The program that has brought us Ja Morant, Cameron Payne, and other NBA players, is poised to be a huge part of Missouri Valley Basketball’s expansion.
Media reports, university board meeting agendas, and league adjustments all point to Murray State leaving the Ohio Valley to join the Missouri Valley Conference. The long-rumored move now seems to be a done deal. The next step of Missouri Valley expansion seems to be happening this week.
With the Valley losing Loyola Chicago and gaining Belmont, Commissioner Jeff Jackson isn’t playing it safe. One of the nation’s finest mid-major programs appears to be announcing the move this week.
When Jeff Bidwell posted this Murray State ‘Board of Directors’ agenda for a Friday morning, special meeting, the damn was broken and information came flooding out.
Murray State to the <redacted> Conference??
— Jeff Bidwell (@AKAJeffBidwell) January 5, 2022
Business has just picked up. pic.twitter.com/akEq83ue0I
Hours later, CBS’ Matt Norlander released a tweet that caused a tidal wave of response.
Breaking: The Missouri Valley’s presidents have approved Murray State to become the conference’s next member, sources told CBS Sports. Murray State joins Belmont in leaving the OVC. A 12th school is expected eventually, sources said. More details: https://t.co/XaBViQtFyG
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) January 5, 2022
One ‘in-the-know’ source who would not confirm the story, did say ‘Matt is someone who does his homework and crosses all the Ts.’
Murray is an attractive addition from many standpoints. They have a long tradition of on-court success, sending players to the NBA and the Racer fans travel well, particularly to the conference post-season tournament.
Murray’s rivalry with Belmont is plus. Geographically, they have a great opportunity to develop a growing rivalry with Southern Illinois. The Racers have won divisional or conference races in ten of its last 12 seasons. Current coach Matt McMahon has led the Racers to two NCAA Tournament appearances during the last five years (2020 there was no NCAA Tournament).
What’s next?
Multiple media sources have indicated Illinois-Chicago, UT Arlington and Kansas City are the other finalists for a twelfth MVC team. Regaining a team from the Chicago market could be important to the Valley and it fits the geographic footprint.
UT Arlington could open the door for Texas students and athletes to find their way to Valley schools, but UTA is a long way to travel for non-revenue sports. Kansas City is something of a ‘commuter school’ and doesn’t seem to fit the Valley mold.
There have been rumors that those three schools have been in Valley negotiations and that they made presentations to Valley officials in mid-December. Most Valley observers have maintained that UIC is the best fit of the three.
Currently, the entire league fits in the heartland of Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and now Tennessee and Kentucky.
As we reported Monday, Commissioner Jackson recently told Mike Reis of Saluki radio that the league would be ‘stronger and deeper’ next season than this one. That was a huge signal that at least one and perhaps two new teams were still to be added.
Murray’s addition is a huge loss to the OVC and that league has insisted it is still prepared to add programs to fill in their recent losses. Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State left this season. Austin Peay, Belmont, and now Murray State next year.
Recently, UA Little Rock made the move to join the OVC.
Friday’s MSU Board of Regents’ meeting will make it official, but Murray State’s move is the next step in Missouri Valley expansion.