MVC Basketball: Five teams the Valley should add

Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wichita State Shockers head coach Gregg Marshall reacts against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; View of the logo on a ball rack before the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Michigan State Spartans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

3. North Dakota State

The Bison have a rabid fan base and have one of the best athletic departments for mid-major schools across the country. They dominate several sports and have made it clear that they don’t intend to move up to the FBS in football.

They would be a perfect full-time member of the MVC. They’re a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and have had success in sports across the board. They would face some increased travel but it would be comparable to several Summit League and MVC schools.

NDSU could make a fairly smooth transition to the MVC as a full-time member and succeed immediately. It’s not that they need to change conferences to be successful, but it could help increase their Midwest recruiting base with a more compact conference.