The OVC, now and future

[screamingeaglepride]

If you Western Illinois fans do not know the Valleyhoopsinsider web page a new video of Paul Bubb being interviewed 

[ST_Lawson]

If you Western Illinois fans do not know the Valleyhoopsinsider web page a new video of Paul Bubb being interviewed 

 

Here's the video:

[meganeck]

Bubb did mention that he wants to schedule Illinois St & Southern Illinois for non-conference games in the future.

[pvk7072]

Just announced ... Bryant football-only is leaving the OVC-Big South association next year. Don't know what this does to OVC football. Comments?



 

[sealhall74]

Sure would be nice if SIUe would strap on the pads.  They have (or had) a club football program in the past.

[ST_Lawson]

Just announced ... Bryant football-only is leaving the OVC-Big South association next year. Don't know what this does to OVC football. Comments?

 

I don't mind that they're going to the CAA. It makes sense for them being right in the same footprint and it eliminates the biggest travel outlier for us.
I did a post a few days ago about OVC/Big South football scheduling: https://www.leathernecknation.net/forum ... 707#p39707
Next year there will be 3 Big South members and 7 OVC members. You're probably looking at the Big South teams playing the other two Big South teams, then 6 of the 7 OVC members. OVC teams will probably play every other OVC team, plus 2 of the 3 Big South teams. I'd have to look at a few things to figure out if that would work out correctly though.

Also, CAA Football will be at 16 members, which is a lot for an FCS football conference (since we can't do championship games).

[screamingeaglepride]

It does not look like the Big South-OVC Football Association will renew after 4 years. I look for Gardner Webb, Robert Morris and Charleston Southern join a conference for football only, The OVC really needs to look at Youngstown State as a football only member.

[sealhall74]

I would be pursuing D2 Univ of Indianapolis as a full member.  That would make an even 12 schools (I think).
Make them an offer too good to turn down.

https://reflector.uindy.edu/2022/11/21/ ... vision-ii/

[pvk7072]

Why the repeated interest in Youngstown State for football only? Why would USI be interested? Why would SIUe or Arkansas-Little Rock? They would be a geographic outlier for football, like Bryant. They are near Cleveland in northeast Ohio and a short punt from western Pennsylvania. I'm not so sure that addition would be in the best interest of the OVC, a conference in which geography matters. There are others, maybe not better but still suitable, though IMO a rehash is probably not needed for most people who follow this forum.
 

[bignecks]

I'm convinced everything isn't peachy with the dakota schools. My assumption is that the MVC won't be what it is now within a couple years. That could mean them going up to big D1. It could mean they go together to the summit and move the conference even more northwest. I think the OVC sits nice to be a landing point for a few MVC schools.