For Creighton/SIU fans only

[MSNSaluki]

I'd like to know what components outside of both schools being really good make SIU and Creighton the Valley's best rivalry.

From my standpoint, Dana Altman is the best coach in the Valley and it's amazing how every one of your teams plays so well in his system. I find it hard to believe we've the success we've had against CU because the Blue Jays scare me everytime they come up on the schedule.

Anyway, I think it's an interesting subject and worthy of discussion.:salukis: :jays:

[DUBulldog]

I'm not sure if it's the best rivalry, but it's certainly become a good one recently.

I think it's solely due to the fact that both teams have been legitimate contenders for the MVC title for each of the last 5-6 years; maybe longer. I don't think there's any kind of natural rivalry there, as the schools aren't close geographically, and they have little similarity as schools.

[outpost]

I find it hard to believe we've the success we've had against CU because the Blue Jays scare me everytime they come up on the schedule.

If you're scared Joey, then it can't be a rivalry. From my experiences, you look forward to tangling with a rival, rather than shying away from it.

[WuDrWu]

I'd like to know what components outside of both schools being really good make SIU and Creighton the Valley's best rivalry.

From my standpoint, Dana Altman is the best coach in the Valley and it's amazing how every one of your teams plays so well in his system. I find it hard to believe we've the success we've had against CU because the Blue Jays scare me everytime they come up on the schedule.

Anyway, I think it's an interesting subject and worthy of discussion.:salukis: :jays:

From an outsiders viewpoint, Joey, I think you hit on the ONLY thing that makes it a rivalry. The instant one of the teams falls, the rivalry will be over, imho.

The only real true rivalry left is BU-ISU and it is heated. It doesn't matter whether one or both teams are good or bad. They want to tear the eyes out of the other. That's the test of a true rivalry.

[Fraydog]

I'm surprised that ISU and SIU aren't bigger rivals. SIU and Illinois State being the big Illinois state schools fighting each other for second billing in this state next to UIUC, but you don't hear as much about it. Really if you want schools that are alike in the Valley, that would be it.

SIU really has nothing in common with Creighton, a Jesuit school, while SIU is a secular state instiution. Creighton with a much smaller enrollment, but larger endowment. I can go on and on, but I think you get the idea. The minute Creighton or SIU tank it ceases to be a big rivalry.

[MSNSaluki]

I'm surprised that ISU and SIU aren't bigger rivals. SIU and Illinois State being the big Illinois state schools fighting each other for second billing in this state next to UIUC, but you don't hear as much about it. Really if you want schools that are alike in the Valley, that would be it.

SIU really has nothing in common with Creighton, a Jesuit school, while SIU is a secular state instiution. Creighton with a much smaller enrollment, but larger endowment. I can go on and on, but I think you get the idea. The minute Creighton or SIU tank it ceases to be a big rivalry.

I think the rivalry is so good because the two teams have been so good. You're right, Fray ... there's nothing in common between the two.

[DannyCooksey]

I'm surprised that ISU and SIU aren't bigger rivals. SIU and Illinois State being the big Illinois state schools fighting each other for second billing in this state next to UIUC, but you don't hear as much about it

I think the simple answer is that rarely have both teams been good at the same time. In the late 80's-early, mid 90's, the two teams were very competitive and fought for titles.

In the late 90's the Redbirds were dominant and the Salukis were terrible. In this decade, the Salukis have been dominant and the Redbirds have been terrible. The rivalry will be renewed if the Redbirds can take some major steps forward and begin to play on par with SIU. If that happens, then you'll see that rivalry grow huge. It's a major rivalry just waiting to be re-ignited.

:redbirds: :salukis:

[Phantom]

I agree totally with what DannyCooksey said. There IS a rivalry between ILST and SIU but its not as glorified for the reasons that Cooksey listed. There were alot of great games from the late 80s-mid 90s between the two teams as both were fighting near the top of the Valley. (The 1990 MVC Title Game between ISU-SIU to this day remains one of the most incredible atmospheres for any game Ive seen at any level. Those who were at that game know what Im talkin about). Then in the mid-late 90s CU and MSU joined the fray at the top and SIU kinda fell back a bit. Now the tables turned once again, and although there is a natural rivalry with ISU-SIU, its not easy to sustain when SIU is at the top of the league and ISU was in the basement last season.

I know that the people around Normal are starting to hype up the SIU game more and more each year, but its still overshadowed by the rivalry with BU. I dont think the ISU-SIU rivalry will get up to the level of ISU-BU, but it certainly was---and can be again---an excellent rivalry matchup.

[jt45]

The SIU v IlSt rivalry has been heated in the past, like when Bob,used 2, Bender-over and do it dawgie style!! I can recall some heated games back in those days.