I absolutely hate this idea. NO Way in HELL would the Sky out draw the other FOUR CONFERENCES having tournaments in the same city, on the same days. The Sky would be on par with one of them however, the WAC = EMPTY STADIUM.
Why was Dahlberg full two years ago? Because Montana told the conference to kiss their asses and they took over the seating arrangement and sell of tickets. They didn't follow the conference model. I was an away fan and was treated well, and got the tickets I wanted. It was a great experience other than the Cats losing the game. One of the best I have ever watched.
Biggest reason for the smallish crowd at the Dee this season? 1. DREADFUL MARKETING by Weber State and the Sky. 2. Fear that the Cats would lose again. In 2010 the Dee had 10,500 at the Championship to watch AJ go off and score 42. 3. The seating plan created by the conference is a joke. 4. Spring Break was the same week and there wasn't any student marketing either so it wouldn't matter.
I loved the games this past year. It was three awesome days of basketball. I watched them all. Made new friends from other schools and had a great time watching my Cats win the Sky. If the conference HAS to have a tournament, the regular season champion should have the right to host, no matter who wins. They won...they should host. Even if it is in Greeley, Bozeman, or Poky. That team should have the best chance to claiming the ONLY spot allowed to the Big Sky in the Big Dance. If that school can't win on their home floor, with its fans, and being at home, then that is their fault. They have the advantages.
Last time the tournament was at a "neutral"/prearranged location. 1994 in Boise. Sixth seeded Boise State represented the Sky at the Dance. #1 seed Weber State, lost in the first round to Boise, and went home early. The Cats should have hosted that tournament and should have gone dancing. That team did the next year and beat Michigan State. Who knows what they could have done as Jrs. but we will never know because Weber wasn't able to represent the Sky in the Dance, instead, the Sky got the 6th seeded Broncos.