New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

[achrist70]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

I agree with jnutt on these two, both would have still put us in bigger markets that we are not currently, and I don't really think that Loyola puts us in Chicago more than we are. Also both of these schools have sports that are more in synced with Valley sports (Loyola doesn't have baseball, and they have men's volleyball, what is up with that?) and finally I think while Loyola has more money to throw at its athletic programs I think that both Belmont and ORU have has much more success as a whole in their athletic programs.

I think the Ramblers have a chance to be successful, but they need to improve as a entire athletic program FAST

[UNIGrainer]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

I would say Belmont has had more recent success, but they were NAIA as recently as 1995. They've been to six tourneys and are 0-6, so their success may have had more to do with the conference they were in and their ability to dominate it. Despite making the dance 6 of the last 8 years their attendance is pretty paltry. They're in a big market in Nashville, but Nashville is somewhat out of our geographic footprint and certainly doesn't compare to Chicago.

Oral Roberts has somewhat more history with one Elite 8 in 1974 but has otherwise only been in 4 NCAA tourneys and haven't won a single game. They've been in 8 NITs with a total of 2 wins. Its not like they're packing a huge history of success. They are also out of our footprint and comparing Tulsa to Chicago is laughable. Plus Oral Roberts himself is a pretty controversial figure, and ORU is a bit different as a university. I know there are a number of people who aren't comfortable with the league being associated with that.

LUC has definitely ridden the struggle bus lately, but again its not like Belmont and ORU have been making it to Sweet 16s all over the place for 20 years, and LUC has a national championship under their belts. They're in our footprint and are in Chicago. Chicago is obviously not college basketball crazy, and Loyola isn't the most popular team in Chicago, but Belmont is not the most popular team in Tennessee or even probably the most popular team in Nashville, and ORU certainly isn't the biggest headline getter in Oklahoma, or even Tulsa for that matter. LUC has resources and shows a willingness to spend money on athletics as they've shown with their brand new arena (I've been, its very nice) and facilities upgrades (not to mention their new wbb coach).

We have a presence in Chicago now. Its not going to get us a huge TV deal, but that has an impact, especially if being in the MVC raises their profile like I would expect it to. There are currently no major markets that our teams and fans get to travel to each year except the MVC Tournament. Now there is a road trip MVC fans can make beyond the MVC tournament that offers more than just the game. You can make a weekend out of it.

I, for one, am very excited. And I think given the options we made the right choice. Belmont and ORU certainly have their upside, especially Belmont, and may have been more competitive immediately, but Loyola has the most potential long term, and Chicago is way better than Nashville and about a billion times better than Tulsa.

Couldn't be more excited. GO CATS! GO MVC!

[JayJ79]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

(Loyola doesn't have baseball, and they have men's volleyball, what is up with that?)

college baseball in the north is problematic due to the weather. and given their location, does Loyola even have room for a baseball stadium?

[jnutt]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

I don't think I've ever seen LUC on Comcast with the guys discussing it. I know that they've talked about UIC. Maybe it gets Kappy and company to start talking about the MVC, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[Newsbreaker]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

I would say Belmont has had more recent success, but they were NAIA as recently as 1995. They've been to six tourneys and are 0-6, so their success may have had more to do with the conference they were in and their ability to dominate it. Despite making the dance 6 of the last 8 years their attendance is pretty paltry. They're in a big market in Nashville, but Nashville is somewhat out of our geographic footprint and certainly doesn't compare to Chicago.

Oral Roberts has somewhat more history with one Elite 8 in 1974 but has otherwise only been in 4 NCAA tourneys and haven't won a single game. They've been in 8 NITs with a total of 2 wins. Its not like they're packing a huge history of success. They are also out of our footprint and comparing Tulsa to Chicago is laughable. Plus Oral Roberts himself is a pretty controversial figure, and ORU is a bit different as a university. I know there are a number of people who aren't comfortable with the league being associated with that.

LUC has definitely ridden the struggle bus lately, but again its not like Belmont and ORU have been making it to Sweet 16s all over the place for 20 years, and LUC has a national championship under their belts. They're in our footprint and are in Chicago. Chicago is obviously not college basketball crazy, and Loyola isn't the most popular team in Chicago, but Belmont is not the most popular team in Tennessee or even probably the most popular team in Nashville, and ORU certainly isn't the biggest headline getter in Oklahoma, or even Tulsa for that matter. LUC has resources and shows a willingness to spend money on athletics as they've shown with their brand new arena (I've been, its very nice) and facilities upgrades (not to mention their new wbb coach).

We have a presence in Chicago now. Its not going to get us a huge TV deal, but that has an impact, especially if being in the MVC raises their profile like I would expect it to. There are currently no major markets that our teams and fans get to travel to each year except the MVC Tournament. Now there is a road trip MVC fans can make beyond the MVC tournament that offers more than just the game. You can make a weekend out of it.

I, for one, am very excited. And I think given the options we made the right choice. Belmont and ORU certainly have their upside, especially Belmont, and may have been more competitive immediately, but Loyola has the most potential long term, and Chicago is way better than Nashville and about a billion times better than Tulsa.

Couldn't be more excited. GO CATS! GO MVC!

Outstanding post.

[ubuntuCAT]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

Outstanding post.

Newsy, What's your thoughts on the Valley going to 12 teams?

[Panther AC]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

Outstanding post.

When it comes to analysis like this, Grainer is hard to beat. He's a real student of the MVC atmosphere and culture. Looking forward to Loyola in the conference and occasional trips in to the city. For those saying we already have a "presence" in Chicago because of Bradley and Illinois State, I disagree as Peoria and Normal are considered "downstate" by the folks in Chicago. Lots of potential with an actual MVC team in the city going forward.

[williebat]

Newsy, What's your thoughts on the Valley going to 12 teams?

Uic and Akron.

[UNIGrainer]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

When it comes to analysis like this, Grainer is hard to beat. He's a real student of the MVC atmosphere and culture. Looking forward to Loyola in the conference and occasional trips in to the city. For those saying we already have a "presence" in Chicago because of Bradley and Illinois State, I disagree as Peoria and Normal are considered "downstate" by the folks in Chicago. Lots of potential with an actual MVC team in the city going forward.

Two heads are, after all, better than one.

[UNIGrainer]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

An article with a somewhat "insider" scoop on the decision process.

http://blogs.news-leader.com/msu/2013/04/15/smart-loyola-a-unanimous-choice-for-the-valley/

[Newsbreaker]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

Newsy, What's your thoughts on the Valley going to 12 teams?

The choices only get worse, as does the scheduling, from here on out, IMO.

[DownGoesKansas]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

Unless, St Louis somehow falls in our lap. I doubt the valley expands more unless someone else leaves. But they should be monitoring the situation (UMKC especially, Valporaiso, etc)

[SteinPizza]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

When it comes to analysis like this, Grainer is hard to beat. He's a real student of the MVC atmosphere and culture. Looking forward to Loyola in the conference and occasional trips in to the city. For those saying we already have a "presence" in Chicago because of Bradley and Illinois State, I disagree as Peoria and Normal are considered "downstate" by the folks in Chicago. Lots of potential with an actual MVC team in the city going forward.

This is 100% correct. As long as Loyola follows through on their plans to pump money into the basketball program, this will most likely be a positive move. They have some alumni with some serious money, and the willingness to spend it on the school.

[SteinPizza]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/19499500-419/loyolas-move-to-missouri-valley-triggers-change-for-horizon-league.html

[panther-state]

Re: New Valley Team (to replace Crayton)

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colle...on-league.html

The Valley’s current Illinois membership is downstate with Bradley, Illinois State, and Southern Illinois. Its Iowa membership includes Drake and Northern Iowa and its Indiana membership includes Indiana State and Evansville.

Missouri State, Northern Iowa and Wichita State are its other members.

Top notch editing