Good to hear. Way farther along than I imagined actually...
SLU would be a better fit with the smaller Big East schools like Marquette, than in the Valley. The valley being mostly state schools, in small towns...Which is why I was sad to see Conference USA. I'd like to see SLU back with Marquette, Memphis and Cincinnati to name a few. Maybe steal Xavier.
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trent wrote:SLU would be a better fit with the smaller Big East schools like Marquette, than in the Valley. The valley being mostly state schools, in small towns...Which is why I was sad to see Conference USA. I'd like to see SLU back with Marquette, Memphis and Cincinnati to name a few. Maybe steal Xavier.
That would be fine with me. I REALLY liked the Great Midwest Conference, which was:
SLU
Marquette
DePaul
Dayton
Cincinnati
Memphis
UAB
It all made perfect sense, except for UAB. The old MCC was pretty good too:
SLU
Butler
Loyola
Xavier
Marquette
Dayton
Detroit
Oral Roberts
Evansville
I find the name "Missouri Valley Conference" to seem pretty limiting when its schools come from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky and Missouri. Isn't there a better name?
By the way, did you know that Missouri Valley is a town in Iowa??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Valley%2C_Iowa
By the way, did you know that Missouri Valley is a town in Iowa??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Valley%2C_Iowa
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Interesting that KU, K State, and Oklahoma State are former members of the Valley. Missouri Valley Conference probably made more sense geographically back in the day, just like the Big 10 made sense when there were 10 teams not 11 
Having a team in St. Louis doesn't make sense for a conference named the Atlantic 10, then again there are 14 teams in that conference.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Valley_Conference
Having a team in St. Louis doesn't make sense for a conference named the Atlantic 10, then again there are 14 teams in that conference. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Valley_Conference
Well it's that time of year again. March Madness begins!! So is anyone planning on going down to the Scottrade Center this weekend to the MVC tournament? The games start tonight, but won't be televised until Friday.
The big surprise this year is Drake getting the #1 seed. Drake has always been a perenial doormat in the Valley so I'm pulling for them to win it all. Of course if Bradley wins it all, I won't complain either
Tourney Schedule
The big surprise this year is Drake getting the #1 seed. Drake has always been a perenial doormat in the Valley so I'm pulling for them to win it all. Of course if Bradley wins it all, I won't complain either
Tourney Schedule
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Bernie and Randy had one of the higher-ups of the MVC on the radio yesterday and they talked for a few minutes about SLU's possible move to the MVC.
summary:
- The MVC would SERIOUSLY consider the addition of SLU.
- However, the MVC would not be interested in having 11 teams (like big 10/11) so it would likely need to be a 2 team addition.
- The geographic location of SLU would have no effect on the location of the MVC tourney. He basically stated that if that became an issue that they would block seats for individual teams similar to the way the big 12 does it.
- R. Majerus wants out of the A10. If SLU were to exit early, they would have to pony up the $1mil penalty.
- After the call, Bernie and Randy hypothetically speculated other teams that would be a good fit for the MVC: Butler, Dayton, Xavier made the list.
summary:
- The MVC would SERIOUSLY consider the addition of SLU.
- However, the MVC would not be interested in having 11 teams (like big 10/11) so it would likely need to be a 2 team addition.
- The geographic location of SLU would have no effect on the location of the MVC tourney. He basically stated that if that became an issue that they would block seats for individual teams similar to the way the big 12 does it.
- R. Majerus wants out of the A10. If SLU were to exit early, they would have to pony up the $1mil penalty.
- After the call, Bernie and Randy hypothetically speculated other teams that would be a good fit for the MVC: Butler, Dayton, Xavier made the list.
Go Dez Monez. Is the men's NCAA tourney being played here again? Last year we held the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games. I saw Oregon vs. Florida last year which was pretty awesome.
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I'll be there for the two games on Saturday. May head over to the tap Room afterwards for the Stout and Oyster Festival. yum.
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brickandmortar wrote:Well it's that time of year again. March Madness begins!! So is anyone planning on going down to the Scottrade Center this weekend to the MVC tournament? The games start tonight, but won't be televised until Friday.
The big surprise this year is Drake getting the #1 seed. Drake has always been a perenial doormat in the Valley so I'm pulling for them to win it all. Of course if Bradley wins it all, I won't complain either
Tourney Schedule
I will be there! Go Jays! (Creighton). I have five friends coming into town (from Omaha and Chicago). We will be at the first session tomorrow, the Saturday session, and most likely the Sunday session.
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Moorlander wrote:Bernie and Randy had one of the higher-ups of the MVC on the radio yesterday and they talked for a few minutes about SLU's possible move to the MVC.
summary:
- The MVC would SERIOUSLY consider the addition of SLU.
- However, the MVC would not be interested in having 11 teams (like big 10/11) so it would likely need to be a 2 team addition.
- The geographic location of SLU would have no effect on the location of the MVC tourney. He basically stated that if that became an issue that they would block seats for individual teams similar to the way the big 12 does it.
- R. Majerus wants out of the A10. If SLU were to exit early, they would have to pony up the $1mil penalty.
- After the call, Bernie and Randy hypothetically speculated other teams that would be a good fit for the MVC: Butler, Dayton, Xavier made the list.
Interesting. Dayton and XU are very much at the heart of that conference's BB strength.
Butler would be moving up clearly from the Horizon league.
It's good to have this event, but you have to feel for the Blues. 12 of their last 16 on the road, and 3 weeks straight.
^Blues gotta score. That's the point of the game, and they haven't done it. There's a John Madden answer.
But, Salukis have seemed to straighten their ship out at the right time. I'd look for them to make a run again.
But, Salukis have seemed to straighten their ship out at the right time. I'd look for them to make a run again.
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Shimmy wrote:^Blues gotta score. That's the point of the game, and they haven't done it. There's a John Madden answer.
But, Salukis have seemed to straighten their ship out at the right time. I'd look for them to make a run again.
Don't look for the Salukis to win this - they are not a consistent enough team to win 3 in a row. I think it will be Creighton. The Salukis and Illinois State are going to have a knock down drag out on Saturday (the game I am looking forward to most), so going into Sunday, both teams will be a step slow. Drake will be under orders to lose (so the MVC can be assured of 2 bids - just kidding, but not really) so look for them to go down to Creighton on Saturday. I think it will be Creighton and Illinois State in the Final, with Creighton winning it all.
Under that scenario, the MVC will likely get 3 bids. Drake, Illinois State and Creighton. Drake is obviously in and if Illinois State reaches the final, they are probably in as well. Then if someone from the Drake side of the bracket wins (but not Drake), the MVC should get 3.
I love this tournament and this time of year.
By the way, on the expansion speculation ... why not SLU, Butler, Xavier and Dayton (the 4 most likely candidates anyway) - for a 14 team league? Combined with SIU, Creighton, Bradley, Drake, Wichita, Missouri State ... Jesus, that would be one monstrous league. You would almost have to consider that a "power" conference immediately - as that league is likely to get more bids than the Big 10. I don't know if such a league is possible, but that would be ideal for everyone (do 2 divisions, East: Dayton, Xavier, Butler, Indiana State, Evansville, Bradley, Illinois State -- West: SIU, Saint Louis, Missouri State, Drake, UNI, Wichita St., Creighton). I really think that if Elgin put that proposal on the table, it would get done.
It is a nice move up for Butler and they have wanted in the MVC for a long time anyway (you should see their schedule for the last few years - it is like they play their MVC conference schedule then their Horizon conference schedule). SLU gets the other academic school they want in Dayton, plus 2 more Catholics for a total of 4 including Creighton. Xavier would get better competition in basketball (instead of having to play Fordham in a 3000 seat arena), get to shed their mid-major label, plus they and Dayton both get shorter trips and a new rival in Butler, as those 3 cities are all very close together. A 14 team league with SLU, Butler, Xavier and Dayton coming in would pretty much be perfect and solve everyone's problems. God, I really like that idea. Seems like such a good idea ... why hasn't anyone proposed this sooner?
By the way, in Joe Lunardi's latest bracketology the A-10 is a one bid league (Xavier), with the Missouri Valley as a 2 bid league (Drake, Illinois State). Sort of funny after all the talk this year about how the A-10 is up and the Valley is down.
A-10 is not bad at all. You've got Dayton at 19-9, Rhode Island at 21-9, UMass at 20-9, and while watching the Illini lose once again on ESPN2 , I would flip over to ESPN and watch St. Joe's beat Xavier. Analysists are saying St. Joe's should be in. The way I see it the A-10 tourney is similar to your Valley tourney, LE. I don't know if St. Joe's and Xavier are on the same side of the bracket, but if they're not and St. Joe's loses to someone in the championship other than Xaiver, A-10 could very well get three teams in. I'd call that an up year.
I think The Valley is suffering because the usual powers(SIU, Northern Iowa, Creighton) aren't at the top. Instead you have Drake and Illinois State, respectively. I could see SIU contending for it. They lost a close one to ISU at home, but that ended a 5-game win streak which included wins against Drake and at Bradley.
I think The Valley is suffering because the usual powers(SIU, Northern Iowa, Creighton) aren't at the top. Instead you have Drake and Illinois State, respectively. I could see SIU contending for it. They lost a close one to ISU at home, but that ended a 5-game win streak which included wins against Drake and at Bradley.
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I love seeing all the fans from the different schools downtown. It really makes for a fun atmosphere.
What's the deal with all the meters in the diagonal spaces on Chestnut right in front of the Opera House covered over with plastic bags? Another fine revenue-increase stunt from the host city?
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I wish I knew
A) When the hell the Salukis are playing
B) How the hell to get tickets
C) Who the hell to rob in order to buy the tickets
A) When the hell the Salukis are playing
B) How the hell to get tickets
C) Who the hell to rob in order to buy the tickets
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The Salukis play tonight at 8:35. I think if you just go up and walk around the Scottrade, you could probably find someone willing to sell you a ticket.
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Juice13610 wrote:^^ Answer to C, please.
Maybe you could play the guitar on the street corner until you make enough cash.
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I graduated from Drake* but I don't give a rat's ass about their sports program. rah rah go Bulldogs. Yawn.
I fondly refer to it at "Drek University."
I fondly refer to it at "Drek University."
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Drake has a law school. It can't be that irrelevant and it is one of Iowa's Big 4. I have always sort of liked Drake. Plus, they get to host presidential debates. That is sort of cool. There is nothing wrong with Drake. I got a couple of friends that work in administration there.
Anyway, I do want to see them lose today, though, so the Valley can get 3 bids. But, they are up on Creighton now in the 2nd half. Hopefully Creighton has a comeback in them.
Anyway, I do want to see them lose today, though, so the Valley can get 3 bids. But, they are up on Creighton now in the 2nd half. Hopefully Creighton has a comeback in them.