(04-14-2014 01:04 PM)uofmlimbo Wrote:  I think this is a mistake for Orlando to host the tourney. There aren't free ticket for students (half of the UCF games are students) and I doubt there were be much local support for the tourney.

Most games this year not involving Memphis were played in an empty arena. Would it really be much different? The difference is that more people are likely to travel to Orlando in March vs. Memphis.

i don't get orlando at all and then 2 years in a row??

rotating cincy, hartford, memphis and philly ...and dallas till larry brown retires

if we are going to host it in a city where the host team doesn't have huge fan support id honestly have new orleans and houston over orlando which are more basketball cities than orlando

but if i had to guess, i think the city of orlando and Disneyland (ESPN/ABC all owned by the same company) might be giving us money to hold it there and these 2 years are just a test run and that they might want to buy us long term if it's successful both years ...just a guess
but announcing this early makes no sense, and twice in a city where the local team doesn't sell out makes no sense (when aresco has been preaching about wanting sellouts in the tourney) my guess is the only way it feels logical to me

Hopefully MSG sees the the daylight and kicks the Big East to the curve for the AAC.

Hartford makes sense...Orlando for 1 year makes sense...but they shouldn't get it 2 years in a row.

If they wanted to go with Orlando, it probably should have been a one year deal with the option to return the following year (similar to Memphis this year).

Hey, at least at UCF its a true "neutral court"...can't say that about FEF or XL Center

Hopefully our fans show up in big numbers. The only thing that makes sense is Orlando really opened up the bank account.

(04-14-2014 01:49 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote:  Hopefully our fans show up in big numbers. The only thing that makes sense is Orlando really opened up the bank account.

Wonder if it's tied to the bowl announcement in Orlando?

(04-14-2014 12:55 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:39 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:30 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  The Hartford decision is a good one and well deserved by UConn and their fans. One year in Orlando, but don't understand the decision for 2 years at all. I'm not complaining because once the Tigers lost the crowds didn't show for the tournament here, but there must be unknown factors in the 2nd year for Orlando.

Congrats UConn fans/Hartford and UCF fans/Orlando.

My guess is Orlando made a huge financial commitment for the AAC championship. Really shocked that the city did anything for UCF or our conference.

I would have figured it would rotate between Memphis, Uconn, and Cincy.

...and I think that it will eventually. We got bit with a loss in the first round and it lessened our support for the tourney.. It happens and I understand the conference pulling out of Memphis for a few years. It will be back in this city at some point and be rotated among appropriate cities. I'd think that Dallas would be a legitimate host also based on SMU's progress and the city itself.

I doubt if it had anything at all to do with Memphis losing early and the subsequent less than full games.

Conference tourneys seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. I read a month or so ago, how the ACC tourney which used to be a hot ticket played to some less than stellar crowds this year, ditto the SEC tourney which probably had some first round games even less attended than the AAC tourney.

Coaches were complaining as well--it seemed that some considered conference tourneys a waste of time that just gets in the way of the ncaa tourney.

(04-14-2014 01:11 PM)The Knight Time Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 01:04 PM)uofmlimbo Wrote:  I think this is a mistake for Orlando to host the tourney. There aren't free ticket for students (half of the UCF games are students) and I doubt there were be much local support for the tourney.

Most games this year not involving Memphis were played in an empty arena. Would it really be much different? The difference is that more people are likely to travel to Orlando in March vs. Memphis.

The Louisville-UConn final probably had a good 10,000 there. I was one of them.

Other than that, attendance was pretty bad--I don't know, but I would guess that Louisville probably had maybe 5000 or so at its games, about 15,000 at the first Memphis games, that's about it.

(04-14-2014 02:36 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:55 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:39 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:30 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  The Hartford decision is a good one and well deserved by UConn and their fans. One year in Orlando, but don't understand the decision for 2 years at all. I'm not complaining because once the Tigers lost the crowds didn't show for the tournament here, but there must be unknown factors in the 2nd year for Orlando.

Congrats UConn fans/Hartford and UCF fans/Orlando.

My guess is Orlando made a huge financial commitment for the AAC championship. Really shocked that the city did anything for UCF or our conference.

I would have figured it would rotate between Memphis, Uconn, and Cincy.

...and I think that it will eventually. We got bit with a loss in the first round and it lessened our support for the tourney.. It happens and I understand the conference pulling out of Memphis for a few years. It will be back in this city at some point and be rotated among appropriate cities. I'd think that Dallas would be a legitimate host also based on SMU's progress and the city itself.

I doubt if it had anything at all to do with Memphis losing early and the subsequent less than full games.

Conference tourneys seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. I read a month or so ago, how the ACC tourney which used to be a hot ticket played to some less than stellar crowds this year, ditto the SEC tourney which probably had some first round games even less attended than the AAC tourney.

Coaches were complaining as well--it seemed that some considered conference tourneys a waste of time that just gets in the way of the ncaa tourney.

Well, since you brought the subject up........

I hate conference tournaments. Teams play hard all year to determine conference standings and the difference between #1 and #2 is merely a different seeding. It cheapens the conference season. Obviously the ADs/Presidents don't agree with me, so I haven't brought it up in this conference before.

(04-14-2014 02:52 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 02:36 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:55 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:39 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:30 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  The Hartford decision is a good one and well deserved by UConn and their fans. One year in Orlando, but don't understand the decision for 2 years at all. I'm not complaining because once the Tigers lost the crowds didn't show for the tournament here, but there must be unknown factors in the 2nd year for Orlando.

Congrats UConn fans/Hartford and UCF fans/Orlando.

My guess is Orlando made a huge financial commitment for the AAC championship. Really shocked that the city did anything for UCF or our conference.

I would have figured it would rotate between Memphis, Uconn, and Cincy.

...and I think that it will eventually. We got bit with a loss in the first round and it lessened our support for the tourney.. It happens and I understand the conference pulling out of Memphis for a few years. It will be back in this city at some point and be rotated among appropriate cities. I'd think that Dallas would be a legitimate host also based on SMU's progress and the city itself.

I doubt if it had anything at all to do with Memphis losing early and the subsequent less than full games.

Conference tourneys seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. I read a month or so ago, how the ACC tourney which used to be a hot ticket played to some less than stellar crowds this year, ditto the SEC tourney which probably had some first round games even less attended than the AAC tourney.

Coaches were complaining as well--it seemed that some considered conference tourneys a waste of time that just gets in the way of the ncaa tourney.

Well, since you brought the subject up........

I hate conference tournaments. Teams play hard all year to determine conference standings and the difference between #1 and #2 is merely a different seeding. It cheapens the conference season. Obviously the ADs/Presidents don't agree with me, so I haven't brought it up in this conference before.

I think it's a good thing as it gives the bottom teams something to play for throughout the entire season. Even if a team starts off 0-20, they are still fighting for tourney seeding. They also still have a chance to end the season on a high note by winning a game or the entire thing.

One thing I think low-major conferences should think about though is having the conference tournament set-up similar to the postseason NIT, where the higher seed gets homecourt advantage. It'd be an added bonus for finishing better in the regular season. It'd also be less likely to produce tournament champions under .500 (like Cal Poly this year).

(04-14-2014 02:52 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 02:36 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:55 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:39 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:30 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  The Hartford decision is a good one and well deserved by UConn and their fans. One year in Orlando, but don't understand the decision for 2 years at all. I'm not complaining because once the Tigers lost the crowds didn't show for the tournament here, but there must be unknown factors in the 2nd year for Orlando.

Congrats UConn fans/Hartford and UCF fans/Orlando.

My guess is Orlando made a huge financial commitment for the AAC championship. Really shocked that the city did anything for UCF or our conference.

I would have figured it would rotate between Memphis, Uconn, and Cincy.

...and I think that it will eventually. We got bit with a loss in the first round and it lessened our support for the tourney.. It happens and I understand the conference pulling out of Memphis for a few years. It will be back in this city at some point and be rotated among appropriate cities. I'd think that Dallas would be a legitimate host also based on SMU's progress and the city itself.

I doubt if it had anything at all to do with Memphis losing early and the subsequent less than full games.

Conference tourneys seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. I read a month or so ago, how the ACC tourney which used to be a hot ticket played to some less than stellar crowds this year, ditto the SEC tourney which probably had some first round games even less attended than the AAC tourney.

Coaches were complaining as well--it seemed that some considered conference tourneys a waste of time that just gets in the way of the ncaa tourney.

Well, since you brought the subject up........

I hate conference tournaments. Teams play hard all year to determine conference standings and the difference between #1 and #2 is merely a different seeding. It cheapens the conference season. Obviously the ADs/Presidents don't agree with me, so I haven't brought it up in this conference before.

See for me I go the other side. I love the regular season but I also really love the conference tournament. If a team is playing well in conference all season and has a decent OOC resume they will be a lock for the NCAA. I love seeing that middle of the pack team knowing their only shot to get in is win the tournament fighting for their life every game and pulling off the upset. St Joes in the A10 this season was a prime example. That along with being a college basketball junkie sitting and watching 4 straight days of games is like being a kid at Christmas. Connecticut is an easy drive for me so I will round up the guys and make that road trip for sure.

(04-14-2014 01:23 PM)pearland1 Wrote:  Hopefully MSG sees the the daylight and kicks the Big East to the curve for the AAC.

If that happened, they would turn to the ACC or Big Ten. The ACC already has two tourney's lined up next door, just waiting out that contract.

(04-14-2014 10:55 AM)Carolina Stang Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 10:41 AM)megadrone Wrote:  The American is a metropolitan league -- rotate the tournament among the key cities: Hartford, Memphis, Philly, Cincinnati, Orlando, Tampa and Houston. Do the same for the women's conference.

Last time I checked, Dallas was bigger than all of those cities except Houston and Philly...and if you include DFW metroplex, bigger than Philly.

Can we get some love??

By metro area, DFW is larger than Houston as well

6,810,913 to 6,313,158

(04-14-2014 09:39 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  Wonderful news. With the 30 Million going into renovations this offseason, the place should look fairly decent, and the roof should be guaranteed to not collapse again.

Non-collapsible roof definitely a plus in a comparison of potential host-site venues.

Will the women's tournament be there, too?

(04-14-2014 04:21 PM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 09:39 AM)Hank Schrader Wrote:  Wonderful news. With the 30 Million going into renovations this offseason, the place should look fairly decent, and the roof should be guaranteed to not collapse again.

Non-collapsible roof definitely a plus in a comparison of potential host-site venues.

Will the women's tournament be there, too?

They play at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

(04-14-2014 01:11 PM)The Knight Time Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 01:04 PM)uofmlimbo Wrote:  I think this is a mistake for Orlando to host the tourney. There aren't free ticket for students (half of the UCF games are students) and I doubt there were be much local support for the tourney.

Most games this year not involving Memphis were played in an empty arena. Would it really be much different? The difference is that more people are likely to travel to Orlando in March vs. Memphis.

While that's true...think Aresco is trying to offer up a GREAT destination to get visiting fans to show up (tourn has been in Memphis the most over the past 10-15 years in various conferences).

UCONN, Temple, Cinci, Memphis, maybe now SMU, then add some from nearby USF and UCF...that might be enough to have respectable crowds.

Would much rather have tourn in UCF's 9,600 arena as even non-UCF games, the lower bowl could fill up and look great on TV...vs being stuck in the giant 18,000 plus seat Amway Center....where crowds of 9,000 would make it look rather empty.

(04-14-2014 09:32 AM)upstater1 Wrote:  Neill Ostrout ‏@NeillOstrout 1m
American Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament coming to Hartford in 2015.

For things to do, lots of old Colonial towns, Yankee culture, and 25 minutes up the road you'll find the Basketball Hall of Fame.

(04-14-2014 02:52 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 02:36 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:55 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:39 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote:  

(04-14-2014 12:30 PM)oldtiger Wrote:  The Hartford decision is a good one and well deserved by UConn and their fans. One year in Orlando, but don't understand the decision for 2 years at all. I'm not complaining because once the Tigers lost the crowds didn't show for the tournament here, but there must be unknown factors in the 2nd year for Orlando.

Congrats UConn fans/Hartford and UCF fans/Orlando.

My guess is Orlando made a huge financial commitment for the AAC championship. Really shocked that the city did anything for UCF or our conference.

I would have figured it would rotate between Memphis, Uconn, and Cincy.

...and I think that it will eventually. We got bit with a loss in the first round and it lessened our support for the tourney.. It happens and I understand the conference pulling out of Memphis for a few years. It will be back in this city at some point and be rotated among appropriate cities. I'd think that Dallas would be a legitimate host also based on SMU's progress and the city itself.

I doubt if it had anything at all to do with Memphis losing early and the subsequent less than full games.

Conference tourneys seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. I read a month or so ago, how the ACC tourney which used to be a hot ticket played to some less than stellar crowds this year, ditto the SEC tourney which probably had some first round games even less attended than the AAC tourney.

Coaches were complaining as well--it seemed that some considered conference tourneys a waste of time that just gets in the way of the ncaa tourney.

Well, since you brought the subject up........

I hate conference tournaments. Teams play hard all year to determine conference standings and the difference between #1 and #2 is merely a different seeding. It cheapens the conference season. Obviously the ADs/Presidents don't agree with me, so I haven't brought it up in this conference before.

I tend to agree. Conference tournaments are the reason the regular season has become irrelevant in college basketball. Its a meaningless season.