(St. Louis, MO) – Valparaiso University is the newest member of the Missouri Valley Conference. Late Monday night, university presidents from the Valley elected to replace now departed Wichita State with the Crusader program that has been the Horizon League’s best team for most of the last 20 years. For Valpo it is a step up from the 19th best college basketball league (according to RealTimeRPI) to the 12th.
The Valley’s official statement was short and succinct.
The Missouri Valley Conference Presidents Council has unanimously voted to extend a membership invitation to Valparaiso University, effective July 1, 2017. There will be no further comment pending the negotiation of terms.
After much speculation that the league could add multiple teams, the presidents decided one was good enough…. for now. Rumors persist that the league will look to add more teams in the near future. This statement by Missouri State President Cliff Smart makes us believe those rumors.
The expansion committee will continue to meet for the next 9 months to evaluate further expansion opportunities. https://t.co/W7ENKtFflF
— Clif Smart (@ClifSmart) May 9, 2017
Valparaiso was 24-9 last season and has averaged nearly 24 wins per season over the last five years. The Crusaders have advanced to post season play seven straight seasons, including two NCAA Tournaments.
Not receiving an invitation to join the Valley were hopeful Murray State, UW-Milwaukee and Nebraska-Omaha. Murray State seemed to be one of the top favorites to join the MVC, but were left at the altar by the Valley vote.
MSU Athletic Director Allen Ward says Racer athletics had been hopeful about the opportunity to play in a higher quality league, but they also believe the Ohio Valley Conference is growing into a much higher caliber league of its own.
“I am in no way disappointed by the news or have any regrets being involved in the process,” said Ward. “Our goals and objectives to graduate our student-athletes, win championships, promote this great university, and be a player on the national scene have not changed and wer never reliant on the outcome today.”
In the end, the Valley chose to stand pat at ten teams and by all accounts Valparaiso, who they passed over in 2013 while adding Loyola, was the strongest candidate.
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ICYMI: Semifinal # 2 today at #ArchMadness will feature a contrast of styles as # 5 @UIC_MBB faces # 4 @RacersHoops in the 2:30 game.
It's final: @UNImbb 68 @UEAthletics_MBB 59. The Panthers get @Redbird_MBB on Friday night. Campbell finishes with 23 points. Smith with a double-double. AJ Casey was great with 23 & 10. Panthers with 16 assists.
4:05 left: @UNImbb 57 @UEAthletics_MBB 54. Aces' ball. UNI upside? Campbell with 21 points. Down side - Bond 0/6 from deep. UE upside? Casey with 20 & 9. Down Side? 2/11 from deep in the second half. Anybody's game at #ArchMadness
7:25 left: @UNImbb 55 @UEAthletics_MBB 52. Trey Campbell with 21 points for the Panthers and AJ Casey with 18 for the Aces. Tristan Smith is such a game changer. He has 8 pts & 9 rebounds, but that doesn't tell the story. #ArchMadness
