MBB: Midwest Conference

[bballer1280]

Not sure if this was talked about here or not...

http://www.cornellcollege.edu/athletics/General%20News/general%20news/midwest-conference.shtml

I am curious about this development as well.  Obviously, Cornell College has not officially been admitted to the MWC.  However, it does seem possible.  If they are admitted to the conference, will a 12th school be recruited to join the conference so that the MWC is not left with only 11 schools?  What is everyone's thoughts regarding this topic?

[OBC]

If we could find a 12th school, it would likely mean divisional play again. A North/South arrangement could work with the Wisconsin schools plus Lake Forest, but that means the 12th school will have to come from the South. I don't know who that might be.

[bballer1280]

If we could find a 12th school, it would likely mean divisional play again. A North/South arrangement could work with the Wisconsin schools plus Lake Forest, but that means the 12th school will have to come from the South. I don't know who that might be.

The college in the "South" that makes the most sense to me from an academic perspective would be Coe College.  Perhaps, Central College?  Any thoughts?

[OBC]

I can't imagine Central in the MWC...just a way different mindset. Maybe Coe, but i don't know that they want to leave the Iowa Conference.

From a basketball standpoint I'd love to see U of Chicago, but that won't happen either.

[The Roop]

Always the rankings fault. That was the case in 81 when #9 Augustana knocked off #1 Beloit in the second round. Forget that Augie had the better team, it was the rankings  that did Beloit in.

[bballer1280]

I can't imagine Central in the MWC...just a way different mindset. Maybe Coe, but i don't know that they want to leave the Iowa Conference.

From a basketball standpoint I'd love to see U of Chicago, but that won't happen either.

That problem that I see with U. of Chicago is that they don't really provide a "south" look to the conference and they would really prefer to be in the same division that Lake Forest would be in I would think.  Furthermore, the size of U. of C. makes them really an unlikely match with the MWC.  I really believe that Coe College would be the best fit as a 12th MWC member for a variety of reasons.

[OBC]

You're right Roop. Always the rankings. I hope St. Norbert is No.1 when the rankings come out this week. 

[The Roop]

Can't have upsets without rankings. That's what they're there for.

[East Beast]

I can't imagine Central in the MWC...just a way different mindset. Maybe Coe, but i don't know that they want to leave the Iowa Conference.

From a basketball standpoint I'd love to see U of Chicago, but that won't happen either.

That problem that I see with U. of Chicago is that they don't really provide a "south" look to the conference and they would really prefer to be in the same division that Lake Forest would be in I would think.  Furthermore, the size of U. of C. makes them really an unlikely match with the MWC.  I really believe that Coe College would be the best fit as a 12th MWC member for a variety of reasons.

Is adding Cornell and dropping Grinnell an option to make the two sides even?   What about keeping Grinnell and adding the MSOE?

[The Roop]

MWC doesn't want MSOE as they don't have a football program. Now if you all will leave me alone I'm in contract negotiations for a steel cage match.

[augiefan]

Both Coe and Cornell were in the MWC back in the 50s and 60s. Of the two Cornell seems to be the better academic match for the MWC.

[The Roop]

I thought they both left for the IIAC in the early 90s

[hickory_cornhusker]

I thought they both left for the IIAC in the early 90s

I believe 1997 was their last year in the MWC.


And if IIRC back when the NAthCon was formed in 2005ish MSOE inquired about joining the MWC. I don't think it got very far but it was far enough that MSOE is not creditted as a charter member of the NAthCon.

[The Roop]

Probably has a lot to do with forming a full conference out of the Illini-Badger "football only" conference.

I didn't say this but the ACM schools view MSOE as a technical college. They just use their lack of football as an excuse to not let them in. Oops, guess I did say that. Life goes on.

[East Beast]

Maybe I can tie this all together.  Baron Van Raschke got his degree from Coe.    And The Crusher used to do his workout running beer kegs up the hill just west of the Kern Center at MSOE.