[GoMarquette.com] MU vs. UT in SEC/BE Invitational 2008

[GoMarquetteSays]

Marquette Selected For SEC/BIG EAST Invitational In 2008
         
Jan. 31, 2008

Providence - ESPN Regional Television, in conjunction with the BIG EAST Conference and the Southeastern Conference, announced today the eight men's college basketball teams that will represent the two conferences in the second annual SEC/BIG EAST Invitational.

The 2008 SEC/BIG EAST Invitational, an ERT owned and operated event that features four games over two nights, will be played Dec. 16 at Nashville's Sommet Center and Dec. 18 at Cincinnati's U.S. Bank Arena and will be televised by ESPN and ESPN2. The annual event matches four teams from the BIG EAST Conference against four teams from the Southeastern Conference.

Tennessee, presently ranked #8 nationally, #18 Vanderbilt, #22 Ole Miss and #25 Mississippi State will represent the SEC, while #16 Marquette, Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida will represent the BIG EAST.

On Dec. 16 in Nashville, Vanderbilt will face South Florida while Marquette squares off with Tennessee. On Dec. 18 in Cincinnati, Mississippi State will face Cincinnati and Ole Miss will play Louisville.

"The Southeastern Conference is pleased to partner with the BIG EAST and ESPN on this annual event to provide two nights of exciting nonconference matchups in December," SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said. "Fans in Nashville and Cincinnati, along with a national television audience, will have an opportunity to watch four SEC teams currently ranked in the top 25."

The BIG EAST and SEC have combined to produce four of the last five NCAA Men's Basketball Champions (Florida - 2007 and 2006, UConn - 2004, Syracuse - 2003) and seven of the last 12 national champions (UConn - 1999, Kentucky - 1998 and 1996).

"The BIG EAST is excited to participate again with the SEC and ESPN in this annual event," BIG EAST Commissioner Michael Tranghese said. "The two doubleheaders played at great venues in Cincinnati and Nashville will provide fans with some very exciting college basketball in December."

In 2007, the SEC qualified five teams for the NCAA Tournament, with Florida capturing the national championship for the second straight season, and Tennessee and Vanderbilt finishing in the Sweet 16. The BIG EAST placed six teams in the Tournament, with Georgetown advancing to the Final Four. Two seasons ago, the BIG EAST sent a record eight teams to the NCAAs.

"We're pleased with how this event continues to grow," said Clint Overby, Senior Director of Events, ESPN Regional Television. "Both leagues, along with ESPN, have worked to create matchups in locations where we believe we can be successful."

Teams invited to participate in the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational are chosen by ESPN in consultation with the conferences and are based on geographic and competitive criteria.

"It is a privilege to host this great ESPN basketball event at U.S. Bank Arena," said Arena GM Kristin Ropp. "Featuring two great programs from the Big East and the SEC should prove to make for a memorable day of basketball in Cincinnati."

"On behalf of the Nashville Sports Council, we are excited to host the 2008 SEC/BIG EAST Invitational at the Sommet Center," said Scott Ramsey, president and CEO of the Nashville venue. "We are confident that Music City will provide an exciting atmosphere for the players, coaches and fans of Tennessee, Marquette, Vanderbilt and South Florida."

In the 2007 SEC/BIG EAST Invitational, Villanova, then ranked No. 21, converted a four-point play and scored 13 points in the final three minutes, overcoming a 21-point deficit and beating LSU 68-67 in Philadelphia. South Carolina beat Providence by the same margin, 68-67, in the opener in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, in Birmingham, Ala., Georgetown topped Alabama 70-60, and West Virginia beat Auburn 88-59.

Tickets for the 2008 SEC/BIG EAST Invitational are expected to go on sale in late summer.

For more information, visit www.bigeastsecinvitational.com or ESPN-plus.com, home of ESPN Regional Television.       

http://onlyfans.cstv.com/schools/marq/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/013108aaa.html
         

[NavinRJohnson]

Well, with a road test like this on the eve on the Big East season, I think we can all agree it is safe to assume we will go undefeated in conference next year. Final Four here we come!

[IAmMarquette]

Tennessee, presently ranked #8 nationally, #18 Vanderbilt, #22 Ole Miss and #25 Mississippi State will represent the SEC, while #16 Marquette, Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida will represent the BIG EAST.

More like the SEC/Former-CUSA-Now-BIG EAST Challenge.

I'm a little surprised none of the "traditional" BEAST teams were chosen.

[spiral97]

Hope we get paired with Tennessee.. get a chance to slap some shut-up on em   Pearl started the whole mess between UWM & MU and ran away before we gave him his wish.. now we can follow through and tie up loose ends.

[NYWarrior]

MU has a chance to pound the Necklace

[nyg]

The article states we do play Tennessee.

[Dish]

Rosiak also reported on this a few weeks back.

http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/01/04/a-few-interesting-tidbits.aspx

[spiral97]

The article states we do play Tennessee.

so it does.. VERY nice... except for it basically being a home game for the Vols.. still, we'll have a chance to have a decent road win to boast about again.

[ToddRosiakSays]

MU-Tennessee now official

The details for next season's Marquette-Tennesee SEC/Big East Invitational game- which was first reported on this blog on Jan. 4 - were announced this morning.

The game will be played on Dec. 16 at the Sonnet Center in Nashville, and will be part of a two-game set that also includes Vanderbilt facing South Florida.

Game time will probably be announced sometime over the summer, but you can bet the MU-Tennessee game will be the second of the two played at this site.

For more information, check the event's web site.

http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/01/31/mu-tennessee-now-official.aspx

[MUVOL06]

This will be an interesting match-up. MU gets back Mbakwe and UT loses Chris Lofton and JuJuan Smith.  Got to give props to Pearl for scheduling tough (TN also plays @ Kansas).  Finally Crean plays someone with a pulse outside of conference.  The game is in Nashville though, about 2 hrs from UT's campus.  It is also during their winter break.  For anyone interested on how UT views the game:

http://www.govolsxtra.com/

 

[Dish]

I'm not sure how one gives props to Pearl for "scheduling" this match up, as the conferences and event organizers dictated the match up. As part of the BE/SEC contract, these two teams were most likely going to play in the event at some point, and the conference put together the best perceived match ups.

[MUVOL06]

The conference does not force teams into scheduling games.  Pearl and Crean easily could have said no.  I notice you made no comment about how I give props to Crean for scheduling this game too. 

[sean980]

MUVOL06

I think that Wisconsin usually has a pulse when we play them out of conference annually.  Not that I like the Badgers (in fact I despise them), but they are usually pretty good.

[Dish]

There aren't props given out to anyone for scheduling this game! Neither coach called the other and said "hey, you wanna play us?" Get your facts straight. ESPN and the conferences get together and dictate the match ups. Could Crean and Pearl have said no? Sure, but neither is dumb enough to turn down participating this event, which oh by the way is run by ESPN's ERT division.

"Teams invited to participate in the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational are chosen by ESPN in consultation with the conferences and are based on geographic and competitive criteria."

http://www.espnmediazone.com/press_releases/2008_01_jan/20080131_SECBigEastInvitational.htm

[MUVOL06]

Wisc is one game.  Thats the only team they ever play thats good out-of-conference.  FLA Gulf Coast? Coppin St?  Savannah St? IPFW? Sacramento St? IUPUI?  Utah Valley St?  UWM?  Don't tell me those are good games.  The only reason Crean schedules Wisc is because they are in-state.  Im sure he would love to replace that game every year with with some cupcake.  MUdish yes props are to be given.  Again neither team was forced into this game.  I gave Crean and Pearl props.  My facts are straight, all you said is that teams are chosen by ESPN, they weren't forced to play this game.  MU could have easily said no to ESPN, teams do it all the time.  I never said the coaches got together, but at some point ESPN came to them and said "We think you playing UT would be a good match-up, do you want to go ahead with it."  Both coaches agreed. 

[Dish]

Do you seriously, in all honesty believe that teams turn down ESPN? Let alone all the time? Sometimes matchups don't work out because of scheduling (see MU/Texas, MU/Zaga), but (and I don't know how much clearer it can be said)...this is an ESPN run event, that HAS A CONTRACT with BOTH CONFERENCES to run an event in which these teams are more or less forced (willingly) to participate. It really is that simple.

Fine, give out props to Bruce and Crean if it makes you happy.

[Mayor McCheese]

Wisc is one game.  Thats the only team they ever play thats good out-of-conference.  FLA Gulf Coast? Coppin St?  Savannah St? IPFW? Sacramento St? IUPUI?  Utah Valley St?  UWM?  Don't tell me those are good games.  The only reason Crean schedules Wisc is because they are in-state.  Im sure he would love to replace that game every year with with some cupcake.  MUdish yes props are to be given.  Again neither team was forced into this game.  I gave Crean and Pearl props.  My facts are straight, all you said is that teams are chosen by ESPN, they weren't forced to play this game.  MU could have easily said no to ESPN, teams do it all the time.  I never said the coaches got together, but at some point ESPN came to them and said "We think you playing UT would be a good match-up, do you want to go ahead with it."  Both coaches agreed. 

were you drunk when you wrote this... I doubt any team turns down when ESPN comes to broadcast their game... even if you lose on ESPN it helps recruiting and the program, let alone a win... gimme a break.

[MUVOL06]

MuDish what is your problem?  I gave credit to the coaches. Why does that make you so angry?  AGAIN ESPN ONLY HAS THE RIGHT TO BROADCAST THE GAMES! They do not force teams into match-ups.  The only thing ESPN says is that your(BE vs SEC) games are going to be shown on our channel.  ESPN does not go to either coach and say you play TN, or your playing MU..agree to this or we will shut down your program.   It doesn't happen.  Either coach could have said they had other games scheduled, come back in the future and we will be happy to play it.  They didn't.  Could it be that your angry that MU isn't living up to your expectations this year? 

[MUVOL06]

Mayor McCheese... No I am not drunk.  Teams turn down possible match-ups all the time.  Teams already have a lot of games scheduled for the coming years.  Either coach could have said that they had too many games,or I cant take my kids there, it will affect their school work.  ESPN likes to see these match-ups but sometimes they don't work out.  Both coaches had to agree to it. They easily could have had an excuse.  Its about time Crean scheduled a good team.

[MUVOL06]

BTW...ESPN does not schedule the games...It is up to the two conferences to set the games.  Obviously they saw the Pearl Milwaukee connection and how he tried to schedule MU when he was there.  Again though, both coaches HAD to agree to it.  They were presented with the idea and both accepted it.

[Dish]

Did you bother to read the press release???

Here's a quote from ESPN (again, the organizer of the event)...

"We're pleased with how this event continues to grow," said Clint Overby, Senior Director of Events, ESPN Regional Television. "Both leagues, along with ESPN, have worked to create matchups in locations where we believe we can be successful."

You know why these coaches agreed to play in this event? It $tart$ with $ and end$ with thi$ $.

ESPN, along with the conferences, choose the best match ups because it will bring in the most money. Crean and Pearl would be absolutely insane to say no. Better matchups=better ratings=better program exposure=continuing this Big East/SEC Invitational=more money in everyone involved's pockets

The only thing I'm angry with is ignorance.

[The Lens]

Enjoy this game, it's our Duke & Okla State all rolled into one.

Tennessee, UW will be our premiere our premier out of conf games, UWM will generate some interest locally.

[MUVOL06]

Then you must be angry with yourself.  AGAIN no coached was  F O R C E D.  Again Forced. Forced. Forced. Forced. to play this match-up.  See the key word there?  Forced.  Look it up.  See what it means.  OK. Find the definition.  Look at it again.  OK. Good.    The coaches had to agree to it.  No team is forced to play games.  Ok.  Go look back at the definition again.  Do you finally know what it means?  They weren't forced.  ESPN and the conferences Proposed the idea to the schools... again another word you can look up.  Proposed. MU might need the money but UT certainly does not.  Nor does the SEC.  They make more than enough from football to carry the conference.  TN plays big time games on ESPN all the time.  MU plays cupcakes on local tv.  MU may need the money, but UT does not.

[Dish]

Ok, so you're giving props to Pearl for accepting a call from Silve, that goes something like this.

Silve: "Bruce, our contract with ESPN FORCES us to have you play a Big East team in the next two years. You ok with Marquette in Nashville?"

Pearl (while shopping for terrible suits to wear while coaching): "Yeah."

Props for all! Way to go Bruce! You're a hero!

Do you understand the money theory at all? I mean seriously, do you get it? What are you even trying to argue there, seriously? The reason they have these tournaments/invitationals is because they make money. They make the most money for ESPN and THE CONFERENCES involved. The money trickles down EQUALLY to all member schools of the conference in the form of tv contracts with ESPN.

If your name is MUVOL, and you're clearly a U of T supporter, where does the MU come into play? Why are you here otherwise? I know it's not worth my time asking these questions, as others on this site have had these silly arguments with you before, so I'll stop wasting my time now.

[MUVOL06]

Im sure the conversation went something like that as well.  Although Pearl was winning basketball games while shopping.  While MU looks like they cant win against a decent team.  Do you know how the money works?  The athletic departments get the money each team at a school generates.  That means all of MU and UTs money generated in ALL SPORTS goes back to their respective athletic departments.  IN cases like football, with the BCS, the conference as a whole benefits from any team making the BCS bowls. Teams like Ole Miss and Vandy collected money for LSU and UGA making BCS bowls. For instance take the last two years in JUST FOOTBALL.  Last yr FLA and LSU won BCS games.  This yr UGA and LSU won BCS games.  Combine that with their CBS contract to broadcast SEC games.  All in ALL every school in the SEC over the past 2 years has made 20 million dollars plus, just off of football.  TN and the SEC do not need the small amount of money from that one game.  If they didn't play that game TN would not struggle for money.