MWC to play hoops challenge with Mo. Valley (UPDATED)

By Ryan Greene

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 | 12:09 a.m.

The Mountain West and Missouri Valley Conferences announced on Tuesday that an agreement has been made in principle to begin a MWC/MVC men's basketball challenge. It will feature head-to-head games between nine MWC and nine MVC teams each season.

“One of the primary motivations for that is to help the strength of schedule,” said UNLV coach Lon Kruger. “In the conference, some teams have more difficulty in scheduling games. This will help with that.

“I think it’s good for the league. Anytime we can strengthen our league RPI it’s a good thing.”

The Rebels are 14-6 lifetime against the Missouri Valley. UNLV last played a team from the conference six seasons ago, when it won at Bradley, 85-83.

The setup is similar to challenges currently in place between the ACC/Big Ten and Pac-10/Big 12.

The MWC has ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA's final RPI report in eight of the last nine seasons. As for the Valley, it's carried that distinction for the past four. Since the MWC's inception in 1999, MWC and MVC teams have faced each other 32 times, with the Mountain West carrying a 17-15 edge.

“This is a very good match-up between two competitive leagues,” said MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson. “Our coaches and fans have been looking for quality non-conference opponents and this annual competition between two Top 10 RPI leagues will afford us that."

Added MVC commish Doug Elgin: "The Challenge series is a positive step for both conferences. Tough non-conference scheduling has always been paramount in improving our league's stature on the national scene. The series helps institutions in both leagues achieve that goal by adding at least one game annually against quality non-conference competition. And it's great for the fans of the Missouri Valley and the Mountain West as new rivalries are developed with nationally-recognized programs that have a strong history in men's basketball."

Specific details regarding the challenge will be released at a later date. Officials from both leagues are working towards a four-year commitment that could begin as early as November 2009.