OVC presidents place limit on number of men's basketball guarantee games

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- Presidents in the Ohio Valley Conference voted Wednesday to reduce the number of guarantee games played by each school to two per season among some other moves designed to help strengthen basketball in the league.

The plan goes into effect with the 2009-10 season. In addition to the limits on guarantee games, teams can play as many non-Division I opponents as they play guarantee games and must play half of their nonconference games at home.

The commissioner will decide if schools are complying, which will be tied to the league's revenue sharing.

"This plan is the culmination of numerous conversations between our administrative groups," Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher said.

"I applaud our membership for their willingness to commit to systemic changes that should enhance our opportunity to succeed. This shows that the OVC membership is not satisfied with the status quo. The basketball enrichment plan is part of a series of strategic decisions intended to enhance the conference's basketball programs."

Austin Peay coach Dave Loos, who also is the school's athletics director, said it's the next step the OVC needs to position itself nationally.

"I wholeheartedly support this effort to enhance our chances for success on the basketball court. It is great to see everyone in the league on the same page and ready to do what it takes to move forward," he said in a statement.

The presidents voted in January for a matching fund giving schools up to $6,500 in matching funds for men's and women's basketball programs to be used for recruiting, guarantees, television and other projects. It's a one-time request to be used in either 2008-09 or 2009-10.

-- The Associated Press