If MU hosts NIT game, it'll be at the Al

[tower912]

MU's version of Cameron Indoor?    If it comes to that, students, go friggin nuts.   

[Coleman]

It seats 4,000. It's not that small.

And, if necessary, they could probably have another few hundred standing. Lots of standing space in the corners and baselines at the Al.

[ChicosBailBonds]

It seats 4,000. It's not that small.

That's small.   Abilene Christian, Stetson, Ark Pine Bluff, Monmouth, Gardner Webb, American, etc play in gyms bigger than that. 

That's Klotcshe Center small (3,500).   It would be rocking (hopefully), but that is small. 

Duke's Cameron Indoor stadium holds 9,300. 

[WarriorFan]

Too Small... move the MU floor across to the MECCA (US Cellular) and have the game there...  Fits about 10,000 and can be VERY loud.

[wardle2wade]

Too Small... move the MU floor across to the MECCA (US Cellular) and have the game there...  Fits about 10,000 and can be VERY loud.

Being realistic with a hypothetical, do we really think that MU will sell 10,000 tickets to a Tues night NIT game vs Middle Tenn State?  These tickets are not considered part of the season ticket package, and I do not see that many fans plopping down $40 a pop for the US Cellular. 

I think having it at the Al is the right play here in a lot of respects.

[T.V. Diener 34]

While I still hold out the slightest hope we can win the BET... IF we play an NIT game at the Al there's no way in hell I won't go... I think that'd be amazing

[mug644]

I'm pretty sure the men's team has never played an official game at The Al. Would be surprised if they agreed to it.

[SERocks]

While I still hold out the slightest hope we can win the BET... IF we play an NIT game at the Al there's no way in hell I won't go... I think that'd be amazing

Me too!  I will come out of tax season induced hiding just for that.  Wow.  Fun.

[CTWarrior]

They actually changed that rule a few years ago.  That being said, no team under-500 has ever been chosen for the NIT.

They basically said they would allow below .500 teams in the NIT to allow for a regular season conference winner from a weak conference who may have a below .500 overall record because of a terrible non-con record, not to put in lower echelon big conference teams with losing records.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

The idea of a MU men's team playing a real game at the Al McGuire Center is both cool and distressing at the same time.

Never in my wildest imagination would I think MU would need to play a game in a gymnasium that small for a home game, but it would definitely have a different cool vibe to it.

The crowd at the Western Michigan game wouldn't have filled The Al.

[4everwarriors]

MU played UW-Parkside in an exhibition at the Al

[🏀]

MU played UW-Parkside in an exhibition at the Al

It wasn't Parkside, it was Lewis. One of Clappy's assistants was coaching there.

[4everwarriors]

I remember Lewis also, but UW-Parkside was definitely a game at the Al.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The crowd at the Western Michigan game wouldn't have filled The Al.

Correct.  Less than 24 hours to sell a game with your best player not playing, disappointing season.  That's why I'm saying if MU hosts again this year and if it was at the Bradley Center, you could expect something similar unless we played UWGB or some other team with a local interest.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Correct.  Less than 24 hours to sell a game with your best player not playing, disappointing season.  That's why I'm saying if MU hosts again this year and if it was at the Bradley Center, you could expect something similar unless we played UWGB or some other team with a local interest.

Or Indiana

[connie]

Or Indiana

I can't see such a game not being at Indiana.  Much larger student base to draw from in the second round.  the short time frame to sell works against this.  Great idea though.

[Coleman]

Being realistic with a hypothetical, do we really think that MU will sell 10,000 tickets to a Tues night NIT game vs Middle Tenn State?  These tickets are not considered part of the season ticket package, and I do not see that many fans plopping down $40 a pop for the US Cellular. 

I think having it at the Al is the right play here in a lot of respects.

+1 .... I'd rather see a packed Al than a half empty Arena

[ChicosBailBonds]

Or Indiana

That game would be at IU or certainly not at the Al.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

That game would be at IU or certainly not at the Al.

Probably right, but I think an MU vs. Indiana match up would have very little appeal to the Indiana fanbase. Marquette, on the other hand...different story. I suspect we could sell tickets to Crean returning to Gethsemane. And in Lent, no less.

[🏀]

I remember Lewis also, but UW-Parkside was definitely a game at the Al.

You may need to cut back on the laughing gas, I don't think MU has played UWP since The Al has been built.

[MU82]

Probably right, but I think an MU vs. Indiana match up would have very little appeal to the Indiana fanbase. Marquette, on the other hand...different story. I suspect we could sell tickets to Crean returning to Gethsemane. And in Lent, no less.

OK, but what potential NIT game would have great interest to the IU fanbase? Notre Dame? Right now, ND doesn't even qualify.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

OK, but what potential NIT game would have great interest to the IU fanbase? Notre Dame? Right now, ND doesn't even qualify.

None. Just as pretty much nobody would interest MU fans other than IU.

[MU82]

None. Just as pretty much nobody would interest MU fans other than IU.

Exactly. But if the NIT folks want an Indiana-MU matchup, and the choice is holding it at IU or the Al, I'm pretty sure they will choose IU. Even if IU fans aren't as stoked as MU fans would be, the game would draw considerably more fans -- thereby creating significantly more revenue -- at IU than at the Al.

[bradley center bat]

The crowd at the Western Michigan game wouldn't have filled The Al.

3,381 was the paid crowd.

[Atticus]

Being realistic with a hypothetical, do we really think that MU will sell 10,000 tickets to a Tues night NIT game vs Middle Tenn State?  These tickets are not considered part of the season ticket package, and I do not see that many fans plopping down $40 a pop for the US Cellular. 

I think having it at the Al is the right play here in a lot of respects.

Some high D1 programs that have down years and host an NIT game offer free admission. Of course, we don't own our game day facility. However, charging for an NIT game is bush league.