools have baseball programs, so DBU made it an 8-team conference (an even number preferred for scheduling conference games)
It will not be easy to replace DBU, since most schools are already happy with their own conference affiliation. Plus, with a non-revenue sport, there isn't the same kind of incentive to jump to a new conference.

Huge loss for the Valley in regards to baseball. DBU has a very good program. Was just a matter of time I suppose.

[Nashville Cat]

Folks in Terre Haute and Carbondale would argue DBU is the 3rd best team in the Valley.

[bradleyfan124]

How are the new members of the Valley, Murray State, Belmont and UIC in baseball

[Da Coach]

How are the new members of the Valley, Murray State, Belmont and UIC in baseball

All 3 will be great additions to the MVC. The MVC will likely go with 10 teams (the current 7 MVC baseball schools, plus the 3 new schools).
Murray State has been around .500 for the past several years. This season they are 19-18 with 17 games left on their schedule, plus the OVC tournament.
Belmont has been sub-.500 most recent years, but this season they are pretty good. They are 24-14, 9-3 in the OVC, with 18 games left, plus the OVC tournament.
And, UIC is 12-17, and 5-4 in the Horizon League, with 20 games left, plus the Horizon League tournament. Last season, they were 30-18, but they have been inconsistent over the last several years.
Thanks to UIC grad and former major leaguer Curtis Granderson's $5 million donation, they have a terrific home field on the UIC campus on the south side of Chicago.

https://uicflames.com/facilities/curtis-granderson-stadium/4