(04-29-2020 07:22 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 10:48 AM)wisdomgymrat Wrote:  

(04-28-2020 05:53 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  Is it really that big of a draw to compete in a conference tournament when you’re transitioning? You still can’t go to the NCAA Tournament. I think any school that was considering going to Division 1, is currently playing the waiting game now. No way being able to compete in Vegas is going to be a decision maker for current D2s

Recruits care about that possible TV exposure in Vegas. That's why it's a big deal. The players like the idea of winning the conference title, because every D1 conference championship is televised.

The WAC Tournament Men's Championship game is played on ESPNU on championship Saturday. Starts at 7PM Pacific. That is the only televised game for the WAC Tourney. The rest of the games are on ESPN +. Since its been on ESPN +, they've had feed issues.

When you consider that the Southland plays in suburban Houston high school gym, the WAC vegas trip sounds better....

(04-29-2020 09:54 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:47 AM)NotANewbie Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:35 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  Our athletic director, Mario Moccia, has been doing weekly interviews. This week talked about the WAC tourney and was not in favor of the new schools being able to play in the tourney. Interesting...

Pojaque, to be fair, he didn't quite say he was not in favor of it, but I agree it was clear from what he did say that he did not favor it. I just want to make sure that those reading this don't say he said it in so many words. He maintained the appropriate degree of not criticizing the decision.

I guess the appropriate term is "skeptical". Moccia is skeptical of the decision to allow them to play.

Why? I can see where a school like CBU, for example, would have no pressure on themselves, because they cannot go to the tournament. They can play loose and just have fun. But NMSU should not be concerned about losing to CBU. Right?

(04-29-2020 07:50 PM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 07:22 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 10:48 AM)wisdomgymrat Wrote:  

(04-28-2020 05:53 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote:  Is it really that big of a draw to compete in a conference tournament when you’re transitioning? You still can’t go to the NCAA Tournament. I think any school that was considering going to Division 1, is currently playing the waiting game now. No way being able to compete in Vegas is going to be a decision maker for current D2s

Recruits care about that possible TV exposure in Vegas. That's why it's a big deal. The players like the idea of winning the conference title, because every D1 conference championship is televised.

The WAC Tournament Men's Championship game is played on ESPNU on championship Saturday. Starts at 7PM Pacific. That is the only televised game for the WAC Tourney. The rest of the games are on ESPN +. Since its been on ESPN +, they've had feed issues.

When you consider that the Southland plays in suburban Houston high school gym, the WAC vegas trip sounds better....

It's not too bad for a "high school gym". It seats almost 6,000.

ARENA SEATING

Quote:Arena with 5,794 stadium seats and 80' x 140' arena floor; +-1,312 seats can be retracted, resulting in an arena floor up to 120' x 180' with 4,290 fixed seats remaining.

Leonard Merrell Center

Here's another "high school gym" just north of Katy in the Northwest Houston area. It's a little larger than the Merrell Center. It has 8,300 permanent seats with maximum seating of 9,500.



Richard Berry Educational Support Center

(04-29-2020 07:54 PM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:54 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:47 AM)NotANewbie Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:35 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  Our athletic director, Mario Moccia, has been doing weekly interviews. This week talked about the WAC tourney and was not in favor of the new schools being able to play in the tourney. Interesting...

Pojaque, to be fair, he didn't quite say he was not in favor of it, but I agree it was clear from what he did say that he did not favor it. I just want to make sure that those reading this don't say he said it in so many words. He maintained the appropriate degree of not criticizing the decision.

I guess the appropriate term is "skeptical". Moccia is skeptical of the decision to allow them to play.

Why? I can see where a school like CBU, for example, would have no pressure on themselves, because they cannot go to the tournament. They can play loose and just have fun. But NMSU should not be concerned about losing to CBU. Right?

I think everyone can see the benefit to CBU, Dixie and Tarleton. What’s the benefit to the GCU’s and Seattle’s of the WAC? More importantly, what’s the benefit to NMSU?

I’ve already said I’m in favor. I like the thought of bigger crowds in Vegas. And I think a 6 team tourney cheapens things. But that’s Pojo Pops talking. What’s in it for NMSU?

(04-29-2020 09:46 PM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 07:54 PM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:54 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:47 AM)NotANewbie Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:35 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  Our athletic director, Mario Moccia, has been doing weekly interviews. This week talked about the WAC tourney and was not in favor of the new schools being able to play in the tourney. Interesting...

Pojaque, to be fair, he didn't quite say he was not in favor of it, but I agree it was clear from what he did say that he did not favor it. I just want to make sure that those reading this don't say he said it in so many words. He maintained the appropriate degree of not criticizing the decision.

I guess the appropriate term is "skeptical". Moccia is skeptical of the decision to allow them to play.

Why? I can see where a school like CBU, for example, would have no pressure on themselves, because they cannot go to the tournament. They can play loose and just have fun. But NMSU should not be concerned about losing to CBU. Right?

I think everyone can see the benefit to CBU, Dixie and Tarleton. What’s the benefit to the GCU’s and Seattle’s of the WAC? More importantly, what’s the benefit to NMSU?

I’ve already said I’m in favor. I like the thought of bigger crowds in Vegas. And I think a 6 team tourney cheapens things. But that’s Pojo Pops talking. What’s in it for NMSU?

Im not sure until there is a covid19 vaccination any type of crowd should be counted on. On top of the financial issues for a lot of Americans. It could be a while before the WACT recovers to where they were before covid19.

(04-29-2020 09:46 PM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 07:54 PM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:54 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:47 AM)NotANewbie Wrote:  

(04-29-2020 09:35 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote:  Our athletic director, Mario Moccia, has been doing weekly interviews. This week talked about the WAC tourney and was not in favor of the new schools being able to play in the tourney. Interesting...

Pojaque, to be fair, he didn't quite say he was not in favor of it, but I agree it was clear from what he did say that he did not favor it. I just want to make sure that those reading this don't say he said it in so many words. He maintained the appropriate degree of not criticizing the decision.

I guess the appropriate term is "skeptical". Moccia is skeptical of the decision to allow them to play.

Why? I can see where a school like CBU, for example, would have no pressure on themselves, because they cannot go to the tournament. They can play loose and just have fun. But NMSU should not be concerned about losing to CBU. Right?

I think everyone can see the benefit to CBU, Dixie and Tarleton. What’s the benefit to the GCU’s and Seattle’s of the WAC? More importantly, what’s the benefit to NMSU?

There is a long-term benefit for NMSU. This has to be about attracting more schools to the WAC. No other reason makes sense. More schools join, the more stable and competitive the WAC becomes. The more competitive and stable the WAC becomes, the more TV exposure, sponsorships, elite tournament invites, etc. Which is ultimately more $$$-tability for the conference. And to me, the WAC is already shaping up to be a really fun and competitive basketball league. New coaches coming in with national name recognition, new schools joining with winning traditions and loyal fan bases. The WAC tournament is going to get alot more interesting to a wider group of spectators. Jans vs BCG vs Drew vs Madden vs .....the masses will want to see it. I see nothing but positive here.

Let’s face it... the power 5 conferences will move away from the NCAA in a few years and all of this will be blown up. Let them play.

(04-30-2020 09:19 AM)wisdomgymrat Wrote:  Let’s face it... the power 5 conferences will move away from the NCAA in a few years and all of this will be blown up. Let them play.

I believe there will be a split in FB, but not in basketball. The NCAA tourney is a thing of beauty.