We're playing with house money at this point, guys. We were picked 9th. Before the season, and even a few games into non-conference play, we never would have really dreamed we would be in consideration for ANY postseason tournament. I think the pros outweigh the cons on this one.

As for fan support, we were # 1 in the conference in fan attendance. Hence why the rumors/speculations floating around are that we'd be willing to pay to host a game. Our fans may not have shown up like we'd have liked in Baltimore (I think they will next year in a big way) but they will pack the place for a CBI/CIT game. Of that I have no doubt. The students will be back and jacked to have a bonus home game.

With NE in the NCAA and W&M in the NIT, if one of these tournaments wants a CAA school we are the best available. Hopefully good news will start leaking soon. How is the new star news beat writer for UNCW? Mull was great back in the day and would provide great info.

Did a little digging myself and found out some teams have already accepted CIT bids (credit nycbuckets.com)

As you can see UNCW has very good numbers to get an invite compared to who is in so far, so hopefully the pay to play wont be a deal breaker.

NJIT (Hosting) - Independent, 14-11, RPI 160

Florida Gulf Coast (Hosting) -2nd in Atlantic Sun, 22-10, RPI 138

Oakland (Hosting) - Tied for 3rd in Horizon, 16-16, RPI 154

St Francis, PA (Hosting) -Tied for 5th in NEC, 16-15, RPI 183

UT Martin - Tied for 4th in OVC, 18-12, RPI 181

Our RPI is 142 and JMU is 144. Any bets on who Yeager lobbies for first?

ODU?

(03-10-2015 04:42 AM)SEA33HAWK Wrote:  Our RPI is 142 and JMU is 144. Any bets on who Yeager lobbies for first?

(03-10-2015 07:17 AM)dan10 Wrote:  ODU?

Bahaha well played.

I would say no to the pay to play tounaments.If you lose the first game it is a real downer to a really good season and you end with back to backs.Go out feeling good and keep your money in your pocket-I don't think there would be a lot of interest in this even though others here think differently.

(03-10-2015 07:56 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  I would say no to the pay to play tounaments.If you lose the first game it is a real downer to a really good season and you end with back to backs.Go out feeling good and keep your money in your pocket-I don't think there would be a lot of interest in this even though others here think differently.

As a point of reference, a Women's NIT home game drew nearly 3,000 fans back in 2010. This in a season where attendance usually was in the hundreds for most of the season.

I imagine fans will show up in a big way for this.

This is not the NIT and most people have never heard of either tournament.The real problems are, you pay to play and run the chance of looking stupid if you lose.Move on and get ready for next year.These tournaments have no real value other than you are playing.

It may be a trivial tournament, but maybe it can be a reward all the same for the players' hard work. And I would let the players themselves decide. They've earned that.
You can never get enough experience for the returning players, nor for a young coaching staff. I really don't think a team that was expected to do nothing and have overachieved can embarrass themselves. Especially to mist of the country who will pay no attention to it.

(03-10-2015 09:17 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  This is not the NIT

This is also not Women's Basketball, which traditionally doesn't draw. We averaged about 3,500-4,000 in attendance per game this year. Even in a "meaningless" tournament that would be a nice benchmark for what we would draw.

(03-10-2015 09:17 AM)jumpinmullet Wrote:  The real problems are, you pay to play and run the chance of looking stupid if you lose.Move on and get ready for next year.

Ha! Looking stupid if you lose? That's a terrible, loser mentality. This is a team that has approached each game expecting to win.

Not to mention a tournament is a great way to "get ready for next year", is it not? Play as much basketball as you possibly can, that's the way I see it. There's really very little downside to this.

I don't think that we play in a tournament as a reward for a good season, it needs to be used as a way to springboard to the next. This would be about having a couple extra weeks of practice for the transfers and for the returning players.

With limited funds it is now a matter of priority. The transfer team has had their fill of "practice". As much as I would like to see some success in post season play, I think the priority should be placed on the development of next years squad.
Coach K needs $50,000.00 to take this team to a pre-season tourney this summer. Per NCAA rules, entry into the tournament would allow our team to begin practicing 2 weeks earlier than the official start date.

IMO, this is a better use of funds. Looking forward, this team needs actual game minutes. It's been stated on these boards multiple times from fans who observed practice that our "transfer" squad beat our starting five nearly every time they scrimmaged. CIT/CBI adds little benefit to team chemistry for next years squad.

Save the $35K entry fee. Basque in the glow of a season that exceeded everyone's expectations. Focus on making sure that every one of these seniors graduates, and work hard to facilitate their pro try-outs, mini-camps, etc.

I expect UNCW to be in the finals next year............maybe that will make Baltimore more tolerable.

Good day fellas.

Ms. Cottonball

We would make that $35k easy in ticket sales. And like I posted previously, it never hurts to play more or coach more leading into next year. Plus, I am all about rewarding hard work, if that's what the players want.

(03-10-2015 01:46 PM)SEA33HAWK Wrote:  We would make that $35k easy in ticket sales. And like I posted previously, it never hurts to play more or coach more leading into next year. Plus, I am all about rewarding hard work, if that's what the players want.

This. ^ If we can break even it's a smart move. More play in tournament situations is never a bad thing. Talley, Ogodo and CJ are all returning. It also sends a message to recruits and transfers that we're serious about moving back to the top. No downside really. Also gives Keatts more games to try new things out with less on the line. He can better himself as a coach in the process.

(03-10-2015 03:44 PM)82hawk Wrote:  

(03-10-2015 01:46 PM)SEA33HAWK Wrote:  We would make that $35k easy in ticket sales. And like I posted previously, it never hurts to play more or coach more leading into next year. Plus, I am all about rewarding hard work, if that's what the players want.

This. ^ If we can break even it's a smart move. More play in tournament situations is never a bad thing. Talley, Ogodo and CJ are all returning. It also sends a message to recruits and transfers that we're serious about moving back to the top. No downside really. Also gives Keatts more games to try new things out with less on the line. He can better himself as a coach in the process.

As long as we at least break even, i agree. But it's a gamble.

At $10 a ticket we would need to sell 3500 tickets to pay the admission fee. If Im not mistaken, when the women hosted the NIT they did $5 ticket and as SN08 said they drew 3K. I think the men could definitely do it, but you also have to factor in other expenses related to hosting a game such a hiring staff and security and. I think at worst its a small loss/wash and at best, say we sell 5k tickets at $10 apiece, the school could make a little money. Students would have to pay their own way in though or have a limited amount of freebies b/c ticket sales would have to cover the cost.

(03-10-2015 04:38 PM)solohawks Wrote:  At $10 a ticket we would need to sell 3500 tickets to pay the admission fee. If Im not mistaken, when the women hosted the NIT they did $5 ticket and as SN08 said they drew 3K. I think the men could definitely do it, but you also have to factor in other expenses related to hosting a game such a hiring staff and security and. I think at worst its a small loss/wash and at best, say we sell 5k tickets at $10 apiece, the school could make a little money. Students would have to pay their own way in though or have a limited amount of freebies b/c ticket sales would have to cover the cost.

I think you might be underestimating the cost of hiring staff for a game.

Here is the updated list of CIT Teams

NJIT (Hosting) - Independent, 14-11, RPI 160

Florida Gulf Coast (Hosting) -2nd in Atlantic Sun, 22-10, RPI 138 - Highest in ASUN

Oakland (Hosting) - Tied for 3rd in Horizon, 16-16, RPI 153 - 4th in Horizon

St Francis, PA (Hosting) -Tied for 5th in NEC, 16-15, RPI 183 - 2nd in NEC

UT Martin (?) - Tied for 4th in OVC, 18-12, RPI 181 - 5th in OVC

Portland (?) - Tied for 6th in WCC, 15-15, RPI 143 - 5th in WCC

Dartmouth (Traveling) - 4th in Ivy, 14-14, RPI 191 -3rd in IVY

Canisius (Hosting) - 5th in MAAC, 16-14, RPI 180 - 5th in MAAC

Eastern Kentucky (?) - Tied for 2nd in OVC, 17-11, RPI 157 - 3rd in OVC

Incarnate Word (Hosting) - 5th in Southland, 14-10, RPI 158 - 3rd in Southland

New Hampshire (Traveling) - 4th in America East, 17-12, RPI 194 - 3rd in America East

Eastern Illiniois (?) - 6th in OVC, 15-14, RPI 169 - 4th in OVC

CIT had done good job at locking up the highest ranked teams available from the mid majors. Only missing a few of teams whose conference tournaments are done like High Point, Chattanooga, Cleveland St and Rider along with the CAA teams whose tournaments are done.

(03-10-2015 04:42 PM)Seahawkhoops Wrote:  

(03-10-2015 04:38 PM)solohawks Wrote:  At $10 a ticket we would need to sell 3500 tickets to pay the admission fee. If Im not mistaken, when the women hosted the NIT they did $5 ticket and as SN08 said they drew 3K. I think the men could definitely do it, but you also have to factor in other expenses related to hosting a game such a hiring staff and security and. I think at worst its a small loss/wash and at best, say we sell 5k tickets at $10 apiece, the school could make a little money. Students would have to pay their own way in though or have a limited amount of freebies b/c ticket sales would have to cover the cost.

I think you might be underestimating the cost of hiring staff for a game.

Yeah selling 3500 tickets at $10 apiece would pay the admission fee but leave the university liable for all other costs. Would concessions cover those costs? Unless we sell out its a break even prospect at best. Even if we sell out it won't be much of a profit.