(05-09-2017 10:40 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote: The Horizon League could certainly be an option, although it's arguable about whether it's actually a step up from the OVC.
The Horizon League is in a weird spot. The schools that would meet Jon LeCrone's criteria for expansion (well funded and supported, high average MBB RPI) to help the league "be in the conversation" for an at-large bid every other year are not likely to either be invited or to even apply for an invitation. I went through every even halfway realistic options (many are geographic challenges) and this is the list of schools who meet LeCrone's criteria:
New Mexico State, Stephen F. Austin, Murray State, Belmont, North Dakota State, South Dakota State
Those that are well funded but have not shown enough consistency
Denver, Liberty, Grand Canyon*, North Dakota* (the last two had strong RPI years last year, an anomaly or trend?)
You are into the complete sponge category for everyone else. Schools that lower RPI, are not funded or supported at a highe enough level in MBB. Some go into what I call "potential" list, where if the program performs and attendance improve you might consider them (UMKC, Omaha, longer shot IUPUI). This is why I think the Horizon does nothing for awhile -- that and the fact that they don't have to do anything.
Murray State just stays put and tries to win the OVC and wait for something better to come along.