Big Sky Tournament

[marceagfan5]

All in front of 612 screaming fans.

There is a day off between the first round and the qtrs, its bad enough to play this thing in reno, but to then take a day off after 4 games on Day 1...we may have the first conference tourney game ever with less than 100 people in attendance...

I assume the women play on the day off. The day off doesn't affect the top 4 seeds or their fans.

You are correct, I just think it will be tough to convince a fan base for a team not in the top 4, to come to a first round game, then stick around if you win, wait a day, and then play one of the top 4 teams. I think the first round games will most likely be very poorly attended, and in games where Weber and the Griz aren't playing, those games will be down as well...the proof is in the pudding, so we will see...

 

[marceagfan5]

All in front of 612 screaming fans.

There is a day off between the first round and the qtrs, its bad enough to play this thing in reno, but to then take a day off after 4 games on Day 1...we may have the first conference tourney game ever with less than 100 people in attendance...

Yup. It's going to be sad.

Very disappointed in the schools of this conference for thinking that hosting it in Reno & including EVERY team would be a good idea. Absolutely baffled by a coach like Rahe talking about it like it's great it's being hosted in Reno and includes every team. If I was a Weber fan I'd be pretty damn pissed...

For a conference like the Big Sky we need to have tournament participation limited (6 teams max in my opinion) and have it hosted at the regular season champ's location. We aren't the ACC. We can't count on our bottom dwellers still getting a decent seed in the tournament or having the talent to compete.

We need to protect the top teams in the conference in hopes that we might actually get team in the tournament that can compete. Like EWU last year who did an admirable job against Georgetown, or the Griz beating Nevada and hanging in with New Mexico, or Weber of course who beat UNC and has had other decent performances in the tournament. Or even PSU during the Bone era.

Can you imagine if a 8 or 9 seed team this year in the Big Sky gets hot for the tournament and wins it? A team with an RPI of around 300... they'll get curb-stomped in the play-in game by a team like Hampton...

At least in the old format it helped make sure one of the top 4 teams in the Big Sky was the team that ended up representing the conference in the NCAA tournament. Now with this "everyone gets a participation ribbon, a juice box and some orange slices" tournament style where it's hosted on a neutral court it's just a recipe for an embarrassing disaster for the conference.

This is a terrific post...

The Big Sky is a one bid league every year, so we need to protect the best teams and give them the best chance to make it to the tourney. This will help these teams have a chance for a better seed, which results in a better opportunity for a win...this can result in better exposure for the teams and conference, and eventually everyone wins..

We start to try and be equal, have a couple of upsets on a neutral court and we are playing in the damn play in game every year, no one wants that. We need the better teams to be playing in the NCAA tourney so we at least have a freaking chance, playing in Reno doesn't help our chance to give the NCAA our leagues best team. And again, why Reno? :roll:

 

[PlayerRep]

All in front of 612 screaming fans.

There is a day off between the first round and the qtrs, its bad enough to play this thing in reno, but to then take a day off after 4 games on Day 1...we may have the first conference tourney game ever with less than 100 people in attendance...

I assume the women play on the day off. The day off doesn't affect the top 4 seeds or their fans.

You are correct, I just think it will be tough to convince a fan base for a team not in the top 4, to come to a first round game, then stick around if you win, wait a day, and then play one of the top 4 teams. I think the first round games will most likely be very poorly attended, and in games where Weber and the Griz aren't playing, those games will be down as well...the proof is in the pudding, so we will see...

I agree, but I don't think those teams are likely to have much for fan bases anyway and don't think they'd be likely to do anywhere for very long. The fan bases would likely be some parents and a handful of loyal fans who are retired or have a lot of time and money, and perhaps some cheerleaders and people who live close to Reno (or wherever the tourney would be, if elsewhere). I can't imagine that the conference excepts much for attendance on the first day.

 

[mtgrizrule]

I hope the locals in Reno will commit to making this look worth the time and money it took to get this tournament. There is not enough fans for most of the programs that will travel for this tournament, especially spread out as long as it is. I'd be more willing to do it for either the men or women if each was not spread out. Limit the time to 3 days from start to finish. Even if I can afford and make arrangements to make it happen, I honestly do not want to be in Reno or any hosting site for as long as it is scheduled, like this year.

Do to the way it is set up this year, it will be a last minute arrangement, providing the GRIZ are in the semis. For most fans, that will be the case. If Missoula were to be hosting this tournament, as fan living in this community, I would make it a priority to attend every game of the tournament to make the tournament look better and be the best experience for the teams. Reno, please commit to this tournament and prove the doubters wrong. Right now, I have a feeling the doubters will be looking pretty damn right when this tournament is over.

 

[weberwildcat]

ya sac is the closest school who can't get 900 for weber or griz and will finish as what 10th or 12th? would any of us drive a 2 hour trip to see our team in the conf tourney if they are in 12th place? :shock:

STANDINGS CONFERENCE OVERALL
Big Sky W-L GB PCT W-L PCT STRK
Montana 11-2 -- .846 16-8 .667 W3
Weber State 10-2 .5 .833 18-7 .720 W2
Eastern Washington 9-4 2 .692 15-10 .600 W6
Idaho State 8-4 2.5 .667 13-11 .542 W3
Idaho 8-5 3 .615 16-10 .615 W2
North Dakota 7-6 4 .538 12-12 .500 L2
Montana State 7-6 4 .538 12-13 .480 W3
Northern Colorado 5-8 6 .385 8-17 .320 L4
Portland State 4-8 6.5 .333 8-15 .348 L3
Sacramento State 3-9 7.5 .250 10-13 .435 L3
Northern Arizona 2-11 9 .154 4-20 .167 L2
Southern Utah 2-11 9 .154 4-19 .174 L8

i would think most who would even consider traveling would at least require their team to be in the top 3. sky struggles for home game attendance where fans dont have to travel.

wont the family members of the players be getting free tkts? family members will be majority of fans. ive been to enough away games to know 50 family members will show up for any given team. 50 x 12 gets us the predicted 600 in this thread. but make that 603. i am going and meeting 2 friends there. we expect to be the only non-family members there which is what it was like when i saw weber play at davis in football a few yrs ago. :lol:

Hey now. Accuracy matters. For the record, I predicted 612 screaming fans, so you and you're buddies are going to have to each hire three Reno...ahhh....Escorts to take to the game with you.

obviously im from utah so ill look into acquiring 2-3 escorts for myself.

 

[Mousegriz]

Just bring 2 or 3 of your wives that like hoops.

 

[cmtgrizzly]

On one hand, for the conference, I hope this tournament booms and Reno produces large local crowds and brings increased media attention and thus marketability/dollars. If crowds are good I do not think it will be traveling fans from the participating universities. On the other hand I hope it fails as I don't think Reno is a long term viable location and I don't feel it has any connection with our conference and I feel the conference champion should get the advantage of hosting. Several schools have the ability to host a successful tourney. UM, MSU, WSU etc could host large crowds. The conference needs to do a better job attracting fans to Big Sky sites rather than moving to an unafilliated site such as Reno. Those who can't host that kind of tournament should be banned from hosting until facilities are adequate. I am sure the conference could come up with a precise definition of adequate facilities. If the conference champion is ineligible to host then the highest ranked team that is eligible to host, will host. I think that would motivate those with inadequate facilities to make improvements. I think winning the right to host on the court but losing it based on facilities would be motivating. I guess it should be interesting to see how Reno does n 2-3 weeks.

 

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

ya sac is the closest school who can't get 900 for weber or griz and will finish as what 10th or 12th? would any of us drive a 2 hour trip to see our team in the conf tourney if they are in 12th place? :shock:

STANDINGS CONFERENCE OVERALL
Big Sky W-L GB PCT W-L PCT STRK
Montana 11-2 -- .846 16-8 .667 W3
Weber State 10-2 .5 .833 18-7 .720 W2
Eastern Washington 9-4 2 .692 15-10 .600 W6
Idaho State 8-4 2.5 .667 13-11 .542 W3
Idaho 8-5 3 .615 16-10 .615 W2
North Dakota 7-6 4 .538 12-12 .500 L2
Montana State 7-6 4 .538 12-13 .480 W3
Northern Colorado 5-8 6 .385 8-17 .320 L4
Portland State 4-8 6.5 .333 8-15 .348 L3
Sacramento State 3-9 7.5 .250 10-13 .435 L3
Northern Arizona 2-11 9 .154 4-20 .167 L2
Southern Utah 2-11 9 .154 4-19 .174 L8

i would think most who would even consider traveling would at least require their team to be in the top 3. sky struggles for home game attendance where fans dont have to travel.

wont the family members of the players be getting free tkts? family members will be majority of fans. ive been to enough away games to know 50 family members will show up for any given team. 50 x 12 gets us the predicted 600 in this thread. but make that 603. i am going and meeting 2 friends there. we expect to be the only non-family members there which is what it was like when i saw weber play at davis in football a few yrs ago. :lol:

Hey now. Accuracy matters. For the record, I predicted 612 screaming fans, so you and you're buddies are going to have to each hire three Reno...ahhh....Escorts to take to the game with you.

obviously im from utah so ill look into acquiring 2-3 escorts for myself.

Just bring your wives........... :wink: :mrgreen:

 

[BigSkyBears]

All in front of 612 screaming fans.

Then get out.

 

[EverettGriz]

All in front of 612 screaming fans.

Then get out.

We will, as soon as possible.

And then joke programs like yours can go right on being DI in name only, pinching pennies in order to save the department a critical $240 on travel costs while playing another team with an RPI of 345 in an empty gym in a town that can't even spell BSC.



Damn, I'm almost inspired to stay in this shitty conference just thinking about that!!

 

[cmtgrizzly]

All in front of 612 screaming fans.

Then get out.

So BigSkyBears are you in favor of the move to Reno? If so, why?

 

[wsucatfan]

All in front of 612 screaming fans.

Then get out.

So BigSkyBears are you in favor of the move to Reno? If so, why?

My guess would be the Bears are used to playing in empty gyms so Greeley or Reno it's all the same.

 

[EverettGriz]

Hell, why wouldn't they be for it? No one goes to games in Greeley, so no one going to games in Reno is no big whoop. And besides, they get to talk about their "post season experience", and proudly display their 9th place Participation banner.

And shit, should a couple of Ghostbusters accidentally cross their streams during the tournament, they'd actually have a tiny chance of winning the damn thing. Plus, their athletic department saves the much needed $270. It's really a win, win, win for those kinds of programs. The legit DI teams and the conference takes it right up the ol' pooper, but you know, you got that 270 bucks to consider....

 

[BigSkyBears]

All in front of 612 screaming fans.

Then get out.

So BigSkyBears are you in favor of the move to Reno? If so, why?

I would rather have the tourney go to the first place team.

 

[BigSkyBears]

All in front of 612 screaming fans.

Then get out.

We will, as soon as possible.

And then joke programs like yours can go right on being DI in name only, pinching pennies in order to save the department a critical $240 on travel costs while playing another team with an RPI of 345 in an empty gym in a town that can't even spell BSC.



Damn, I'm almost inspired to stay in this shitty conference just thinking about that!!

You're a good guy. :thumb:

 

[EverettGriz]

I AM a good guy. But I'm also honest and call things as they are.

 

[BigSkyBears]

I AM a good guy. But I'm also honest and call things as they are.

That's good, I think everyone should do that.

 

[statler & waldorf]

ya sac is the closest school who can't get 900 for weber or griz and will finish as what 10th or 12th? would any of us drive a 2 hour trip to see our team in the conf tourney if they are in 12th place? :shock:

STANDINGS CONFERENCE OVERALL
Big Sky W-L GB PCT W-L PCT STRK
Montana 11-2 -- .846 16-8 .667 W3
Weber State 10-2 .5 .833 18-7 .720 W2
Eastern Washington 9-4 2 .692 15-10 .600 W6
Idaho State 8-4 2.5 .667 13-11 .542 W3
Idaho 8-5 3 .615 16-10 .615 W2
North Dakota 7-6 4 .538 12-12 .500 L2
Montana State 7-6 4 .538 12-13 .480 W3
Northern Colorado 5-8 6 .385 8-17 .320 L4
Portland State 4-8 6.5 .333 8-15 .348 L3
Sacramento State 3-9 7.5 .250 10-13 .435 L3
Northern Arizona 2-11 9 .154 4-20 .167 L2
Southern Utah 2-11 9 .154 4-19 .174 L8

i would think most who would even consider traveling would at least require their team to be in the top 3. sky struggles for home game attendance where fans dont have to travel.

wont the family members of the players be getting free tkts? family members will be majority of fans. ive been to enough away games to know 50 family members will show up for any given team. 50 x 12 gets us the predicted 600 in this thread. but make that 603. i am going and meeting 2 friends there. we expect to be the only non-family members there which is what it was like when i saw weber play at davis in football a few yrs ago. :lol:

Hey now. Accuracy matters. For the record, I predicted 612 screaming fans, so you and you're buddies are going to have to each hire three Reno...ahhh....Escorts to take to the game with you.

obviously im from utah so ill look into acquiring 2-3 escorts for myself.

Just bring your wives........... :wink: :mrgreen:

The FLDS have a built in advantage in this situation.

 

[weberwildcat]

bringing all the wives is too boring. the point of attending the reno tourney isnt to see big sky hoops with 611 other fans but a valid reason to get away from them all.

 

[ISUguy]

In the interest of equal time, a slightly different view of the new tournament arrangement from Rob Spear, Idaho athletic director, from an interview with the Coeur d'Alene Press:

On the Big Sky men’s and women’s basketball tournaments moving to Reno, a neutral site, for the next two years. In the past, the league champion has hosted the tourneys, often on short notice:

“Love it,” Spear said. “It was one of the things we advocated for when we got into the Big Sky, because we came out of a league in the WAC that had the tournament in Vegas. There’s a couple things that make it the right thing — one is, having a neutral site, getting off the host school’s home court, it’s tough to win a game on somebody else’s court. The other thing, I think you take care of the student-athlete better. There were so many examples of student-athletes not knowing whether they’re going to make the tournament, or where the tournament would be, and that would preclude their parents coming and watching them play. So now that all teams are in, it’s planned in advance, it gives everybody an opportunity to get there. And it’s a lot better situation to plan for travel-wise. Thankfully, last year Montana ended up being the host school (for the men’s tournament), and we were able to bus over (to Missoula). But if you’re a school, and you have to get airfare at the last minute, it becomes very expensive.”

Spear said not having a “home” crowd could be a “negative,” but he’s hopeful Reno becomes an annual destination place for Big Sky fans, just like Las Vegas has become for West Coast Conference (mostly Gonzaga) fans. He said with the West Coast, the WAC, the Mountain West and the Pac-12 already holding conference tourneys in Vegas, there was no room left for the Big Sky.