(04-28-2016 02:10 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 12:32 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  Rumor at UAB is we won't be bidding on it anymore as long as the host isn't assured of playing in the evenings. So cross Birmingham off the list until that's changed.

Didn't UAB push to make the 1st seed go have the longest time in-between games? So by virtue of how time works they go first? Make up your minds!!!!

I think that was Tech because we had to play the really late game one night...then the early game the next day when we were the #1 seed two years ago.

(04-28-2016 02:13 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 02:10 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 12:32 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  Rumor at UAB is we won't be bidding on it anymore as long as the host isn't assured of playing in the evenings. So cross Birmingham off the list until that's changed.

Didn't UAB push to make the 1st seed go have the longest time in-between games? So by virtue of how time works they go first? Make up your minds!!!!

I think that was Tech because we had to play the really late game one night...then the early game the next day when we were the #1 seed two years ago.

Ah, thanks.

(04-28-2016 02:16 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 02:13 PM)Saint Greg Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 02:10 PM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 12:32 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  Rumor at UAB is we won't be bidding on it anymore as long as the host isn't assured of playing in the evenings. So cross Birmingham off the list until that's changed.

Didn't UAB push to make the 1st seed go have the longest time in-between games? So by virtue of how time works they go first? Make up your minds!!!!

I think that was Tech because we had to play the really late game one night...then the early game the next day when we were the #1 seed two years ago.

Ah, thanks.

I would've been fine with it if we had a daytime game the first day...let UAB keep primetime if they want. But I want to say it was after 11pm when our game ended and we played UAB at 5:30 the next day.

(04-28-2016 01:23 PM)JCMiner Wrote:  Until your school has hosted a conference tournament you don't know what a big disadvantage having a noon start time is.

I think you're confusing "disadvantage" with "less of an advantage"

Making a few extra dollars off one or two games isn't worth creating manufactured advantages for a certain team in what is most likely the only chance for any of us to make the NCAA tourney.

(04-28-2016 02:29 PM)keebler645 Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 01:23 PM)JCMiner Wrote:  Until your school has hosted a conference tournament you don't know what a big disadvantage having a noon start time is.

I think you're confusing "disadvantage" with "less of an advantage"

Making a few extra dollars off one or two games isn't worth creating manufactured advantages for a certain team in what is most likely the only chance for any of us to make the NCAA tourney.

If that's what the majority in the conference want then fine, we all will just have to live with it but don't expect schools to put up a one million dollar guarantee with that kind of setup. It takes ticket sales to make the venture a financial success.

We would love to have the tourney in Norfolk. I think CUSA fans would love to come here! But, we can't bid on it due to the need to have two venues. The TED is probably the best arena in the conference but Norfolk's other appropriate site, Scope (less than 10 minutes away with a 9K capacity), is tied up for the next few years for the MEAC tourney. There is also a conflict with two other locals schools gyms, Hampton Coliseum is across the water but it is a traffic risk getting over either tunnel. We definitely would bid when the NBA style/size Virginia Beach arena is built in a couple of years or if we can get Scope before the MEAC renews.

Complaints that ODU fans have about going to the tourney in faraway cities is travel costs, the stupid scheduling of the men and women's games at the same time. Also repeating the same cities in consecutive years. Another problem for those fans coming from a far city is you have to take four work days off. Yes, I realize if your team ends up in the top four you can cut one day off of that, BUT, to get the cheapest fares you need to make reservations earlier than you would probably know the seeding. One suggestion is to start the tourney on Friday with the championship on Monday before Selection Sunday. the Caa had this schedule and it worked fine and gave the winning team some rest before the Big Dance. The only downside was there had to be a couple of conference games in December. On second thought that may fix some of the need for some teams to schedule RPI killer games n the OOC!!

We liked Birmingham but we saw all the touristy thing in that trip and didn't want to go back the next year. If it is Norfolk there are enough things to do and see for many trips here...Virginia Beach, USS Wisconsin and Naval history, Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown are 30-45 minutes away and lots more.

(04-28-2016 02:29 PM)keebler645 Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 01:23 PM)JCMiner Wrote:  Until your school has hosted a conference tournament you don't know what a big disadvantage having a noon start time is.

I think you're confusing "disadvantage" with "less of an advantage"

Making a few extra dollars off one or two games isn't worth creating manufactured advantages for a certain team in what is most likely the only chance for any of us to make the NCAA tourney.

In the last seven years the host school has only won the championship twice. This perception that the host team will automatically win the tournament went out the door when Memphis left the conference.

We're already the 22nd rated league in the country. If you guys want to add fire to the dumpster by playing our tournament in front of less than 3k people then so be it. There's very little pride left in the conference. To me it's embarrassing turning on the tv and watching our schools play in front of empty arenas.

What additional advantage does a host school receive from playing all their games at 7pm?

I say play all rounds at the higher seeds home until 1/4 finals then the final 4 play at the #1 seed. That should raise attendance across the board.

The reason conference tournaments exist is to make money. How do you make money? 1) Selling tickets and 2) sponsorships.

Step 1 - Award the tournament to basketball focused schools in big enough cities to support the event and let the host school play in the evening when the locals aren't at work. Very simple.

Step 2 - How do you sell sponsorships? Get people in the arena to see/hear the ads (see step 1).

If we don't care about the tournament making money then we should cancel it and award the auto bid to the regular season champion. For a G5 conference with a looming decline in TV revenue, we should be doing everything we can to squeeze as much money as possible out of the event for our member schools.

As long as the CUSA tournament is going to continue, doing anything other than maximizing revenue is pure foolishness.

(04-28-2016 04:07 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  I say play all rounds at the higher seeds home until 1/4 finals then the final 4 play at the #1 seed. That should raise attendance across the board.

TV wouldn't like this set up. Means they have to send crews to 4 different different locations at least. Assuming the first couple of rounds will still be on TV.

I ve always believed it should be st a neutral spot. It just looks better on tv.

From the looks of everyone's attendance at tournament sites we have zero business as a league having it at a neutral site. Last I checked we were in the business of trying to make money at these things.

I don't think UAB is asking for an unfair advantage. I think what UAB is asking is that the format go back to the way it was so that whoever hosts can draw the biggest crowd they can. Keep in mind your school may be forced to play at noon on a Thursday.

Sometimes I Smdh reading these things.

(04-28-2016 12:34 PM)Herdmeister Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 12:32 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  Rumor at UAB is we won't be bidding on it anymore as long as the host isn't assured of playing in the evenings. So cross Birmingham off the list until that's changed.

Finish 2nd in the regular season and you are guaranteed to play in the evening's first game.. Problem solved

(04-28-2016 04:07 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  I say play all rounds at the higher seeds home until 1/4 finals then the final 4 play at the #1 seed. That should raise attendance across the board.

We should be above that as a conference.

What has our "butts in the seats" attendance been for the last few years? I am not talking about tickets sold, because I think the title sponsor probably gets a wheelbarrow full of them that never get used. I am wondering what size arena we really need. I assume that the women's games would fit in a HS gym, but if you know that too it would be interesting.

Charlotte does not bid on these things for several reasons, but primarily because the CIAA tournament is here and they host about 100,000 fans. It is really incredible that a Div II tournament could be perhaps the largest basketball tournament in the nation, but it is. Our tournament would be a week or so later, but it may be difficult to use Time Warner Cable Arena because the Hornets will want to get back home for some games. Would it be possible to do the tournament in the 8600 seat Bojangles' Coliseum? Or on campus at the 9105 seat Halton Arena? Charlotte would be an excellent spot for our tournament, but getting casual fans to come would be very difficult here in the middle of ACC country with that tournament on TV at the same time.

(05-02-2016 04:12 PM)Nugget49er Wrote:  What has our "butts in the seats" attendance been for the last few years? I am not talking about tickets sold, because I think the title sponsor probably gets a wheelbarrow full of them that never get used. I am wondering what size arena we really need. I assume that the women's games would fit in a HS gym, but if you know that too it would be interesting.

Charlotte does not bid on these things for several reasons, but primarily because the CIAA tournament is here and they host about 100,000 fans. It is really incredible that a Div II tournament could be perhaps the largest basketball tournament in the nation, but it is. Our tournament would be a week or so later, but it may be difficult to use Time Warner Cable Arena because the Hornets will want to get back home for some games. Would it be possible to do the tournament in the 8600 seat Bojangles' Coliseum? Or on campus at the 9105 seat Halton Arena? Charlotte would be an excellent spot for our tournament, but getting casual fans to come would be very difficult here in the middle of ACC country with that tournament on TV at the same time.

I'd think either or both of those arenas would be more than sufficient. I think UTEP might have had some pretty nice crowds when it was there but mostly from locals.

(05-02-2016 04:32 PM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(05-02-2016 04:12 PM)Nugget49er Wrote:  What has our "butts in the seats" attendance been for the last few years? I am not talking about tickets sold, because I think the title sponsor probably gets a wheelbarrow full of them that never get used. I am wondering what size arena we really need. I assume that the women's games would fit in a HS gym, but if you know that too it would be interesting.

Charlotte does not bid on these things for several reasons, but primarily because the CIAA tournament is here and they host about 100,000 fans. It is really incredible that a Div II tournament could be perhaps the largest basketball tournament in the nation, but it is. Our tournament would be a week or so later, but it may be difficult to use Time Warner Cable Arena because the Hornets will want to get back home for some games. Would it be possible to do the tournament in the 8600 seat Bojangles' Coliseum? Or on campus at the 9105 seat Halton Arena? Charlotte would be an excellent spot for our tournament, but getting casual fans to come would be very difficult here in the middle of ACC country with that tournament on TV at the same time.

I'd think either or both of those arenas would be more than sufficient. I think UTEP might have had some pretty nice crowds when it was there but mostly from locals.

Back when Memphis, Houston etc were in the league, there was a 10,000 minimum seat arena needed. There was also a minimum bid of $1 million dollars. I have ni idea if that has changed. Every arena the tournament has been in has had a minimum of 10,00 seats. UTEP was the smallest arena since Marshall joined the league in 2005. Tulsa, Memphis and Birmingham have all been larger.

(05-01-2016 02:24 PM)Blazer88 Wrote:  

(04-28-2016 04:07 PM)wkuhilltopperfan Wrote:  I say play all rounds at the higher seeds home until 1/4 finals then the final 4 play at the #1 seed. That should raise attendance across the board.

We should be above that as a conference.

Agree. No time for travel in that scenario for fans that want make the trip.

(05-03-2016 12:07 PM)Herdmeister Wrote:  

(05-02-2016 04:32 PM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(05-02-2016 04:12 PM)Nugget49er Wrote:  What has our "butts in the seats" attendance been for the last few years? I am not talking about tickets sold, because I think the title sponsor probably gets a wheelbarrow full of them that never get used. I am wondering what size arena we really need. I assume that the women's games would fit in a HS gym, but if you know that too it would be interesting.

Charlotte does not bid on these things for several reasons, but primarily because the CIAA tournament is here and they host about 100,000 fans. It is really incredible that a Div II tournament could be perhaps the largest basketball tournament in the nation, but it is. Our tournament would be a week or so later, but it may be difficult to use Time Warner Cable Arena because the Hornets will want to get back home for some games. Would it be possible to do the tournament in the 8600 seat Bojangles' Coliseum? Or on campus at the 9105 seat Halton Arena? Charlotte would be an excellent spot for our tournament, but getting casual fans to come would be very difficult here in the middle of ACC country with that tournament on TV at the same time.

I'd think either or both of those arenas would be more than sufficient. I think UTEP might have had some pretty nice crowds when it was there but mostly from locals.

Back when Memphis, Houston etc were in the league, there was a 10,000 minimum seat arena needed. There was also a minimum bid of $1 million dollars. I have ni idea if that has changed. Every arena the tournament has been in has had a minimum of 10,00 seats. UTEP was the smallest arena since Marshall joined the league in 2005. Tulsa, Memphis and Birmingham have all been larger.

That's true. UTEP was the only one of those to host in an on-campus facility, the Don Haskins Center, which seats just over 12k.

(05-01-2016 12:17 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Last I checked we were in the business of trying to make money at these things.

Shouldn't we also be in the business of crowning a conference tournament champion at these things? It's bad enough that one team gets a home court advantage. Why give that team more advantages?

On the first day, fine. It shouldn't matter too much (although you have to think about quick turnaround for day 2. But past, that just play the schedule and if it's going to be set up for one team's advantage in any way, do that by seeding.