Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

[TH1974]

EUGENE, Ore.*— Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta said*Sunday the future of the*in-state men’s basketball series soon will take shape, now that each program’s season has ended.

“One of the things that we had to do was wait until everybody was done playing,” Barta said after Iowa’s 108-97 loss to Oregon in the National Invitation Tournament. “We needed to get the season behind us. We’re pretty close to having that all figured out. So I would imagine in the next 30 days we’ll have it all worked out and ready to announce.”

The state’s four Division I men’s basketball programs*— Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Drake*— have played one another annually on home-and-home contracts nearly every season for more than 20 years.*Iowa State and UNI have played every season but two since 1980.*Iowa State and Drake have played every season since 1908. Iowa and Drake have played every season but one since 1965. Iowa and Northern Iowa have played every season since 1988.

In early December, Barta and Iowa State Athletics Director Jamie Pollard said they would withhold renewing their basketball contracts with Drake and UNI to concentrate on developing a neutral-site event — likely held at Des Moines’ Wells Fargo Arena*—*involving the four schools.

Nothing would change between Iowa and Iowa State, which*would continue to play one another on campus, as they have*every season since 1970.*Drake and UNI compete twice each year in Missouri Valley Conference play. It’s unclear whether Iowa and Iowa State would compete against both*Drake and UNI over a two-day period or just play one in a*single day. It’s unlikely Iowa will schedule a road game at either UNI’s McLeod Center or Drake’s Knapp Center in the near future.

However nothing is finalized, Barta said.

“In fairness to the other three schools once we have it all figured out, we’ll call everybody together and make an announcement,” Barta said.

http://thegazette.com/2012/03/19/iowa-ad-decision-on-in-state-basketball-series-coming-soon/

[06panther10]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Iowa scored 97 points in a regulation college basketball game and lost by double digits.

[06panther10]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Whatever happens, its going to be one heck of a competitive event next year. I don't remember a year, such as this coming year, where all four teams have such high hopes for their respective seasons. I'm sure all 4 programs have NCAA tournament aspirations.

[Codytwo]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Although I would probably attend, I really don't like the idea of games happening at Wells Fargo Arena. It's always nice to get an FBS school to come to McLeod to play. Unless we can somehow make a deal with another school (ex. Mizzou and ODU 2 for 1), this really takes out one guaranteed highly attended game with a great atmosphere.

Is this the result of UNI and Drake becoming competitive enough to beat ISU and Iowa on the road, or what is the real issue?

[jnutt]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Iowa and Iowa State don't WANT to play us. Plain and simple. Look at this year, the Hawks were a game above .500 and people were talking they should be a bubble team. They played nobody and lost to crappy teams. BUT at the end of the year, as long as you have the wins, it doesn't matter who it was against. Same thing happens in BCS football but that's easier to see. They want easy wins (like Campbell) to pad the resume so when they finish with less wins than a mid-major who had a tougher SOS and higher RPI, they can get in. They gain nothing but attendance by playing UNI and Drake.

[9YRPLAN]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Although I would probably attend, I really don't like the idea of games happening at Wells Fargo Arena. It's always nice to get an FBS school to come to McLeod to play. Unless we can somehow make a deal with another school (ex. Mizzou and ODU 2 for 1), this really takes out one guaranteed highly attended game with a great atmosphere.

Is this the result of UNI and Drake becoming competitive enough to beat ISU and Iowa on the road, or what is the real issue?

there is like a 10 page thead discussing this in detail. there are a variety of factors. i cant speak for ISU but the fact the iowa rarely loses to drake but yet is ending that series as well tells me that the improvement of UNI is not the driving force.

[CarsonT]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

there is like a 10 page thead discussing this in detail. there are a variety of factors. i cant speak for ISU but the fact the iowa rarely loses to drake but yet is ending that series as well tells me that the improvement of UNI is not the driving force.

From what I understand, Iowa and ISU are looking at what their B1G/Big 12 peers are doing and none have a straight-up home and home with a non-BCS school. So they don't think they should do it either.

And it probably doesn't help that UNI has been beating them of late.

Hopefully it gets sorted out soon and I'll be trying to get some answers from Barta/Pollard.

[Panther'73]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

[QUOTE=CarsonT;314090]From what I understand, Iowa and ISU are looking at what their B1G/Big 12 peers are doing and none have a straight-up home and home with a non-BCS school. So they don't think they should do it either.


"So, if other big 10/big12 teams would jump off a bridge, Iowa/Iowa st. Would too?"

[9YRPLAN]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

[QUOTE=Panther'73;314100]

From what I understand, Iowa and ISU are looking at what their B1G/Big 12 peers are doing and none have a straight-up home and home with a non-BCS school. So they don't think they should do it either.


"So, if other big 10/big12 teams would jump off a bridge, Iowa/Iowa st. Would too?"

for a $22mm annual check...hell yes. ive done it for a beer.

[PantherHawk]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

I do believe there is some added pressure from Des Moines to get some more games/activity in des moines. I know last year when Iowa was playing Creighton, there were tons of fans there, because for once the Metro fans didn't have to travel the 2 hours to Iowa City.

I think the Wells Fargo arena is kind of pushing this deal as well. I don't think its just ISU & Iowa. If wells fargo wants to be seen as a host for the NCAA, they need to show they can host games and events on a regular basis. And with none of the 4 major universities using it, I doubt the NCAA is giving them a look at all (sorry besides the womens tourny) for hosting 1st or 2nd round of the NCAA.

I think an event in Des Moines would be huge, because it gets all 4 schools to des moines and makes it a state event with everyone being involved. Could be a big boost to the Des moines area and also get a lot of people out to watch the games.

I personally do not care what they decide to do, either way next years games are going to be competitive, all 4 teams return a lot and those games are going to be very tough. Could we possibly see all 4 schools make a run at the NCAA? That would be sweet, but I doubt it would happen. Just a question when was the last time all 4 state schools made the dance?

[achrist70]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Why not just have Iowa-Iowa State play there every year then?

[ubuntuCAT]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

I think the event in Des Moines could be a big event if it was a tournament. So far none of the proposals have been for it to be a tournament which makes it a lot less appealing IMO.

The current arrangement already allowed Hawkeye and Cyclone fans in Des Moines and Cedar Falls a chance to see the hawks/cyclones once every other year.

[achrist70]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

The problem there is that UNI-Drake really can't play each other non-conference as well

[jnutt]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

Why not just have Iowa-Iowa State play there every year then?

can't give up the ticket sales. though that doesn't matter with UNI

[ubuntuCAT]

Re: Barta sez decision on in-state basketball games could come soon

The problem there is that UNI-Drake really can't play each other non-conference as well

why?

maybe not the easiest to do but I'm not sure why something couldn't be arranged.