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Post by HLFanaticus on Jul 4, 2017 7:31:32 GMT -6
Commissioner Jon LeCrone has said that the Horizon League would like to expand...to as many as 14 or 16 teams and go to divisions. The League just added the IUPUI Jaguars, a totally unexpected choice! Fan choices have been all over the place, with the popular choices being GCU, NMSU, Belmont, Murray State and Robert Morris. We've got a whole year to see what prospective teams acquit themselves for an invite and how the HL makes itself a sought after conference. For '18-'19, there will probably be 2 additions. If it's more than that, that will be a surprise as well. Most HL fans are resigned to the possibility that Belmont nor Murray State will be coming. Part of the reason is the competition with the MVC and the slippage of the strength of the Horizon. With that being said, let's be realistic about the choices...but is there still a chance?
Anyway, have at it and make your choices!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2017 7:48:10 GMT -6
I'm inclined to agree. They seem to be the more logical choices and the HL, for all of LeCrone's brash rhetoric, is still a conservative bus league!
A nice little coo for the HL would be to snatch Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky from the OVC. This would give the conference a nice foothold in the basketball crazed state of Kentucky. Both schools are just an hour and a half to two hours from NKU. They both also have baseball.
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Post by ougrizz05 on Jul 4, 2017 11:58:38 GMT -6
I think Fort Wayne & Robert Morris. Of course, if Fort Wayne works through its documented challenges. I think both would be good moves (since we already have ooey pooey). I like the idea of getting more KY schools, I just don't know if it will happen.
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Post by phoenix4 on Jul 5, 2017 17:48:17 GMT -6
My vote goes to Omaha! Need a solid program in the heart of the country!
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Post by HLFanaticus on Jul 5, 2017 18:45:27 GMT -6
My vote goes to Omaha! Need a solid program in the heart of the country! You are allowed up to two votes as most of the fans feel two teams will be invited. |
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Post by HLFanaticus on Jul 5, 2017 18:57:20 GMT -6
DON'T KNOW HOW I DID IT, BUT I LEFT OFF THE MURRAY STATE RACERS. ALTHOUGH THEY WERE DESIRING AN MVC INVITE AND PROBABLY WON'T BE COMING TO THE HL, I SHOULD'VE INCLUDED THEM AS WELL.
I GUESS YOU CAN WRITE THEM IN AND I'LL TALLY UP THE VOTES FOR THEM TOO!
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Post by ougrizz05 on Jul 5, 2017 19:56:20 GMT -6
I think the ship has sailed for any hope of adding MSU or Belmont. I would agree. We should probably move on at this point. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 21:50:37 GMT -6
I think the ship has sailed for any hope of adding MSU or Belmont. Agreed. |
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Post by topstraight on Jul 5, 2017 22:05:46 GMT -6
Concerning EKU they would have a problem finding a spot for their football.They are also holding out hope for a Sun Belt/FBS invite.
Morehead would be more willing.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2017 6:34:33 GMT -6
Concerning EKU they would have a problem finding a spot for their football.They are also holding out hope for a Sun Belt/FBS invite. Morehead would be more willing. Good point. Didn't think about the football and possible FBS desires. That was a reason for the delay in getting Robert Morris...they had to work out where to park their Football and Lacrosse programs. I still think it would be nice to get a couple more Kentucky teams within a 3-6 hour drive...at least from Chicago. |
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Post by straykat on Jul 6, 2017 7:35:57 GMT -6
I think it will be Ft Wayne and UMKC.
EAST
NKU
WSU
CSU
YSU
Oakland
UDM
WEST
P-FW
IUPUI
UIC
UWM
UMGB
UMKC
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Post by jlog3000 on Jul 6, 2017 9:22:05 GMT -6
I also believe that it might be IPFW (a.k.a. Fort Wayne) and Robert Morris (Pa.). But how come other options like Chicago St. and Murray St. aren't on the poll? I see UMKC & Morehead St. as part of it.
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Post by HLFanaticus on Jul 6, 2017 10:03:04 GMT -6
I also believe that it might be IPFW (a.k.a. Fort Wayne) and Robert Morris (Pa.). But how come other options like Chicago St. and Murray St. aren't on the poll? I see UMKC & Morehead St. as part of it. As I mentioned earlier, I forgot to list Murray State...an oversite as they have been a desired fan prospect for sometime. You could write them in. I cannot edit the poll without deleting and redoing unless someone knows how to edit a poll after it's been set up. Chicago State was not listed 1) because they might not exist in a couple of years or so. 2) Their academic status, core values and the like, do not align with the Horizon League and 3) They could also drop sports or drop a Division level or two. ****Note to jlog3000: I accidentally hit the edit button and started posting my response. I posted before I realized it was an "edit". I deleted my edit and then correctly "quoted" your post. I did not alter any of your words. My apologies. |
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Post by csudave on Jul 6, 2017 11:40:52 GMT -6
Right off the bat, I would cap it at 12. Typically you expand in hopes of 1- more money, or 2- better tournament access. I don't see 4-6 schools out there that make us a better multi-bid threat with them as opposed to without them.
Even going to 12, this is likely to be a more difficult than getting to 10. The addition of IUPUI proved that even the best candidates we can find will have warts tough to ignore:
Murray State, Belmont- Ideal, but look like pipe dreams at this point.
Purdue-FW- How will losing the IU students and majors impact the school's finances and athletic talent?
Nebraska-Omaha- probably the most NKU-like option in terms of potential. Saddled with debt from the move to DI and the new arena. Prioritizes a non-HL sport (hockey). No guarantee they'll leave Summit.
Robert Morris- 3 of its top 4 athletic priorities (football, hockey, lax) are non-HL sports. Behind Pitt, Penn State, and Duquesne in local pecking order.
Morehead State- Middle of nowhere. Tough to access for the majority of league. Not a national brand like Murray.
Lipscomb- At best #4/5 CBB priority in Nashville (Tennessee, Vandy, Belmont, MTSU). Geographically isolated from rest of league.
SIUe, UMKC- Essentially IUPUI but without the quality facilities and winning tradition.
All that considered, I'm leaning toward Robert Morris and Lipscomb.
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