2026 Offseason

[BCPanther]

We've got 5 teams ranked between 95-116 in Torvik right now, preseason. We're going to send approximately the same level team no matter what we do, so why not let the one that's the hottest take the bid?

Plus, we're going to be 14 seeds in the new format so the days of realistically winning extra units are over. We're almost better off getting a little worse and dropping to the 15 line so we get a play in game if the goal is more money.

I predict that at the end of this contract with Enterprise Center (2031, I believe) we'll be back to either campus sites, a much smaller building in the footprint (Quad Cities, Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Wintrust Arena Chicago, Heritage Bank Center Cincinnati) or Vegas. The contract with CBS for the championship game is also up after this year and I'll bet they don't renew. Way more valuable for them to stick a Big Ten game in that slot leading into the Women's Championship.

The league had an amazing renaissance but it's back to the dark ages of the 80s and 90s.

[orangetennis]

We've got 5 teams ranked between 95-116 in Torvik right now, preseason. We're going to send approximately the same level team no matter what we do, so why not let the one that's the hottest take the bid?

Plus, we're going to be 14 seeds in the new format so the days of realistically winning extra units are over. We're almost better off getting a little worse and dropping to the 15 line so we get a play in game if the goal is more money.

I predict that at the end of this contract with Enterprise Center (2031, I believe) we'll be back to either campus sites, a much smaller building in the footprint (Quad Cities, Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Wintrust Arena Chicago, Heritage Bank Center Cincinnati) or Vegas. The contract with CBS for the championship game is also up after this year and I'll bet they don't renew. Way more valuable for them to stick a Big Ten game in that slot leading into the Women's Championship.

The league had an amazing renaissance but it's back to the dark ages of the 80s and 90s.

I always hated that our tournament was a week prior to all the big boys, because whoever was hot enogh to win the Valley tournament has to sit around 2 weeks before the NCAA's.
I get it with the exposure and the money of being a stand alone game on CBS, but from a competitive standpoint I thought it put our league champ at a bit of a disadvantage.

[06panther10]

I always hated that our tournament was a week prior to all the big boys, because whoever was hot enogh to win the Valley tournament has to sit around 2 weeks before the NCAA's.
I get it with the exposure and the money of being a stand alone game on CBS, but from a competitive standpoint I thought it put our league champ at a bit of a disadvantage.

That doesnt really hold up considering the league has been one of the most successful mid-major leagues in the NCAA’s as when it comes to actually winning games.

[domedays]

Well I’ve been to about 22 or 23 MVC tournaments, and I could easily see not going if the conference goes with this format. I can at least guarantee I would not be going every year. For years MVC, media, coaches and players have told us that Arch Madness is one of the best tournaments out there and a great tradition. So the only solution is to dump the format?

[Wxcpanther]

Saying you want to cancel the tournament is ridiculous. The conference is thinking of ways to make more money. That doesn't mean necessarily making money at Arch Madness. That could mean getting their better team to the NCAA tournament more consistently so they can win 1 or 2 games at the NCAA tournament which is a big payout for the schools. They aren't worried about the 200-500 non fans that are on the edge of going based on what seed their team gets. If you are real fan, you go to watch your team play good basketball and maybe catch lightning in a bottle to win the title. There are other conferences already that do a form of this but just have more teams.

If the "best" teams in our league can't win 3 games in 3 days, they are not the conference's best chance at winning games in the NCAA tournament.

[FOTY]

My data is 20 years back and includes the Sunday championship game attendance. Of course the teams have changed and the landscape of the MVC basketball conference has changed. The league has to change to make things better for the league. This bracket style isn't unheard of and is used in some format by the other big conferences. You want to go watch your team in St. louis, book a trip that is not fully based on UNI playing all of the way to sunday if they aren't a 1 or 2 seed. The other option is to help them win by providing money so they can be the 1 or 2 seed consistently. That simple.

I whole heartedly disagree on this change making the league better or more money. It just simply gives the teams who did well throughout the season a better chance at winning the thing. I’m all for the best team at the end of the season, not who was better in January. But that is my opinion. Yes, other leagues are doing it.. so what. I don’t give a rats behind what they do in the <enter name here> conference. I am an MVC/UNI fan and nothing more - I only care about the success of our conference.

And, btw, while I agree with you those who can and should contribute or contribute more, money doesn’t always lead to a #1 or #2 seed and you should never assume I (or any other poster) doesn’t contribute.

[Username]

We've got 5 teams ranked between 95-116 in Torvik right now, preseason. We're going to send approximately the same level team no matter what we do, so why not let the one that's the hottest take the bid?

Yeah, this is my biggest argument against as well. I can understand why conferences like the MAC and lower maybe want to protect their outlier teams, but the MVC has generally been fairly balanced most years with any of those top 5-6 being quality teams.

[Khan4Cats]

There are two groups of conferences that do this "protect the highest seed" format.

A) The small conferences that have one or two decent teams and want to protect them from being knocked out early and ruing any shot at an at-large (West Coast Conference to protect Gonzaga)

B) The really big conferences that want to protect their top couple of teams in hopes they can secure a 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA (Big Ten)

The MVC typically has 4-6 teams that are very competitive with each other. The current format already gives an edge to the top 4 (5) teams that earn it during the regular season. No reason to change it. Can't see St. Louis being all that thrilled with a diminished number of games/crowd for Friday/weekend travellers unless the conference is hoping pairing the women's tourney will bring those extra 200 people.

[Purple member]

I know the chances of an MVC team getting an at-large bid are low, but this format would also potentially take 1-2 wins away from a top team. It may not matter, but more total wins does mean something.

[Username]

I know the chances of an MVC team getting an at-large bid are low, but this format would also potentially take 1-2 wins away from a top team. It may not matter, but more total wins does mean something.

Depends on the quality of the old first round opponent. Also could potentially help eliminate the potential of a bad loss

As a whole of course still want to say a terrible proposed change

['70 Grad]

It makes it much more difficult for the 3-10 seeds to get to Sunday.
Because the Saturday games will be Rested vs Playing 3rd day in row.
.

#1 & # 2 will get another day of rest (layoff) compared to the last format. You always want to have some rest. However - looking at the college football playoffs - an extra week of rest advantage hasn't shown up much - even with a home-field advantage. I know that fb & bb are different, and CFP seeding has other considerations, but still.

Somehow, we did not look like a tired team in St. Louis last season in games 2,3,4 (with no more than average bench depth). Did we have slightly better shooting, etc., in game 2 because we had already played on the neutral floor?

I think that this proposed format still has the potential for upsets of #1 & #2 in the semis by teams that have familiarity with the arena and momentum, even if those are very small considerations.
You have gained very little and what have you lost?
Only two games on Friday? Boo!

[UNIAlum95]

Well it's official with a twist - now combining the women's tournament into the men's all in St Louis. Women kick things off on Wednesday with the men tipping off Thursday. Top 10 teams only and the 1 & 2 seeds advancing directly to the semi-finals. They better offer some better ticketing options because if they try to run these as separate events without bundling the all-session passes, I think this is a fail.

2027 ARCH MADNESS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Enterprise Center * St. Louis, Mo.

Wednesday, March 3
Women’s Basketball Opening Round – 4 games

Thursday, March 4
Men’s Basketball Opening Round – 4 games

Friday, March 5
Women’s Basketball Second Round – 2 games
Men’s Basketball Second Round – 2 games

Saturday, March 6
Women’s Basketball Semifinals – 2 games
Men’s Basketball Semifinals – 2 games

Sunday, March 7
Men’s Basketball Championship Game
Women’s Basketball Championship Game

https://mvc-sports.com/news/2026/6/22/arch-madness-expands-mvc-womens-basketball-championship-moving-to-st-louis-in-2027.aspx

[Panther Fan]

How very, very disappointing. They better have had very little choice financially that forced this decision, and in the context of MENS basketball. Because if this was really people thinking this was a good idea it's even worse. It's the best thing the Valley has, and they're decided to completely change things.

They better offer some better ticketing options because if they try to run these as separate events without bundling the all-session passes, I think this is a fail.

If prices go up next year because now you GET to attend the women's games it makes the decision to not buy all session passes even easier.

[Username]

Yep. Ruined one of the best weeks of basketball there is.

[BCPanther]

How very, very disappointing. They better have had very little choice financially that forced this decision, and in the context of MENS basketball. Because if this was really people thinking this was a good idea it's even worse. It's the best thing the Valley has, and they're decided to completely change things.



If prices go up next year because now you GET to attend the women's games it makes the decision to not buy all session passes even easier.

They've made it pretty easy to just flat never buy tickets again, period.

Such a shame.