Vegas 16 Article

[The Lens]

I would be fine if we accepted Vegas and Henry got the flu.  If we're not in the  NIT, we need to start planning for 2016/17.  Seeing Luke + 4 guards operate is intriguing.

[GGGG]

I hear you, Glow, but this has too much of the "I took my sister to the Prom" stink to it. I say we head home and try to figure out how to get better.

One way to "figure out how to get better" is to practice two additional weeks and play additional games.  Tinker with line ups.  Try something new.

[keefe]

One way to "figure out how to get better" is to practice two additional weeks and play additional games.  Tinker with line ups.  Try something new.

I understand your point but think our problems are not going to get sorted out by playing in an also-ran event.

If Europe was the force multiplier people asserted on Scoop Marquette would be playing today at the Garden and we fans would be rearranging work responsibilities to be somewhere else next Thursday.

[GGGG]

I understand your point but think our problems are not going to get sorted out by playing in an also-ran event.

If Europe was the force multiplier people asserted on Scoop Marquette would be playing today at the Garden and we fans would be rearranging work responsibilities to be somewhere else next Thursday.

And you think they will be better sorted out sitting at home?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

And you think they will be better sorted out sitting at home?

Keefe has been hinting that there will be another defection(s) besides Hank. I think his argument is that the time at Vegas could be better spent by the coaches doing some recruiting. If there is another major transfer looming, then I might be inclined to agree. But selflishly, I always want to watch more Marquette basketball.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Keefe has been hinting that there will be another defection(s) besides Hank. I think his argument is that the time at Vegas could be better spent by the coaches doing some recruiting. If there is another major transfer looming, then I might be inclined to agree. But selflishly, I always want to watch more Marquette basketball.

This theory, while possible, doesn't seem likely. I mean - who leaves? JJ, Luke, Duane and Cheatham would be th biggest losses. None make any sense as transfers for various and different reasons. Rowsey? Obviously not. Carter? Doesn't make any sense. Anim and Heldt are right where they knew they'd be. Only ones that seem logical are Sandy or Wally focusing on high jump. And I doubt either of those happen.

If there is something out there, I'd be interested to know, but it just doesn't seem likely and if Wally or Sandy leave, it won't be much of a loss, although I hope they both stay.

[GGGG]

Keefe has been hinting that there will be another defection(s) besides Hank. I think his argument is that the time at Vegas could be better spent by the coaches doing some recruiting. If there is another major transfer looming, then I might be inclined to agree. But selflishly, I always want to watch more Marquette basketball.

Oh there is plenty of time to recruit and prepare the team simultaneously.  What do you think they do during the year?

[bilsu]

I was wondering about whether the CBI and Vegas 16 were the same tournament. This answers that question.

[Coleman]

I would be fine if we accepted Vegas and Henry got the flu.  If we're not in the  NIT, we need to start planning for 2016/17.  Seeing Luke + 4 guards operate is intriguing.

I would actually love to see next year's team 8 months early. Keep Henry from injuring himself and see how we stack up without him. Great idea, assuming Henry has for sure decided he is going to the NBA and is ok with it.

A 16 team field means potentially 4 extra 2016-2017 preseason games. Who wouldn't take that, even if you had to put some cash down?

[jsglow]

BTW. UWM just announced that they won't be participating in any post season despite 20 wins and gift wrapped invitation to either the CBI or the CIT.  And their players are pissed.  Big time pissed.  It's believed to be budget constraints.

I bet our kids are itching to go.  Every single one including Henry.  Maybe Henry most of all because after this is done it's just a well paying job.  Of course they want the NIT.  But if it's Vegas, baby? Down for that too.

[Benny B]

It said the $50,000 includes airfare and hotel.  But as Benny said, we'd probably take a charter flight anyway instead of sending them on Southwest.

I inferred that the $50,000 was nothing more than the author's estimate of what airfare and hotel costs would be for a team to fly to Vegas for 5 days.  My earlier math excluded any entry fee (of which, I would think they would waive it for MU and recoup it from the low-majors dying to participate, but who knows?)

Whatever... Vegas, no Vegas... my donation goes towards scholarships; what do I care?

[brewcity77]

Here's a few teams that may be interested in Vegas:

• Marquette: 20-win team with a young core that could benefit from postseason play if they miss the NIT.
  
• Northwestern: 20-win team doesn't really know what postseason play is, if Wojo is interested in Vegas, Collins may be as well.
  
• LSU: NIT bubble team, if they miss out, this could be a last chance to see Simmons play.
  
• UNLV: Seem like a slam dunk, wins over Oregon and Indiana won't be enough to get them in the NIT, but they'd be a natural fit in their home town.
  
• Fresno State: 22 wins and counting, MWC runners-up.
  
• Milwaukee: 20-win team that would certainly relish an opportunity to play us again.
  
• Kansas State, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Washington, Ole Miss, Creighton: All NIT bubble teams that could be looking for a place to play.

.
It's not a who's who, but if people are looking for a better alternative than the CBI, it could be a pretty good tournament.

[jsglow]

I inferred that the $50,000 was nothing more than the author's estimate of what airfare and hotel costs would be for a team to fly to Vegas for 5 days.  My earlier math excluded any entry fee (of which, I would think they would waive it for MU and recoup it from the low-majors dying to participate, but who knows?)

Whatever... Vegas, no Vegas... my donation goes towards scholarships; what do I care?

That's not how I read it at all.  I read that in return for $50k the Vegas16 tournament has that all arranged and paid for.  They partnered up with Mandalay Bay to fill rooms, sell meals, and do basketball over Easter Weekend for cripes sake.  Do you guys not understand how the Strip works?  That's gotta be one of the slowest weekends of the year.  Casinos only lose money when nobody is in them.  So for possibly the slowest 5 day block imaginable, they hold an event.  Why isn't it next weekend during the NCAA?  Easy answer.  Now MU might choose to charter and get a discount but it'll be worked out.  Everything in Vegas is 100% negotiable.  Everything.

[jsglow]

Here's a few teams that may be interested in Vegas:

• Marquette: 20-win team with a young core that could benefit from postseason play if they miss the NIT.
  
• Northwestern: 20-win team doesn't really know what postseason play is, if Wojo is interested in Vegas, Collins may be as well.
  
• LSU: NIT bubble team, if they miss out, this could be a last chance to see Simmons play.
  
• UNLV: Seem like a slam dunk, wins over Oregon and Indiana won't be enough to get them in the NIT, but they'd be a natural fit in their home town.
  
• Fresno State: 22 wins and counting, MWC runners-up.
  
• Milwaukee: 20-win team that would certainly relish an opportunity to play us again.
  
• Kansas State, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Washington, Ole Miss, Creighton: All NIT bubble teams that could be looking for a place to play.

.
It's not a who's who, but if people are looking for a better alternative than the CBI, it could be a pretty good tournament.

Well, apart from UWM saying NO you're spot on.  Inviting UNLV is a no brainer.  Local butts in the seats seeing solid teams they never get to see.

Look, it's not a home run.  But I'll take a solid single to left anytime.

[keefe]

Virginia Tech

If we get a crack at Bert then I say GO!

[Litehouse]

That's not how I read it at all.  I read that in return for $50k the Vegas16 tournament has that all arranged and paid for.  They partnered up with Mandalay Bay to fill rooms, sell meals, and do basketball over Easter Weekend for cripes sake.  Do you guys not understand how the Strip works?  That's gotta be one of the slowest weekends of the year.  Casinos only lose money when nobody is in them.  So for possibly the slowest 5 day block imaginable, they hold an event.  Why isn't it next weekend during the NCAA?  Easy answer.  Now MU might choose to charter and get a discount but it'll be worked out.  Everything in Vegas is 100% negotiable.  Everything.

Maybe they can charter a Southwest flight and sell the extra seats to fans to fly with the team!  For $500 you can have the middle seat between Henry and Wally!

[brewcity77]

If we get a crack at Bert then I say GO!

Love to see that matchup. If we want to play him while he's at Va Tech, we'll probably have to do it this year anyway...

[jsglow]

Maybe they can charter a Southwest flight and sell the extra seats to fans to fly with the team!  For $500 you can have the middle seat between Henry and Wally!

$500! That better be my usual $99 special! 

[WellsstreetWanderer]

[.  Everything in Vegas is 100% negotiable.  Everything.
[/quote]


  I'm sure the casinos would be willing to extend Henry a little credit

[NavinRJohnson]

They partnered up with Mandalay Bay to fill rooms, sell meals, and do basketball over Easter Weekend for cripes sake.  Do you guys not understand how the Strip works?  That's gotta be one of the slowest weekends of the year.  Casinos only lose money when nobody is in them.  So for possibly the slowest 5 day block imaginable, they hold an event. 

You ever been to Vegas Easter weekend? I can assure you it is not one of slowest weekends of the year. Was there two years ago. Could barely walk down the street. Was very surprising, but various cabbies, hotel clerks etc said that it is a very popular weekend with folks from Nearby places like LA, etc., so not one of the slowest, but apparently one of the busier times.

[warriorchick]

Maybe they can charter a Southwest flight and sell the extra seats to fans to fly with the team!  For $500 you can have the middle seat between Henry and Wally!

I'd take that seat.  They are relatively skinny.

Between Davante Gardner and Matt Stainbrook, maybe not....

[Benny B]

That's not how I read it at all.  I read that in return for $50k the Vegas16 tournament has that all arranged and paid for.  They partnered up with Mandalay Bay to fill rooms, sell meals, and do basketball over Easter Weekend for cripes sake.  Do you guys not understand how the Strip works?  That's gotta be one of the slowest weekends of the year.  Casinos only lose money when nobody is in them.  So for possibly the slowest 5 day block imaginable, they hold an event.  Why isn't it next weekend during the NCAA?  Easy answer.  Now MU might choose to charter and get a discount but it'll be worked out.  Everything in Vegas is 100% negotiable.  Everything.

A one-price, package deal may be a great thing for a travel agency to sell to an elderly couple who thinks the internet is the inside lining of swim trunks, but tournament promoters are not travel agents and college athletic departments are not tourists.  I would bet that MU's athletic department probably has more travel-related "hotline" numbers on speed dial than Fox World Travel knows about, so a package deal means nothing to them.  Heck, if that were the case, I can tell you who won't be in the tournament... UNLV.  Why would they foot a $50,000 entry fee that includes travel/rooms they don't need (or already have)?  Likewise, would Cal State Fullerton want to pay $50,000 for a puddle jump knowing that Maine is paying the exact same fee to fly cross-country?

Sure, everything in Vegas is negotiable, but that one is on page two of the Vegas rulebook.  Rule #1 is "the house always wins."  Charging $50k and including travel would be like having a slot machine that stops on CAR-CAR-CAR-CAR-CAR and letting the winner pick what kind of car she wants... $50,000 all-in just ain't going to fly (literally and figuratively).

[VegasWarrior77]

UNLV won't play in it.  The program is in total disarray. When they played Fresno State yesterday it looked like there were about 1500 people in the stands.  They are down to five scholarship players, they fired their coach after the third conference game and most of the players won't be here next year. 

For the record the slowest week in Vegas is the week before Christmas.  That's when we get mail from the casinos offering us locals two-for-ones on shows.

[WarriorFan]

I hear you, Glow, but this has too much of the "I took my sister to the Prom" stink to it. I say we head home and try to figure out how to get better.

Just cause you went with your sister doesn't mean you can't come home with a trophy!!!

Vegas here we come!!!

[bradley center bat]

http://www.reviewjournal.com/ron-kantowski/vegas-16-basketball-tournament-needs-few-good-teams