Our MVC Rival

[ERacerHead]

One of the things that I was concerned about when joining the MCV is that I wasn't sure who the new rival, the most hated team would be.  The team we travelled to and the team that brought their fans here.  The Austen Peay of the MVC.  Since we played Peay in football it was a true rivalry.  Now we just have to have one in basketball.
Question, is it Belmont or SIU?  I know Racer fans despise them both, but who do we hate more?

[atlantaracer]

Is it SIU or Belmont?  I say "yes" to both. 

SIU will be a rival longer term because their fans care.

And the Barry Hinson rant will live in infamy. 

[smidge34]

SIU-C is a similar university with similar fanbases and cities, not to mention an old regional rivalry of sorts going back many years. They opened the Bank, I was there and it was wild. The second best game behind St Mary's for me was 2003 I believe it was, Mick Cronin vs Matt Painter where we came back from a big 1st half deficit to win. The roar was nearly deafening when we took the lead. Anyway, SIU has way more rival potential than Belmont or Peay.

[75Fan]

I despise neither.

They both have a history of great teams, great players and great coaches.

Nothing to despise, I just hate losing close games because of bone-headed mistakes or last-second miracle shots, but you know what?.....good teams find ways to win when it looks like it's all but over, and these two teams have their share of doing just that.

If one looks at the standing, one can see that there are 8 teams in this league that can beat each other on any given night.  I think it comes down to who makes the least mistakes and is the most consistently and fundamentally sound in the little things it takes to get that hard-fought win.

As an example of what I mean, in the game against SIU at SIU, the ball bounced off the right side of the rim and Jacobi went after it, but an SIU player ran from behind him and dove for the ball and knocked it off of Jacobi out of bounds.  That is pure heart and hustle!  A play here, a play there by 5 guys on the floor over the course of 40 minutes and there's the extra 4-6 points that will make the difference in most games we will play in this league.

It is a mindset - one that most teams in The Valley already understand.

To win in this league, you must out-tough your opponent and value every possession.

By the way, I couldn't agree more with the growth of Perry over the last couple of games.

Perry and Smith are an anomaly in today's college game in that they are very adept at the mid-range jumper.  I have to go all the way back to the M&M boys to remember players that you just knew were going to knock down that mid-range jumper.  Perry and Smith make me just as comfortable in the mid-range.

[ERacerHead]

75 - I love most of your posts but disagree on this one.  College sports need a rival.  A team that fires up the fan base and packs the student section when they come to town.  A team that you despise and that despises you.  It's all in fun, but an important rivalry.  Ultimately you reserve the greatest respect for your rival, you just never let them know.

[RacerHistory]

SIU-C is a similar university with similar fanbases and cities, not to mention an old regional rivalry of sorts going back many years. They opened the Bank, I was there and it was wild. The second best game behind St Mary's for me was 2003 I believe it was, Mick Cronin vs Matt Painter where we came back from a big 1st half deficit to win. The roar was nearly deafening when we took the lead. Anyway, SIU has way more rival potential than Belmont or Peay.

I was at that game too. Antoine Welchel hit the shot that gave the Racers the lead.

My desktop background for YEARS was a picture taken from the end zone above the student section. You could see the time and score, it was right before the team started their come back.

[ERacerHead]

SIU-C is a similar university with similar fanbases and cities, not to mention an old regional rivalry of sorts going back many years. They opened the Bank, I was there and it was wild. The second best game behind St Mary's for me was 2003 I believe it was, Mick Cronin vs Matt Painter where we came back from a big 1st half deficit to win. The roar was nearly deafening when we took the lead. Anyway, SIU has way more rival potential than Belmont or Peay.

I was at that game too. Antoine Welchel hit the shot that gave the Racers the lead.

My desktop background for YEARS was a picture taken from the end zone above the student section. You could see the time and score, it was right before the team started their come back.

I was there as well.  Great game.  SIU is a great candidate for a rival, just not sure if it's them or Belmont.  Next week it's definitely Belmont though.

[Joe Bananas]

Long-time Saluki fan here. And I've casually been following the successes of Murray State over the last 20+ years.

I'm really excited, and not surprised, that the rivalry between Murray and SIU has seemed to already have been sparked. I've always been envious of the way you guys are able to reload year after year and have the ability to find NBA lottery talent.

Your team this year is way better than their record indicates and looks like you guys have the pieces to be one of (if not the) most dangerous teams for the valley tourney. Good luck the rest of the way.

[ERacerHead]

I like the rivalry between SIU and MSU more than that between us and Belmont because we also have a chance to beat them in football.  Remember, I just said a chance.

[atlantaracer]

SIU-C is a similar university with similar fanbases and cities, not to mention an old regional rivalry of sorts going back many years. They opened the Bank, I was there and it was wild. The second best game behind St Mary's for me was 2003 I believe it was, Mick Cronin vs Matt Painter where we came back from a big 1st half deficit to win. The roar was nearly deafening when we took the lead. Anyway, SIU has way more rival potential than Belmont or Peay.

I was at that game too. Antoine Welchel hit the shot that gave the Racers the lead.

My desktop background for YEARS was a picture taken from the end zone above the student section. You could see the time and score, it was right before the team started their come back.

I was there as well.  Great game.  SIU is a great candidate for a rival, just not sure if it's them or Belmont.  Next week it's definitely Belmont though.

I was at that game also. I remember a couple other items about that day. Earlier that day, if I recall, we lost the OVC football championship in Murray to TSU in a wild, no defense game. TSU then proceeded to tear down our goalposts (with full protection from security, it seemed).  

I also remember a Racer player (Marlin Tom's?) collapsing in the game. I honestly thought it might be very bad. He laid on the floor motionless, then got up and everything seemed normal. 

Is my memory fading on those?

Agree probably one of the top 5 or so fun games at the Bank (Dickie v games by far the best). But Racer Arena games, still way up there all time. 

[75Fan]

75 - I love most of your posts but disagree on this one.  College sports need a rival.  A team that fires up the fan base and packs the student section when they come to town.  A team that you despise and that despises you.  It's all in fun, but an important rivalry.  Ultimately you reserve the greatest respect for your rival, you just never let them know.

I concur with you about the importance of rivalries stemming out of tacit respect for the other team, but my position was on despising either program.  I think the best rivalries stem from teams that have a near .500 record against each other and SIU (17-11 0.607) and Belmont (13-11 0.542) certainly fit the bill.

[75Fan]

bump

[wkeown]

Is it SIU or Belmont?  I say "yes" to both.

SIU will be a rival longer term because their fans care.

And the Barry Hinson rant will live in infamy.

I have enough hate in my heart to dislike them both.  I want to win them all, so I have room for even more if they try to take our annual bid away from us

[RacerHistory]

Long-time Saluki fan here. And I've casually been following the successes of Murray State over the last 20+ years.

I'm really excited, and not surprised, that the rivalry between Murray and SIU has seemed to already have been sparked. I've always been envious of the way you guys are able to reload year after year and have the ability to find NBA lottery talent.

Your team this year is way better than their record indicates and looks like you guys have the pieces to be one of (if not the) most dangerous teams for the valley tourney. Good luck the rest of the way.

Welcome to the board Joe!

[ERacerHead]

75 - I love most of your posts but disagree on this one.  College sports need a rival.  A team that fires up the fan base and packs the student section when they come to town.  A team that you despise and that despises you.  It's all in fun, but an important rivalry.  Ultimately you reserve the greatest respect for your rival, you just never let them know.

I concur with you about the importance of rivalries stemming out of tacit respect for the other team, but my position was on despising either program.  I think the best rivalries stem from teams that have a near .500 record against each other and SIU (17-11 0.607) and Belmont (13-11 0.542) certainly fit the bill.

You are correct.  Despise is a little probably a little harsh.  But when I say despise in the context of a sports rivalry it doesn't mean crazy fans poisoning the other towns trees, it's more of a heightened emotion reserved especially for those games.  And in my opinion. rivalries are really fun.  I loved it when Peay came to town and we went there.  It was a special game.  I'm going to miss shouting "Flush the Peay".  What do I say now?  "Beat the Bruins?" "Stomp the Salukis?"