I have always wanted to try to get games against Illinois and Minnesota. I think that it would be good for Marquette University as a whole since The Twin Cities and Chicago are two of the biggest markets where our alums go after they graduate. From a fiscal standpoint on the University's end, the whole point of having strong athletic programs at your schools is to promote name recognition of your school, create opportunities for alumni networking, and create more opportunities for the University to fundraise. Also, from a recruiting standpoint, it would be nice for Buzz to be able to tell recruits from the two biggest metro areas closest to Milwaukee that they will get to go home and play a few more times.
Obviously, the MU/UW game is not going away, so from a having a diverse schedule standpoint, three Big 10 teams is not necessarily a good idea. But, I think the University would care more about creating chances to raise money than making sure that the men's team plays more conferences than the Big Ten. It could end up being that we play a Big Ten team every weekend after Thanksgiving, but that would make Decemeber a lot of fun.
So, I think it would be fun to get a neutral court game at the United Center every year against Illinois. It could be an annual Christmas Break game. Both school would pack the United Center, though admittedly more pro-Illinois fans. It would be a great holiday tradition for both schools. Also, having it on break would give the University a chance to have recruiting events for the incoming class who may be deciding on a few schools. This would be a very tough game every year, as it would essentially be a road game against a pretty good program, but is a way to get some better cred from the people in Chicago by going there more than when we play DePaul.
Also, I think it would be fun to have a deal with Tubby up in Minnesota with alternating home games. They could make sure that we play either Wisco or Minnesota at the BC every year. The program is building and it would probably actually help them more to have us on their schedule. On the alternating years, the University could have similar recruiting events for prospective students.
I think that our men's basketball program is something to be really proud of and the University should use it more as it is the best way to get our name out there in these big markets.
Man, I also cannot imagine the damage Father Wild would do at a pre-game brunch up in Chicago for a Marquette v. Illinois game. Could be his biggest donation day of the year since people would be in the holiday spirit as well.
We used to play Minnesota every year.
Illinois plays a December game at the UC every year, so that takes care of one half of it. It's sponsored by Lexus too I believe as the "December to Remember" classic.
However, does any know if DePaul would have veto power over another BE team playing a netural court game in their home "market"? I know they haven't played games at the United Center for several years.
Maybe we could get it done and seduce DePaul into it with a game against another Big 10 team with a strong Chicago alumni base. Say, It's Indiana? ;)
A series with Maryland would also be nice, especially in the years that Marquette doesn't play at Georgetown.
Outside of the Midwest the DC region has the most Marquette alumni, plus the Les Aspin Center makes holding official Marquette functions even easier.
I hear Utah State is looking for high majors to do a home/home type deal . . .
Why not tap into more Philadelphia Private schools... Temple, St. Joes... or possibly now since Buzz is our coach, will we see games against Big 12 schools? Or smaller Texas schools like a UTEP or Houston? How about New Orleans to listen to the UNO faithful (is there a such thing?) go nuts on Buzz.
I think we should get a tournament going with UWM, UWM and UWGB.
How about every Chicago college on earth?
Quote from: Stone Cold on March 30, 2009, 05:49:50 PM
How about every Chicago college on earth?
I'd be more impressed if we could schedule one of the Chicago colleges that are on the moon.
I hear pluto's nice this time of year.
Quote from: Stone Cold on March 30, 2009, 09:11:22 PM
I hear pluto's nice this time of year.
I would rather play on a planet.
Obviously self serving but I would love to see MU schedule a game against Georgia Tech or UGA (if they wanted an easier foe perhaps Georiga State). Ideally, a game against UGA at the Gwinnett Arena (in suburban Atlanta seats about 12,000 for hoops and hosted large school high school championship and first round women's NCAA games this year).
Not entirely self serving as we have begun to recruit this area (are in fact recruiting 2010 G target Trae Golden from McEachern in suburan Atlanta) and the game would provide good exposure against a name DI oponent.