Big Sky to Continue Study of Tournament Formats

[oldrunner]

SLCC's arena seats 5,000. As long as WSU is in the field each year, it is a guaranteed sellout.

UU's Huntsman Center holds twice as much, but it would never be sold out. Same with Boise.

It makes more sense, to me, to go smaller and sellout each year than to play to an empty house, on TV. :twocents:

 

[oldrunner]

The Maverick Center holds 10,100. It would be viable only if WSU was in the field. Otherwise, it would be too large, unless they required each participating school to purchase a designated number of tickets to cover the costs. :thumb:

 

[SWeberCat02]

They won't hold it at another D1's gym. They said as much in the Reno article. That's why if it's in Reno it won't be in Nevada's gym, it will be at the downtown events center. IMO, The Maverick Center would be a good venue for it. But, since SLC didn't bid, it's not even in the discussion. My guess is it comes down to Billings or Reno since I think they will pick a truly neutral site. As for me, I'd consider going to Reno but would have a hard time getting excited about going to Billings.

 

[SWeberCat02]

I think if they invite all 12 teams, which it sounds like they are planning to, and combine it with the women's tournament, the crowds won't be as small as we all think they will.

 

[SWeberCat02]

http://www.standard.net/Sports/2015...etermined-site-for-conference-tournament.html

 

[AlumniWSU]

Thanks, SWeberCat02, wanted to read a local article on it. It looks like the financial aspect is top priority, but also stated is neutrality, which considering Billings is the only bid to offer the same facility for the combined women's & men's, plus the neutrality/financial part, might favor them. Their downside might be travel accessibility. But note that the President's Council seems to be holding the leave as is card as a possibility. WSU's bid looks solid as Bovee stated with some plus side on experience, financials, accessibility. But big negative to neutrality.

Just wish they would decide to end the tournaments, play a full regular season schedule (right up thru the 1st week of March) & allow the deserving regular season champs to go to the NCAA's. If ties, then use the tie-breaking rules to set up the final BSC rankings. At the tournament's startup, I recall that making some revenue for the conference office & fan interest played a big part (& getting a sponsor for $ help-necessitating pre-planning time), but for a mid-major, spread out conference like the Big Sky, profit making has to be very difficult to do & travel costs higher. Interesting to see the future outcome.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

SLCC's arena seats 5,000. As long as WSU is in the field each year, it is a guaranteed sellout.

It's a moot point but I bet you're dead wrong about a guaranteed sellout, unless, of course, they pull a Weber State and give the tickets away. I guess that's a sellout with some fancy accounting.

 

[SWWeatherCat]

My guess is it comes down to Billings or Reno since I think they will pick a truly neutral site. As for me, I'd consider going to Reno but would have a hard time getting excited about going to Billings.

I think if they invite all 12 teams, which it sounds like they are planning to, and combine it with the women's tournament, the crowds won't be as small as we all think they will.

I won't go to Reno and I won't go to Billings. The 1-2 dozen neighbors, family and friends who support WSU basketball will not travel-- period-- for the tournament but will support it when Weber hosts. I would go to Pocatello, Cedar City, and possibly any other of the Big Sky school locations. In fact, this could very well be the straw that ends my 20+ years of season tix. It's not really Weber's fault but if the conference is going to take an approach that is more about money and less about pure college sport, then I'm not too interested. If there is going to be a BSC tournament and Weber gets no chance to earn the right to host it, then their season becomes a lot less interesting to me. There's plenty of things competing for my time and money!

I've made this all clear to the Big Sky Conference Headquarters and I'm sure they could care less-- neither will I!

 

[weberwildcat]

what is the reason to have a fixed site or change things at all?

is not having a tourney a possibility? it could provide more time for school, class, studying.

even if it is in ogden if wsu isn't playing no one will attend. when psu and msu played the title game in the dee i was one of about 12 people there. :yikes: does the pac12 still have its tourney in LA. i remember watching it in recent years and seeing a 90% empty staples center and thinking what is the point?

 

[Back2WSU]

So yeah this popped up on my feed yesterday. Has quotes from the coaches on the changes

http://www.wsusignpost.com/2015/02/04/big-sky-conference-looks-at-changes-to-basketball-tournament/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[SWWeatherCat]

“For the long-term health of the tournament, you do want to provide a built-in fanbase,” Bovee said. “I think it will be easier for all fans if they know where it’s going to be and if they know their team is going to be in it beforehand.”

He couldn't be more wrong for this fan! Taking college athletics out of college venues, not rewarding the best in-conference performer in a conference tournament, and running the risk of not sending the best team to the dance is all just wrong! :wall:

 

[Purple_Posse]

:bad:

The Big Sky is not a traveling conference. I think it is folly to go to a predetermined location, I really don't think they will have much of a turn out. At least how the tourney is now set up, the host team gets a good crowd.

 

[AlumniWSU]

what is the reason to have a fixed site or change things at all?

is not having a tourney a possibility? it could provide more time for school, class, studying.

even if it is in ogden if wsu isn't playing no one will attend. when psu and msu played the title game in the dee i was one of about 12 people there. :yikes: does the pac12 still have its tourney in LA. i remember watching it in recent years and seeing a 90% empty staples center and thinking what is the point?

So yeah this popped up on my feed yesterday. Has quotes from the coaches on the changes

http://www.wsusignpost.com/2015/02/04/big-sky-conference-looks-at-changes-to-basketball-tournament/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Answer your questions? It's apparent the ADs/Coaches want a "conference community event" for a post season tournament...a "second chance" for the teams. But that carries serious risks and has been kicked around before, except for all teams in it. Apparently no one (of the "in crowd deciding") is saying not having a tourney is an option. Glad the President's Council decides (& they are holding the "no change" option open). If it's a 3 yr. contract to a predetermined neutral site, my bet is it's a BUST with low attendance.

The PAC-12, along with all(?) of the high-major conferences, have successful ($$) post season tourneys because even if low attendance, they get several teams in to the NCAA Dance, with high $$ TV coverage & sponsors for having it.

I think it definitely takes away the importance of regular season play, other than seeding for the post season tourney. Regular season might as well be termed "Conference Practice Season". :twocents:

 

[Kadeezy]

http://m.kcra.com/news/sacramento-state-mens-basketball-team-sets-new-record-after-win/31156966?utm_campaign=kcranews&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The latest, Re:Sac State possible hosting this year...

 

[n.ogdencat]

Why change a system that isn't broken? Regular season champ should be rewarded with the tournament.

 

[catscratched]

Host it at the regular season champs place with a predetermined must sell ticket allotment for each of the 12 schools in it. Teams 1 & 2 get a first round bye and team 1 gets a second round bye. Host team guarantees a minimum 5,000 seat venue.

Round One

3 v 12
4 v 11
5 v 10
6 v 9
7 v 8

Round Two (re-ranked)

2 v 7
3 v 6
4 v 5

Semi Final Round (re-ranked)

1 v 4
2 v 3

FINAL :nod: :nod:

 

[SWeberCat02]

Flagstaff and Greeley/Loveland cut from the list.

Remaining bids are:
Men's & Women's - Reno, Spokane/Cheney
Men's only - Ogden, Billings
Women's only - Missoula

 

[bincitysioux]

I am worried that the fact that the bids from Ogden and Billings don't include the women's tourney, that that will hurt their chances. I would prefer both Ogden or Billings to Reno or Spokane.

This is obviously a moot point since the bids are in and the finalists are chosen, but I was wondering what fans here would have thought of the Maverik Center in West Valley City hosting had they put in a bid? I know nothing about the venue or the city, I was just looking for alternatives in the SLC area and that is what I stumbled upon. I think the SLC area is the best place to have this tournament, but I am not thrilled about it being in your home venue.

Too late I know, but just curious.

 

[SWeberCat02]

I am worried that the fact that the bids from Ogden and Billings don't include the women's tourney, that that will hurt their chances. I would prefer both Ogden or Billings to Reno or Spokane.

This is obviously a moot point since the bids are in and the finalists are chosen, but I was wondering what fans here would have thought of the Maverik Center in West Valley City hosting had they put in a bid? I know nothing about the venue or the city, I was just looking for alternatives in the SLC area and that is what I stumbled upon. I think the SLC area is the best place to have this tournament, but I am not thrilled about it being in your home venue.

Too late I know, but just curious.

I think the Maverik Center would be a good venue for it. It's just the right size, just down the road from the airport, and plenty of hotels and restaurants nearby. It'd be a much better venue than Energy Solutions or the Huntsman Center.

 

[oldrunner]

I don't know if the Maverick Center chose not to bid or was never asked to bid. Either way, it sounds like no bid was entered. Likewise SLCC or the South Town Convention Center.

I still like the idea of selecting the top 4 arenas in the league and then rotating the site.