Big Sky Conference Tourny in Boise?

[BroncoGriz]

According to a report from our local ABC news:

If Idaho State Athletic Director Paul Bubb gets his way, the Big Sky Conference basketball tournaments will be played in Boise by 2008.

Bubb is pushing for the conference to move its tournament to a neutral site. Currently, the regular-season champion gets to host the end-of-season tournament, where the winner advances automatically to the NCAA national tournament.

"I support the idea of expanding the conference tournament to all eligible members and even to going to a pre-determined neutral site for the tournament," Bubb said. "I believe all fans could better plan to attend, and I believe a central site is key to building up the tournament as have many other conferences.".....

One of the idea's strongest supporters is Montana head coach Larry Krystkowiak. Before leading the Grizzlies to the last two NCAA tournaments, Krystkowiak coached one season for the CBA's Idaho Stampede.

http://6onyourside.com/TODAYS6/NEWS/NewsArticle/tabid/385/xmid/2175/Default.aspx

What are your thoughts on the potential move to a neutral site? Boise seems to be a pretty central location, but will fans of Big Sky teams travel to the tourny?

 

[GrizWhiz]

I think one result will be crappy attendance. Boise fans would be largely disinterested and most Big Sky teams do not have very good home attendance. It's hard to believe they would turn out in big numbers for a tournement in Boise.

 

[Grisly Fan]

This idea is DOA. The one chance you have to get people to the tournament is to have it in a place where at least some people care which ensures that at least the home team games will be attended, Put it in a neutral place and all games would have mediocre attendance at the very best. Most of all I think winning the regular season should count for something and getting to play at home should be the reward.

 

[ms griz]

Financially, the Big Sky should support a town that has a school in the conference. Why should any money go to a neutural site? The champion of the conference should get home field advantage.
Other than Northern Arizona, Sac State and maybe Weber the schools are located within one day driving distance of each other.

 

[EverettGriz]

The BSC used to rotate the host of the championship, so one year ISU would host, the next NAU, etc. It was a disaster. The regular season league champion would have to play and win 3 times to get to the NCAA's, and often they would end up facing the home team and get beat.

In "large" conferences, that isn't an issue. Duke and UNC are getting into the NCAA even if they los in the first round of their conference tournament. But the Big Sky was getting the shaft, because a team that finished the regular season in 5th place but got to host the tournament would end up winning it. I remember Idaho State one year was like 14-15 (of course a 16 seed) and got blown out by UNLV by about 60.

That's why the BSC began rewarding the regular season champ, and it should stay that way. I know it makes it more difficult to get a television deal (networks like to plan more than a week in advance), but you've got to protect/reward the top teams.