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StumblePublished Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 | 12:09 a.m.
Updated Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 | 12:10 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.
Most Rebels fans couldn't name a single team in the MVC.
I think you're wrong Lenny. The Mo Valley might have had a down year last season, but it has gotten three teams in the NCAAs in the very recent past. Bradley, Creighton, Evansville, Southwest Missouri State and Wichita State are well known. Heck, Indiana State was Bird's school. Doesn't take a hard-core fan to digest that.
Sure they've heard of some of those schools. But they wouldn't know what conference they belonged to if asked. Next time you're at a game at the Mack ask some fans you'll have your answer.
No knock on the Mo Valley but the Mtn West should be aiming big and targeting the major conferences - Pac 10, Big East etc.
I totally disagree with you Lenny. Hey, that makes the world go around, right? With nine teams, though, I don't think people should be thinking about the Mountain West as a truly elite conference, with the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, Pac-10, etc. Like it or not, the Mo Valley is on par with the Mountain West in basketball.
I'll tell you what. At the exhibition game in two weeks I'm going to do just that, query fans about the Mo Valley and some of the teams.
That's a great idea Lenny. Look for that piece soon after that game. Thanks
Oops! Lenny, my bad! I didn't say Southwest Missouri State, did I? Heck, I owe you a Coke when I see you at the Mack ... of course, it's now Missouri State. My bad. We can't forget about the mighty Southern Illinois Salukis, either. The Mo Valley is a solid conference and I bet many people know that. We'll see ...
I'm on par with everybody else. In order to get notice national wide, you need to play big time schools. I would love start a rivalry with UCLA!! That would be one of the games I would look forward to every year...
Una, that UCLA series is in the works, as I wrote last month. Don't tell me you all would rather watch the Rebels play Dixie State, Montana State, Tennessee-Martin, Kennesaw State, A&M Corpus Christi and Norfolk State rather than Indiana State, Bradley, Missouri State, Southern Illinois and/or Wichita State? C'mon, not even close. I would not be putting down the Mo Valley to any degree. The Mountain West isn't exactly on par with the elites of college hoops.
How's this, folks: Since 2006, three different Mo Valley programs have won at least one game in the NCAAs, the Mountain West checks in at one. Since 1998, Seven Mo Valley programs have won at least one game in an NCAAS; the Mountain West is at four. I could go on and slice and dice this any odd way, so here's the point -- Mtn West vs Mo Valley will be a, uh, darn competitive series.
ksiffermann, I don't think I'm missing the point at all. I thought I clarified my thoughts. You are NOT going to sked an elite team for every single non-conference game, right? Yeah, get Arizona, Louisville, etc., on there. But it won't be stocked with those. Therefore, it would be MUCH wiser to get Bradley, Creighton, et al., instead of Eastern Washington, Corpus Christi, Norfolk, etc. Right? And I'd be very careful thinking the Mountain West will dominate the Mo Valley in such a challenge.
Rob, hard to disagree with ksiffermann's request to play Northwestern, a true "nationally respected" basketball powerhouse. My bias aside, be careful what you wish for. Beating up on big name schools like NU, Michigan or Penn State is not going to prove anything. Just last year when I was covering Big Ten basketball media day, I had a chance to sit down with then Indiana head coach Kelvin Sampson. I asked him what he thought his toughest game would be. Without hesitation he said Southern Illinois. I think that should tell you something.
He's a Milwaukee Bucks assistant.
Take of the homer glasses for a second ksifferman. The Mo Valley series will be a good one and will help UNLV toughen up for the big dance and conference play. Playing garbage "BCS" schools won't do anything for us. I'd rather go against a Mo Valley team that is scraping as hard as us to make the dance and prove themselves.
BTW, no school stocks their OOC with all big time schools. NOBODY! I love UNLV as much as I'm sure you do, but don't downplay the MVC. In their eyes, they have no reason to be scared of us, and I can guarantee they won't be.
Uh, ksiff, the Indiana gig didn't exactly work out so well for Sampson. Something about text messages. Maybe Verizon will sign him to a commercial deal.
You are correct, ksiff. I agree with just about everything in your note. I think UNLV will continue to play elite squads like Louisville and Arizona, UCLA might be on the docket soon. But to play a couple of Mo Valleys instead of, say Tennessee-Martin, IS a step up. That IS enriching the sked and RPI. Don't you agree?
Cool. What's the next topic?
:-)