Did you all see the article on Air Force to the MVC maybe?

[ShockerHoops]

http://www.gazette.com/sports/gen-126331-west-names.html

I'm not familiar with Colorado papers, but is this a fairly reliable source?

 

[dply]

http://www.gazette.com/sports/gen-126331-west-names.html

I'm not familiar with Colorado papers, but is this a fairly reliable source?

The Gazette is the main Colorado Springs newspaper so I think it is reliable.

 

[Goose]

That's the paper down in Colorado Springs, so yeah it's reliable.

I say this as a person who respects the MVC quite a bit (and thinks the MWC is overrated), but I don't know why AFA would do that. Are you guys looking to expand Shocker?

 

[CarolinaBuff]

To clarify the thread title, this would be for AF's non-football sports only. Their football program would remain in the MWC. This sounds like the MWC's attempt to keep AF if only in football instead of possibly losing them to the Big East altogether. According to the article it would be a good move for AF's non-football sports because those sports are struggling to compete in the MWC.

 

[ShockerHoops]

With so many online publications these days, I wasn't sure if it was just some web based news site, or if it was actually the paper in Col Springs. Thanks everybody.

And it's not like the MVC is actively pursuing expansion, at least that's what we've all been told, but they have said they're open to the idea of expansion if the opportunity arose. So it makes the story seem likely.

It would be good for WSU from a scheduling standpoint, with travel. With WSU being the farthest west team in The Valley as it is, it's always nice to have another western opponent. Plus it would allow us Wichitans to have an excuse to come to Colorado a few times a year. Which is always a plus in my book. Beautiful state.

 

[Goose]

To clarify the thread title, this would be for AF's non-football sports only. Their football program would remain in the MWC. This sounds like the MWC's attempt to keep AF if only in football instead of possibly losing them to the Big East altogether. According to the article it would be a good move for AF's non-football sports because those sports are struggling to compete in the MWC.

Are they though? I mean, I can only really speak for men's basketball on this, but they're usually around the middle of the pack. It's not like they're doormats every year. And while SDSU is hot now, and UNLV appears to be putting it together, I'm not sure the MWC is really harder than the MVC.

 

[boulder77]

And while SDSU is hot now, and UNLV appears to be putting it together, I'm not sure the MWC is really harder than the MVC.

My thoughts exactly ... if AF is considering joining the MVC thinking that they will have an easier time competing in basketball, they may want to reconsider. Lots of good BB schools in the MVC. The WCC may be similar with BYU joining. Not sure AF has real good options here.

 

[ShockerHoops]

Are they though? I mean, I can only really speak for men's basketball on this, but they're usually around the middle of the pack. It's not like they're doormats every year. And while SDSU is hot now, and UNLV appears to be putting it together, I'm not sure the MWC is really harder than the MVC.

I really think that the MWC right now is like the MVC was in 2006 when we had 3 teams make it to the dance. I actually would argue that the MVC in 06 was a tougher conference than the MWC in 11. It's all cyclical in my opinion. The MWC will probably drop a rank or two in RPI this year and next, and the opposite for the MVC. We will probably jump a place or two from last year in conference RPI.

It's all speculation right now, but I think Air Force would be a middle of the pack team in basketball in the Valley, and towards the bottom of the Valley in baseball. I don't follow track, or golf, or what ever else they'd be joining for.

 

[torero]

towards the bottom of the Valley in baseball.

Air Force is consistently one of the worst teams in Division 1 baseball, so I think they'll be at the bottom of any conference there. Got to be hard to get good baseball players to the academy, and its not like in football or basketball where you can run a system to be successful. You have to have good players.

 

[boulder77]

It's all speculation right now, but I think Air Force would be a middle of the pack team in basketball in the Valley ...

You are probably being generous to them. I would see them as bottom 1/3 most seasons. They would also have the smallest arena in the Valley. Last year's records (arena capacity):

Bradley 12-20 (11,060)
Creighton 23-16 (17,272)
Drake 13-18 (7.152)
Evansville 16-16 (11,600)
Illinois State 12-19 (10,200)
Indiana State 20-14 (10,200)
Missouri State 26-9 (11,000)
Northern Iowa 20-14 (6,750)
Southern Illinois 13-19 (8,339)
Wichita State 29-8 (10,512)
Air Force 10-21 (5,858)

 

[Buffnik]

Bradley's a sleeping giant, too. Facilities, location and tradition. Get the right coach there and they'll be able to play with just about anyone.

 

[ShockerHoops]

Air Force is consistently one of the worst teams in Division 1 baseball, so I think they'll be at the bottom of any conference there. Got to be hard to get good baseball players to the academy, and its not like in football or basketball where you can run a system to be successful. You have to have good players.

The more I think about it, AFA would not be a very good addition to The Valley.

You are probably being generous to them. I would see them as bottom 1/3 most seasons. They would also have the second smallest arena in the Valley. Last year's records (arena capacity):

Bradley 12-20 (4,200)
Creighton 23-16 (17,272)
Drake 13-18 (7.152)
Evansville 16-16 (11,600)
Illinois State 12-19 (10,200)
Indiana State 20-14 (10,200)
Missouri State 26-9 (11,000)
Northern Iowa 20-14 (6,750)
Southern Illinois 13-19 (8,339)
Wichita State 29-8 (10,512)
Air Force 10-21 (5,858)

Ugh. That's not helping me want them anymore.

Bradley's a sleeping giant, too. Facilities, location and tradition. Get the right coach there and they'll be able to play with just about anyone.

Surprisingly in the Sagarin all time rating of teams over the last 72 years, Bradley is ranked the 32nd best all time team. They were beasts a long time ago.

 

[boulder77]

Ugh. That's not helping me want them anymore.

Don't get me wrong, Shocker. AF would be a great conference partner in a good citizenship way. The point I was trying to make was that, if they think that moving to the Valley would help them competitively, then they are smoking crack behind the bleachers. Every one of those Valley teams has oodles of basketball history, and even though they can't all be great at the same time, it would be every bit as brutal for AF as the MWC ever was. I really think that they need to stay in the MWC - they have a nice rivalry with the lambs, Wyo, and New Mexico - and they stir the pot every once in a while to make things interesting.

 

[Buffnik]

You are probably being generous to them. I would see them as bottom 1/3 most seasons. They would also have the second smallest arena in the Valley. Last year's records (arena capacity):

Bradley 12-20 (4,200)
Creighton 23-16 (17,272)
Drake 13-18 (7.152)
Evansville 16-16 (11,600)
Illinois State 12-19 (10,200)
Indiana State 20-14 (10,200)
Missouri State 26-9 (11,000)
Northern Iowa 20-14 (6,750)
Southern Illinois 13-19 (8,339)
Wichita State 29-8 (10,512)
Air Force 10-21 (5,858)

Carver Arena holds like 11k. It's kind of the blueprint for what I'd like to see done with Coors Event Center.

 

[boulder77]

Carver Arena holds like 11k. It's kind of the blueprint for what I'd like to see done with Coors Event Center.

My bad. I was looking at their Volleyball/WBB arena (which is relatively new) and didn't read the tenant list ...... :doh: