Missouri State leaves the MVC

[BUfan14]

Thank you for making my argument for me. This is why we stay and dominate the Valley.

I'm not sure if you mean the Gonzaga part or Mountain West. But like I said, the Mountain West has the advantage of good football programs and that they play on the west coast with less recruiting competition (the Pac 12 was the only major conference out there and they are basically no more). I don't see that being nearly as attainable for the Valley.

As far as Gonzaga, same West Coast advantage applies. If it was really easy to do what Gonzaga has then everyone would have. I just don't see Gonzaga happening again, especially in today's recruiting world. If a team like Gonzaga used to have makes a run, the whole team leaves anyway, makes it real hard to have the sustained success Gonzaga did. Less Cinderellas than ever are making tournament runs.

[BUfan14]

Every school in the Horizon and Summit Leagues would accept a bid from the MVC in a second. And most OVC schools would, too.

That may be, but which of those teams makes the Valley anything more than a top 12-15 conference with the occasional top 10 finish?

In the conference NET the Valley has been 11, 11, 15, 10 the last four years. If we are not a top 10 conference now, and lost Loyola in that stretch, with Drake now losing Devries (the player making them nationally relevant - there because of the coach), what will make us a consistent top 7-8 conference again? I just don't see any of those teams doing it. I hope I'm wrong.

Who are our linchpin programs right now that are real good long term programs? Bradley is far and away the best historic team left in the conference, unfortunately dragged down by a horrible 2010s decade. Regardless of the reasons, replacing teams like Creighton, Loyola, and Wichita St. with UIC and Valpo hasn't helped.

I guess the question is, what is the Valley's ceiling at this moment in time? If it's not top 10 consistently, then we better at least keep our ears open if an opportunity elsewhere that makes sense ever does open up.

A combo Valley/A10 with two divisions by geography would be nice and maybe save both conferences in the long run. Probably not realistic though. There is not a great answer, but one way or another Bradley needs to at least be discussing every possibility and being proactive.

[Stryker]

That may be, but which of those teams makes the Valley anything more than a top 12-15 conference with the occasional top 10 finish?

In the conference NET the Valley has been 11, 11, 15, 10 the last four years. If we are not a top 10 conference now, and lost Loyola in that stretch, with Drake now losing Devries (the player making them nationally relevant - there because of the coach), what will make us a consistent top 7-8 conference again? I just don't see any of those teams doing it. I hope I'm wrong.

Who are our linchpin programs right now that are real good long term programs? Bradley is far and away the best historic team left in the conference, unfortunately dragged down by a horrible 2010s decade. Regardless of the reasons, replacing teams like Creighton, Loyola, and Wichita St. with UIC and Valpo hasn't helped.

I guess the question is, what is the Valley's ceiling at this moment in time? If it's not top 10 consistently, then we better at least keep our ears open if an opportunity elsewhere that makes sense ever does open up.

A combo Valley/A10 with two divisions by geography would be nice and maybe save both conferences in the long run. Probably not realistic though. There is not a great answer, but one way or another Bradley needs to at least be discussing every possibility and being proactive.

This is the problem I was trying to point out. In the era of NIL and transfer portal free agency, what programs out there can the Valley add again that doesn't just water the conference down further? Almost all of the programs that could move up have done that already over the past decade or so, and the worry is that BU would be left behind to some degree, especially if the other MVC schools that are decent end up leaving because of football over the next few years. We don't want the MVC to become the Horizon or OVC etc.

With NIL being the future, the MVC should only add a program that has the biggest bags of $ that is available out there.

[Mikovio]

This is the problem I was trying to point out. In the era of NIL and transfer portal free agency, what programs out there can the Valley add again that doesn't just water the conference down further? Almost all of the programs that could move up have done that already over the past decade or so, and the worry is that BU would be left behind to some degree, especially if the other MVC schools that are decent end up leaving because of football over the next few years. We don't want the MVC to become the Horizon or OVC etc.

With NIL being the future, the MVC should only add a program that has the biggest bags of $ that is available out there.

That would be either Denver ($1B endowment) or St. Thomas ($650MM). The problem with Denver is distance and the fact they're an ice hockey school. But if they have deep pockets and want to become a basketball player they could be a great Valley add.

[Fetz86]

We won’t get SLU or Dayton or any Big East or FBS football school but that is about all that don’t just dilute currently.

[egib52]

That would be either Denver ($1B endowment) or St. Thomas ($650MM). The problem with Denver is distance and the fact they're an ice hockey school. But if they have deep pockets and want to become a basketball player they could be a great Valley add.

I don't understand focusing on the endowments unless things change and the schools pay the kids directly. I still believe we should focus on dominating the Valley. If we come a perennial tournament team, that will help scheduling and the NIL collective raise money.

[Mikovio]

I'm not suggesting schools would pay the players out of their endowments, but I do think a high endowment is an indication of a healthy donor base that speaks to the ability of an NIL collective to raise money. Loyola tapped into that ability to keep Moser for a year or two longer than they would've otherwise.

[tomahawk chop]

I don't understand focusing on the endowments unless things change and the schools pay the kids directly. I still believe we should focus on dominating the Valley. If we come a perennial tournament team, that will help scheduling and the NIL collective raise money.

I agree, we should be figuring out how to win Valley championships and getting into the Big tour. every season which will bring in a lot more revenue. Thing is we are limited because we do not and will not have football so the Valley is the right fit for Bradley.

[BUfan14]

I agree, we should be figuring out how to win Valley championships and getting into the Big tour. every season which will bring in a lot more revenue. Thing is we are limited because we do not and will not have football so the Valley is the right fit for Bradley.

The problem is getting in the big dance in the current Valley requires winning at least three in March with no missteps. That’s easier said that done to do every year. So the other way is to make the Valley better, but I’m struggling to see a path to do that.

[Da Coach]

Missouri State is moving to the Conference USA in 2025, but by the time they get there, it might not be the Conference USA any more.
The CUSA is "deeply exploring a multi-million dollar naming rights sponsorship... One of the companies under consideration is Globe Life. Possible new league names include Globe Life Conference USA or Globe Life Conference." - https://x.com/RossDellenger/status/1801315217340596431

"Conference USA officials have spent months in deep discussion about a naming rights deal, and there is wide support within the conference for such a move, according to Yahoo Sports.... A deal could be finalized within the next year."

There are reports that other conferences are looking into similar naming rights sponsorships. Will the MVC consider this?

[64NIT]

There are reports that other conferences are looking into similar naming rights sponsorships. Will the MVC consider this?

Big XII is considering it.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40342941/sources-big-12-explores-selling-naming-rights-title-sponsor

[Da Coach]

Interview with MVC Comissioner Jeff Jackson about his plans for the league after Missouri State leaves a year from now - https://x.com/WyattWheeler_NL/status...30247969976810

Summary- Commissioner Jackson says they were not surprised by Missouri State leaving and he is "comfortable" with the MVC being at 11 teams. But he says that if the opportunity arises to add another quality program, they would consider it.
He also comments briefly on the pending NCAA change allowing basketball the scholarship limit to increase from 13 to 15 - https://www.on3.com/news/ncaa-approv...-scholarships/

[BengalFan14]

Dave Eminian has another article today listing 11 schools that he believes are "potential candidates" for the MVC- https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/...s/73646656007/

He lists:

Four schools from the Summit League - Oral Roberts University (Tulsa), University of Nebraska-Omaha (Omaha), University of St. Thomas (St. Paul- 2000 seat arena), and Missouri-Kansas City (1500 seat arena)
Three from the ASUN - Eastern Kentucky (Richmond, KY), Austin Peay (Clarksville, TN), Bellarmine (Louisville)
Two from the Horizon League - Wright State (Dayton), Northern Kentucky U. (Highland Heights- near Cincinnati)
One from the Ohio Valley Conference - Morehead State (Morehead, KY)
And one from the Western Athletic Conference - University of Texas-Arlington

In my opinion, there are several others that should and probably would be considered if the MVC plans to expand back to 12 teams.
And a few of these seem like much better choices than some on Eminian's list.
Lipscomb University - ASUN- Nashville
Oakland University - Horizon- Rochester, Michigan (outside of Detroit)
UW-MIlwaukee - Horizon- MIlwaukee
UW- Green Bay - Horizon- Green Bay, WI
Cleveland State - Horizon Cleveland, OH
IUPUI - Horizon- Indianapolis
Detroit-Mercy - Horizon- Detroit (U. of Detroit was once a member of the MVC)
Youngstown State - MAC- Youngstown, OH (They already play in the MVC Football Conference)
SEMO- OVC- Cape Girardeau, MO
Western Kentucky - CUSA (Bowling Green, KY) - it might be hard to get them to leave CUSA's FBS football money

Longshots - other members of the Horizon, Summit Leagues, and the OVC-

Ugh…only schools that are attractive are Wright State and Cleveland State from a name recognition view.

[Da Coach]

Ugh…only schools that are attractive are Wright State and Cleveland State from a name recognition view.

I agree, with maybe the addition of Milwaukee. Maybe that's why the Commissioner is not racing to replace Missouri State.
I do not want to see a Summit League team. And of the ASUN teams, Austin Peay is a solid program, and Bellarmine is in a great city of Louisville, but is another Valparaiso waiting to happen, IMO.