The attendance for yesterdays BET semifinals was listed at 17,130. That is very good news, demonstrates momentum building for the league. Hopefully, there will be a good crowd for the final. Seton Hall is a local team and Villanova is essentially local. In some respects the Xavier loss probably benefits the tournament from an attendance standpoint. Garden listed capacity is 19,812.
Attendance for first round games was 12,604 and quarterfinals was 13,813 so a nice steady progression. I don't know if the participating schools are mandated to purchase a minimum amount of tickets.
I think it's great. Better than I thought. I was concerned about the long term viability of the BET at MSG, but I think those questions have been answered in my mind.
And I think the ACC is going to have some egg on its face next year when they hold their conference tournament in Brooklyn. Look at this article on this year's tournament in Washington.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/acc-tournament-finds-it-cant-go-back-to-greenville/2016/03/09/42a33600-e639-11e5-b0fd-073d5930a7b7_story.html
"Expansion has been an ongoing embarrassment for the ACC. On Tuesday, during those thrilling games involving the bottom four seeds, they curtained off the upper deck of Verizon Center to try to hide the emptiness of the building. (The crowd was announced at 7,000, which may have been counting by twos.)
Next year the tournament goes to Brooklyn — Brooklyn? No doubt fans from the South will be thrilled with the notion of riding the subway to Barclays Center since there is zero parking there and with the prices they will pay for New York hotels."
During sports center this morning, one of the anchors did a 30 second screed calling the Big East a shell of its former self, before doing the tourney highlights
The Verizon has been a ghost town...looked like a UWM game.
Quote from: Dr. Blackheart on March 12, 2016, 10:19:00 AM
The Verizon has been a ghost town...looked like a Georgetown game.
Fixed.
ACC needs to keep the tournament in NC. That would be like the BE moving the tournament to Chicago or Indy. It just does not fit.
Same with the Big10 going to MSG in a couple years and playing the tournament a week early. keep it in indy and chicago that fits the conference
To think - if we stayed in a conference with Tulane, East Carolina, UCF, USF, SMU, Houston, Tulsa, Memphis, Temple, Cincinnati and UConn? The sights will horrify you...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdSQwKVXIAAt9hS.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdUIBIuXIAAqr6j.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CdTlxq6UsAA-tQu.jpg)
Thank HEAVENS we broke away when we did.
Yup. Is the current version of the Big East as good as legendary status of a few years ago? Nope. However, I defy anyone to come up with a better deal for MU that was even remotely possible.
God that's embarrassing. Wish we could find a way to get UConn out of there and into the BEast.
Quote from: tower912 on March 12, 2016, 10:14:12 AM
During sports center this morning, one of the anchors did a 30 second screed calling the Big East a shell of its former self, before doing the tourney highlights
ESPN covering college hoops? Was not aware.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on March 12, 2016, 12:24:20 PM
God that's embarrassing. Wish we could find a way to get UConn out of there and into the BEast.
Why cant UC or Uconn come back? Why not?
Quote from: KenoshaWarrior on March 12, 2016, 12:32:39 PM
Why cant UC or Uconn come back? Why not?
Really do we have to go through this again? As long as they have football, they are going to be in a football conference.
I think you can find a good number of UConn fans who would be willing to drop football to join the Big East.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 12, 2016, 12:56:05 PM
I think you can find a good number of UConn fans who would be willing to drop football to join the Big East.
Until they do let them rot in that conference. It makes zero sense to add them. They would always have one foot out the door. Their AD got caught with her pants down when they were unable to find a seat in the game of musical chairs. She was saying how great of a fit UCONN would be to the ACC. Then proceeded to say that the C7 shouldn't leave the remnants...what?
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 12, 2016, 12:56:05 PM
I think you can find a good number of UConn fans who would be willing to drop football to join the Big East.
I don't think this to be true.
Most UConn fans believe they are a Power 5 Conference team temporarily stuck below and are content with their football team that has been way better than local rivals Rutgers & Boston College.
Most UConn fans think the Big10, Pac 12, the SEC have been strategic with expansion and going forward the BigXII will be, while the ACC has been reactionary and not very strategic with long term TV thinking.
They point out their women's team has a $1.5mil per year deal with SNY as one example.
They have hope that with a sliver of Connecticut being in NYC DMA as well as being a state flagship university that they will be attractive to some conference's TV expansion plan.
UConn's commitment to football is at least 20 years in the making. They're all in. Don't see them changing course anytime soon. The following is an excerpt from a 1997 university Q&A about the subject:
The University of Connecticut is moving rapidly in accordance with its Strategic Plan to become one of the nation's premier public universities...The upgrade of UConn's football program to Division I-A and the construction of a new stadium in Storrs can play a significant role in building the quality of the University's academic program in the following ways:
Division I-A football will contribute to UConn's standing as a nationally recognized University and help move us into the top ranks of public institutions of higher education. The public tends to judge institutions by their peers; virtually every major public university with a strong academic reputation can also lay claim to a significant athletic program. Major athletic programs at schools like Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia have been helpful to these institutions as they have sought to recruit outstanding students and faculty and they will be helpful to similar efforts here.
Division I-A football provides unique opportunities to raise additional private funds, which will be used for a wide range of academic programs.
Major collegiate athletics promotes a keen sense of enthusiasm on campus and across the state, embracing student life and bringing thousands of visitors to campus. In the case of basketball, that enthusiasm helped build a base of support for UCONN 2000, the program that is rebuilding the University's academic and residential facilities.
http://advance.uconn.edu/1997/971027/fballqa.htm
Note that UConn compares itself to Michigan, North Carolina and Virginia. Read between the lines. In no uncertain terms, being a school like Villanova (one without a "significant athletic program") wasn't good enough. The Big East was holding UConn back from becoming a truly great university, because it's not a "major" athletic conference.
UConn doesn't want the same things from athletics that the schools in the current Big East do. They're part of the reason the Big East broke apart. UConn back in the Big East is trouble. Don't need 'em, don't want 'em.
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on March 12, 2016, 01:15:14 PM
I don't think this to be true.
Most UConn fans believe they are a Power 5 Conference team temporarily stuck below and are content with their football team that has been way better than local rivals Rutgers & Boston College.
Most UConn fans think the Big10, Pac 12, the SEC have been strategic with expansion and going forward the BigXII will be, while the ACC has been reactionary and not very strategic with long term TV thinking.
They point out their women's team has a $1.5mil per year deal with SNY as one example.
They have hope that with a sliver of Connecticut being in NYC DMA as well as being a state flagship university that they will be attractive to some conference's TV expansion plan.
What a joke the AAC must be to he woman's team. Still haven't lost a game in that league, no?
Point 13 from the university Q&A foreshadowed the eventual breakup of the Big East, and explains why UConn isn't part of our conference:
In a recent letter from Roy Kramer, Southeastern Conference Commissioner and leader of the original restructuring process, he states that, "In my opinion only institutions which are members of I-A conferences will be in a position to have a major voice in the future of intercollegiate athletics."
The Big East Commissioner's Update explained that "the last five years have been at times tumultuous...Expansion was a painful issue for the Conference in 1994. And varying levels of Conference membership and NCAA play have created a complicated web of competing interests between members of The Big East and The Big East Football Conference. These disparate concerns have at times led to disputes over the continued structure of The Big East."
When viewed in light of the Kramer analysis, the Division I-A institutions may see little to be gained financially from continued association with the non-Division I-A institutions...Where will UConn find the opportunity to affiliate with a conference composed of institutions of similar size and mission if not included in The Big East Conference as it is structured today?
2016 Big East quarterfinals (4 game) audience up 17% from 2015.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on March 12, 2016, 12:34:01 PM
Really do we have to go through this again? As long as they have football, they are going to be in a football conference.
You're of course correct. UConn however needs to face cold hard reality - their football program is basically going to always suck, with at best mediocrity every few years. They play in a dinky little stadium, no one who can coach will ever stay there long term, and all the major conferences with football have turned them down over and over, this despite their cash cow and elite men's and women's basketball programs.
When is UConn going to wake up their two best assets will forever be their men's and women's basketball programs, which means they need to ditch C-USA 2 and come back home to the Big East?!? The answer is probably, never, because the powers that be at UConn I would bet are blinded by the potential revenue from a successful football program, which is not unlike everybody else in America trying with futility to elevate their football programs.
If the BEast could add UConn, I don't think the conference would ever need to look at expansion again. They would be the ideal addition. The conference wouldn't get oversized and you'd be adding a marquee program with a rich history in the BEast to an already very good and competitive basketball conference. Meanwhile, a great basketball program can shake themselves from the dregs of the AAC and the non-interest in the league witnessed in the pictures above.
With the Big ten tourney going to MSG (DC next year) in a couple years, where will the Big East tourney be?
Quote from: WarriorPride68 on March 12, 2016, 03:12:50 PM
With the Big ten tourney going to MSG (DC next year) in a couple years, where will the Big East tourney be?
MSG. The Big Ten is holding their tournament a week earlier than normal.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on March 12, 2016, 03:16:18 PM
MSG. The Big Ten is holding their tournament a week earlier than normal.
Thank you! Was just curious. Glad to hear that
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on March 12, 2016, 03:10:54 PMWhen is UConn going to wake up their two best assets will forever be their men's and women's basketball programs, which means they need to ditch C-USA 2 and come back home to the Big East?!? The answer is probably, never, because the powers that be at UConn I would bet are blinded by the potential revenue from a successful football program, which is not unlike everybody else in America trying with futility to elevate their football programs.
According to an analysis by USA Today of athletic programs during 2013-14, UConn had the third-highest deficit ($27.1 million) between total operating revenue and expenses. The only schools in the black came from the SEC, Big 10, Pac-12 and Big-12.
You and I (along with the current members of the Big East) see that as a fool's game, throwing good money after bad. But for UConn, it's about far more than its basketball programs. They see the future of their university tied to football — and the tens of millions of dollars they're putting into the program as an investment.
Will that change in the next 5-10 years with greater financial pressure and public scrutiny? It's possible. But UConn made this bet with a full awareness of the risks. Even with the odds stacked against them, they're not ready to walk away from the table yet.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2015/05/26/ncaa-athletic-finances-revenue-expense-division-i/27971457/
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on March 12, 2016, 01:15:14 PM
I don't think this to be true.
Most UConn fans believe they are a Power 5 Conference team temporarily stuck below and are content with their football team that has been way better than local rivals Rutgers & Boston College.
Most UConn fans think the Big10, Pac 12, the SEC have been strategic with expansion and going forward the BigXII will be, while the ACC has been reactionary and not very strategic with long term TV thinking.
They point out their women's team has a $1.5mil per year deal with SNY as one example.
They have hope that with a sliver of Connecticut being in NYC DMA as well as being a state flagship university that they will be attractive to some conference's TV expansion plan.
I know a few UConn fans and all of them would drop football in a second if it mean getting out of the AAC. But I only know a few who are all die hard basketball fans so its hardly a fair sampling.
I guess I just don't get the math. UConn gets paid less TV money for both Football AND Basketball than the BEast schools do for just basketball. I know its much more complicated and football adds value in other ways, but I just don't see how football is worth it. Do students at UConn really get that excited about football games? I got to think that most students are way more pumped about basketball season.
Attendance for the Big East Championship- 19,812
Quote from: mupanther on March 12, 2016, 07:47:29 PM
Attendance for the Big East Championship- 19,812
Sold out and a great game. Couldn't ask for more.
Quote from: Marquette Fan In NY on March 12, 2016, 07:50:15 PM
Sold out and a great game. Couldn't ask for more.
Hopefully a solid tv rating. Replay in on FS1 at 3:30am Central Time.
Quote from: tower912 on March 12, 2016, 10:14:12 AM
During sports center this morning, one of the anchors did a 30 second screed calling the Big East a shell of its former self, before doing the tourney highlights
and Syracuse and Pitt are a shell of their former self. I will never root for those two teams again.
The ACC isn't looking like such a super conference at the moment.
Three of its legendary programs and coaches have been implicated in, penalized for or are under investigation for massive scandals: Roy Williams at UNC for systemic academic fraud, Jim Boeheim at Syracuse for compliance violations going back nearly a decade, and Rick Pitino at Louisville for treating recruits and players to prostitutes.
The ACC will likely lose several of its marquee head coaches in the next 3 to 5 years to retirement. Boeheim is 71 and says he'll retire in 2018. Mike Krzyzewski is 69. Williams is 65. Pitino is 63 and looks like he's aged several decades in the past few years.
In addition, the conference remains still vulnerable to being raided for its premier football programs (Florida State, UNC, Georgia Tech, Clemson) should the SEC come calling during a future round of expansion/realignment.
Maybe that's how UConn finally gets into the ACC — when the conference is desperate enough to accept them.
Quote from: mupanther on March 12, 2016, 08:09:35 PM
Hopefully a solid tv rating. Replay in on FS1 at 3:30am Central Time.
Rating should be good since it was on Fox Broadcast Network.
Attended our first BET this week, nearly all of the games (did not attend early session on Thursday). Was very happy with the attendance throughout, especially these last two nights.
Awesome crowd tonight, estimated 70% Nova, 30% Seton Hall...plus the rest of us just cheering for OT ;) It is an extremely special event and we were very impressed with the numbers. Similar to most, I have worried about the numbers for the 'new' Big East at MSG, but couldn't have been more excited about it.
Was awesome to see Seton Hall win. The band was psyched after the win over Xavier and out playing in front of MSG afterwards, really cool. Sure hope MU can make a run some year...and hopefully a year when I can make it back!
Quote from: Marcus92 on March 12, 2016, 10:59:51 PM
The ACC isn't looking like such a super conference at the moment.
Three of its legendary programs and coaches have been implicated in, penalized for or are under investigation for massive scandals: Roy Williams at UNC for systemic academic fraud, Jim Boeheim at Syracuse for compliance violations going back nearly a decade, and Rick Pitino at Louisville for treating recruits and players to prostitutes.
The ACC will likely lose several of its marquee head coaches in the next 3 to 5 years to retirement. Boeheim is 71 and says he'll retire in 2018. Mike Krzyzewski is 69. Williams is 65. Pitino is 63 and looks like he's aged several decades in the past few years.
In addition, the conference remains still vulnerable to being raided for its premier football programs (Florida State, UNC, Georgia Tech, Clemson) should the SEC come calling during a future round of expansion/realignment.
Maybe that's how UConn finally gets into the ACC — when the conference is desperate enough to accept them.
It's all going according to Buzz's plan.
Interesting comparison. Big East final sold out the Garden 19,812. 2015 NIT final 6,600.
I think The BET will continue to be an important tenant of the Garden.
Quote from: Marcus92 on March 12, 2016, 10:59:51 PM
The ACC isn't looking like such a super conference at the moment.
Three of its legendary programs and coaches have been implicated in, penalized for or are under investigation for massive scandals: Roy Williams at UNC for systemic academic fraud, Jim Boeheim at Syracuse for compliance violations going back nearly a decade, and Rick Pitino at Louisville for treating recruits and players to prostitutes.
The ACC will likely lose several of its marquee head coaches in the next 3 to 5 years to retirement. Boeheim is 71 and says he'll retire in 2018. Mike Krzyzewski is 69. Williams is 65. Pitino is 63 and looks like he's aged several decades in the past few years.
In addition, the conference remains still vulnerable to being raided for its premier football programs (Florida State, UNC, Georgia Tech, Clemson) should the SEC come calling during a future round of expansion/realignment.
Maybe that's how UConn finally gets into the ACC — when the conference is desperate enough to accept them.
I was watching the weekend's games with a bunch of ACC-school alumni and we were flipping the channel between the Big East and ACC tourneys. The difference in energy and atmosphere was astonishing. It was so pronounced that they talked about how they "need to go back to Greensboro." It was actually depressing watching UVA-Miami, a big game, with so little atmosphere (while SHU-Xavier was absolutely buzzing). Hell, even St. John's-MU had more going on!
Quote from: Marquette Fan In NY on March 13, 2016, 01:07:46 PM
Interesting comparison. Big East final sold out the Garden 19,812. 2015 NIT final 6,600.
I think The BET will continue to be an important tenant of the Garden.
The BET has a 11 year contract with MSG so they not going anywhere.
Meanwhile the last 19 years the B1G tourney has alternated between Indy and Chicago.
Next year it is in DC (Verizon center) and in 2 years (2018) it is in MSG the week
before the BET.
That means the B1G will have 10 days between the end of their tourney and the start of the NCAA tourney. They are talking about scheduling games post tourney so they don't sit around too much?
But how? Everyone (rest of the power 5 and BE) will have their tourneys that week. Are they going to schedule a buy game? So two days after MSU wins the B1G tourney, and 5 days before they start the NCAA tourney, they are going to play, who, Centenary? Talk about a trap game!
Or are they going to schedule more B1G games? If so, that means they hold their tourney before the season is over. How does that work? How do you seed a tourney in the middle of the season?
Sounds like the B1G is so intent on playing at MSG they have not thought this all the way through.
2016 Big East quarterfinals (4 game) audience up 17% from 2015
2016 Big East Semi-Finals on FS1 audience up 36% from 2015
Big East Tournament viewership up +84% this year on FOX and FS1 combined, by far the biggest gain of any conference. ;)
Really big Seton Hall presence at the Garden. Had no idea they had such a big fan base. If St John's ever gets it together, the tournament will be a huge deal in NYC again.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on March 12, 2016, 12:56:05 PM
I think you can find a good number of UConn fans who would be willing to drop football to join the Big East.
On what planet?
Quote from: JamilJaeJamailJrJuan on March 12, 2016, 01:26:46 PM
What a joke the AAC must be to he woman's team. Still haven't lost a game in that league, no?
UConn women haven't lost a game to anyone in any league.
Quote from: Heisenberg on March 13, 2016, 08:59:33 PM
The BET has a 11 year contract with MSG so they not going anywhere.
Meanwhile the last 19 years the B1G tourney has alternated between Indy and Chicago.
Next year it is in DC (Verizon center) and in 2 years (2018) it is in MSG the week before the BET.
That means the B1G will have 10 days between the end of their tourney and the start of the NCAA tourney. They are talking about scheduling games post tourney so they don't sit around too much?
But how? Everyone (rest of the power 5 and BE) will have their tourneys that week. Are they going to schedule a buy game? So two days after MSU wins the B1G tourney, and 5 days before they start the NCAA tourney, they are going to play, who, Centenary? Talk about a trap game!
Or are they going to schedule more B1G games? If so, that means they hold their tourney before the season is over. How does that work? How do you seed a tourney in the middle of the season?
Sounds like the B1G is so intent on playing at MSG they have not thought this all the way through.
I'm pretty sure they have thought it through. They are simply going to compact their schedule more and finish a week early.
Quote from: Heisenberg on March 13, 2016, 08:59:33 PMBut how? Everyone (rest of the power 5 and BE) will have their tourneys that week. Are they going to schedule a buy game? So two days after MSU wins the B1G tourney, and 5 days before they start the NCAA tourney, they are going to play, who, Centenary? Talk about a trap game!
It would have to be mid-majors that also play early tournaments. Are you ready for the Big 10/Horizon League Prost-Tournament Challenge?
(Prost because it's both "Pre" as in Pre-NCAA and "Post" as in Post-Conference Tournament)
Quote from: brewcity77 on March 15, 2016, 03:59:08 PM
It would have to be mid-majors that also play early tournaments. Are you ready for the Big 10/Horizon League Prost-Tournament Challenge?
(Prost because it's both "Pre" as in Pre-NCAA and "Post" as in Post-Conference Tournament)
Back in 87 when we were an independent and Dukiet was coaching, we played Evansville after their conference tournament. So it has been done.
According to the announcement, the league will likely begin conference play in December. They may not need to play any non-conference games between the conference tourney and Selection Sunday.
Hope the Big East is in negotiations right now to extend the agreement with Madison Square Garden. I don't see the Big 10 being satisfied with this arrangement long-term, if they have anything to say about it.
Quote from: Coleman on March 15, 2016, 02:28:32 PM
On what planet?
I think UConn fans would drop football, but I don't think the big time boosters or administration would consider it for a second.
Quote from: brewcity77 on March 15, 2016, 03:59:08 PM
It would have to be mid-majors that also play early tournaments. Are you ready for the Big 10/Horizon League Prost-Tournament Challenge?
(Prost because it's both "Pre" as in Pre-NCAA and "Post" as in Post-Conference Tournament)
Is that the biggest trap game of all? A team that does well in the B1G and is looking toward the tourney now has to refocus on playing UWM? Then if they stumble, it affects their seeding. If they win, it does nothing for them.
And doesn't that put a possible horizon league bubble team at risk? Say their regular season champion does not win their tourney and get the auto-bid? How does getting pounded by Michigan State three days later help?
Of course beating Michigan State in a trap game would help a lot. But then Michigan State moves off the 1-seed because of that loss.
It would certainly be a bizarre situation. The other thing, who would pay any attention to these games if they were happening during conference championship week? Everyone in the country will be focused on the autobids and the other high-major tournaments.
Maybe if they found a way to get games in on the Sunday or Monday to start Championship week, but finding opponents will be slim pickings. And like you say, that could definitely hinder a profile far more than it would likely help it at that point. My guess is they will try it once and not try an early tournament again. However, I can see them still wanting NYC.
It's easy to dismiss the B10 playing at MSG, but I think the place would be packed, at least for the first go around. There are plenty of B10 alums in NYC that will take advantage of the chance to see their teams live. Might even do better attendance wise than we do, at least the first time out. My worry is they pack the place and give MSG a reason to consider someone other than us.
As someone else mentioned, the time to lock down the Garden is now. Would be really nice if we could put some teams past the first weekend and at least one in the Final Four just to indicate we have staying power (even if the dumbest measure of staying power is looking at the results of two weekends).
Quote from: brewcity77 on March 16, 2016, 07:22:28 AM
It would certainly be a bizarre situation. The other thing, who would pay any attention to these games if they were happening during conference championship week? Everyone in the country will be focused on the autobids and the other high-major tournaments.
Maybe if they found a way to get games in on the Sunday or Monday to start Championship week, but finding opponents will be slim pickings. And like you say, that could definitely hinder a profile far more than it would likely help it at that point. My guess is they will try it once and not try an early tournament again. However, I can see them still wanting NYC.
It's easy to dismiss the B10 playing at MSG, but I think the place would be packed, at least for the first go around. There are plenty of B10 alums in NYC that will take advantage of the chance to see their teams live. Might even do better attendance wise than we do, at least the first time out. My worry is they pack the place and give MSG a reason to consider someone other than us.
As someone else mentioned, the time to lock down the Garden is now. Would be really nice if we could put some teams past the first weekend and at least one in the Final Four just to indicate we have staying power (even if the dumbest measure of staying power is looking at the results of two weekends).
To the first highlighted part ... Who broadcasts these games? All the major outlets (ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, etc) are wall-to-wall with conference tourneys. Where do they fit in a Purdue/Cleveland State game? Yes it goes to the BTN. It will be among the lowest rated games of the year. And Iowa/UIC on the BTN overflow channel might have less watching it than are in the stands!
Second part, the BET has a contract with the Garden until 2026 now. So define "locked down" as they have it for a number of years into the future.
The BET is a big deal on Wall Street. Brokers are always getting tickets for clients. So, it is going nowhere ... too popular among Manhattanites.
Not denying any of that. I have no idea how the B10 would handle games during that week. Seems like a recipe for disaster on their end. So what's the answer? Have the teams play more games in November and December? Move up conference play? Work non-con games into the January-February schedule? I don't know.
And maybe it's just me, but I view that 2026 date as fairly close. I know, it's a decade away, but all it takes is one good showing from the B10 or ACC for them to think "maybe we should hold off on a new deal". And whatever games are at MSG, it will be a big deal. You think Wall Street Brokers would scoff at going to see a B10 set of games featuring Michigan State, Maryland, Ohio State, and Indiana? As long as it's quality teams that have alum in the area (and the B10 definitely does) the fans will be there.
Quote from: brewcity77 on March 16, 2016, 07:39:48 AM
Not denying any of that. I have no idea how the B10 would handle games during that week. Seems like a recipe for disaster on their end. So what's the answer? Have the teams play more games in November and December? Move up conference play? Work non-con games into the January-February schedule? I don't know.
And maybe it's just me, but I view that 2026 date as fairly close. I know, it's a decade away, but all it takes is one good showing from the B10 or ACC for them to think "maybe we should hold off on a new deal". And whatever games are at MSG, it will be a big deal. You think Wall Street Brokers would scoff at going to see a B10 set of games featuring Michigan State, Maryland, Ohio State, and Indiana? As long as it's quality teams that have alum in the area (and the B10 definitely does) the fans will be there.
2026 means the BET will have been in the garden 47 straight years (starting in 1979). The BET is now a NY institution.
Jimmy Dolan, President of MSG, owner of the Knicks and Rangers, loves the BET and is a huge supporter of St. Johns.
Not going anywhere.
Quote from: brewcity77 on March 16, 2016, 07:39:48 AM
Not denying any of that. I have no idea how the B10 would handle games during that week. Seems like a recipe for disaster on their end. So what's the answer? Have the teams play more games in November and December? Move up conference play? Work non-con games into the January-February schedule? I don't know.
And maybe it's just me, but I view that 2026 date as fairly close. I know, it's a decade away, but all it takes is one good showing from the B10 or ACC for them to think "maybe we should hold off on a new deal". And whatever games are at MSG, it will be a big deal. You think Wall Street Brokers would scoff at going to see a B10 set of games featuring Michigan State, Maryland, Ohio State, and Indiana? As long as it's quality teams that have alum in the area (and the B10 definitely does) the fans will be there.
The Big 10 (or is it 14? I can't keep track anymore) better draw the Wall St types, because just wait until those midwest farmers get a load of the prices in the Big Apple. Those sh*tkickers are in for serious sticker shock.
There is a large contingent of Big Ten Conf Tourney fans who hate when it goes to Chicago, they just hate leaving Indy. Yeah, they're going to love NYC.
BUT
You can't walk a block in a NYC with out finding a Big Ten bar. Saturday's are packed for CFB. Will be interesting to see if those 20 somethings in bars translate into ticket buyers.
Quote from: The Lens on March 16, 2016, 08:48:20 AM
There is a large contingent of Big Ten Conf Tourney fans who hate when it goes to Chicago, they just hate leaving Indy. Yeah, they're going to love NYC.
BUT
You can't walk a block in a NYC with out finding a Big Ten bar. Saturday's are packed for CFB. Will be interesting to see if those 20 somethings in bars translate into ticket buyers.
Yeah, that's a result of having a conference comprised of massive state schools...you have alums everywhere. I do enjoy the fact that so many Big 10 grads get the hell out while the ink is still wet on their diplomas. Can't blame them.
Let's see how the ACC performs at Barclays next year. I'm not sure it will draw the crowds that people think.
And neither the Big Ten nor the ACC are going to want to be at MSG permanently. Too far away from their base.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on March 16, 2016, 09:38:08 AM
Let's see how the ACC performs at Barclays next year. I'm not sure it will draw the crowds that people think.
And neither the Big Ten nor the ACC are going to want to be at MSG permanently. Too far away from their base.
Agreed. Playing in NYC will be like European trips over the summer. They will do it every four years so four year players get to participate in it once.
And while I'm not worried about the BE losing MSG for the BET, I am worried about over-saturation.
* BET in MSG
* B1G in MSG the week before
* ACC in the Barclays Center
* A10 in the Barclays Center
How many conference tourneys can NY CBB fans buy tickets for at the same time?
A10 tourney the next two years will not be in Brooklyn.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on March 16, 2016, 09:38:08 AM
And neither the Big Ten nor the ACC are going to want to be at MSG permanently. Too far away from their base.
Such is why MSG is going to be the home of the BET for a long time. MSG wants an annual commitment for selection weekend, not an every other or every four arrangement.
Alternatively, I could see something like the BE, B? and ACC putting together some sort of "timeshare" arrangement where each has rights to their own "home base" but would rotate and trade around every so often. In other words, BE has rights to the Garden and B? has rights to UC and Conseco, but Val and Jimmy decide to "trade" for a year so B? goes to the Garden and BE goes to Chicago or Indy. It probably wouldn't be a regular thing, but I could see benefit for both sides if done only ocassionally, and even though some of you are going to say "Benny, why the hell would we want to give up the Garden, even once a decade), frankly, it gives a little leverage to the BE in any negotiations they might want - or need - to have with the the B? (realignment, autonomy, pre-season, etc.) at some point because I'm sure the B? would want an opportunity at the Garden on Selection Weekend much more than the BE would want theirs at the UC or Conseco.
Quote from: Benny B on March 16, 2016, 01:02:01 PM
Such is why MSG is going to be the home of the BET for a long time. MSG wants an annual commitment for selection weekend, not an every other or every four arrangement.
Alternatively, I could see something like the BE, B? and ACC putting together some sort of "timeshare" arrangement where each has rights to their own "home base" but would rotate and trade around every so often. In other words, BE has rights to the Garden and B? has rights to UC and Conseco, but Val and Jimmy decide to "trade" for a year so B? goes to the Garden and BE goes to Chicago or Indy. It probably wouldn't be a regular thing, but I could see benefit for both sides if done only ocassionally, and even though some of you are going to say "Benny, why the hell would we want to give up the Garden, even once a decade), frankly, it gives a little leverage to the BE in any negotiations they might want - or need - to have with the the B? (realignment, autonomy, pre-season, etc.) at some point because I'm sure the B? would want an opportunity at the Garden on Selection Weekend much more than the BE would want theirs at the UC or Conseco.
Screw that. The Big East owns MSG. If the ACC or Big 10 want to invade our turf, they play by our rules. That means working around the Big East's schedule. I am dead set against rotating the BET to Chicago, Indy, Toledo, Akron, Fond du Lac, or any other midwest town. It belongs in NYC. That was proven this past weekend.
Quote from: Groin_pull on March 16, 2016, 01:23:35 PM
Screw that. The Big East owns MSG. If the ACC or Big 10 want to invade our turf, they play by our rules. That means working around the Big East's schedule. I am dead set against rotating the BET to Chicago, Indy, Toledo, Akron, Fond du Lac, or any other midwest town. It belongs in NYC. That was proven this past weekend.
This
Quote from: Marcus92 on March 12, 2016, 04:02:54 PM
According to an analysis by USA Today of athletic programs during 2013-14, UConn had the third-highest deficit ($27.1 million) between total operating revenue and expenses. The only schools in the black came from the SEC, Big 10, Pac-12 and Big-12.
You and I (along with the current members of the Big East) see that as a fool's game, throwing good money after bad. But for UConn, it's about far more than its basketball programs. They see the future of their university tied to football — and the tens of millions of dollars they're putting into the program as an investment.
Will that change in the next 5-10 years with greater financial pressure and public scrutiny? It's possible. But UConn made this bet with a full awareness of the risks. Even with the odds stacked against them, they're not ready to walk away from the table yet.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2015/05/26/ncaa-athletic-finances-revenue-expense-division-i/27971457/
Just might be a bad bet. Who knows what football is going to look like in the next ten years. Flag football anyone?
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-news/4698418-nfl-head-injuries-cte-concussions-link-football-brain-trauma-jeff-miller-safety
Quote from: Groin_pull on March 16, 2016, 01:23:35 PM
Screw that. The Big East owns MSG. If the ACC or Big 10 want to invade our turf, they play by our rules. That means working around the Big East's schedule. I am dead set against rotating the BET to Chicago, Indy, Toledo, Akron, Fond du Lac, or any other midwest town. It belongs in NYC. That was proven this past weekend.
Hypothetically, let's assume that a few weeks after this year's Final Four the P5 is breaking off and starting their own basketball tournament in 2017 (grossly unlikely, but assume for a moment - for whatever reason - it does happen). B? and ACC want to bring the BE along on one condition: if they can host their conference tourney at the garden once (each) per decade.
Are you still going to tell the ACC and B? to piss off? Or is 8-on, 2-off at the Garden worth the continued tournament affiliation with the other major conferences?
Quote from: Benny B on March 16, 2016, 02:12:20 PM
Hypothetically, let's assume that a few weeks after this year's Final Four the P5 is breaking off and starting their own basketball tournament in 2017 (grossly unlikely, but assume for a moment - for whatever reason - it does happen). B? and ACC want to bring the BE along on one condition: if they can host their conference tourney at the garden once (each) per decade.
Are you still going to tell the ACC and B? to piss off? Or is 8-on, 2-off at the Garden worth the continued tournament affiliation with the other major conferences?
But when North Carolina & Virginia are in the Big10?
Quote from: Benny B on March 16, 2016, 02:12:20 PM
Hypothetically, let's assume that a few weeks after this year's Final Four the P5 is breaking off and starting their own basketball tournament in 2017 (grossly unlikely, but assume for a moment - for whatever reason - it does happen). B? and ACC want to bring the BE along on one condition: if they can host their conference tourney at the garden once (each) per decade.
Are you still going to tell the ACC and B? to piss off? Or is 8-on, 2-off at the Garden worth the continued tournament affiliation with the other major conferences?
Wow. That's quite a hypothetical.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on March 16, 2016, 01:42:16 PMJust might be a bad bet. Who knows what football is going to look like in the next ten years. Flag football anyone?
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-news/4698418-nfl-head-injuries-cte-concussions-link-football-brain-trauma-jeff-miller-safety
UConn comparing itself to schools like Michigan or even Wisconsin or Virginia is just plain crazy, if you ask me.
The University of Michigan has 50% more undergraduates, a postgraduate program almost twice as large, and an endowment 20 times larger than UConn. You're also talking about the 10th largest state in Michigan (about 10 million people) versus the 29th largest in Connecticut (less than 4 million).
Even with all that going for it, Michigan's athletic department projected a $7.9 million operating deficit for fiscal year 2015. How does UConn realistically expect to raise its football program anywhere close to the same level, with only a fraction of the alumni base and resources?
For all the money flowing into college football, athletic programs are finding ways to spend it even faster. Seems like a terrible bet for UConn, whatever the future of the sport is.
Quote from: Benny B on March 16, 2016, 02:12:20 PM
Hypothetically, let's assume that a few weeks after this year's Final Four the P5 is breaking off and starting their own basketball tournament in 2017 (grossly unlikely, but assume for a moment - for whatever reason - it does happen). B? and ACC want to bring the BE along on one condition: if they can host their conference tourney at the garden once (each) per decade.
Are you still going to tell the ACC and B? to piss off? Or is 8-on, 2-off at the Garden worth the continued tournament affiliation with the other major conferences?
So they will intentionally blow up a billion dollar TV contract for the NCAA tourney , for what?
Worst idea every proposed
Quote from: Marcus92 on March 16, 2016, 07:22:34 PM
UConn comparing itself to schools like Michigan or even Wisconsin or Virginia is just plain crazy, if you ask me.
The University of Michigan has 50% more undergraduates, a postgraduate program almost twice as large, and an endowment 20 times larger than UConn. You're also talking about the 10th largest state in Michigan (about 10 million people) versus the 29th largest in Connecticut (less than 4 million).
Even with all that going for it, Michigan's athletic department projected a $7.9 million operating deficit for fiscal year 2015. How does UConn realistically expect to raise its football program anywhere close to the same level, with only a fraction of the alumni base and resources?
For all the money flowing into college football, athletic programs are finding ways to spend it even faster. Seems like a terrible bet for UConn, whatever the future of the sport is.
And that is the operating deficit. It does not include costs associated with scholarships. That would add another $10-15M to their deficit.
Athletics (Football) is losing a lot of these schools and taxpayers a small fortune.
Quote from: Heisenberg on March 16, 2016, 09:43:17 AM
Agreed. Playing in NYC will be like European trips over the summer. They will do it every four years so four year players get to participate in it once.
And while I'm not worried about the BE losing MSG for the BET, I am worried about over-saturation.
* BET in MSG
* B1G in MSG the week before
* ACC in the Barclays Center
* A10 in the Barclays Center
How many conference tourneys can NY CBB fans buy tickets for at the same time?
All three other conference tournaments have a rotating schedule. They will not be in New York every year. And I don't think there will ever be a year when all 4 are in New York at the same time. I think you're worried about nothing.
NYC metro area has over 20 million residents. I think they could support more than one college basketball tournament regardless.
Quote from: Groin_pull on March 16, 2016, 03:20:57 PM
Wow. That's quite a hypothetical.
I'll take that as a "no." Thank you.
Quote from: Heisenberg on March 16, 2016, 09:43:17 AM
Agreed. Playing in NYC will be like European trips over the summer. They will do it every four years so four year players get to participate in it once.
And while I'm not worried about the BE losing MSG for the BET, I am worried about over-saturation.
* BET in MSG
* B1G in MSG the week before
* ACC in the Barclays Center
* A10 in the Barclays Center
How many conference tourneys can NY CBB fans buy tickets for at the same time?
Attendance is a function of the 6 teams that can get to manhattan without having to buy a hotel room. As long as a couple of those teams are doing well, the event will remain well attended.
As we saw this year, with Seton Hall doing well, the final was sold out. If the Johnnies and Georgetown get their act together again, the entire tournament will probably be sold out.
Also it is worth noting, in our new configuration the Big East Tournament has continued to be a quality competitive event. In many respect the BET over its life has essentially been the successor to the old NIT. This years final was a very good game.
As to over saturation, Big Ten tournament will be sold out to NY area alumni. ACC will be the same way. A-10 is close enough for day trips for many of their fan base.