Oru returning to sl

[Nidaros]

Re: Oru returning to sl

Preliminary discussions is the same thing DU has had. The article really doesn't say much. My guess is that the MVC are just letting people know they are on a list, information may be requested, or has been requested. The MVC leadership wants to guage interest. The last thing any conference wants is to be embarassed by publicly offering a slot and getting turned down.

One thing that is not clear is the restlessness of ORU with the Southland Conference. Yes the competition of baseball as offered by rabid rabbit was major in making their choice to move from SL to SC. But, bb, and the big dance revenue come in here somewhere.

The SC has a RPI of 25 and the Summit is 19. A drop of six places. I am wondering if the lower RPI of the Southland and perhaps a reduced share of the Big Dance revenue are playing a major role in this search for a new conference. Looks like the move to the MVC will be a very competitive one with about 8 other schools being considered.

No the MVC does not want embarrassment.

[NebraskaJack]

Re: Oru returning to sl

One thing that is not clear is the restlessness of ORU with the Southland Conference. Yes the competition of baseball as offered by rabid rabbit was major in making their choice to move from SL to SC. But, bb, and the big dance revenue come in here somewhere.

The SC has a RPI of 25 and the Summit is 19. A drop of six places. I am wondering if the lower RPI of the Southland and perhaps a reduced share of the Big Dance revenue are playing a major role in this search for a new conference. Looks like the move to the MVC will be a very competitive one with about 8 other schools being considered.

No the MVC does not want embarrassment.

Why is everyone under the impression that ORU is searching for a new conference? It has been brought up twice, once from a coffeeshop conversation and once because they may have been contacted by the MVC gauging interest. Unless we have information to the contrary, I'm not sure any of that indicates they are strongly looking to leave the Southland.

[joeboo22]

Re: Oru returning to sl

Why is everyone under the impression that ORU is searching for a new conference? It has been brought up twice, once from a coffeeshop conversation and once because they may have been contacted by the MVC gauging interest. Unless we have information to the contrary, I'm not sure any of that indicates they are strongly looking to leave the Southland.

I think its tea leaf reading. Its all speculation, but there have been signs they aren't too happy with the Southland's basketball conference. Money isn't great, they still have to travel quite a bit and recruiting for basketball isn't any better. RPI is lower, etc. There is also reports that the Southland wants to focus on becoming a strong football league and a football league first. If you are ORU and your bread and butter is basketball that has to worry you.

I would be hesitant to expect this to happen over night though. ORU will wait out the Missouri Valley before even considering the Summit League again, maybe they sent out feelers to the SL to see if they would let them back in at a reduced rate or no rate, etc. Sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side, but many times you don't know until you get their. If the SL continues to improve and the Southland continues to be in the mid 20's, I don't know why ORU would want to stay. If a UALR or a Texas School were to join the Summit League it would make it much more attractive.

Again its just speculation and no one will know anything until anything official is announced, but I don't see how these comments say in anyway that the Valley wants Oral Roberts.

[filbert]

Re: Oru returning to sl

Why is everyone under the impression that ORU is searching for a new conference? It has been brought up twice, once from a coffeeshop conversation and once because they may have been contacted by the MVC gauging interest. Unless we have information to the contrary, I'm not sure any of that indicates they are strongly looking to leave the Southland.

Assertion of facts not in evidence.

The micro-article says ORU has 'had discussions'. Doesn't say who initiated the discussions.

[West-River_Jack]

Re: Oru returning to sl

There is a fairly active thread over on www.orusports.com about ORU and the MVC. It is about as conclusive as this thread. One thing that it doesn't have is discussion about returning to the Summit League.

[joeboo22]

Re: Oru returning to sl

There is a fairly active thread over on www.orusports.com about ORU and the MVC. It is about as conclusive as this thread. One thing that it doesn't have is discussion about returning to the Summit League.

Some of them need a lesson on geography, about how they don't see the school adding Belmont over ORU because of travel

[Nidaros]

Re: Oru returning to sl

Why is everyone under the impression that ORU is searching for a new conference? It has been brought up twice, once from a coffeeshop conversation and once because they may have been contacted by the MVC gauging interest. Unless we have information to the contrary, I'm not sure any of that indicates they are strongly looking to leave the Southland.

Everyone???????????? A little excessive in choice of pronouns. Why don't you directly address me? I am the one speculating. It appears to me ORU is out shopping around for a better conference, whether I heard it in a coffee shop or a restroom it does not matter. ORU is up to something, otherwise they would not be making the news.

[RowdyRabbit]

Re: Oru returning to sl

whether I heard it in a coffee shop or a restroom it does not matter.

Wrong, it does matter. Don't you know there is no talking allowed in the restroom?

[NebraskaJack]

Re: Oru returning to sl

Everyone???????????? A little excessive in choice of pronouns. Why don't you directly address me? I am the one speculating. It appears to me ORU is out shopping around for a better conference, whether I heard it in a coffee shop or a restroom it does not matter. ORU is up to something, otherwise they would not be making the news.

I will learn to contain my pronoun excessiveness!

Relax big guy, not challenging anyone.....just that sometimes speculation turns to gospel truth when it is repeated enough times. That happens fairly frequently on this fanboard and pretty much all others, that is where "everyone" comes into play. ORU may well end up in a different conference as may SDSU when all this shakes out a couple of years down the road, but that doesn't mean either one us have been shopping ourselves. Guess we have a difference of opinion.

[Nidaros]

Re: Oru returning to sl

I will learn to contain my pronoun excessiveness!

Relax big guy, not challenging anyone.....just that sometimes speculation turns to gospel truth when it is repeated enough times. That happens fairly frequently on this fanboard and pretty much all others, that is where "everyone" comes into play. ORU may well end up in a different conference as may SDSU when all this shakes out a couple of years down the road, but that doesn't mean either one us have been shopping ourselves. Guess we have a difference of opinion.

Okay, a difference in opinion. Not a bad thing. ORU is a unique school in many ways. US Congress Woman Michelle Bachman got her law degree from ORU. Just saying....but yet they have some very excellent athletic programs. I for one would love to see them come back to the SL.

[NebraskaJack]

Re: Oru returning to sl

I would love to have them back in the Summit. They would help raise the bar for everyone and hopefully bring some stability, I have a fear over where our conference will be in a couple of years when the dominoes really start falling.

[Nidaros]

Re: Oru returning to sl

I would love to have them back in the Summit. They would help raise the bar for everyone and hopefully bring some stability, I have a fear over where our conference will be in a couple of years when the dominoes really start falling.

Who knows SL could end up being the D1 NCC, but I don't think so with DU coming aboard, more stability.

ORU has a new president taking over on July 1, 2013. There is a Youtube one hour interview with him but not a peep about athletics but they are looking to widen their pheres of influence into the international world.
I did not post the YouTube link, since they did not discuss athletics. No doubt, its a part of the future at ORU.
http://www.oru.edu/news/oru_news/201..._president.php