I Believe It's Time

[ArcherSPS]

It's time to move the MHSAA basketball championships from the Coliseum and to MSU/OM. I'm a big Jackson defender, but even I can't take up for the Coliseum. I went to the Extravaganza last year there and I couldn't believe how unchanged that place has been since the last time I was there in the mid aughts.

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

I agree. Also, is there anyone outside of Velma Jackson worth watching this week?

 

[Faustdog]

It's a location thing. If you want to move it, go to MC like the private schools. Moving it to State or Ole Miss would make it tougher for much of our state to get there. Crowds would be big for the first couple of years then start drying up.

 

[ArcherSPS]

Man, I've been trying to figure out that too. I can't find a single damn boy's bracket anywhere online. On MHSAA's website I can only find the girls' brackets.

 

[ArcherSPS]

Doesn't effect the crowds for Football. I realize there are more games in the basketball tourneys, but I really don't think it would hurt that much.

 

[Xenomorph]

The parking alone on both campuses would be a nightmare.

 

[WayboDawg]

I was a big fan of moving the state football games to Starkville/Oxford when they announced it, but it is a big pain in the butt for people south of I-20 to travel all the way to Oxford like we had to 2 years ago for the Wayne County vs Oxford game. Starkville aint so bad, but that 4 hour drive home from Oxford sucks big time at midnight. I think in this case, moving the games to Mississippi College would work well for all parties. Jackson area keeps the games, coaches and players get a better court to use, and the fans don't add extra time to their drive.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

What's the big problem with it? Age? I mean, it's just high school basketball.

However, I do think the Jackson area should probably think about investing in an arena in the future, or renovating the Coliseum I guess.

 

[ArcherSPS]

Age, falling apart, smells like **** the entire year, and can't serve alcohol during concerts.

 

[tbaydog]

Gulf Coast, Hattiesburg, Starkville and Oxford.............

 

[8dog]

They sell alcohol at concerts. Thats the only defense i have for the place

the problem with hoops is its multiple games for multiole teams. Its not like football where its more justifiable to make a trip for one game for just two teams in each class

 

[ArcherSPS]

Ah I thought there was some rule that they couldn't serve alcohol at concerts or events inside. Sort of remember something about the Bandits being one of the few minor league teams that played in a venue w/o alcohol sales.

 

[Xenomorph]

Tupelo and Southaven both have arenas that would be perfect.

 

[8dog]

Yeah. They couldnt at bandits games. It seems arbitrary. I just know they sold beer at the alan jackson concert last spring

 

[Hoover Dawg]

Not a bad idea to play north playoffs at Tupelo, Southaven and Oxford and play south half at Jackson, Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg. Then play the championship at Starkville. And you could just rotate Oxford/Starkville for north half and championship.

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

http://www.misshsaa.com/category/brackets/basketball-brackets/

I couldn't find them by navigating their website, had to google to get a direct link. Still not easy to read though. Velma beat Kemper Co. 44-40. Hate I missed that one. I usually know at least several players from around the state to watch for, but Woodard at Columbus and Feazell at Lawrence Co. both lost in the first round (which is certainly disappointing to see...).

 

[615dawg]

Now that they have finally got rid of the crappy format, We need to go to the Alabama model. Its awesome.

First round games at higher seed
Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games on college campuses.
Final Four and Championship games at predetermined location.

 

[EurekaDog]

YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! The entire playoff structure needs to be revamped !

Moving the tourney out of Jackson? Yes, it'll impact Jackson's economy, just like it has impacted the other regions of the state for DECADES.

Moving the championships (not just football) around the state (with Jackson being one of the stops) means that a public, STATE entity is taking steps in "sharing the wealth and experience" around the state, not just one city/county/region.

As for more travel, it's a weak argument. Teams from the borders of the state have been traveling long distances for DECADES to get to Jackson. Moving/Rotating the championships through the different areas of the state to enjoy (every few years) a short trip to the championships... just like the Jackson area teams have enjoyed for DECADES.

========================================================

More Changes Needed

The post-season playoff structure needs revamping.

The State Tournament should be a Final Four for each of the classifications.
The State Tournament should be moved around the state between the larger arenas. Tupelo, Southaven, the Gulf Coast, Jackson, and possibly, MSU, UM, & USM.

The North-Half and South-Half tourneys need to be abolished.
There should be 4 regional tourneys. Each would be played at (1) one of the Community College campuses within the 4 regions or (2) one of the D1 or D2 college arenas within those regions.

 

[EurekaDog]

Exactly! I've sent this suggestion to the MHSAA multiple times. (NM)

dsads

 

[EurekaDog]

Sorry, 615dawg. I didn't read the thread before I posted my opinion.(NM)

asdsada

 

[CougarArcher]

Having in Jackson every year is an automatic 4hr minimum drive from North/Northeast MS.

I would think playing at college would effect college teams schedules. At least with football its only 1 wknd. With BB, its spread over a couple of weeks.

 

[CougarArcher]

they dont have north half south half tourneys anymore since we changed it to take 4 teams to jackson now. Thats also why they had to add the JSU venue to accommodate all of the extra games

 

[MaroonNation]

I was there for the State/USM BB game and I couldn't believe how improved it was over last year. They have sunk some money into it in the last year to renovate the bathrooms and other things.

 

[Faustdog]

Having in Jackson every year is an automatic 4hr minimum drive from North/Northeast MS.

I would think playing at college would effect college teams schedules. At least with football its only 1 wknd. With BB, its spread over a couple of weeks.

I think you mean it's a maximum four hour drive. Unless you're coming from Corinth or Iuka, it shouldn't take you more than three hours to get from anywhere in MS to Jackson.

 

[ArcherSPS]

You can put a metric ton of lipstick on a pig...guess what? It's still a 17ing pig.