Big Ten/Missouri Valley Challenge

[tcondon]

We all know that it would never happen, but the Big Ten is staring directly in the face of falling to 0-8 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Matchups by preseason predictions (though the Big Ten only releases the top 3, I took predictions from foxsports.com.)

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6128514

Creighton @ Ohio State
Wisconsin @ Southern Illinois
Wichita State @ Illinois
Indiana @ Missouri State
UNI @ Michigan
Penn State @ Evansville
Bradley @ Purdue
Michigan State @ Drake
Illinois State @ Iowa
Minnesota @ Indiana State

No Northwestern, as they were picked last by foxsports. With these matchups, I like the MVC to go 6-4 (losses by Creighton, UNI, Illinois State and Drake). With inverse matchups, I would predict UNI picks up a home win vs. Michigan, Penn State would beat Evansville and Iowa might lose on the road to Illinois State. Just something to ponder. It would be great.

Since the Big Ten wouldn't do something like this, how about the Big XII? They have many members that were once in the MVC, and god knows they need some SOS help this season.

[tcondon]

Big XII/MVC Challenge

Creighton @ Kansas
Texas A&M @ Southern Illinois
Wichita State @ Oklahoma State
Texas @ Missouri State
UNI @ Kansas State
Texas Tech @ Evansville
Drake @ Baylor
Missouri @ Bradley
Illinois State @ Oklahoma
Nebraska @ Indiana State

The matchups don't play out quite as well in this one. I think the Salukis would win at home, Wichita/OSU would be a great matchup. UNI would beat Kansas State before they get Bill Walker in for the 2nd semester, and Bradley would beat Missouri. It would be tougher to win this challenge this season, no doubt about it.

[Newsbreaker]

You're just not going to convince a "BCS" league to schedule mass games on the road at MVC schools.

If we can consistently get 4ish bids, and start getting some serious runs at the Final Four (ie, become a "major" conference) then that might change.

[tcondon]

You're just not going to convince a "BCS" league to schedule mass games on the road at MVC schools.

If we can consistently get 4ish bids, and start getting some serious runs at the Final Four (ie, become a "major" conference) then that might change.

Obviously Newsbreaker, just something fun to ponder.

[Panthers to the Bone]

Why could we just use the games that are going on this year?

UNI/Drake at/vs. Iowa
Bradley vs. Illinois in Chicago (semi-neutral, slanted towards Illini home court)
SIU/Indiana State at Indiana
Indiana State vs. Purdue
Bradley at Michigan State
Missouri State vs. Wisconsin

That leaves UNI/Drake, Illinois State, Wichita State, and Evansville without Big Ten games. Pit UNI/Drake against Michigan, Illinois State vs. Northwestern, Wichita State vs. Ohio State, and Evansville vs. Penn State.

How would the MVC do then (yes, Bradley plays two Big 10 teams)?