I see in the Gazette that Fran is considering reviving a hosted tournament rather than going to a tournament off site. Personally I think this is a great idea. I remember attending the A-H classics that Lute started in conjunction with a basketball clinic. They would usually have a strong power 5 team along with a couple of good mid-majors. The clinic was a blast and the games were good. Ticket prices for coaches was like $5 and the complimentary food was great.
Revival of Amana-Hawkeye Classic?
- Thread starter moondog24
- Start date
From Today's news conference:
Home Tournament
Iowa hasn't hosted an early-season men's basketball tournament since 2007 when the Hawkeyes defeated Eastern Illinois, 57-45, for third place in the Hawkeye Challenge. That could change in 2020.
"I don't know when this will be announced, but I think we're going to have our own," McCaffery said. "I don't know that it is all finalized yet, but I think we have teams. We'll know about that moving forward."
Home Tournament
Iowa hasn't hosted an early-season men's basketball tournament since 2007 when the Hawkeyes defeated Eastern Illinois, 57-45, for third place in the Hawkeye Challenge. That could change in 2020.
"I don't know when this will be announced, but I think we're going to have our own," McCaffery said. "I don't know that it is all finalized yet, but I think we have teams. We'll know about that moving forward."
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I would say this is a cost cutting move since schools are being hit hard financially. Save money on transportation and lodging. Could see this including UNI, Drake, SDSU, or Loyola
South Dakota vs Missouri
Illinois State vs Iowa
Illinois State vs Iowa
I loved that as a kid. Two nights in a row of Iowa whoopin' ass. When you're ten and have nothing else better to do in December, it made for a great weekend.
That has to be the lowest moment in Hawkeye basketball history
I hate to even give this a like because it was so heinous to us Hawkeye fans. It signified the lows to which we had sunk under Alford. I was there - he was booed off during the first round loss - the team was so poorly coached, it seemed as though he was mailing it in and it reflected in the team's play.
I protested by not going to the 3rd place game as a student season ticket holder. Only game I missed in 5 years (had to go an extra semester for student teaching). I showed them...
I am pretty sure that was Licks first year in December 2007. Either way it was a combo of crappy coaching at the end of one era and the beginning of the next. Ugh!
You are right. My Alford hatred is showing. I remember the crowd was pretty surly as the game was coming to an end. Bad start to what was to be a bad run for Iowa basketball.
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Is this a guess or are these teams you have mentioned, inside information that you have obtained from unknown sources....?
Pretty sure it will be named the Hawkeyes love Caseys Pizza Challenge 
If I remember correctly, Raveling lost one of these tournaments as well. I vaguely remember him being very apologetic after the tournament.
I would hope so. Have to continue to stay away from the dregs in pre-conference. Seeding, seeding, seeding.
I would doubt that we see a big name. That would almost certainly require a return game unless the company running the event can arrange a couple home games for that school as part of the event.
If memory serves me, it was always 2 patsies, Iowa, and a decent-but-not-great final team. I doubt we'll see a Power 5 team, more like a good mid-major.
Agreed, I think it would still be feasible to host in Des Moines (especially if we're looking at potentially playing a season without fans - not sure if that is realistic or not). Would keep travel expenses low for each of the schools, if fans are able to attend it would for sure sell out, and the competition would be decent for not going to one of the national tournaments. I'm not sure if the teams are already committed to other events or not, but this year in particular could have been a good one to have this event again.
Need to make it an event, something around the games, not just two sorry ass games and a championship
