reNO is an idiotic idea at best, but there are a number of reasons why the conference went in that direction. Wildcat is partly right with UND joining the conference. Having to make last min travel plans to Grand Forks North Dakota isn't cheap and because of that it really helped drive those on the fence over. UND is leaving...which I am sad about. I really like what UND brings to the conference other than distance.
However, there are a lot of other reasons. First, reNO was driven mostly by AD's and coaches. Supposedly, coaches were losing recruits because they couldn't tell them that they were going to participate in a post season tournament. Not that earning the right to participate matters at all, or the fact that the best team wins the right to host due to two months worth of play should mean anything to the ideal of ATHLETIC COMPETITION. Also, coaches didn't like seeing their friends in the profession lose their jobs, because they didn't qualify for the post-season Big Sky Tournament. They wanted a tournament where everyone can participate, on a neutral floor, where the stands are filled with an equal number of fans. I swing a bit to the left, but holy shit this is an eefing Division I College Conference, not kindergarten! If you win you move on. If not, well, better luck next year. If you are cutting it in your "CHOSEN" profession then you will continue to get promotions, if not, well, it might not be the best career option for you.
Next, the conference wanted a showcase tournament. Something everyone can spend an entire year planning for. AD's supported this. Supposedly, this also helps keep our tie in with ESPN (can't wait to watch the championship on ESPNU again!! YIPPIE!!). By having a prearranged location, it helps schools, fans, and the overall community get to the tournament easier. Schools have an entire year to plan for the tournament, because we all know where it is and no matter how terrible of a team you are, you will still participate. This should increase participation. Right? We all know how efficient Weber State marketing is. What actually happens is that one of the Big Sky Communities gets ripped off every year. This year Grand Forks could have made some nice dough off of the tournament. Nope...you get to fly across two times zones and play on a neutral, unfamiliar, court that is surrounded by rival fans. But, you get a bye and to wear your home jerseys. Lucky you!! You won the conference crown! Oh, and your guys get to stay in unfamiliar surroundings hurting their ability to relax and to rest. Finally, your guys have to miss school for an entire week, after winning the conference!! Seeing all the perks the fighting sioux are getting from winning?!
In theory, this (prearranged location) should give the conference's athletic department's an entire year to market, to really emphasize how important reNo is. Oh, wait, most won't start marketing till February for reNo, that's if they even market it. What has changed? I bet attendance is the same or lower than last year.
Lastly, we want to be like the Big Boys!! Other than the fact that the Big Sky is only getting 1 team into the Dance and this year that team will be playing in the play in game. So, if NAU or SUU gets hot on the neutral court, then they will be representing us in the Dance. A team with less than 10 wins!! But, they are the best team right now and they should play in the Dance, because they won the tournament. So, my question is...why keep score for two months in conference basketball games. We might as well turn basketball into track and field. You have a bunch of fun meets where everyone is your friend and you are only competing against a ruler or clock. Everyone wins!! And the only week that really matters is in March in reNo. Finally we will keep score again and the best team from that week can represent the rest of the Sky. NO...if you can't reward the best team over the course of two months of basketball then there shouldn't be a tournament. North Dakota has proven, as of right now, to being the best team and they should have the easiest path to representing the Big Sky at the Dance...meaning if the conference has to have a tournament, which to me they shouldn't have one if the best team can't have the most perks, then that team, since they have earned that right should, HOST the tournament.
I get it...I'm sure reNo is fun and that you get to meet each others small fan base and those who have the $$$ or time available to travel to reNO. Our students aren't going to. Most fans can't or don't want to (I'm not going to give up vacation to go to reNO)...So, once again our teams will play in front of empty bleachers. I can't wait to see how empty the stadium will be if it ends up being an Eastern vs. North Dakota final, which will likely happen. Won't that make the Sky look special. Two teams playing in front of an empty arena with their bands and cheerleader playing and cheering to nothing.
I could go if I can talk all those doctors, specialists, and labs that are keeping me alive to give me a 2 or 3 month break....lol