Will the Big Ten Tournament in Washington DC be a Disaster?

[Franisdaman]

The Big Ten is holding its conference tournament in Washington, D.C., next month. This isn’t the best year for that. Washington is a market conditioned to the NBA, the ACC and Big East.

The dull games the Big Ten will stage on the first two or three days of the five-day event won’t have Washington begging for more. Rutgers vs. Illinois doesn’t even play in Peoria, let alone the Beltway.

--Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette


What do you think?

 

[vgshwk]

Unlike Chicago or Indianapolis Washington DC is not driveable for most big 10 fans. It should give Maryland a boost though.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Unlike Chicago or Indianapolis Washington DC is not driveable for most big 10 fans. It should give Maryland a boost though.

Hey what's the furthest destination from the majority of the fanbases in our conference, within the B10 footprint, that we can host the conference tournament in? Let's move it to THAT location! BRILLIANT!!!

Promotion for the man that thought up that idea!

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

It would be good for Rutgers, Maryland and Penn State. But let's face it, this is about eyeballs for Jim. And Delaney knows there are a lot of eyeballs out east that like basketball....

The problem is, the B1G is preceived to be down. That is not going to draw the attention Jimbo it's wanting. However, I think from head to toe the B1G is as balanced as it has been. Lots of good teams, and few poor teams. Just not many great teams, to draw the attention.

That said, it'll be a a great tournament IMHO. We just might not get the exposure we wanted. This time around....

As for distance and a central location for the B1G, it isn't the best for the majority. Hopefully it still draws the national exposure with some really good games.

 

[JRingo]

Indy is built for this tournament. It's the only city that cares about Big Ten basketball (and football)... and they show it. But, as bad as D.C. will be, it'll get worse for Big Ten fans.

 

[wneff]

Hey what's the furthest destination from the majority of the fanbases in our conference, within the B10 footprint, that we can host the conference tournament in? Let's move it to THAT location! BRILLIANT!!!

Promotion for the man that thought up that idea!

You might want to save some of these complaints for next year when we take the Big Apple by storm.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Look forward to it every year. Chicago/Indy, easy drive to watch a few sessions. Not this year. Ridiculous.

 

[hawk-i bob]

we all know its about $$$ with King Delaney...he basically is telling traditional Big Ten schools & their fans (like Iowa) to go F themselves.

 

[markfromj]

The Big Ten is holding its conference tournament in Washington, D.C., next month. This isn’t the best year for that.

Why is this year bad for this?

 

[wneff]

Why is this year bad for this?

I suspect it is because of the lack marquee teams in the conference this year. No teams in the NCAA's first top 16; Wisconsin takes that billboard material and promptly loses a home game. If we had two or three top-10 teams, the tournament might get attention. Aside from the Maryland angle, just a blip on the radar in DC this year.

 

[wneff]

You might want to save some of these complaints for next year when we take the Big Apple by storm.

I realize that there is nothing more pathetic than replying to one's own posts, but for those who have forgotten we had to move the tournament a week earlier in 2018 due to the unavailability of MSG.* Are they,moving the women's tournament back a week or will they be played concurrently?

*If Big 10 teams happen to perform well in the '18 NCAA tournament, the early BTT will be cited as evidence of Delany's genius.

 

[RLMHAWK]

IIRC, the WWF has done well in Washington with its Wrestle Mania events.
So the B1G BB tourney should fit in nicely. What with the winners of games already decided by the league, the refs letting full contact wrestling to go on , on the hard wood floors, and the refs getting involved in the out comes of the games, and coaches getting on the floor and taking down players.
With the right promotion this could be the biggest grossing Pay Per View event yet

 

[sadiehawkins]

It should be moved all over the big ten footprint. Without Delaney where would the big ten be financially?We aren't building new practice facilities without Delaney's money. You bitch about ESPN and when Delaney throws them a curveball to even the playing field you bitch about that. can't wait for it to be in Minneapolis. Iowan's do not like change.

 

[LuteHawk]

When the Big Ten added Penn St., Maryland, and
Rutgers, it abandoned the heartland of America.
Those 3 universities were added because of the TV
revenue available in large Eastern markets.

However, we could have added Missouri, and others
in the Midwest to keep the Big Ten located here.
Obviously, most fans who travel to watch the Big Ten
tournament have a hardship with Washington D.C.
as far as costs and distance.

 

[large78]

Doesn't get any better next year when it's in New York, and it's a week earlier.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

You might want to save some of these complaints for next year when we take the Big Apple by storm.

Next year is when it will be a complete disaster. Delaney was so set on playing at Madison Square Garden. But Big East was not moving their dates and A10 plays at Brooklyn Nets arena. So the genius that Delaney is decided Big 10 will move the tourney up a week and we will be playing earlier than every one else at same time as Arch Madness in the Missouri Valley. Basically Big 10 title game will be a week before selection Sunday instead of being the game on before selection show. Plus makes conference play start earlier than normal. Wonder how will effect schedule and see more teams trying to fit a non conference game or 2 in the schedule in January or February.

 

[Vbeachawk]

I agree with Hlas.

 

[AHS2001]

Since the MVC tourney is early and so is ours next year why not play one of those MVC teams at home following the tourney?

 

[bravehawks1]

DC is not an awful drive even from IC as it can be done in 15 hours but is pretty pricey when you get there so I suppose you get a group of guys and head east. But the reality is that Indy, Chicago or even Detroit would be within 5-7 hours for probably 10 of 14 conference schools. And since when are Rutgers and PSU considered BB schools that will draw attendance.

 

[N.Legend]

The Big Ten is holding its conference tournament in Washington, D.C., next month. This isn’t the best year for that. Washington is a market conditioned to the NBA, the ACC and Big East.

The dull games the Big Ten will stage on the first two or three days of the five-day event won’t have Washington begging for more. Rutgers vs. Illinois doesn’t even play in Peoria, let alone the Beltway.

--Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette


What do you think?

What is the point of the piece? Is Mike suggesting they move it out of DC this late date. Is he saying the powers to be should of known the BIG would be down and thus kept it out of Washington. What? Is he projecting a "I told you so." What is, is. Why whine and make it worse.
Again what is the point of the piece.

 

[IamHawkeye]

The Big Ten is holding its conference tournament in Washington, D.C., next month. This isn’t the best year for that. Washington is a market conditioned to the NBA, the ACC and Big East.

The dull games the Big Ten will stage on the first two or three days of the five-day event won’t have Washington begging for more. Rutgers vs. Illinois doesn’t even play in Peoria, let alone the Beltway.

--Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette


What do you think?

So all the other big conferences have exciting games the first two or three days?

 

[vgshwk]

You might want to save some of these complaints for next year when we take the Big Apple by storm.

Also NYC means we have to move the tournament up a week to play at msg.

 

[dekhawk]

I like it. The BIG move into the NYC/DC area was brilliant. It$ about population center$ and TV set$. Would you rather be Iowa State and unsure if you will be in a P5 conference in the near future?

 

[bravehawks1]

I like it. The BIG move into the NYC/DC area was brilliant. It$ about population center$ and TV set$. Would you rather be Iowa State and unsure if you will be in a P5 conference in the near future?

It's only about how many homes have cable or satellite TV with the BTN on their package. That does not mean people are watching in those areas and when Rutgers is done after the first round, that is another set of fans not likely to watch much of the rest of the tourney. Of course, Delaney doesn't care because they are getting subscription revenues. People have lots of other options and not sure BTT is one of those. Heck, only 60% of TV in Atlanta were tuned in to first half of Super Bowl and then jumped to 80% at halftime when people heard they were going to win (or thought they would win) I would bet that butts in the seats in Wash DC will be much lower percentage than when held in Indy or Chicago

 

[EastIowaHawk]

A lot to do in Washington between and after games. Helps MD., Rutgers and Penn State not feel like ugly stepsisters of the BIG. But, yeah, from our perspective, no fun if we can't travel to the games. DC is very expensive. Who knows, maybe it'll help us recruit.

 

[goodbyebobby]

I've been to a majority of our first round exits in the BTT over the years in Indy and Chicago. Everyone I have ever met at one of these says Indy is the hands down winner and they're right.

It's a tailor made city for this event and I'm guessing hoops are as big here as they are anywhere out east.

 

[hooper56]

I just doubt that it will be very well attended. Which is sad.

 

[NI hawk]

Hope it is a big failure. Belongs in Indy with an occasional switch to Chicago.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

A group of us went when it was in Chicago and then when it was in INDY. Hands down Indy is the best place for this event.

I have no desire to go to Washington DC and I am sure there will be "poor" attendance this year and every year after. You have to keep it in the Midwest if you want butts in the seats.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Hope it is a big failure. Belongs in Indy with an occasional switch to Chicago.

Why? Not being rude, just curious. UC is in the hood and close to nothing. Conseco is downtown and if you stay downtown you don't have to use your car in Indy for anything.

 

[hoffmkr]

The problem with DC is you are not going to get as many people of Friday saying, if "team X" wins, we are driving on Saturday.
I cringe to think how bad the attendance will look on TV for an even that typically has a strong showing.

 

[NI hawk]

Why? Not being rude, just curious. UC is in the hood and close to nothing. Conseco is downtown and if you stay downtown you don't have to use your car in Indy for anything.

Honest question Bobby. I just feel it makes it too hard for fans. I like the tourney in the belongs Midwest. Atmosphere is a big part of tourney.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

IIRC, the WWF has done well in Washington with its Wrestle Mania events.
So the B1G BB tourney should fit in nicely. What with the winners of games already decided by the league, the refs letting full contact wrestling to go on , on the hard wood floors, and the refs getting involved in the out comes of the games, and coaches getting on the floor and taking down players.
With the right promotion this could be the biggest grossing Pay Per View event yet

If that's the case, then there needs to be some No DQ matches thrown in where chair shots to refs and irritating coaches are fair game..........

 

[hknation]

cant guarantee, but the hook is NYC and the holy temple of basketball sports arena's.....MSG. seems like the NYC and Yankee stadium was a good hook for the pinstripe bowl.

I also think the ACC will be in Brooklyn, so NYC could become the center of the college basketball universe......or not?

to be determined.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

You might want to save some of these complaints for next year when we take the Big Apple by storm.

AND a week earlier to boot

 

[hawksense]

IIRC, the WWF has done well in Washington with its Wrestle Mania events.
So the B1G BB tourney should fit in nicely. What with the winners of games already decided by the league, the refs letting full contact wrestling to go on , on the hard wood floors, and the refs getting involved in the out comes of the games, and coaches getting on the floor and taking down players.
With the right promotion this could be the biggest grossing Pay Per View event yet

I like how you do business.

 

[91hawki]

The Big Ten is holding its conference tournament in Washington, D.C., next month. This isn’t the best year for that. Washington is a market conditioned to the NBA, the ACC and Big East.

The dull games the Big Ten will stage on the first two or three days of the five-day event won’t have Washington begging for more. Rutgers vs. Illinois doesn’t even play in Peoria, let alone the Beltway.

--Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette


What do you think?

It will be a complete disaster

 

[Franisdaman]

Next year is when it will be a complete disaster. Delaney was so set on playing at Madison Square Garden. But Big East was not moving their dates and A10 plays at Brooklyn Nets arena. So the genius that Delaney is decided Big 10 will move the tourney up a week and we will be playing earlier than every one else at same time as Arch Madness in the Missouri Valley. Basically Big 10 title game will be a week before selection Sunday instead of being the game on before selection show. Plus makes conference play start earlier than normal. Wonder how will effect schedule and see more teams trying to fit a non conference game or 2 in the schedule in January or February.

it will be unreal playing a week early and in NYC

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

The DC thing will surely be an attendance disaster, especially if Maryland is an early out to go along with the expected early departures of PSU and Rutgers. Who will fill the seats?

The tourney may be an OK draw for TV, but the live atmosphere for most games is likely to be similar to an October intra-squad scrimmage. But who are we to question Mighty Jim Delaney?

 

[SDHawkDoc]

If you're watching it on TV, why would you care if it's in DC, MSG, or anywhere else? The TV eyeballs/dollars makes sense when you are talking about adding members to the league from certain markets. It doesn't follow that more people are going to watch the BTT on TV, though, just because it's being broadcast from an east coast venue.

This is about the live attendance, which is much less likely to get a good draw in DC than in indy. Or in NYC where I image Rutgers basketball draws about as much interest as the street performers in Central Park.

Indy is the best venue by far. Chicago the next best option.

If I had my say, indy would be the permanent home of the BTT.