Big10/Big East challenge...off

[loyolacat]

saw this on Verbal Commits....
By ADAM ZAGORIA

The 2020 edition of the Gavitt Games between the Big East and Big Ten Conferences is “likely dead as contracted,” a Big East source said.

There is still a “chance” to hold some of the games under the Gavitt Games umbrella and discussions are ongoing, the source said, but the full suite of games won’t happen.

The college basketball season will now begin Nov. 25 and the Big East season will begin Dec. 11, although a few league games could occur before then due to previously scheduled non-conference commitments, the source said.

Last year’s Gavitt Games were played Nov. 11-14 at school sites. This year’s schedule and matchups were never released.

 

[willycat]

saw this on Verbal Commits....
By ADAM ZAGORIA

The 2020 edition of the Gavitt Games between the Big East and Big Ten Conferences is “likely dead as contracted,” a Big East source said.

There is still a “chance” to hold some of the games under the Gavitt Games umbrella and discussions are ongoing, the source said, but the full suite of games won’t happen.

The college basketball season will now begin Nov. 25 and the Big East season will begin Dec. 11, although a few league games could occur before then due to previously scheduled non-conference commitments, the source said.

Last year’s Gavitt Games were played Nov. 11-14 at school sites. This year’s schedule and matchups were never released.

Now would be a good time to startup a Chicagoland Tournament. NU, Loyola, DePaul, NIU?

 

[Catreporter]

Good idea Willy. I think for one year, Nu hosted such an event during Rich Falk's tenure with Bradley, DePaul and I can't recall the fourth team.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Now would be a good time to startup a Chicagoland Tournament. NU, Loyola, DePaul, NIU?

Does NIU count as Chicagoland? I'd replace NIU with UIC, but I like the idea, overall.

 

[ohiovalleycat]

Good idea Willy. I think for one year, Nu hosted such an event during Rich Falk's tenure with Bradley, DePaul and I can't recall the fourth team.

It could be like a round robin tournament like the Philadelphia Big 5:

http://www.philadelphiabig5.org/history/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Big_5

The teams in the Philadelphia Big 5 all play each other, so it is a "round robin" tournament that is more akin to a mini-league. I could see the following for such an event for Chicagoland Division 1 teams:
Northwestern
Loyola Chicago
DePaul
Illinois-Chicago
Chicago State University*

*Would pick Northern Illinois over CSU but NIU is not actually in Chicagoland.

Another option is an Academic Big 5 (non Ivy):
Northwestern
Vanderbilt
Duke
Stanford
Rice

 

[NJCat]

It could be like a round robin tournament like the Philadelphia Big 5:

http://www.philadelphiabig5.org/history/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Big_5

The teams in the Philadelphia Big 5 all play each other, so it is a "round robin" tournament that is more akin to a mini-league. I could see the following for such an event for Chicagoland Division 1 teams:
Northwestern
Loyola Chicago
DePaul
Illinois-Chicago
Chicago State University*

*Would pick Northern Illinois over CSU but NIU is not actually in Chicagoland.

Another option is an Academic Big 5 (non Ivy):
Northwestern
Vanderbilt
Duke
Stanford
Rice

I like the Chicagoland round robin, including CSU, because it will be a money game for them and they need the $$$s.

 

[Smolmania]

Good idea Willy. I think for one year, Nu hosted such an event during Rich Falk's tenure with Bradley, DePaul and I can't recall the fourth team.

It was Loyola. Kevin Sprewer (sp?) of Loyola broke the backboard at the east end of McGaw Hall. Apparently the players observed during warmups that the rims were tight. My buddy working the table heard Sprewer tell a teammate that he was "going to get that backboard."

Recall Mark Aguirre and Skip Dillard arriving at McGaw during the delay (they had come to Evanston on the L). Aguirre's pre-game meal was a couple of hot dogs.

 

[loyolacat]

The Chicagoland CAGE Classic....I always thought that was a cool name....and that 79 Depaul team , Agiuire, Cummings, cool CLyde Bradshaw,,,,,Dillard, Grubbs....good team.... LU played Depaul 3 times that year...

 

[chicagocatfan24]

I like the Chicagoland round robin, including CSU, because it will be a money game for them and they need the $$$s.

I'm friends with UIC's old AD and he said NU is the one who won't do a Chicago tourney for whatever reason.

 

[willycat]

I'm friends with UIC's old AD and he said NU is the one who won't do a Chicago tourney for whatever reason.

What's that reason? Come on now try and be honest!

 

[cats2017]

What's that reason? Come on now try and be honest!

What's the benefit for NU? Win and you beat a mid-major. Big deal. If you lose, then it's a terrible look. Also, it would never happen in a tournament format. Teams can play one multi-team event per season. Would you really want the 'Cats playing in some tournament with Chicago area teams over one of the national ESPN tournaments against other major conference teams?

 

[Catreporter]

What's the benefit for NU? Win and you beat a mid-major. Big deal. If you lose, then it's a terrible look. Also, it would never happen in a tournament format. Teams can play one multi-team event per season. Would you really want the 'Cats playing in some tournament with Chicago area teams over one of the national ESPN tournaments against other major conference teams?

When did they make that rule? I remember Carmody's Cats won two tourneys one year including one played at UIC. I can see why the Cats are not into a Chicago tourney if that is the case.

 

[Sec_112]

Win and you beat a mid-major. Big deal ...

In the past, I know Illinois has adopted, the "win-big deal" stance for local matchups. However, I'd argue you're already playing a bunch of mid-majors, so why not schedule locals for several reasons:

1) This is NU - not a blue blood. There's not a whole lot value to lose.

2) How many coaches come in here and rave about the local recruiting possibilities. In the end, what is the outcome? And we've seen it again with Collins who recruited Chicago pretty well at Duke. So obviously it's one of those layers on the grade restrictions.

In the end, I think NU's value in local recruiting circles can only increase.They should do everything they can to build awareness in the area.

3) They already play DePaul. In many past years, they've played UIC. That's two of the three games alone. If you can't beat DePaul and UIC/NIU/Chicago State, etc, you're probably an incredibly mediocre team anyhow.

4) What will get more fans and press coverage? A game against Providence and Merrimack or games against DePaul and NIU? At the rate all the programs are going, it may not be much more, but it will be a bit more.

5) It's probably a less-expensive game. A) You don't have to pay Merrimack to come into the Welsh. B) If it's at the UC, there's limited travel costs. c) If they play home & homes, you don't have travel costs for a game and more tickets will be sold for your home game.

6) Chicago-area college hoops is at a real low point. These coaches need to start thinking collectively to build the brand a bit. If you build the brand, it helps keeps kids home rather than EVERY - and I mean EVERY - top kid leaving the area.

 

[cats2017]

1) This is NU - not a blue blood. There's not a whole lot value to lose.

2) How many coaches come in here and rave about the local recruiting possibilities. In the end, what is the outcome? And we've seen it again with Collins who recruited Chicago pretty well at Duke. So obviously it's one of those layers on the grade restrictions.

In the end, I think NU's value in local recruiting circles can only increase.They should do everything they can to build awareness in the area.

3) They already play DePaul. In many past years, they've played UIC. That's two of the three games alone. If you can't beat DePaul and UIC/NIU/Chicago State, etc, you're probably an incredibly mediocre team anyhow.

4) What will get more fans and press coverage? A game against Providence and Merrimack or games against DePaul and NIU? At the rate all the programs are going, it may not be much more, but it will be a bit more.

5) It's probably a less-expensive game. A) You don't have to pay Merrimack to come into the Welsh. B) If it's at the UC, there's limited travel costs. c) If they play home & homes, you don't have travel costs for a game and more tickets will be sold for your home game.

6) Chicago-area college hoops is at a real low point. These coaches need to start thinking collectively to build the brand a bit. If you build the brand, it helps keeps kids home rather than EVERY - and I mean EVERY - top kid leaving the area.

I'm all for the annual game against DePaul. Local matchup. High major vs. high major.

It might be mildly more entertaining to a few fans such as yourself, but nothing you stated as far as playing any of those other local teams is a benefit to the Northwestern basketball program. UIC was clowning after the game when it won at W-R a few years ago. It's a huge opportunity for those teams. NU couldn't have cared less when it won at the Pavilion a year later.

As far as recruiting, when a local recruit commits to NU and says they made their choice because they saw the 'Cats beat UIC, then let me know.

Local recruiting, press coverage, a few more fans, cost of the opponents are non-factors for the basketball program when considering playing those teams.

 

[willycat]

I'm all for the annual game against DePaul. Local matchup. High major vs. high major.

It might be mildly more entertaining to a few fans such as yourself, but nothing you stated as far as playing any of those other local teams is a benefit to the Northwestern basketball program. UIC was clowning after the game when it won at W-R a few years ago. It's a huge opportunity for those teams. NU couldn't have cared less when it won at the Pavilion a year later.

As far as recruiting, when a local recruit commits to NU and says they made their choice because they saw the 'Cats beat UIC, then let me know.

Local recruiting, press coverage, a few more fans, cost of the opponents are non-factors for the basketball program when considering playing those teams.

Thinking NU players better start caring more. A lot more!

 

[loyolacat]

either the end of last year KenPom rankings or just their preseason
DePaul 95 Loyola 101 NU 132 NIU 182 UIC 204 Chicago St. 353 (last)
Loyola and DePaul have decided to play each other again...dont know if it will happen this year

 

[cats2017]

Thinking NU players better start caring more. A lot more!

NU won that game at UIC by 35. What's your point?

 

[Styre]

When did they make that rule? I remember Carmody's Cats won two tourneys one year including one played at UIC. I can see why the Cats are not into a Chicago tourney if that is the case.

That was the 2009-10 season, and NU played only one tournament that year, at UIC.

 

[ricko6543211]

In the past, I know Illinois has adopted, the "win-big deal" stance for local matchups. However, I'd argue you're already playing a bunch of mid-majors, so why not schedule locals for several reasons:

1) This is NU - not a blue blood. There's not a whole lot value to lose.

2) How many coaches come in here and rave about the local recruiting possibilities. In the end, what is the outcome? And we've seen it again with Collins who recruited Chicago pretty well at Duke. So obviously it's one of those layers on the grade restrictions.

In the end, I think NU's value in local recruiting circles can only increase.They should do everything they can to build awareness in the area.

3) They already play DePaul. In many past years, they've played UIC. That's two of the three games alone. If you can't beat DePaul and UIC/NIU/Chicago State, etc, you're probably an incredibly mediocre team anyhow.

4) What will get more fans and press coverage? A game against Providence and Merrimack or games against DePaul and NIU? At the rate all the programs are going, it may not be much more, but it will be a bit more.

5) It's probably a less-expensive game. A) You don't have to pay Merrimack to come into the Welsh. B) If it's at the UC, there's limited travel costs. c) If they play home & homes, you don't have travel costs for a game and more tickets will be sold for your home game.

6) Chicago-area college hoops is at a real low point. These coaches need to start thinking collectively to build the brand a bit. If you build the brand, it helps keeps kids home rather than EVERY - and I mean EVERY - top kid leaving the area.

I don't think we should use our 1 tourney on it, but I don't see why we wouldn't want to schedule UIC or Loyola or NIU as one-off games instead of the MVSU and UTSAs of the world. Could do an informal round robin via scheduling rather than formal tournament.

I wouldn't be surprised if the disconnect, alluded to above by someone claiming NU is the one who doesn't want to do this, is that we would be willing to host those teams at Welsh Ryan, but they want us to do a home and home. Which I think we've done with UIC in the past, but not regularly. I don't know that it's worth us to do that outside of for DePaul annually.