MVC Basketball: Longterm impact of losing Loyola and gaining Belmont

Mar 21, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; The Loyola Ramblers wave to Sister Jean after their win over the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Loyola Ramblers won 71-58. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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MVC Basketball Bradley Braves Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

The Future for MVC Basketball

Now that the pre-conference NET rankings are set, we know that unless Loyola (NET 15) loses the Arch Madness title, the MVC will be a 2022, one-bid league. Ironically, the OVC has a better chance at sending two teams NCAA Tournament than the Valley.

Once conference play begins, Loyola will have just three chances at Quad Two games. That’s it. Drake (89 NET), Missouri State (99), and Bradley (132) will provide those opportunities when the Ramblers travel to those road conference games. No other game will be better than a Quad Three opportunity.

The Ramblers are stuck. So, they are headed to the Atlantic Ten. That conference, like the Valley, sent two teams to last year’s March Madness and the A10 also sent four teams to the National Invitation Tournament. Five current A-Ten teams rank in the top 91 of the NET, but more importantly, three are under the magical 75 rating that creates a Quad One opportunity when you visit that team. As of today, every A-Ten team has at least two Quad One opportunities during conference play and at least four Quad Two chances.

If either Drake or Missouri State would storm through league play, they obviously each have two Quad One games against Loyola, so those two teams have a slight chance to raise their individual resumes.