|
Post by wsutommygun on Dec 18, 2012 22:12:36 GMT -5
I would tell MVC to look elsewhere but, thanks for thinking of us.
|
|
|
Post by Indy Raider on Dec 18, 2012 22:15:22 GMT -5
I would tell MVC to look elsewhere but, thanks for thinking of us. I'm glad you are not our AD.
|
|
|
Post by OG Raiderfan on Dec 18, 2012 22:33:40 GMT -5
I don't think a jump to the MVC is as much of a slam dunk decision as you think. The MVC may not be very stable. They have several football schools that might be looking to make a step up. We also are grossly underfunded athletically for that conference. WSU spent 9.7 million on athletics last year. That would put us in a tie for dead last in the MVC with Evansville. The top spender in the MVC is Southern Illinois at 20 million. We might be better off in the HL.
|
|
|
Post by bballraider on Dec 19, 2012 0:19:18 GMT -5
The budget and traveling would be more in the MVC, but I think we would draw better for basketball, as the MVC has more name recognition. And one big added bonus would be the baseball competition. The MVC is a good baseball conference with multiple bids to the NCAA each year (3 last year).
I like the HL also if we bring in some good teams. I would be happy with either scenario. So I guess my choice would be based in what, who and when the HL makes its expansion move.
|
|
|
Post by wsutommygun on Dec 19, 2012 7:21:06 GMT -5
I'd expand on that to the point of considering what a watered down version of the MVC would look like. I understand that if we go back 5 or 10 years, it would be flattering to be considered. I like the HL and think it could be better...I like the MVC but think it could be worse if the wrong teams leave. I'm behind the Raiders no matter what but, whichever direction I want an in it to win it approach. I haven't paid attention to see if MVC likes the Thursday-Saturday format but, I worry about travel and budgets.
|
|
|
Post by riceownz2 on Dec 19, 2012 9:41:03 GMT -5
I would tell MVC to look elsewhere but, thanks for thinking of us. I'm glad you are not our AD. +1 We need to consider all of our options. I understand if we ever got an invite to the MVC it would be a watered down version but we can't simply say no.
|
|
|
Post by wsutommygun on Dec 19, 2012 14:27:10 GMT -5
It may not hurt to consider all of the options but, if the bank says they'll lend you enough to buy a $200,000 house you may be wasting your time by only looking at $400,000 homes. If we were the eastern-most team in a league you have to consider playing in a different time zone, chartering planes, actual classroom time, and such. Frankly, if we could find that money I'd prefer it
|
|
|
Post by wsutommygun on Dec 19, 2012 14:32:26 GMT -5
Sorry, fat fingers I guess...I'd prefer to see such money sooner rather than later. I looked at a few schedules and it looks more like a Wednesday ( sometimes Tuesday )-Saturday format. Not saying it couldn't be done but, it would have to be a decision by more than just the athletic department. I'm not holding my breath.
|
|
|
Post by Ukraine Train on Dec 21, 2012 23:10:20 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Ukraine Train on Dec 21, 2012 23:15:00 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Big D on Dec 22, 2012 12:34:51 GMT -5
riceownz2 really has the right idea. We need to continue to strengthen our school and it's programs and keep our options open. Honestly, as things stand now I don't know which of the following conferences will be the best for us in a few years: HL, MVC, A-10, or even the OVC.
A lot depends on what happens with the catholic 7 and if they decide to make their new conference a 10 or 12 team conference. From our perspective I think we want them to go to 12. If they go to 12, the teams you hear they will go after the most are Xavier, UD, Butler, St Louis and Creighton. If that happens, they will gut the A-10 and slightly weaken the MVC. It gives the HL and WSU it's most options. The A-10 will drop from a high major status to mid-major status overnight because they also loose Temple and Charlotte this year. They will lose all their Midwest schools and won't be competing for the same recruits in our region. They also won't be an attractive option for any of the schools the HL is targeting in expansion or a HL schools that might have considered going to the A-10 if there were still some Midwest A-10 schools still in the conference. From the HL perspective, we move ahead of the A-10 and closer to the MVC with that move. It makes us more attractive to Evansville if the MVC is weaker. It might make us more attractive to a PA A-10 school like Duquense or St Joes. It also makes the HL a little vulnerable if the MVC stays together and targets one of our programs, but that also gives WSU an option to the MVC.
I think that is the biggest reason WSU needs to keep it's options open. The MVC may come calling and we have to be sure that the rest of those schools are truly dedicated to staying together. Some of them have been putting big money into their football programs and may be looking to move to a football conference. We might not get that invite, but another HL may and that could make the HL weaker. If we are in the HL and our commissioner adds 3-4 crappy schools to the HL, we may be better off seeking membership to the OVC. I wouldn't mind trying to make that a dominant conference with Murray State and Belmont if the HL cannot get their shit together.
They key is we need to try to strengthen our own program and the HL as much as possible and keep our options open. Expansion has been very unpredictable to date. We just need to keep our options open and be prepared to make a decision that is best for us.
|
|
|
Post by wolf41 on Dec 22, 2012 14:01:37 GMT -5
You raise a good point BigD, namely to think about WSU moving to another conference. Most of us always think of remaining in the HL and suggest schools the HL should add. But it is interesting to think of us moving on.
But for me, I love the geography of the HL. Evansville and Oakland would be ideal fits in the HL. Picking up a Robert Morris to give us exposure in Western PA would be nice as well.
A merger between the Missouri Valley and the HL would be a great fix if we want a big 20 team conference. Or just work out an agreement that calls for each team to play to play 5 teams or so from the other league each season. Playing Ill. State, Indiana State, Bradley, S. Ill., and Evansville for instance, would be very easy travel dates for HL teams.
|
|
|
Post by Raider Country on Dec 22, 2012 14:41:36 GMT -5
I agree. I would like us to stay in the HL but only if it makes sense for Wright State. We have been hearing for months that many of the schools in the HL are holding up expansion for their own reasons. Well, if we are stuck adding teams like IPFW, IUPUI, etc than we need to do what's in our best interest and look at moving on.
As a university, we should be attractive to the MVC if they look to expand or need to replace Creighton in the future. We are close enough to their Indiana schools to still make sense for their conference geographically, but we are far enough east to add a new recruiting ground in Ohio for the rest of the MVC. We have really good facilities. Even though our attendance has been down, it is still the best in the HL and you have to think we could easily get back into the 6000-7000 range if we joined a top 10 conference like the MVC. Even with last year's disappointing season, we have a good recent history of success as a basketball program and we are having a pretty good bounce back season so far this year.
I don't think we would be considered as a single replacement for Creighton if Creighton does end up leaving the MVC to join the catholic 7. I think the MVC would see us as too much of a downgrade to Creighton. I do think we have a good shot if the MVC decides to expand their conference to 12 to strengthen their conference similar to what the HL plans to do to replace Butler. I could see them trying to add 3 of the traditionally stronger HL teams that makes the most sense geographically. Valpo seems like a good natural fit for them with 2 other Indiana schools already in that conference. If they want 2 more traditionally strong teams that get them into Ohio, Wright State and Cleveland State make a great deal of sense. I just hope WSU continues to have a good season on the court so that we remain an attractive option.
|
|
|
Post by Glory Days on Dec 27, 2012 19:16:46 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Big D on Dec 29, 2012 11:48:33 GMT -5
You raise a good point BigD, namely to think about WSU moving to another conference. Most of us always think of remaining in the HL and suggest schools the HL should add. But it is interesting to think of us moving on. But for me, I love the geography of the HL. Evansville and Oakland would be ideal fits in the HL. Picking up a Robert Morris to give us exposure in Western PA would be nice as well. Wolf, I love the geography of the HL too and would prefer to stay in it. In my ideal world, Butler would have never left and we would have expanded 3-4 years ago and would be in a very strong 14 team conference already. Imagine how good our conference would be right now if we would have been proactive and invited Oakland, Robert Morris, Murray State, and Belmont years ago. We are currently ranked 12th as a conference. Add in Butler (RPI 6) Belmont (RPI 17), Murray State (RPI 19), Robert Morris (RPI 127), and Oakland (RPI 136) and we would be a top 6-8 conference right now. That ship has sailed with Butler, but all of those other schools are still realistic options for us. We need to hope LeCrone can get the job done with inviting the right schools for the HL. If he doesn't, WSU needs to be prepared to do what is best for us.
|
|