Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

[UNI MadCat]

Obviously, the NCAA is the goal. And if not that, count me as someone that thinks we are in the NIT with a win on Friday (and a lock if we beat WSU).

But if we don't get there, then it would seem foolish not to entertain this new Vegas 16 tourney, held over a 5-day period at the end of March. Consider what I see as the following advantages:

• Financial - It appears that the tournament hosts will house the teams in Vegas. Even if we pay travel costs, this seems like it would still save us over the bid process and expected monetary losses of the other two tourneys.
• Exposure - After the first round, the remaining 3 rounds of the tourney are all broadcast live on CBS Sports. Sure, that is not a huge audience, but it outweighs the # of possible televised games in comparison to the other two tourneys.
• Reward - Think of this like a mid-tier bowl game for FBS schools. A trip to Vegas would be a nice reward for a good season for the players. I don't think a ton of fans would follow the team, but I'm not sure if that really is a factor.
• Building for the future - What I like about this tournament is that it starts 10-11 days after Selection Sunday. Meaning lots of extra time for practices and giving some of the younger guys more chances/looks that the staff may not have as much time for in the regular season. This is opposed to a tourney like the CIT where you may literally take the court less than 48 hours after accepting a bid.

Hopefully this is all moot and we're NCAA or NIT-bound. But considering how little traction CBI and CIT have picked up since their inception, I hope we at least consider this one (assuming they would consider us).

Thoughts?

[SteinPizza]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

You make a good argument. The extra practice time is the bonus, with exposure/recruiting selling points being second. We have enough young players who need the practice/game experience, and UNI will always need resume points for potential recruits. Unlike the other post season tourneys, the games are guaranteed to take place in a desired destination.

[Panther100]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

Need to make the NIT at a minimum each season.

[Panther100]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

Obviously, the NCAA is the goal. And if not that, count me as someone that thinks we are in the NIT with a win on Friday (and a lock if we beat WSU).

But if we don't get there, then it would seem foolish not to entertain this new Vegas 16 tourney, held over a 5-day period at the end of March. Consider what I see as the following advantages:

• Financial - It appears that the tournament hosts will house the teams in Vegas. Even if we pay travel costs, this seems like it would still save us over the bid process and expected monetary losses of the other two tourneys.
• Exposure - After the first round, the remaining 3 rounds of the tourney are all broadcast live on CBS Sports. Sure, that is not a huge audience, but it outweighs the # of possible televised games in comparison to the other two tourneys.
• Reward - Think of this like a mid-tier bowl game for FBS schools. A trip to Vegas would be a nice reward for a good season for the players. I don't think a ton of fans would follow the team, but I'm not sure if that really is a factor.
• Building for the future - What I like about this tournament is that it starts 10-11 days after Selection Sunday. Meaning lots of extra time for practices and giving some of the younger guys more chances/looks that the staff may not have as much time for in the regular season. This is opposed to a tourney like the CIT where you may literally take the court less than 48 hours after accepting a bid.

Hopefully this is all moot and we're NCAA or NIT-bound. But considering how little traction CBI and CIT have picked up since their inception, I hope we at least consider this one (assuming they would consider us).

Thoughts?

I believe it costs $10,000 entry fee plus travel costs. We are funding FCOA in Football, MBB, and all Women's sports. Dollars are better spent elsewhere.

[BCPanther]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

This one would certainly be my choice if the NCAA/NIT doesn't happen. Neat setup and not the financial pain the other two are. Chances are good there will be Power 5 schools in that tournament as well which should lead to better competition.

[GonzoCat]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

Any P5 team that does not make the NCAA/NIT is not good competition. Half the ones that do make those tourneys are not good.

[BCPanther]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

Any P5 team that does not make the NCAA/NIT is not good competition. Half the ones that do make those tourneys are not good.

Better than 3rd and 4th place teams from low major leagues, IMO...

[sivert]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

Any P5 team that does not make the NCAA/NIT is not good competition. Half the ones that do make those tourneys are not good.

Oddly, this probably means this team would make it to the S16 round in the Dance and lose in Vegas...

[UNI MadCat]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

Need to make the NIT at a minimum each season.

That has nothing to do with this discussion. I said I think we are position to make it. I'm asking about our back up plan -- which is something the coaches/AD would obviously discuss this week as well.

I believe it costs $10,000 entry fee plus travel costs. We are funding FCOA in Football, MBB, and all Women's sports. Dollars are better spent elsewhere.

Can you cite your source here? And do you know what the financial burden is vs the CIT or CBI? If you're right, and the net loss is more than the other two, I don't disagree. The info I read was very vague but seemed to indicate the organizers are aware of the need to incentivize teams to get there. (But obviously, they're in it to make money, so who knows...)

[BCPanther]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

It was going to carry a $10,000 entry fee until they found a TV partner. They have dropped that and the only expense is travel. Food and rooms are covered by Mandalay Bay.

[95UNIGRAD]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

It was going to carry a $10,000 entry fee until they found a TV partner. They have dropped that and the only expense is travel. Food and rooms are covered by Mandalay Bay.

If that's the case, I'm all for it. Barring an NCAA or NIT bid, of course.

[Panther100]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

That has nothing to do with this discussion. I said I think we are position to make it. I'm asking about our back up plan -- which is something the coaches/AD would obviously discuss this week as well.



Can you cite your source here? And do you know what the financial burden is vs the CIT or CBI? If you're right, and the net loss is more than the other two, I don't disagree. The info I read was very vague but seemed to indicate the organizers are aware of the need to incentivize teams to get there. (But obviously, they're in it to make money, so who knows...)

I can read just fine. The CIT/CBI would cost $35,000 give or take. We still need to focus on FCOA. We need to have the goal of at least NIT each and every season.

[GonzoCat]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

Better than 3rd and 4th place teams from low major leagues, IMO...

I'm not a fan of all the labels, but I'm going to assume by low major you mean the bottom 15-20 conferences, many of which don't have any teams good enough to send to the NCAA/NIT, but get an AQ. If that is the case I agree with your statement. However it is never the 3-4 place team from those conferences in consideration. The contest for post season tourneys is more likely between the 2nd and 3rd place teams from strong mid major (again hate the term) conferences vs. the 8-14th place teams from the money conferences.

[Panther100]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

If that's the case, I'm all for it. Barring an NCAA or NIT bid, of course.

Yeah, I have to admit it sounds better than before. I still say the travel expense needs to be saved for FCOA. We need to have confidence as a University to always make the NIT/Dance.

[claw]

Re: Vegas 16 tourney thoughts?

I can read just fine. The CIT/CBI would cost $35,000 give or take. We still need to focus on FCOA. We need to have the goal of at least NIT each and every season.

FCOA is already taken care of.