UTA and (to a lesser extent) Little Rock really expand the conference footprint. Belmont does too but they have a long history of success. I don't see UTA and Little Rock additions bumping the MVC up to A-10 or AAC level. The MVC should put out floaters and see if Wichita State wants to come back now that the AAC is weaker. The real power move would be Wichita State plus grabbing SLU and Dayton to go to 14. Then you would be talking about a league that would overtake the A-10 and AAC, but not now or with UTA/UALR.
I would agree with you but Wichita napalmed every bridge on the way out. I don't think you could get enough of the presidents to agree to bring them back after some of the things their chancellor and AD said when they left the first time.
SLU has had a standing offer from the Valley for 30 years. They view themselves as an East Coast institution that happens to be located in the midwest. They aren't coming to the Valley. SLU, Dayton, Richmond, VCU and, now, Loyola would give up anything they could possibly have to to get into the Big East and aren't going to make another move that isn't the Big East.
All in all the Valley is going to come out of this realignment healthier than the last one. Belmont said no the last time around so getting them is huge and the concerns about them losing steam after Rick Byrd retired are pretty much gone. Murray is a good basketball add and stabilizes football because it puts all of the voting power back with the Valley schools and away from the Summit League schools and the absolute prima donna asshattery that lives in Fargo.
I agree on UTA and Little Rock but I just don't see a way the Valley says no to getting into Texas.