Loyola in the MVC

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The Chicago Tribune has a great article in the sports section today from the MVC media day at Loyola's Gentile Arena. Great PR for the conference, more than we received when we had just Illinois State, Bradley, and Southern Illinois from the state. Missing Creighton, probably, but I think the Ramblers are as good as we could have gotten to fill the spot.
 

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Glad the print media was good, because from what I saw on Pensky's TV coverage last night, it looked as if "Media Day" was being held @ the WTH Community Center gym, w/ "card tables" set up for each school. St. Louis it was NOT. I'm still mixed about the Loyola decision, feeling that Murray State had a more well-rounded program which matched the MVC. The only reason Loyola is in is C-h-i-c-a-g-o. Well see how much advantage this plays when NCAA bids are given in March...and the amount of PRINT/TV exposure that Loyola & the MVC receive during the season. With last year NCAA Finalist Wichita State expected to dominate the conference, you'd think the spotlight would be aimed @ the Shox. But w/ Illinois, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Northern Ill & Valpo, there's only so much paper to throw PRINT on.
 
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I agree, I would rather have seen Murray, but, as Bank said, Loyola was added for the TV market. I'm not opposed to having them in the MVC at all, they are just going to take a little longer to get up to where Murray might have started out. But long term, they certainly have the $$$ to make themselves major players in the MVC, and I've been nothing but impressed with their fans. They seem like a good group of people.

I'm really glad the Trib did a story on the media day. It's a step in the right direction!!!
 

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BankShot said:
No embarrassment...not much diff between mid-major I's & II's. That's why we never schedule USI for "exhibition." They lost by what...14 @ IU the other night?
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Gonna disagree on this one. Any team that is in the valley should have the front court to go inset a D2 team.
 
Usually only the "top 3 or 4" MVC squads have distinctive size inside...the rest are comparable to the Div II "cream of the crop." The difference usually lies in the quality of the bench.

UE/USI History:

http://www.courierpressblogs.com/sports/ue/?p=974

Given the comparative returning experience of Lewis v. Loyola, and the "new" NCAA enforcement principles being applied, I just don't see this as much of an "embarrassment." Loyola is NOT Creighton, and MVC fans need to face the facts.
 
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BankShot said:
Usually only the "top 3 or 4" MVC squads have distinctive size inside...the rest are comparable to the Div II "cream of the crop." The difference usually lies in the quality of the bench.

UE/USI History:

http://www.courierpressblogs.com/sports/ue/?p=974

Given the comparative returning experience of Lewis v. Loyola, and the "new" NCAA enforcement principles being applied, I just don't see this as much of an "embarrassment." Loyola is NOT Creighton, and MVC fans need to face the facts.
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What you say is true but it's the skill if the front court vs that of a D2 front court. You are right they are not Creighton but, so far they have delivered on zero of their promises.
 
BankShot said:
No embarrassment...not much diff between mid-major I's & II's. That's why we never schedule USI for "exhibition." They lost by what...14 @ IU the other night?
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Evansville is 5-0 against USI. We are not afraid of USI.
 
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BankShot said:
LOL - When's the last time we played 'em? Oakland City, Rose-Hulman, IUPUI, U. of Indpls, Truman State...but no USI. Something not right.:lol:
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I don't get why we don't want to play a team that is 0-5 against UE? My guess is we have no inside connection to them. I would also guess they like playing Evansville and IU because of money. You really think USI is better than IUPUI? Wow
 
St. John's beat D-2 San Francisco State by two points yesterday.

A couple years ago, Syracuse lost their exhibition game....to a D-2 or D-3 team.....and they had no problem succeeding in the Big East and going to the NCAAs like they do every year. I think that might have been the season we played them in the NCAA.

I don't care who we play in exhibition. If anything, I think I'd prefer an Athletes in Action team or an international team.
 
True Blue said:
I don't get why we don't want to play a team that is 0-5 against UE? My guess is we have no inside connection to them. I would also guess they like playing Evansville and IU because of money. You really think USI is better than IUPUI? Wow
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I watched two IUPUI games in person last season and can say that there are more than a few Div. II teams that could have beaten them last year.
 
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