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 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view of March Madness logos on the chairs and stands during practice the day before the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

1. UMKC

The Kangaroos are one of the more realistic and probable schools that could be joining the MVC. They would replace Wichita State on the western side of the conference and have expressed interest in relocating for geographical purposes.

They currently reside in the Western Athletic Conference and are closest Chicago State. Besides that school, UMKC is not reasonably close to another school in the conference. It can make traveling difficult, and building fan interest around rivalry games can also be a challenge.

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They would bring in the Kansas City market to the MVC and would replace the two western schools that have left in the last five years. The Kangaroos aren’t the sexiest school that comes to mind when thinking about expansion. They are, however, close and can bring a new excitement to the league.