dbackjon wrote:clenz wrote:
If you really believe SDSU/NDSU are on the same level as UNI, Illinois State, Indiana State, Creighton, Wichita State...heck even Missouri State and Southern Illinois when it comes to national profile you're crazy.
UNI moved into the MVC before it became what it is today. The MVC is head and shoulders above the Summit. Depending what happens with the C7 league, there are much better options for the MVC to pursue.
No one said that MVC is not head and shoulders above the Summit League as a whole. But the Dakota schools have the potential to be up there with all the above schools. And frankly, NDSU is at the level of all those schools mentioned, except Creighton, and they are likely ditching the MVC.
What better options does MVC have?
NDSU's average RPI since they started the D1 move in 2004 is 200 give or take 20 spots. That's not exactly MVC quality.
SDSU's RPI is just as bad.
The MVC is the predominant "mid-major" league that will do everything to protect that. NDSU and SDSU do nothing to protect that. Potential isn't what realignment is about.
SDSU's basketball facility is a lot like the ancient ruins...old and falling apart. NDSU's facility is garbage and their selling point to the MVC is "We'll build a brand new arena if you invite us...ignore the fact we aren't actually building a new one and just renovating what we have...and that the majority of the bleachers are still retractable, and we will lose seats by doing the renovation....and that the arena would be the smallest in the conference by over 2,000 seats....oh and ignore the fact you have members in southern Kansas, Indiana, and southern Illinois and we are in Fargo...I hear the Tuesday night trips for womens basketball from Evansville to Fargo is well worth the expense."
The fact is if NDSU/SDSU get in that means Creighton is gone and likely one other school....If Creighton leaves and one of the Dakota's is selected as a replacement watch for WSU, SIU, UNI, MSU, ISUr, Evansville, and InSU to look for new homes.
UNI is building a relationship with the MAC, Illinois St is right in with the MAC footprint and a UNI/ISUr pairing would be perfect for them (also perfect as both really want MAC football right now). MSU has hopes of FBS football and would likely be willing to take Sun Belt to get there. Southern Illinois may not actually have a choice, they are in such a financial mess right now. Evansville is a perfect fit for the Horizon. WSU would be a nice fit for the MWC if they wanted to get more of a balance between BB and FB
It should also be known there is no impact on the Dakota's being in the MVFC and a chance at MVC. They are two separate conferences, but since the name change from Gateway to MVFC people think they are the same.
As far as team the MVC would go after:
Tulsa - was in MVC until 1996, brings OK market, keeps southern schools happier
St. Louis - depending what happens with the C7
Depaul - depending what happens with the C7
UW-Mil. - not a popular option with some but right in the footprint
Murray St - see UW-M
Oral Roberts - was in MVC, keeps southern schools happy...decent record in the past
Denver - Not sure how the fit as they are far outside the footprint...but apparently there was some interest, Denver market would be huge...but I've heard them rumored as much as anyone else.