Northwestern In Talks With Schools For United Center Game

[TallTitan34]

670 The Score is reporting that Northwestern is looking at "big name schools" for a game at the United Center.

Assuming Marquette qualifies as a "big name school", would Marquette have any interest in this game? While not the greatest opponent, it would be nice to get more exposure in Chicago.

[Coleman]

670 The Score is reporting that Northwestern is looking at "big name schools" for a game at the United Center.

Assuming Marquette qualifies as a "big name school", would Marquette have any interest in this game? While not the greatest opponent, it would be nice to get more exposure in Chicago.

If it takes the place of a cupcake, go for it. Although then we lose a home game.

If it takes the place of a major conference home and a way (such as Ohio State or the New Mexico game)...no effin way.

[WarriorInNYC]

If it takes the place of a cupcake, go for it. Although then we lose a home game.

If it takes the place of a major conference home and a way (such as Ohio State or the New Mexico game)...no effin way.

On this note, is the New Mexico game a home and away?  I know we are playing in Vegas against them this year, so it really isn't an "away" game.  I wasn't sure if we have another game scheduled against them next year.

[4everwarriors]

'Cats are committed to elevatin' the program. Don't make the mistake of takin' them lightly. Any game for MU in the suburb to the south is great exposure for Buzz' and can to used as a recruitin' advantage.

[Aughnanure]

'Cats are committed to elevatin' the program. Don't make the mistake of takin' them lightly. Any game for MU in the suburb to the south is great exposure for Buzz' and can to used as a recruitin' advantage.

Sorry If I roll my eyes about a program that has never even made the NCAA tournament.

[bilsu]

I went to a double header in Chicago. Northwestern vs UCLA with Lew Alcinder and MU vs Loyola(?). There was a call in the MU game I thought at the time was not correct. On the rebound Larry McNeal fell down in the lane. Loyola(?) started up the court with the ball and turned it over. McNeal was still laying in the lane when MU stole the ball and they call 3 seconds on him before MU even got into their offense. Over 40 years and I have never seen another call like that.

[GGGG]

I went to a double header in Chicago. Northwestern vs UCLA with Lew Alcinder and MU vs Loyola(?). There was a call in the MU game I thought at the time was not correct. On the rebound Larry McNeal fell down in the lane. Loyola(?) started up the court with the ball and turned it over. McNeal was still laying in the lane when MU stole the ball and they call 3 seconds on him before MU even got into their offense. Over 40 years and I have never seen another call like that.

It is correct, but an incredibly strict interpretation.

[Groin_pull]

Sure, DePaul...let Northwestern take over the United Center. You keep playing in that dump out by the airport.

[GGGG]

Sure, DePaul...let Northwestern take over the United Center. You keep playing in that dump out by the airport.

Their new arena was approved.  Still some obstacles, but that is better than a half empty UC.

[bilsu]

It is correct, but an incredibly strict interpretation.

I think what made me think it was incorrect was that MU did not even have the ball 3 seconds. As soon as they stole it just before the half court line the ref turned and made the call.

[lab_warrior]

'Cats are committed to elevatin' the program. Don't make the mistake of takin' them lightly. Any game for MU in the suburb to the south is great exposure for Buzz' and can to used as a recruitin' advantage.

+1

I say go to Chicago, kick the s*** out of them (I will never NOT enjoy
watching a B1G team lose), while impressing some Chicago area recruits.

Win-win.

[GGGG]

I think what made me think it was incorrect was that MU did not even have the ball 3 seconds. As soon as they stole it just before the half court line the ref turned and made the call.

Oh...ha.  No that isn't correct then.  When you said "didn't get into their offense," I thought you meant their half court set.

[frozena pizza]

Probably wouldn't be my first choice but any game against a B1G school is great for us and obviously playing in the Chicago area is great for alums and recruits there.  As long as it doesn't take the place of another good matchup, which I doubt it would.

Anyone follow the Paint Touches / Anonymous Eagle Twitter posts last night about us possibly getting another non-con game during the BE schedule?  I thought the old BE made some rule that you could only do this if it was a premier, national TV event (possibly as a reaction to Crean scheduling Florida Gulf Coast (before they were good) in March to make our last 10 games record better for the selection committee).  Maybe this is the game they are looking at?

[MU82]

Would love to see MU-NW at the UC.

I see no downside to it and lots of upsides.

[SaveOD238]

Anyone follow the Paint Touches / Anonymous Eagle Twitter posts last night about us possibly getting another non-con game during the BE schedule?  I thought the old BE made some rule that you could only do this if it was a premier, national TV event (possibly as a reaction to Crean scheduling Florida Gulf Coast (before they were good) in March to make our last 10 games record better for the selection committee).  Maybe this is the game they are looking at?

Bracket Busters game vs Iona?

[bilsu]

Bracket Busters game vs Iona?

Being in a bracket buster game would be a strong indication that we are in a mid-major conference.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Their new arena was approved.  Still some obstacles, but that is better than a half empty UC.

Half-empty would be a stellar success. They'll be lucky to do half at the much smaller proposed arena.

[Marqevans]

Would love to go to the UC for a Marquette game!

[Sheriff]

Would love to see MU-NW at the UC.

I see no downside to it and lots of upsides.

As a Northwestern alumnus, I need to point out that it would actually be MU versus NU.  As an MU fan, I agree on the upside and would love to see it happen.

[LAZER]

I'd love to watch MU at the UC, but I don't really see much upside to playing Northwestern.  Playing Illinois at the UC would be interesting.

[Groin_pull]

Their new arena was approved.  Still some obstacles, but that is better than a half empty UC.

Yup, because eventually they'll be playing in a shiny, new—half empty—arena out by McCormick Place.

[oldwarrior81]

I went to a double header in Chicago. Northwestern vs UCLA with Lew Alcinder and MU vs Loyola(?). There was a call in the MU game I thought at the time was not correct. On the rebound Larry McNeal fell down in the lane. Loyola(?) started up the court with the ball and turned it over. McNeal was still laying in the lane when MU stole the ball and they call 3 seconds on him before MU even got into their offense. Over 40 years and I have never seen another call like that.

Majerus talked about the MU game in the NCAAs against Austin Peay in 1973. 

Their big scorer was James "Fly" Williams and during that game, Fly drove the lane, there was no call made but Fly thought he had been fouled.  He sat in the lane, MU went down and scored, Austin Peay got the ball and Fly continued to sit in the lane and was called for 3 seconds.

I think Fly averaged about 30 points a game that season and had scored 22 in the first half against MU.
Fly and another starter got in an argument at halftime and the coach didn't play either of them in the second half.  They both sat in the stands behind the bench during the second half.

[4everwarriors]

Austin Peay (pronounced Pee for all you gringos) Govenors had an interesting chant that season. Heard it many times during their Tourney run, "The Fly is open, let's go Peay."
Larry probably woulda had his man-string in a bunch kinda like the "Hey" song, hey?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'd be for it. Big stage, smack in the middle of our recruiting territory, heavy alumni presence, beatable but respectable team.

I think the heavy alumni presence could be of special benefit. You know how much it could help us if we pack the United Center with Marquette fans and outcheer Northwestern in their town? Great for recruiting

[dbwarriors]

I see no reasons why Marquette fans would pack the UC.  We (MU fans) have excellent fans and bring a few thousand to the Horizon every year...I expect a game at the UC would generate about the same sized MU contingent.