So, Loyola is leaving and the MVC is adding Belmont, Murray State and UIC.

On a scale of 1 to 5, how would rate the additions?

I would give it somewhere between a 4 and a 5.  

In Belmont and Murray State, the MVC got the two best teams available (of any realistic options).  In UIC, they get a program that's not very good now, but has a lot of potential.  And, adding UIC will give all the Drake alums in Chicago area a chance to watch the 'dogs in person.

I agree-very positive imo
4.8

Obviously, someone is not working today. The 2 added are unbelievably fantastic. The other I have reservations about. Can folks even go to game there without being robbed or murdered? 

Sounds like UNI fans talking about Drake.

5* I don’t know if it would have been possible to do much better. Totally fine with betting on UIC.

____________________________________

I forget who said it was in a tough area but a Chicago tough area is not the same as a UNI fan talking smack about Drake. That said ... I'm guilty!

I'm sitting here trying to think of one concrete positive about UIC joining. Nope.

This

Can't help but thinking that MusicCity is up there smiling at the Bulldogs playing every year in Nashville.
And, Dog67, a south side Chicago guy, smiling about the 'dogs playing at UIC.

How does Evansville feel about it?



Moving forward.....

Man I miss Music City. Guy was pure joy

Cmon McBull. Hope you’re not shaking in your boots going to the Windy City. I’d give it a very high rating. Loyola was pretty mediocre before joining the Valley. They were Drake bad for 40 years. Belmont and Murray are very high quality teams. Who knows about Ill-Chicago? Maybe they will surprise. As long time Drake fans I’m not going to judge a struggling program.

Given what options were, I think Valley did as well as they could hope to.

I gave it a 4, mostly because UIC is a gamble, although their hand was forced by Loyola leaving. Overall glad from a hoops standpoint that the UTA and KC buzz didn’t pan out. Sucks that Loyola is bailing because adding Belmont + Murray with no departures would have been fantastic. I appreciate being proactive and the league overall should improve, which is a big deal for a mid-major in realignment. 

UIC the same as UTA for me only a closer trip, smaller, and in much worse financial shape. I personally would have been happier with UTA but neither is ideal truthfully. Wish this was happening in about 5 years and either St Thomas or Bellarmine had more time to establish themselves but since that's not what's happening I'll give the group a 4 as the other two (especially Belmont which is for ahead of Murray for me) were such strong adds.

Just curious why you would put Belmont far ahead of Murray? Don’t see it at all.

I gave it a 4. Belmont and Murray State were solid adds. UIC is an unknown although a much better decision than UTA. So overall good, but not great.

However, I do worry about the future of the league and Drake’s “fit” in it. Personally I would much rather see Drake in the A10 (I’m very jealous of Loyola) down the road and, eventually, the Big East. If Butler can make it to the Big East, we sure as heck can too.

Drake going to upstate New York to play St Bonaventure? UMass? Be careful what you wish for in my opinion. Travel is not easy for a team from the Midwest. It’s an East coast league.

I gave it a 5. 2 outta 3 ain't bad.