OT: New Uptown Arena

Terms anyone?

[b]Terms anyone?[/b]

It was posted here a while back that it was a 2-for-1 again, with us getting the middle game at home.

Duke and other major teams always want to play at neutral venues to take away from the ā€œhomeā€ team’s crowd. It’s almost as bad as Syracuse never leaving the Carrier Dome for a non-conference game. As long as teams keep bending over and letting them have their way, it will keep happening. I don’t want to play any games in the new arena, but if we’re bound to do it we need it to be against a team who’s fans have to travel further than 300 miles. We can’t sell out Halton, and having a game at the new arena is not going to help us.

[i]Originally posted by JKniner[/i]@Jan 2 2005, 06:56 PM [b] What is the deal with our agreement with Indiana. Did we give them a 3 for 1 or do we have any games with them left. [/b]
3 for 1? I don't think that exists in college basketball.

So why not go after a peer program in the same boat as us?
Gonzaga continues to be the type of team I’d LOVE to see in Halton and would love the chance to beat on the road.

SIU was great in this regard too, because they had a very nice RPI the last few years.

I’m so disinterested in the whole ACC thing. They really aren’t a big deal to me.

You can’t beat a good team unless you play them.

Many of the teams we want to play have nothing to gain from playing us in Halton except for a loss to a team normally not in the top 25 (though of course never a ā€œbadā€ loss come selection time, but still an ā€œLā€). Those teams we want to play have earned their due and should expect to be able to name terms, just as I’m sure we’d want to do with teams not quite on par with ours.

If we can schedule a consistent top 10 or top 5 program on a 1 for 1 or 2 for 1 but only at the Uptown center, then we should do it! Gets us national exposure, more exposure in our hometown (get more potential fans interested), and gives us the opportunity to beat the big boys. However, I would only like to see this done with one game/year max.

Then, after we’ve beaten enough of them, perhaps we get to name terms.

[i]Originally posted by NinerLoudNProud[/i]@Jan 3 2005, 10:35 AM [b] So why not go after a peer program in the same boat as us? Gonzaga continues to be the type of team I'd LOVE to see in Halton and would love the chance to beat on the road.

SIU was great in this regard too, because they had a very nice RPI the last few years.

I’m so disinterested in the whole ACC thing. They really aren’t a big deal to me. [/b]


We are trying to schedule something with Gonzaga. SIU and Creighton refuse to play us now. We even offered to play one game at Creighton and they turned us down. The commissioner of their conference called Bobby and complained about us not playing any of their teams only to be informed that they won’t play us.

SIU a little miffed we spoiled their home win streak?
Thanks Jimmy, glad to hear this. The ranks of the Big East might be a good place to continue to fish. Aside from Rutgers, Providence travels and Seton Hall just played at Davidson, which is a scary prospect for the uninititaed. Villanova however just played one road game at Temple.

In the past couple of years I have heard over and over about a certain team that we have played or want to play saying " they refuse to play us" or " they refuse to play us now". Why does that statement keep coming up. I understand certain teams have nothing to gain by playing us but Creighton and SIU. Do we piss that many people off? Are we that tough in negotiations? Is it a guranteed payout situation? Does our administration not develop any better relationships than this to carry over games? I understand 2 for 1’s eventually screw your home schedule up (# of home games limited) but I do not believe our scheduling should be that tough after being a top 30 to 60 team in the NCAA the last couple of years.

[i]Originally posted by NoVa9er[/i]@Jan 3 2005, 09:38 AM [b] If we can schedule a consistent top 10 or top 5 program on a 1 for 1 or 2 for 1 but only at the Uptown center, then we should do it! Gets us national exposure, more exposure in our hometown (get more potential fans interested), and gives us the opportunity to beat the big boys. However, I would only like to see this done with one game/year max.

Then, after we’ve beaten enough of them, perhaps we get to name terms. [/b]


Couldn’t agree more. I’d really hate to see us develop that ā€œwe are too good for thisā€ complex when it comes to playing top 10, or historically rich teams. A lot of our fans clamor to play the best teams in the country but want it on our own terms and we haven’t earned that right yet. As I said before, would you rather play UNC Asheville at Halton or play Duke uptown? If you say UNC Asheville, then don’t complain about our weak schedule or never getting to play the big boys. We aren’t in a position (yet) to pick and choose our opponents without having to be pretty flexible and accomodating.

[i]Originally posted by TheShowDawg[/i]@Jan 3 2005, 11:28 AM [b] In the past couple of years I have heard over and over about a certain team that we have played or want to play saying " they refuse to play us" or " they refuse to play us now". Why does that statement keep coming up. I understand certain teams have nothing to gain by playing us but Creighton and SIU. Do we piss that many people off? Are we that tough in negotiations? Is it a guranteed payout situation? Does our administration not develop any better relationships than this to carry over games? I understand 2 for 1's eventually screw your home schedule up (# of home games limited) but I do not believe our scheduling should be that tough after being a top 30 to 60 team in the NCAA the last couple of years. [/b]
This is a one of the major failings of Judy and to an extent Bobby. They are responsible of the schedule and you would think that Judy, while serving on the committee, would have formed some strong relationships with other AD's that would allow us to schedule games with them. Same with Bobby, he has been coaching long enough that he should be able go get some better games worked out. We do need to schedule some 2 for 1 with top 15 programs. I think a sweet sixteen run would help raise our profile and make it easier to schedule teams like SIU, Creighton and Gonzaga.

This thread is going much better than I expected. Some great comments and suggestions! But…my main question remains unanswered. I was hoping a real ā€œinsiderā€ could give us a scoop on whether we’re actually planning to play a game ā€œuptownā€ next year. Anyone?

Judy got a game from the Arizona AD and Lute Olson nixed it cause he didnt wanna come to Halton. Some people don’t want to believe that though, regardless of the Observer mentioning it in print.

I hope the discussed game with Miss. State materializes for next season since I think the Bama deal was just a single home and home. We need that game and one more marquee game to bolster next season’s schedule.

Here’s a novel idea though - perhaps, in the future, the A-10 will decide to feature us as their preseason tourney reps, unlike our current conference which NEVER allowed us to go or gave us any such support. Playing in one of those tourrnaments can really beef up your SOS, especially if you stay in the winners bracket.

[i]Originally posted by NinerAdvocate[/i]@Jan 3 2005, 11:23 AM [b] Judy got a game from the Arizona AD and Lute Olson nixed it cause he didnt wanna come to Halton. Some people don't want to believe that though, regardless of the Observer mentioning it in print.

I hope the discussed game with Miss. State materializes for next season since I think the Bama deal was just a single home and home. We need that game and one more marquee game to bolster next season’s schedule.

Here’s a novel idea though - perhaps, in the future, the A-10 will decide to feature us as their preseason tourney reps, unlike our current conference which NEVER allowed us to go or gave us any such support. Playing in one of those tourrnaments can really beef up your SOS, especially if you stay in the winners bracket. [/b]


Good points NA. If Arizona hadn’t of backed out, no one would be complaining. IU is usually pretty good. :o Valpo, Davidson, UL Lafayette were picked to win their respective leagues. It’s too bad we can’t send some of our players to help them out in their non-conf games. We will likely have Miss St here next year.

And the point about the A10 promotion is right on. We aren’t even close to being the marque name in C-USA, yet have been more scuccessful than everyone except Cinci. Not making excuses, just stating the facts.

[b]We aren't even close to being the marque name in C-USA, yet have been more scuccessful than everyone except Cinci.[/b]

I think Marquette may argue that, since they went to a final four, that they have been more successful than us while in cusa.

[i]Originally posted by 49erpi[/i]@Jan 3 2005, 01:23 PM [b]
[b]We aren't even close to being the marque name in C-USA, yet have been more scuccessful than everyone except Cinci.[/b]

I think Marquette may argue that, since they went to a final four, that they have been more successful than us while in cusa. [/b]


I was thinking about record in C-USA games. Yes, Marquette had one incredible year.

Of course, they had Wade who is one helluva player. Believe he had a triple double in the tourney that year. He’s now tearing it up down in Miami with Shaq.

Overall, we have won more like Lefty said, just not the big ones (in The Dance), which is what people tend to remember.

So, anyone know if we’re talking to Arizona etc. about the Uptown gig?

Do we have Indiana lined up for next year at Halton, or does anyone know who is on the schedule for next year at home?