The Missouri Valley Conference is ...

I just clicked on this thread, and was literally about to post what you did although probably not as well. The A-10 is the perfect example that success like the MVC needs to be sustained over a longer period of time before you can begin talking about them being a major conference. Just look at where the A-10 has gone in 10 years, it's likely a one-bid conference this year. The key for the MVC will be recruiting and coaching. Are these MVC schools going to be able to out-recruit the traditional powers for blue chippers? I still say no. Wichita St. isn't going to blow some kid from the Bronx away. So they'll need to keep finding that next level player and/or the diamonds in the rough and develop them for four years. Also they need to hold onto their coaches. Success in the MVC equals the bigger programs poaching the coaching staffs. I can't remember may A-10 coaches from back then, but URI's Skinner got to BC, UMass' Calipari went to the NBA. That's tough to compete with.

 

You live in Des Moines?

 

Nope. Think farther southeast.