There is some truth as the stadium has been mostly empty for most of these games. Luckily, regional bellweathers Kent and Akron are in the final.

(03-16-2024 06:10 PM)rocketinchitown2 Wrote:  There is some truth as the stadium has been mostly empty for most of these games. Luckily, regional bellweathers Kent and Akron are in the final.

Speaking for myself, there's no way I was taking off work Thursday to drive 6 hours round-trip to watch a 9-9 Broncos team in the opening round.

Saturday would obviously be considered. It's the weekend, and for all the marbles.

I'm at the game and I'm venture to say there are more people in attendance than would fit into the Huntington Center.

(03-16-2024 06:10 PM)rocketinchitown2 Wrote:  There is some truth as the stadium has been mostly empty for most of these games. Luckily, regional bellweathers Kent and Akron are in the final.

Ohio-Akron attendance: 7,802

(03-16-2024 05:26 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  

(03-16-2024 11:36 AM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 09:42 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  This sounds like sour grapes from someone who is upset that his team can't win in Cleveland. I don't know why he wants it moved to Toledo; the Rockets weren't able to win the tournament when it was there either!

(03-16-2024 09:31 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  Someone is just salty that Toledo is to MAC basketball what OU is to MAC football. Cleveland is a perfect venue even if Akron/Kent weren’t regulars to make it far.

LOLz. You really think a sports writer wants it moved to Toledo because Toledo can't win in Cleveland??? Give me some of what you're smoking.

Why else would he b*tch and moan about his team not playing in his city?

Who is "his team"?

truthfully Akron Kent should get 18k for being so close.

(03-16-2024 07:24 PM)kreed5120 Wrote:  I'm at the game and I'm venture to say there are more people in attendance than would fit into the Huntington Center.

(03-16-2024 07:24 PM)kreed5120 Wrote:  I'm at the game and I'm venture to say there are more people in attendance than would fit into the Huntington Center.

Per Akron's website, attendance tonight was 7,955. Huntington Center holds more than that for hockey.

UT-Kent championship game last year had more at 8,375

(03-16-2024 08:56 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  

(03-16-2024 07:24 PM)kreed5120 Wrote:  I'm at the game and I'm venture to say there are more people in attendance than would fit into the Huntington Center.

Per Akron's website, attendance tonight was 7,955. Huntington Center holds more than that for hockey.

UT-Kent championship game last year had more at 8,375

7,954 of them knew the score with 5 seconds left.

(03-16-2024 12:34 PM)OhioBobcatJohn Wrote:  MAC tournament is great in Cleveland with the game venue, restaurants, bars, hotels and casino nearby. lots of fun. Rock & Roll hall of fame and science center for tourist attractions. A balanced league and wide open tournament every year makes for lots of excitement. Look at Kent State this year. A rough regular season, but they are playing in the title game. MAC did well with the draw this year gets Akron/Ohio in prime time on a Friday night and then Kent State/Akron in the final.

Having been to downtown Cleveland many times for Toledo-MAC tourney games/concerts/ etc.. I have always enjoyed the experience in and around Rocket Mortgage fieldhouse !!
But, a more central location like Toledo with a perfect 8500 seat (basketball capacity) arena with plenty to offer pubs/restaurants/Imagination Station/ nearby casino/ and a world class museum and zoo only ten minutes away !!
The only down side is lack of hotel rooms in the downtown to complement the new Glass City Center… Another 2 hotels or 600 plus rooms are definitely needed !!

Well, given that the contract for the MAC tournament in Cleveland runs until 2030 or something like that, I'd say this topic is as moot as ending midweek football games!

(03-16-2024 08:56 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  

(03-16-2024 07:24 PM)kreed5120 Wrote:  I'm at the game and I'm venture to say there are more people in attendance than would fit into the Huntington Center.

Per Akron's website, attendance tonight was 7,955. Huntington Center holds more than that for hockey.

UT-Kent championship game last year had more at 8,375

That's surprising, I would have guessed it at 10k-11k. Perhaps I was looking at the side that was more full.

(03-16-2024 09:21 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  Well, given that the contract for the MAC tournament in Cleveland runs until 2030 or something like that, I'd say this topic is as moot as ending midweek football games!

It's also pretty telling that the only people posting they want it moved are Toledo fans. Every other poster said they prefer Cleveland.

(03-16-2024 09:34 PM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(03-16-2024 09:21 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  Well, given that the contract for the MAC tournament in Cleveland runs until 2030 or something like that, I'd say this topic is as moot as ending midweek football games!

It's also pretty telling that the only people posting they want it moved are Toledo fans. Every other poster said they prefer Cleveland.

Exactly!

the programs that have consistently been in the semifinals and on have been the Ohio teams and maybe Buffalo. Which is the loudest fans on this thread.

I think it'd be a different story if the 3 Michigan schools or NIU were consistently in the semifinals and on.

I think the only other stadium that makes sense for basketball tournament is Detroit's NBA stadium if it was ever moved unless they just went back to campus sites. [/b]

(03-16-2024 09:44 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  

(03-16-2024 09:34 PM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(03-16-2024 09:21 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  Well, given that the contract for the MAC tournament in Cleveland runs until 2030 or something like that, I'd say this topic is as moot as ending midweek football games!

It's also pretty telling that the only people posting they want it moved are Toledo fans. Every other poster said they prefer Cleveland.

Exactly!

[b]

(03-16-2024 09:34 PM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(03-16-2024 09:21 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  Well, given that the contract for the MAC tournament in Cleveland runs until 2030 or something like that, I'd say this topic is as moot as ending midweek football games!

It's also pretty telling that the only people posting they want it moved are Toledo fans. Every other poster said they prefer Cleveland.

Just throwing another option out there (Huntington Center) !!
LCA (Little Caesars Arena) in Detroit is another !!

The tourney should rotate. Give WMU, NIU, BSU, Miami, UB a fairer shot with big cities around them hosting.
Toledo is just the geographic center and now has an arena worth hosting. The Seagate center was trash...this would be different. I'd say rotate fb if more domed stadiums were available. B1G has indy locked up. Cleveland and Chicago getting domes would change my opinion on that.

I do not want it in the home town of another MAC team. I remember well how it was in Toledo, it was a home court advantage at both Savage and Seagate. As a visiting fan, it left me with a bad taste of unfairness leaving town. I have never felt that way when leaving Detroit after a MAC championship football game, or when we played basketball at Cobo Hall. I always feel the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse ( under any name) has been an great site for the tournament. Right now we have an NBA Arena, centrally located. If we move it, playing at Little Caesar's in Detroit would be the only comparable facility. But since we already play football in Detroit, holding basketball in Cleveland seems perfect.

(03-17-2024 03:48 PM)DICK Wrote:  ... since we already play football in Detroit, holding basketball in Cleveland seems perfect.

I agree with this.

(03-16-2024 09:34 PM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(03-16-2024 09:21 PM)bobcat_backer Wrote:  Well, given that the contract for the MAC tournament in Cleveland runs until 2030 or something like that, I'd say this topic is as moot as ending midweek football games!

It's also pretty telling that the only people posting they want it moved are Toledo fans. Every other poster said they prefer Cleveland.

BG fan here, I'd prefer LC Arena in Detroit.

Either way, when the contract is back open for 2031, Let the HC put forth a bid. I would also expect Detroit to make a play for it to be at LCA. That being said, the current MAC leadership would like it in Cleveland forever, IMHO.