BSC taking bids for neutral site championships

[grizzlyjournal]

I would travel to both Billings or Spokane. Both are excellent venues.

Would you travel to Reno? Or Fargo? Or Sac? Or Portland?

And would you if you weren't a hard core hoop junkie?

Well, I AM a hard core hoop junkie; cant' really think any other way about it. But, let's face it... airline tix out of Missoula to ANYWHERE are prohibitive for a 3-4 day "vacation." Wouldn't consider it. But I can easily drive to Spokane or Billings, where lodging would probably be relatively affordable. But any venue hosted by the regular season champs is out of question.

Could I imagine traveling to Cheney (where I could lodge in Spokane) this year if Eastern hosts? Nope. Simply because Eastern has a history of PREVENTING Griz fans from attending their home games... football or hoops. Griz fans are simply not welcome. So, if Eastern hosts the tourney this year, I won't consider it simply because Griz fans are NOT welcome in Cheney. Wouldn't spend a dime in Cheney. Nuff said.

 

[EverettGriz]

So what we've learned is that if the tournament is within a few hours drive of your school, and your school is a top 2 or 3 seed, and you're a basketball junkie, you'll probably attend. Unless something better comes up....

And yeah, a few thousand Billings people (Billingsites? Billingers?) will go the first year or so, because it's new and fresh and exciting. But what about after that? Seriously, the average HOME crowd in the BSC is like 1300 this season. Do we really expect more than that to attend Sac State vs. NAU in Billings?? Please. Won't happen. And attendance in a place like Reno will be even worse.

Keep the tournament at the regular season winner's venue, where it belongs (unless that venue is a joke, which is another conversation altogether. -- Why are we in this conference again????)

 

[grizzlyjournal]

Keep the tournament at the regular season winner's venue, where it belongs (unless that venue is a joke, which is another conversation altogether. -- Why are we in this conference again????)

NOT "unless something better comes up!" Rather, if I can afford it.

You make several valid points, EverettGriz. But I just don't know how realistic it is to keep forcing the issue of whether or not Montana should be in the Big Sky. No, I DO know; it's NOT realistic. I have not heard about ANY invitations to Montana to join the Mountain West. It's a moot, dead, non-existent, speculative question. It is what it is.

I go to every home game and a couple road games each year, and I love them, even though I gripe about some serious issues... like the poor quality of officiating in the Big Sky. If the fact that Montana's stuck in the Big Sky is what keeps you from attending games, I feel sorry for you. The Big Sky is what we have and I usually enjoy the games.

Your question was, "Would I consider traveling to a neutral site for the Big Sky men's tourney championship?" I answered for myself. I am a basketball junkie... but one with a limited budget.

Would I consider Spokane, Billings? -- Yes. Reno, Las Vegas, Portland? -- Maybe, if I could afford the expense of a flight or a day+ of travel. Salt Lake City? No (flights from Missoula to Salt Lake are prohibitively expensive). I would be able to attend, and would attend if it were held in Billings or Spokane. Nowhere else.

 

[cclarkblues]

So what we've learned is that if the tournament is within a few hours drive of your school, and your school is a top 2 or 3 seed, and you're a basketball junkie, you'll probably attend. Unless something better comes up....

And yeah, a few thousand Billings people (Billingsites? Billingers?) will go the first year or so, because it's new and fresh and exciting. But what about after that? Seriously, the average HOME crowd in the BSC is like 1300 this season. Do we really expect more than that to attend Sac State vs. NAU in Billings?? Please. Won't happen. And attendance in a place like Reno will be even worse.

Keep the tournament at the regular season winner's venue, where it belongs (unless that venue is a joke, which is another conversation altogether. -- Why are we in this conference again????)

So ask yourself, how many people would go if the tourney were held in Missoula, if the Griz weren't playing? You have the same problem anywhere there isn't a home team. I do think fans in Billings like basketball and if the Cats or Griz were to be in the tourney, fans would come from all over Eastern Montana to Northern Wyo and all points West to spend the weekend and watch. If you come for the weekend you will stay and watch a few games that don't involve your team.

I'm also OK with the present format.

 

[ISUguy]

If I'm reading this correctly, the finalists are: Reno, Billings, Ogden or Spokane for the men; Missoula, Cheney, Reno for the women. And there is the grabber sentence at the end: the presidents reserve the right to keep things as they are.

http://www.bigskyconf.com/news/2015/2/12/MBB_0212152335.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[NorthEndZoneDan]

I've been watching this thread and reading on this topic for a while now. This whole thing has clusterf**k written all over it. Fullerton needs to be slapped up side the head and told to sit down and stop being stupid.

 

[SWeberCat02]

I've been watching this thread and reading on this topic for a while now. This whole thing has clusterf**k written all over it. Fullerton needs to be slapped up side the head and told to sit down and stop being stupid.

Fullerton actually prefers it the way it currently is. It's more the ADs and coaches that want it changed.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Since there really aren't any good options for a postseason tournament, I can't believe that not having one isn't an option they are considering. Our AD was asked about not having one and the only reason he gave for having one is to keep teams competing throughout the season. And that's a very weak reason, IMO.

 

[EverettGriz]

Keep the tournament at the regular season winner's venue, where it belongs (unless that venue is a joke, which is another conversation altogether. -- Why are we in this conference again????)

NOT "unless something better comes up!" Rather, if I can afford it.

You make several valid points, EverettGriz. But I just don't know how realistic it is to keep forcing the issue of whether or not Montana should be in the Big Sky. No, I DO know; it's NOT realistic. I have not heard about ANY invitations to Montana to join the Mountain West. It's a moot, dead, non-existent, speculative question. It is what it is.

I go to every home game and a couple road games each year, and I love them, even though I gripe about some serious issues... like the poor quality of officiating in the Big Sky. If the fact that Montana's stuck in the Big Sky is what keeps you from attending games, I feel sorry for you. The Big Sky is what we have and I usually enjoy the games.

Your question was, "Would I consider traveling to a neutral site for the Big Sky men's tourney championship?" I answered for myself. I am a basketball junkie... but one with a limited budget.

Would I consider Spokane, Billings? -- Yes. Reno, Las Vegas, Portland? -- Maybe, if I could afford the expense of a flight or a day+ of travel. Salt Lake City? No (flights from Missoula to Salt Lake are prohibitively expensive). I would be able to attend, and would attend if it were held in Billings or Spokane. Nowhere else.

GJ,

I agree there's no place to go now. But I disagree with your conclusion that because of that, there's no benefit to continuing the push for improvement, whether that comes from a move to a larger conference or the BSC pulls their collective heads out. Improvement will only happen if we the fans demand it. And in my mind, it's well overdue.

And no, the BSC doesn't keep me from attending games. I go to as many as possible. What keeps me from attending games is geography: I live in Seattle. That said, I would likely go to the tournament at many neutral sites if the Griz had a good team. I just don't believe that many fans will. Again, if the conference can't draw for games where the gym is a few miles from their fans' homes, why does anyone think they'll draw for games at a neutral site, where member school's fans have the travel and expense, and the locals have no interest and no connection to the BSC.

 

[Blgs Griz Fan]

Billings has been chosen for a site visit. It would be great to have BSC Men's Basketball invade the METRA!

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/billings-selected-for-site-visit-for-big-sky-men-s/article_f8433b2d-c86f-5fd1-a3d9-def78fe262ff.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[maroon]

Billings has been chosen for a site visit. It would be great to have BSC Men's Basketball invade the METRA!

http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/billings-selected-for-site-visit-for-big-sky-men-s/article_f8433b2d-c86f-5fd1-a3d9-def78fe262ff.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I just can't call it the Rimrock Auto Arena.

 

[NorthEndZoneDan]

I've been watching this thread and reading on this topic for a while now. This whole thing has clusterf**k written all over it. Fullerton needs to be slapped up side the head and told to sit down and stop being stupid.

Fullerton actually prefers it the way it currently is. It's more the ADs and coaches that want it changed.

I did not know that, thanks for the correction. it doesnt change my opinion of Fullerton though.

 

[Blgs Griz Fan]

It will always be the Metra to me (Montana's Exhibition,Trade and Recreation Arena). Rimrock Auto Group is one of the most despised businesses in the area.
Billings will support the tournament and the Chamber will push it publicity wise. The Metra is a great B Ball venue and used to host in town rivalry high school basketball games to the tune of 5,000 plus in the stands.
I suspect there will be local fans in attendance even if the Griz or that team from State are not playing.
Billings has supported Griz athletics well in the past. When the football spring scrimmage is in town Daylis Stadium is packed. It seems the last time the Griz were here there were close to 6,000 fans in attendance.

 

[bincitysioux]

It seems as though the bid from Billings is for the men's tournament only. If they are going to do this, I don't understand why the two wouldn't be combined.