Article about tournament in Paper

[coasterville95]

The Enquirer has a brief article about the A10 Tournament. Not much we didn't already know: This is the final year of Atlantic City's contract, Atlantic City wants to keep the tournament, however it has been put out to bid.

What is interesting is it lists, perhaps for the first time, what cities have put in bids for it:

* Atlantic City
* Cincinnati
* Dayton
* Pittsburgh
* Springfield, Mass

I thought I heard awhile back that they wanted to keep the A10 Tournament on a neutral court, so doesn't that rule out UD Arena? I suppose they could use Nutter Center?

I don't really see Cincinnati (presumeably US Bank Arena) getting the bid, since we had the tournament last before it went to Atlantic City, they might want to move it around a bit more. Dayton had it before us, so I'd think our geographic area is doomed in the interest of giving other parts of the A10 region a chance at holding the tournament.

Pittsburgh (I'd guess Mellon Arena???) sounds like a good choice as far as being central.


Springfield, Mass would be uncharted terrritory A10 tournament wise, and would be a reasonable distance for a lot of A10 schools. I also recall U mass did a PR trick by hosting one of their A10 games at the proposed arena in Springfield so they could show the arena off to the A10 people.

It says the league is supposed to prepare a recommendation to the conference presidnets this week, but no final decision, much less an announcement is expected this week.

The article (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090311/SPT0102/903110414/1062/SPT)

[GoMuskies]

I think Dayton, Cincinnati and AC are the only reasonable choices. Springfield would be great for me, but it would be a disaster. Who would go? Why would anyone want to go to Springfield in what is still essentially winter (it snowed a couple of inches here on Monday)? Pittsburgh is central, but that's not exactly a plus in this league. That just means that it's not close enough that ANYONE would go.

Cincinnati would be the best choice if the venue was not so lousy. Plus, Xavier fans have not been willing to shell out cash and support downtown events very well in the past. Granted, the timing of the A-10 Tournament in Cincinnati was lousy as Xavier had two of its worst teams since joining the A-10 those years. The second one was obviously saved by the 4 games in 4 days run.

All in all, I think Dayton is probably the best choice. I don't like playing it on their home floor, but their fans have obviously supported it, and you have the second largest fanbase 45 minutes away. With the championship being on CBS, I don't think you want to take a chance on playing the game in an empty arena, and that's whay could easily happen in Springfield, Pitt or even AC. Or Cincinnati if Xavier and Dayton are gone. So even though it is not a perfect choice, I think Dayton is the best choice.

[MD Muskie]

Why is Dayton the best choice? I ask this, for the same reason as Springfield, why would anyone NOT in the state Ohio want to travel to Dayton? I have absolutely no reason to go to that city. At least with Atlantic City, and even Pittsburgh, they are other things to do and see. I don't see why everyone has this love affair with the UD Arena when it comes to the A10 tournament. You take away XU or UD and no one will go. Let's face it, the league is way too spread out and there is NO right place to go.

[GoMuskies]

Why is Dayton the best choice? I ask this, for the same reason as Springfield, why would anyone NOT in the state Ohio want to travel to Dayton?

No one would. But unlike Springfield (and every other possible location), at least the locals will support it at Dayton. That's not true anywhere else (even in Cincinnati to some extent).

[BBC 08]

I kind of want to keep it in AC. It might be far from Cinci but is a solid place for the tournament. Endless drinking and gambling opportunities plus Xavier basketball is a plus for me. Yes the venue could be better but I think everything else about it really make the event special. I'd go back every year if I could.

[MD Muskie]

i just don't see it. This is the Atlantic 10, not the Xavier and Dayton league. To me that is ultimately a free pass for those two teams. And I understand that in any other City its a free pass for said local team. I am all for Xavier winning all the time, but i want to see compeition and if the tournament goes back to UD for an extended period of time, i just don't see that competition. Here is a city that is neutral that I would like to throw out there, what about Cleveland? It's cold yes, but they have an arena, it's fairly central, and there would be other things for fans to do while there.

[bobbyboucher]

I agree that Dayton seems to have done a good job. My one question is that if they have no problem with having it @ UD Arena then why not have it @ Cintas instead of US Bank Arena if Cincinnati were the host city? It is a top of the line facility and is large enough.

[danaandvictory]

I think they should play it at the Palestra every year. No team would have a home court advantage, the venue is the right size, the city is great and it's accessible for the majority of schools. Also it gives the media a chance to wax rhapsodic about the history of the arena with three Big Five teams competing.

[The Artist]

i just don't see it. This is the Atlantic 10, not the Xavier and Dayton league. To me that is ultimately a free pass for those two teams. And I understand that in any other City its a free pass for said local team. I am all for Xavier winning all the time, but i want to see compeition and if the tournament goes back to UD for an extended period of time, i just don't see that competition. Here is a city that is neutral that I would like to throw out there, what about Cleveland? It's cold yes, but they have an arena, it's fairly central, and there would be other things for fans to do while there.

The main goal is not what you are stating. The main goal is to get as many butts in the seats as possible. Whether that's how it should be or not, it's true.

Having it in Dayton puts a lot more butts in seats than anywhere else. It is the only place where there will be a large crowd beyond those from the two schools that are playing the current game.

[GoMuskies]

To add to Artist's point, the fact that the title game is going to be on CBS makes this even more important. You can't risk having an empty arena for a championship game on CBS.

[MD Muskie]

To add to Artist's point, the fact that the title game is going to be on CBS makes this even more important. You can't risk having an empty arena for a championship game on CBS.

But you risk that every time the local team isn't playing in the Championship game. If the Philly teams are not in that game they the seats are emptyin AC or Philly. The same goes for XU or UD not making the game in teh Cincy/Dayton. While for the most part that isn't going to happen since Xavier and Dayton are always near the top of the league, the factors are still there for IT too happen at certain points. And besides that, CBS is going to care how many seats are filled at the end of the day, they are going to care about how many people are watching it on TV. Thats where their money is coming from.

I have said it before, there is NOT a great place to have the A10 Tournament because the crowds will not be great. The only way for that to happen is to have the local team in the championship and unless Commish Bruno is going to start a conspiracy to make that happen, i just don't see good crowds at the tournaments.

[GoMuskies]

It's not CBS I'm concerned about. It's anyone watching on CBS. If they turn on a game from Pitt with Xavier playing URI in front of 750 people, it's not going to leave the impression we'd like.

[The Artist]

But you risk that every time the local team isn't playing in the Championship game. If the Philly teams are not in that game they the seats are emptyin AC or Philly. The same goes for XU or UD not making the game in teh Cincy/Dayton. While for the most part that isn't going to happen since Xavier and Dayton are always near the top of the league, the factors are still there for IT too happen at certain points. And besides that, CBS is going to care how many seats are filled at the end of the day, they are going to care about how many people are watching it on TV. Thats where their money is coming from.

I have said it before, there is NOT a great place to have the A10 Tournament because the crowds will not be great. The only way for that to happen is to have the local team in the championship and unless Commish Bruno is going to start a conspiracy to make that happen, i just don't see good crowds at the tournaments.

The point is that the statement in bold is NOT true for when the tourney is held in Dayton. The locals pack the place, no matter who is playing, as was previously stated.

[MADXSTER]

My two cents. Not completely thought out.

I would like to pair up with another conference. Have it on a college campus that is not within the league. You draw from your own conference(those who travel) and the basketball fans from the other conference.

*This would probably not work so well with rival schools near each other.

Just an example.....Say the Big East or ACC or whatever.

Our conference tourney could be at Georgetown, NC State, etc. It would be a nuetral site and wouldn't cost as much (I wouldn't think)for the venue.

The other conference if they chose to do so could play at one of our facilities such as Charlotte, etc.

Basketball fans in any particular city who can't travel with their team, like most of us, would be more inclined to go back to our comfort zones and watch another teams conference tourney in our own arena.

Simply put, if the Big East or ACC had their conf. tourney in the Cintas Center, more Xavier fans would be inclined to go and watch. Fans would do this if they couldn't travel to watch their own teams play. Good basketball, on a court and campus that you're familiar with, and you get to see teams and players that you'll see in the tourney.

just a thought.

[Frank D.]

Here is a city that is neutral that I would like to throw out there, what about Cleveland? It's cold yes, but they have an arena, it's fairly central, and there would be other things for fans to do while there.

The MAC tourney is held in Quicken Loans every year on the same days as the A-10.

[GoMuskies]

And who would go to Cleveland? MOR is one. That's about it.

Even Columbus would be better, because at least that's close for Xavier and Dayton people (and closer for both Duquesne fans).

[Frank D.]

And who would go to Cleveland? MOR is one. That's about it.

Even Columbus would be better, because at least that's close for Xavier and Dayton people (and closer for both Duquesne fans).

The A-10 already has MOR. They know he's going no matter where it's held.

And I, for one, would gladly accept the A-10 tournament coming to Columbus. Sadly, I'm sure this will never happen.

[DC Muskie]

There's a simple solution to this.

Atlantic City and allow it to grow roots.

Or hold it at the regular season champion home court.

If you are against either one, then join the crowd of people who think conference tournaments should end. If there ever was a case for it, the A-10 is a prime example. We are worried about how our conference will look on TV. Anyone see the problem with that?

[blobfan]

I agree that Dayton seems to have done a good job. My one question is that if they have no problem with having it @ UD Arena then why not have it @ Cintas instead of US Bank Arena if Cincinnati were the host city? It is a top of the line facility and is large enough.

I heard the A-10 doesn't want to hold the tournament at an arena that seats fewer than 12,000. I'm not sure if that was pure speculation or known fact but that is supposedly why it was held at US Bank Arena instead of the Cintas Center. I also heard the decision was made about half-way through completion of the Cintas Center, but that might just have been bitterness on the part of the person that told me. That could also preclude holding at the regular season champs arena.

[coasterville95]

I just thought of another angle that may rule out Cintas. I don't have my premium seat agreement with me, but isn't there a clause about you have exclusive use of your premium seats for all Xavier men's basketball events held at Cintas Center including pre-season, exhibition, and post season play. Would that leave enough seats for the other 11 invited A10 school's fans?

While my heart wants the A10 Tournament in Cincinnati, be it Cintas, US Bank Arena, or even Fith Third Arena (UC doesn't need it for post season play and the rent might be cheaper than USBA), I think there is something to be said for selecting a 'permanent' host city, and going with it. I'd say we establish Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City as the home of the Atlantic 10 tournament.

[Pablo's Brother]

The main goal is not what you are stating. The main goal is to get as many butts in the seats as possible. Whether that's how it should be or not, it's true.

Having it in Dayton puts a lot more butts in seats than anywhere else. It is the only place where there will be a large crowd beyond those from the two schools that are playing the current game.

well said artist. plus, the butts in dayton are rather large too.

[X-band '01]

Pittsburgh has a new hockey arena opening soon, but as I've said before their heyday has long since jumped the shark. Pitt and WVU are no longer A-10 members, and the Dukes and Bonnies fans would be the closest to the Steel City.

Nationwide Arena would draw both the Muskie and Flyer fans, but there's no other interest in the A-10 up there. None.

[xu drew]

The Sports Business Daily had this to say about the future of the A-10 Tournament it today's issue:

"Atlantic City, which has been rocked by the recession, is one of 5 sites bidding for next year's tournament and an announcement is expected right before the NCAA Final Four....Atlantic City is the only true neutral venue among the finalists, but a source said that Pittsburgh 'had nosed ahead of the pack." Pittsburgh's hosting still could depend on the whether construction of the 18,000-seat Consol Energy Center is complete on time or not."

[XURunner85]

I have no problem if it stays in AC, I would have gone this year if it the economy wasn't so bad that I have no money at this time. But if it can't be there then I would want Cincinnati. But Phili is not a bad place to have it but the 3 schools since we have been in the A10 have not been able to help sell it out. Yes grow roots in AC, get better discounts on rooms for fans of the schools and make this a great tourney to come out and see.

[Cheesehead]

I think Dayton has proven it sells the most seats (obviously). The tourney didn't do that well when it was in Cincy. AC crowds don't look too strong to me; just like Philly. So, what's the solution? Sell seats or hold it at neutral sites only? It depends on what the philosophy of the A-10 is, I guess. I have no problem w/ trying Pittsburgh.

[bobbiemcgee]

somewhere toasty warm near the beach.........