Thank you for your comments, roggirl. I agree with a few of your points, especially about winning, and the more comfortable/familiar nature of the urbanness of the HL teams. I enjoyed visiting Milwaukee and Cleveland especially, and the Detroit fans were fun to hang out with-- top notch. I had some favorite restaturants in a couple of cities.

But men's basketball-wise (and, in fact, in women's volleyball, men's soccer, track and field, etc.) and in the way the two confrerences are run, the MVC is head and shoulders above the HL. Here's a tiny example that was evident in our first game of the year-- the MVC requires video replay be made available for officials to check, and it came in handy in the Milwaukee game to show that a UWM three pointer at the halftime buzzer came a fraction of a second after time had expired. First half of our very first game, BAM! Arch Madness, TV contracts, social media, the conference tournament formats, scheduling assistance/advice, athletic department consultation, and many other elements are stunningly superior, more equitable, and more professional. Maybe it's not plainly evident right away, but give it a chance.

A few points:

1. The MVC has really been vaunted by the administration and many fans, and is certainly a step above the Horizon League. But "big time?" No way. It's a pretty prototypical mid major--one great team that beats up on a bunch of mediocre to bad teams. Is the switch a good thing for the program? Absolutely. Does it make a difference to "Joe Student," who we can't seem to get to show up? Not at all.

2. As a senior myself, there feels like a divide between the athletes and the rest of the student population. The athletes live together in the dorm the furthest away from the rest of campus, take "athlete-friendly" classes together, and feel generally absent from the rest of campus life. We can recognize that they are trying to get us involved, but its still a "they/us" thing. Imagine how much bigger the student section would be if each bball player convinced 5 friends to go. Just 5. Now imagine those 5 friends bring more friends. That's how you build a student section.

I've got more to say, but it'll have to wait till after the game. Go Ramblers.

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Founder and Chairman, Swaggy T Fan Club*

*Swaggy T Fan Club is not associated with Loyola University Chicago or Devon "Swaggy T" Turk; it is not owned or operated by employees or representatives of the entities mentioned.

The players thrive on good atmosphere. Milt said it with a smile in the post game...it's great to have that crowd chanting and supporting.

They need to play that clip for the students. Maybe that'll have some effect.

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Cigarboy sucks!