MWC is mulling moving their Basketball tournament in 2020 to either SDSU Arena or Phoenix. Hotel costs are expected to rise do to a convention that will betaking place during the same week' Wonder if the WAC will stay?
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/spor...story.html
I hope not. Our conference is small and it's frankly embarrassing to see an empty Orleans Arena. NMSU fans would like to think we support well but there is only probably 1000 of us there which is probably more than all other schools combined in the past. GCU will bring fans but probably not a ton to Vegas either, not like the MWC schools. I hope they have it at GCU Arena. Phoenix is a great destination city with lots to do, easy to get to. GCU could let the WAC use it for free and not pay rent like they do in Vegas. Perhaps even some NMSU students would make the short trip. GCU Arena has my vote. Small arena with great local support. Are there any other venues in Phoenix if the NMSU or the other schools want a "neutral" court? What's that place GCU is playing St. Johns at?
Phoenix seriously? Why would you want to give GCU a home court advantage? No other conference gives another team a home court advantage when they aren't the top seed. All the other schools would have a major problem with that. The WAC would never approve that anyway.
If its not in Vegas, I say rotate it around to the conference schools. Like is done with other tournaments. No TV dollars for the conference, schools could get money from the Basketball tournament when they host. Just have a neutral court design that can be moved around every year.
(11-01-2017 03:41 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote: [ -> ]If its not in Vegas, I say rotate it around to the conference schools. Like is done with other tournaments. No TV dollars for the conference, schools could get money from the Basketball tournament when they host. Just have a neutral court design that can be moved around every year.
Agree, same here. If not Vegas, go for conference rotation.
IMHO, baseball should also rotate. As it is, it's in Mesa, GCU's backyard. I realize that baseball is more weather dependent, but it could be made to work, at least SOME sort of rotation.
(11-01-2017 03:49 PM)RunnerBall Wrote: [ -> ] (11-01-2017 03:41 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote: [ -> ]If its not in Vegas, I say rotate it around to the conference schools. Like is done with other tournaments. No TV dollars for the conference, schools could get money from the Basketball tournament when they host. Just have a neutral court design that can be moved around every year.
Agree, same here. If not Vegas, go for conference rotation.
IMHO, baseball should also rotate. As it is, it's in Mesa, GCU's backyard. I realize that baseball is more weather dependent, but it could be made to work, at least SOME sort of rotation.
Its the end of may for baseball. Weather should not be much of a problem.
I wouldn't really have a problem with that but no other conference does it like that for basketball. I'm sure there is some good reason for that. It's probably just not feasible. I don't like the idea of a possible lesser team having a home court advantage. That is really unfair on the regular season winner. They shouldn't be rewarded with having to play in a hostile place like Phoenix. If there was to be any sort of rotation make the regular season winner the host and reward the top seed. Vegas is a good spot for the tournament and I think the WAC likes it there. Other than that maybe Denver? I have no idea.
Phoenix-Metro neutral site options might be limited...
1) Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Central Phoenix) - The former home of the Suns is part of the Arizona State Fair grounds. I honestly don't even know if the building is even fit for basketball games anymore. Not much around, by way of hotels, dining options, etc., either. This option probably isn't really an option at all.
2) Talking Stick Resort Arena (Downtown Phoenix) - Current home of the Phoenix Suns, and neutral site being used for Valley of the Sun Shootout doubleheader (UA v. TX A&M/GCU v. St. John's). With the NBA season in full swing, you'd have to coordinate the tourney with a Suns road trip.
3) Gila River Arena (Glendale, AZ) - Current home of the Arizona Coyotes, for now. This building is part of the Westgate Entertainment District and may be the best option, in terms of nearby hotels & food. Again, you'd have to coordinate with the Coyotes' home schedule to make it work. That is if the Coyotes stay a) in Arizona, and b) in that building long-term. If the Coyotes ever left either the state or facility, arena management would probably beg anyone who will listen to bring their events to Glendale, includjng the WAC.
My concern with having the WAC tournament in Phoenix has always been competition with Spring Training crowds for rooms, rental cars, and tables at restaurants. That is a big beast to contend with, in my opinion.
(11-01-2017 03:58 PM)Clarity Wrote: [ -> ]I wouldn't really have a problem with that but no other conference does it like that for basketball. I'm sure there is some good reason for that. It's probably just not feasible. I don't like the idea of a possible lesser team having a home court advantage. That is really unfair on the regular season winner. They shouldn't be rewarded with having to play in a hostile place like Phoenix. If there was to be any sort of rotation make the regular season winner the host and reward the top seed. Vegas is a good spot for the tournament and I think the WAC likes it there. Other than that maybe Denver? I have no idea.
Since regular season champions are no longer rewarded with a first round bye, what if the WAC went back to a campus-based tourney that was hosted by the previous season's regular season champion? Or, they at least get the first right of refusal. If that institution declines hosting, the option could fall to the WAC tournament champion or 2nd place regular season finisher, etc. Idk.
(11-01-2017 02:42 PM)Clarity Wrote: [ -> ]Phoenix seriously? Why would you want to give GCU a home court advantage? No other conference gives another team a home court advantage when they aren't the top seed. All the other schools would have a major problem with that. The WAC would never approve that anyway.
That’s not true. The MW tourney has been held for years at the Thomas & Mack, the home court of UNLV. UNLV has that advantage every year.
I bought my plane ticket, hotel and rental car early after last year’s prices were so high. I wouldn’t mind them moving it out of LV. That city has gotten so expensive in the past decade.
(11-01-2017 10:35 PM)Brillio Wrote: [ -> ]I bought my plane ticket, hotel and rental car early after last year’s prices were so high. I wouldn’t mind them moving it out of LV. That city has gotten so expensive in the past decade.
It's kinda cool for you being able to watch Nevada at MWC tourney at Thomas Mack
Wac tourney used to be in Reno giving Nevada home court. Tourney environment is different. I still say Phoenix. I'm personally sick of Vegas. Denver is a dumb idea. Expensive to fly into. Crowds will be tiny. How about Cal Baptist arena?
I say have it on rotation for each school. Good revenue for those universities and the cities they are in. Also gives students the chance to show up because the tournament usually does not fall on spring break.
(11-01-2017 11:49 PM)dancingNMSUaggie Wrote: [ -> ]Wac tourney used to be in Reno giving Nevada home court. Tourney environment is different. I still say Phoenix. I'm personally sick of Vegas. Denver is a dumb idea. Expensive to fly into. Crowds will be tiny. How about Cal Baptist arena?
Hmmm.... that's fairly close to Bakersfield. Ok, ....good idea! Im in! [GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
Maybe large enough for Cirque du Soleil halftime entertainment. The WAC could ditch the "dancing pooches" or whatever they had last year. [WINKING FACE]
Would Utah work? SLC,or.... Logan? That way some of the Aggie fans could catch up and hang with your old Utah St buddies.
Sent from my SM-G950U using
CSNbbs mobile app
(11-02-2017 12:52 AM)RunnerBall Wrote: [ -> ] (11-01-2017 11:49 PM)dancingNMSUaggie Wrote: [ -> ]Wac tourney used to be in Reno giving Nevada home court. Tourney environment is different. I still say Phoenix. I'm personally sick of Vegas. Denver is a dumb idea. Expensive to fly into. Crowds will be tiny. How about Cal Baptist arena?
Hmmm.... that's fairly close to Bakersfield. Ok, ....good idea! Im in! [GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
Maybe large enough for Cirque du Soleil halftime entertainment. The WAC could ditch the "dancing pooches" or whatever they had last year. [WINKING FACE]
Would Utah work? SLC,or.... Logan? That way some of the Aggie fans could catch up and hang with your old Utah St buddies.
Sent from my SM-G950U using CSNbbs mobile app
How about doing bigger cities near each school. Maybe do LA for Bako and Cal Baptist, Seattle for Seattle U at ¿New Key?, United Center for Chi St, Kansas City for UMKC, ¿El Paso? for NMSU and UTRGV
(11-01-2017 11:44 PM)dancingNMSUaggie Wrote: [ -> ] (11-01-2017 10:35 PM)Brillio Wrote: [ -> ]I bought my plane ticket, hotel and rental car early after last year’s prices were so high. I wouldn’t mind them moving it out of LV. That city has gotten so expensive in the past decade.
It's kinda cool for you being able to watch Nevada at MWC tourney at Thomas Mack
I’m coming in Thursday night this year and hoping I can watch both Nevada and Gcu play Friday and Saturday.. but I have a small feeling both will lose Thursday before I even hit the tarmac.
(11-02-2017 11:23 AM)RoosHouse Wrote: [ -> ]KC?
Exactly....like was supposedly in the original agreement.
Anyone know what happened on that? True or just a ...WAC urban legend?
(11-02-2017 01:08 PM)RunnerBall Wrote: [ -> ] (11-02-2017 11:23 AM)RoosHouse Wrote: [ -> ]KC?
Exactly....like was supposedly in the original agreement. Anyone know what happened on that? True or just a ...WAC urban legend?
I think it was Hurd who said they would be able to host. The rest of the WAC has thought otherwise.