I heard for the first time, today, that this is the last season the tournament will be in New Orleans. Next year all 12 teams will attend at a yet to be determined site. I heard places like Pensacola, Biloxi, and Southaven, MS are in the running. Anyone have anymore information?. If we are talking about having all 12 men's and women's teams, in the same location, we have to a 2-court set-up like we did in Hot Springs. Of course, us Little Rock fans would love it back in Hot Springs but I don't believe that is an option at this point. Apparently some of this is due to having a new commissioner. Probably doesn't live in New Orleans.

Rotate it between New Orleans (favoring western teams) and Atlanta (favoring eastern teams) and call it a day.

Well, if it's moved to Pensacola, Troy and USA fans would have heavy attendance as long as their teams are in said tournament.

If basketball is moved to Pensacola, the Pensacola Bay Center is a very nice arena, and it's just a few blocks away from downtown and the Gulf Coast.

(01-06-2020 04:30 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  Well, if it's moved to Pensacola, Troy and USA fans would have heavy attendance as long as their teams are in said tournament.

If basketball is moved to Pensacola, the Pensacola Bay Center is a very nice arena, and it's just a few blocks away from downtown and the Gulf Coast.

Isn't there a Feast Week tournament held in that area every year? IIRC it usually has some pretty big squads as well, so I'm sure they could handle having the SBC tournament.

(01-06-2020 04:30 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  Well, if it's moved to Pensacola, Troy and USA fans would have heavy attendance as long as their teams are in said tournament.

If basketball is moved to Pensacola, the Pensacola Bay Center is a very nice arena, and it's just a few blocks away from downtown and the Gulf Coast.

I live 15 minutes from Pensacola, I would be very happy

(01-06-2020 03:51 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  Rotate it between New Orleans (favoring western teams) and Atlanta (favoring eastern teams) and call it a day.

Seems like Shreveport might be the most central location for the Western teams, but don't know if they are in the running. I tend to like the idea of a smaller city (e.g. Hot Springs, AR) which would embrace the tourney. Folks in New Orleans couldn't care less about the Sun Belt tournament and Atlanta would be the same way. Hot Springs definitely embraced the tourney. Places like Huntsville or Columbus, Ga. might as well.

(01-06-2020 04:59 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 03:51 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  Rotate it between New Orleans (favoring western teams) and Atlanta (favoring eastern teams) and call it a day.

Seems like Shreveport might be the most central location for the Western teams, but don't know if they are in the running. I tend to like the idea of a smaller city (e.g. Hot Springs, AR) which would embrace the tourney. Folks in New Orleans couldn't care less about the Sun Belt tournament and Atlanta would be the same way. Hot Springs definitely embraced the tourney. Places like Huntsville or Columbus, Ga. might as well.

Shreveport has multiple good locations for gyms too. The Centurylink Center in Bossier and Hirsch Arena near Independence Stadium come to mind, and the Gold Dome on the campus of Centenary could come into play as well.

Technically, Mobile could host a tournament. One could be on campus at the Mitchell Center and the other could be in the Civic Center downtown. I can't remember the last time a basketball game was played there since South moved on campus many years ago.

(01-06-2020 04:58 PM)moehler Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 04:30 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  Well, if it's moved to Pensacola, Troy and USA fans would have heavy attendance as long as their teams are in said tournament.

If basketball is moved to Pensacola, the Pensacola Bay Center is a very nice arena, and it's just a few blocks away from downtown and the Gulf Coast.

I live 15 minutes from Pensacola, I would be very happy

Ok then. Rainwater and I will be crashing at your place. I’ll pay for the golf.

(01-06-2020 03:48 PM)mjs Wrote:  I heard for the first time, today, that this is the last season the tournament will be in New Orleans. Next year all 12 teams will attend at a yet to be determined site. I heard places like Pensacola, Biloxi, and Southaven, MS are in the running. Anyone have anymore information?. If we are talking about having all 12 men's and women's teams, in the same location, we have to a 2-court set-up like we did in Hot Springs. Of course, us Little Rock fans would love it back in Hot Springs but I don't believe that is an option at this point. Apparently some of this is due to having a new commissioner. Probably doesn't live in New Orleans.

For one, we don't get to just choose where we want to have it, cities have to submit a proposal in the first place. We can ask if places want to submit a proposal though. Some arenas may not be available, as they already have commitments that would interfere. I have not heard of Hot Springs being interested in trying to get the tournament back. If all teams are going to be playing next year, then two courts would definitely be optimal, and I'm sure if those two courts were at the same site, that would be more ideal. Southaven has a exhibition hall connected to the arena, so it may be possible to have a setup there like at Hot Springs. The only bad thing, the arena is 17 miles from downtown Memphis, so its not as good of a location where there's things to do around the arena. Huntsville is another location that I've heard mentioned. It's about as central a location for the entire conference that you can get. They too have an exhibition floor connected to an arena, and it is located downtown. Hot Springs and Southaven would be an easy drive for me, but I think that Huntsville may be the best location.

(01-06-2020 05:54 PM)GoBigRed26 Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 03:48 PM)mjs Wrote:  I heard for the first time, today, that this is the last season the tournament will be in New Orleans. Next year all 12 teams will attend at a yet to be determined site. I heard places like Pensacola, Biloxi, and Southaven, MS are in the running. Anyone have anymore information?. If we are talking about having all 12 men's and women's teams, in the same location, we have to a 2-court set-up like we did in Hot Springs. Of course, us Little Rock fans would love it back in Hot Springs but I don't believe that is an option at this point. Apparently some of this is due to having a new commissioner. Probably doesn't live in New Orleans.

For one, we don't get to just choose where we want to have it, cities have to submit a proposal in the first place. We can ask if places want to submit a proposal though. Some arenas may not be available, as they already have commitments that would interfere. I have not heard of Hot Springs being interested in trying to get the tournament back. If all teams are going to be playing next year, then two courts would definitely be optimal, and I'm sure if those two courts were at the same site, that would be more ideal. Southaven has a exhibition hall connected to the arena, so it may be possible to have a setup there like at Hot Springs. The only bad thing, the arena is 17 miles from downtown Memphis, so its not as good of a location where there's things to do around the arena. Huntsville is another location that I've heard mentioned. It's about as central a location for the entire conference that you can get. They too have an exhibition floor connected to an arena, and it is located downtown. Hot Springs and Southaven would be an easy drive for me, but I think that Huntsville may be the best location.

I'd be willing to give Huntsville a shot, although Hot Springs and Southaven would be most convenient to Little Rock as well.

(01-06-2020 05:26 PM)kevinwmsn Wrote:  Technically, Mobile could host a tournament. One could be on campus at the Mitchell Center and the other could be in the Civic Center downtown. I can't remember the last time a basketball game was played there since South moved on campus many years ago.

the NBA-D league played a season or two there. And eventually the city may figure out what they are going to do with that building, which may include demo.

I say we just go back to either highest seed host or if every team is involved, rotate it around the league.

Back when Hot Springs got it, Huntsville bid. No idea if they would bid again but they are about as close to the geographic center of the league as you can get short of having it in some farmer's field. Tupelo would be next closest to the geographic center.

The core base of people who come to the tournament are older adults, either retirees or at least younger empty nesters who can swing nearly a week from home. Figure Pensacola would appeal to that demographic as would Biloxi with the casinos.

(01-06-2020 05:34 PM)trapdrawApp Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 04:58 PM)moehler Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 04:30 PM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  Well, if it's moved to Pensacola, Troy and USA fans would have heavy attendance as long as their teams are in said tournament.

If basketball is moved to Pensacola, the Pensacola Bay Center is a very nice arena, and it's just a few blocks away from downtown and the Gulf Coast.

I live 15 minutes from Pensacola, I would be very happy

Ok then. Rainwater and I will be crashing at your place. I’ll pay for the golf.

You guys are welcome anytime, you don’t need a reason but if the tournament does come to Pensacola, we will need to make plans, Pensacola has a great bar/restaurant scene

(01-06-2020 06:15 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  Back when Hot Springs got it, Huntsville bid. No idea if they would bid again but they are about as close to the geographic center of the league as you can get short of having it in some farmer's field. Tupelo would be next closest to the geographic center.

The core base of people who come to the tournament are older adults, either retirees or at least younger empty nesters who can swing nearly a week from home. Figure Pensacola would appeal to that demographic as would Biloxi with the casinos.

I wonder has Tunica ever hosted anything like a college basketball tournament - and would there be any interest there? I haven't been to that part of Mississippi in a while and am not sure of the state of the Casinos but I would think that would be a good spot as well.

I don’t think moving it anywhere is going to boost attendance much at all, but move it from NOLA, sure!

It's never drawn flies not matter where it's been. So ....meh.

Attendance probably won't be great anywhere- although if both LR and ASU are good, Hot Springs would draw quite well. I do think we need to try a smaller city which is less costly and easier to traverse. New Orleans is fun, but it very expensive and has gotten old. I agree a change is needed.

(01-06-2020 07:34 PM)sigmachi272injunjoe Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 06:15 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  Back when Hot Springs got it, Huntsville bid. No idea if they would bid again but they are about as close to the geographic center of the league as you can get short of having it in some farmer's field. Tupelo would be next closest to the geographic center.

The core base of people who come to the tournament are older adults, either retirees or at least younger empty nesters who can swing nearly a week from home. Figure Pensacola would appeal to that demographic as would Biloxi with the casinos.

I wonder has Tunica ever hosted anything like a college basketball tournament - and would there be any interest there? I haven't been to that part of Mississippi in a while and am not sure of the state of the Casinos but I would think that would be a good spot as well.

Half the casinos have shut down. They all got flooded back in 2011, and some didn’t reopen. They just dont get the traffic they used to. I think it hurt them when Southland opened their video casino, and it will hurt them even more once the Southland full casino and hotel are open. Their arena is more suited for rodeos, horse shoes, and demolition derbies. Would not be a good venue for the tournament.

(01-06-2020 05:14 PM)debragga Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 04:59 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-06-2020 03:51 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  Rotate it between New Orleans (favoring western teams) and Atlanta (favoring eastern teams) and call it a day.

Seems like Shreveport might be the most central location for the Western teams, but don't know if they are in the running. I tend to like the idea of a smaller city (e.g. Hot Springs, AR) which would embrace the tourney. Folks in New Orleans couldn't care less about the Sun Belt tournament and Atlanta would be the same way. Hot Springs definitely embraced the tourney. Places like Huntsville or Columbus, Ga. might as well.

Shreveport has multiple good locations for gyms too. The Centurylink Center in Bossier and Hirsch Arena near Independence Stadium come to mind, and the Gold Dome on the campus of Centenary could come into play as well.

Neither Shreveport or Bossier will garner fan support. They don’t support much of anything.