Conference Realignment: What Next?

[stever20]

Rothstein reporting UIC going to be joining the MVC.

[Omaha1]

Rothstein reporting UIC going to be joining the MVC.

Creighton was in the Valley most of my life and I still have fond memories of Arch Madness trips to St Louis. They’ve now lost Creighton, Wichita St and Loyola. Creighton obviously ended up in a better spot, but it could be argued that Wichita St moving the AAC did not go as planned and the future is very weak from a hoops perspective. Loyola to the A10 should be a pretty good fit. The Valley has done pretty well for themselves with their additions and could be a multi bid league in the future.

[stever20]

Rothstein reporting UIC going to be joining the MVC.

Creighton was in the Valley most of my life and I still have fond memories of Arch Madness trips to St Louis. They’ve now lost Creighton, Wichita St and Loyola. Creighton obviously ended up in a better spot, but it could be argued that Wichita St moving the AAC did not go as planned and the future is very weak from a hoops perspective. Loyola to the A10 should be a pretty good fit. The Valley has done pretty well for themselves with their additions and could be a multi bid league in the future.

One thing that is interesting is the Valley now up to 12 teams so the DRR is gone. So they're going to be able to finish the season quite possibly with 2 teams with 15-16 conference wins. That should help getting multi bids.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Love the additions for the Valley. They have done as well as they possibly could have, losing Creighton, Wichita State and Loyola and replacing them with Valparaiso, Loyola, Belmont, Murray State and UIC (which is needed for the Chicago market, and since so many of the Valley schools recruit Chicago for students).

I continue to hold the belief that Wichita State is not long for the AAC. Long-term, I could see them pursue the MWC, A10 or possibly return to the MVC. I'd imagine a majority of its basketball-specific payouts from the AAC will be going to travel costs for Olympic sports. They didn't have a particularly large athletic budget went they moved over to the AAC.

[stever20]

Love the additions for the Valley. They have done as well as they possibly could have, losing Creighton, Wichita State and Loyola and replacing them with Valparaiso, Loyola, Belmont, Murray State and UIC (which is needed for the Chicago market, and since so many of the Valley schools recruit Chicago for students).

I continue to hold the belief that Wichita State is not long for the AAC. Long-term, I could see them pursue the MWC, A10 or possibly return to the MVC. I'd imagine a majority of its basketball-specific payouts from the AAC will be going to travel costs for Olympic sports. They didn't have a particularly large athletic budget went they moved over to the AAC.

A10 I think is a complete non starter. All the travel costs with none of the money. MWC is same thing IMO. And not sure they'd return to the MVC honestly.

I think with the moves travel for Wichita will be better. Has Tulsa obviously still, and now like 4 schools in Texas. For the other sports, I think they will have fewer trips east now.

[Hall2012]

I wonder how much the expansion has to do with the relationship with Enterprise Center for the conference tournament. They stopped selling the upper bowl after Wichita left. Loyola then became the primary source of attendance and now with them moving on too...

[stever20]

I wonder how much the expansion has to do with the relationship with Enterprise Center for the conference tournament. They stopped selling the upper bowl after Wichita left. Loyola then became the primary source of attendance and now with them moving on too...

very possible. I mean now with 12 they get to sell a whole another session on Thursday.

[Omaha1]

I wonder how much the expansion has to do with the relationship with Enterprise Center for the conference tournament. They stopped selling the upper bowl after Wichita left. Loyola then became the primary source of attendance and now with them moving on too...

very possible. I mean now with 12 they get to sell a whole another session on Thursday.

Attendance in St Louis has probably dropped 50% or more since Creighton and Wichita left. Valpo and Loyola didn’t travel. Murray St should help a lot.

[stever20]

I wonder how much the expansion has to do with the relationship with Enterprise Center for the conference tournament. They stopped selling the upper bowl after Wichita left. Loyola then became the primary source of attendance and now with them moving on too...

very possible. I mean now with 12 they get to sell a whole another session on Thursday.

Attendance in St Louis has probably dropped 50% or more since Creighton and Wichita left. Valpo and Loyola didn’t travel. Murray St should help a lot.

Belmont should help some as well I think.

[Hall2012]

The lower bowl was full when Loyola played. I doubt they'd have sold out the top. Maybe could've added another couple thousand but they weren't given the chance.