OT: 2018 BTT at MSG - screws up reg season

[BosCat]

I know - a lot left to go on this magical year and this isn't exactly breaking news. Next year the BTT will be moved a week earlier so that it can be at MSG - not moving Big East from its reg spot.

That's going to suck for players since the reg season will have to be compressed - fewer days off and so probably more injuries. We are going to need all the depth we can get. It will certainly be good for us "east-coaster" fans, but isn't it all about the student athletes?

These are some mentions about this - again not exactly new news, but I guess I hadn't thought about it since it seemed far away at the time.

This first one is from an article about potential attendance in DC this year: LINK
Next year, the tournament will to Manhattan at Madison Square Garden, closer to the fan base at Rutgers, the other league newcomer. That, too, is a bold move: The Garden’s commitment to the Big East tournament will force the Big Ten to play its tournament a week earlier than other power conferences, compressing the 2017-18 conference schedule.

Another mention from a few years back
The Big Ten tournament in 2018 will have to be played a week early because the Big East will have MSG for its tournament during the normal weekend for conference tournaments. So Big Ten teams will have to compress their schedules that season, then wait nearly two weeks before the NCAA tournament begins.

 

[Max_Power]

All hail the mighty dollar!

 

[julescat]

worth it!

 

[NJCat]

All hail the mighty dollar!

Sucks. The Big 10 Tournament should be in Big 10 country. Two consecutive years on the East Coast is ridiculous. You think the NY media give two sh$ts about the Big 10? Nope.

The Tournament belongs in Indy. One central location with great facilities and a reasonable commute for everyone. Rutgers and MD don't like it, they can join the Big Least or the ACC.

 

[NJCat]

That's going to suck for players since the reg season will have to be compressed - fewer days off and so probably more injuries. We are going to need all the depth we can get. It will certainly be good for us "east-coaster" fans, but isn't it all about the student athletes?

These are some mentions about this - again not exactly new news, but I guess I hadn't thought about it since it seemed far away at the time.

This first one is from an article about potential attendance in DC this year: LINK
Next year, the tournament will to Manhattan at Madison Square Garden, closer to the fan base at Rutgers, the other league newcomer. That, too, is a bold move: The Garden’s commitment to the Big East tournament will force the Big Ten to play its tournament a week earlier than other power conferences, compressing the 2017-18 conference schedule.

Another mention from a few years back
The Big Ten tournament in 2018 will have to be played a week early because the Big East will have MSG for its tournament during the normal weekend for conference tournaments. So Big Ten teams will have to compress their schedules that season, then wait nearly two weeks before the NCAA tournament begins.

Coaches should be up in arms. They will need to get rid of the bye weeks and play 2 Big 10 games every week for 9 consecutive weeks. The wear and tear on the athletes will definitely mean more injuries. No chance to catch your breath and play a little school either. Terrible idea. Still time to change it though.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Are we allowed to schedule games after the B1G tourney? Why not start the conference season a week early and schedule two of the tune-up non-cons for after the tourney? Many of those conferences also have their tourneys a week early. That way we don't have to compress the regular season, and we don't have the long layoff before the NCAAs. Win-win.

 

[ubercat]

The coaches have already given their reaction:

 

[Kelly_32_rivals]

Maybe we can play Chicago State during that off week.

 

[mikewebb68]

But, on the flip side, won't that give us a nice week of rest and preparation for our second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance?

#expectDance

 

[Styre]

Are we allowed to schedule games after the B1G tourney? Why not start the conference season a week early and schedule two of the tune-up non-cons for after the tourney? Many of those conferences also have their tourneys a week early. That way we don't have to compress the regular season, and we don't have the long layoff before the NCAAs. Win-win.

It's allowed, but it almost certainly won't happen. The very last thing you want is a disinterested team to lose a tune-up game against a bad opponent and suddenly find themselves in the NIT as a result.

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

I agree this sucks B1G Time for our players. It's reminiscent of the Friday night games in football. Pursuing geographical expansion and $ at the expense of the student-athlete. I am excited that the BTT is literally 3 subway stops from my apartment next year but I would rather have it in Chicago or Indianapolis during the normal tournament week.

 

[No Chores]

But, on the flip side, won't that give us a nice week of rest and preparation for our second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance?

#expectDance

Maybe, but it sure won't give an extremely important guy like B-Mac much needed rest during the regular season.

 

[D_C_B]

Sucks. The Big 10 Tournament should be in Big 10 country. Two consecutive years on the East Coast is ridiculous. You think the NY media give two sh$ts about the Big 10? Nope.

The Tournament belongs in Indy. One central location with great facilities and a reasonable commute for everyone. Rutgers and MD don't like it, they can join the Big Least or the ACC.

It belongs in Chicago for a zillion reasons including more BT alums than anywhere.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Are we allowed to schedule games after the B1G tourney? Why not start the conference season a week early and schedule two of the tune-up non-cons for after the tourney? Many of those conferences also have their tourneys a week early. That way we don't have to compress the regular season, and we don't have the long layoff before the NCAAs. Win-win.

Yes, it's allowed. St. Mary's of the WCC has done it a couple of times. Hey, they would be a GREAT opponent after the conference tourneys! A quality opponent!

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

It's allowed, but it almost certainly won't happen. The very last thing you want is a disinterested team to lose a tune-up game against a bad opponent and suddenly find themselves in the NIT as a result.

Play St. Mary's! They've done it a couple of times. They might not want to come play us here, though. Maybe we can schedule a neutral court game with them, like some sort of tip-off classic but at the end of the season instead.

 

[Gladeskat]

Punishing student athletes for more $$$$$. This sucks!

 

[JournCat]

A ridiculous decision. This concept is as outdated as the belief that LeBron and Durant couldn't maximize their marketing dollars living in markets like Cleveland and Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, the Knicks and Nets are terrible, and the NBA is more popular than ever. It also compresses the conference season and takes our teams off the air the week before brackets are drawn. Seems like a perfect situation for a team to get caught from behind.

 

[docrugby1]

I attended the Big East tourney for years. MSG has some significant design flaws. The corridors narrow at the corners of the arena, The men's rooms have a single door -you can't get in or out during busy times. The best seats in the arena-midcourt- are the entrance areas for the elephants( Maybe not elephants anymore)

It has been years since I have been there so maybe changes have been made

 

[Alaskawildkat]

I .....s. The best seats in the arena-midcourt- are the entrance areas for the elephants( Maybe not elephants anymore)

Should work for bringing the moose in though.

 

[Styre]

Play St. Mary's! They've done it a couple of times. They might not want to come play us here, though. Maybe we can schedule a neutral court game with them, like some sort of tip-off classic but at the end of the season instead.

St. Mary's has no reason to do that. The last time they did so, they scheduled a mediocre Weber State team at home.

 

[NUCat320]

It's allowed, but it almost certainly won't happen. The very last thing you want is a disinterested team to lose a tune-up game against a bad opponent and suddenly find themselves in the NIT as a result.

Is that a rule change coming? I thought the tournament champ got an automatic bid.

 

[NJCat]

Is that a rule change coming? I thought the tournament champ got an automatic bid.

Once you're the champ what else is there to play for?

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

St. Mary's has no reason to do that. The last time they did so, they scheduled a mediocre Weber State team at home.

Quality opponent on a neutral court. (NU is expected to be a quality opponent next season, right?) Teams love playing quality opponents on a neutral court.

When St. Mary's did it last time, they scheduled the game well into their season and by that time not many teams had an available game to schedule (NCAA caps number of regular season games). Weber St. was available. It didn't do much for St. Mary's because Weber St. isn't a quality opponent.

This time, we have advance warning of our availability during that week. If we start talks with St. Mary's now, I'm sure we could make something happen. It would be mutually beneficial.

 

[Styre]

Is that a rule change coming? I thought the tournament champ got an automatic bid.

Ha, fair. If we win the Big Ten tournament I'm all for it.

Quality opponent on a neutral court. (NU is expected to be a quality opponent next season, right?) Teams love playing quality opponents on a neutral court.

Remember how awesome it was when the football team played an extra game against Hawaii after conference play ended and cost themselves a bowl berth as a result? St. Mary's isn't going to want to risk a loss. For most mid-majors seeking an at-large bid, almost any loss hurts, no matter who it comes against. For NU, there's considerably more upside to a game like that assuming it was against a good team - but that's a hard thing to guarantee.

 

[Indy Cat93]

Sucks. The Big 10 Tournament should be in Big 10 country. Two consecutive years on the East Coast is ridiculous. You think the NY media give two sh$ts about the Big 10? Nope.

The Tournament belongs in Indy. One central location with great facilities and a reasonable commute for everyone. Rutgers and MD don't like it, they can join the Big Least or the ACC.

Couldn't agree more. It should always be in Indy!!!!

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Remember how awesome it was when the football team played an extra game against Hawaii after conference play ended and cost themselves a bowl berth as a result? St. Mary's isn't going to want to risk a loss. For most mid-majors seeking an at-large bid, almost any loss hurts, no matter who it comes against. For NU, there's considerably more upside to a game like that assuming it was against a good team - but that's a hard thing to guarantee.

The loss against Hawaii made NU INELIGIBLE for a bowl game. 12-game seasons weren't the norm back then. The situation is not at all comparable to the NCAA basketball tournament.

Mid-majors are routinely PUNISHED by the NCAA selection committee for lack of quality wins and weak strength of schedule. Quality wins are one of the top metrics the committee uses. And mid-majors usually have to play quality opponents on the road; they LOVE playing quality opponents on neutral courts. A mid-major, especially one on the bubble, has much to gain with a late-season game against a quality opponent on a neutral court. It's such a rare opportunity, too.

 

[NUCat320]

It seems to me that the B1G could play Saturday through Wednesday, and the Big East Thursday through Sunday.

What a joke that the B1G would play second-best.

We don't even have a member school in New York. The tournament should be in Atlantic City or East Rutherford.

 

[NJCat]

It seems to me that the B1G could play Saturday through Wednesday, and the Big East Thursday through Sunday.

What a joke that the B1G would play second-best.

We don't even have a member school in New York. The tournament should be in Atlantic City or East Rutherford.

or Brooklyn. Which is a MUCH better arena.

 

[SimpsonElmwood]

It seems to me that the B1G could play Saturday through Wednesday, and the Big East Thursday through Sunday.

What a joke that the B1G would play second-best.

We don't even have a member school in New York. The tournament should be in Atlantic City or East Rutherford.

It could definitely be pushed back into the real Championship Week.

I'm surprised they didn't go for the Barclays Center. AC's time has passed and it's not easy for anyone to get to East Rutherford.

I find it interesting that the myth of the "traditional Big East" continues despite the fact that only 5 teams from the old conference remain.

 

[NUCat320]

I'm surprised they didn't go for the Barclays Center. AC's time has passed and it's not easy for anyone to get to East Rutherford.

Definitely should've used my </s> tag on the ACity and Rutherford references. With apologies to FitzPhile, I was just mostly making fun of Jersey.

 

[ctcatsfan1]

I like that they're playing at MSG. It has been remodeled recently and is very accessible. It's completely different from the "old" MSG. The down side is the scheduling. To me that should have been a deal breaker.
I'd like to see them in various locations throughout Big Ten country. Perhaps Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. Detroit is opening a new arena next year as well.
Meadowlands Arena is no longer active.
Seton Hall and NJ Devils play in Newark at the Prudential Center.
The ACC is playing their tournament again next year at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

 

[NJCat]

The ACC is playing their tournament again next year at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Nothing says "Atlantic Coast Conference" like playing in Brooklyn. Or having a team from Indiana in it. The ACC should be playing tournaments in NC, not NY.

 

[NUCat320]

Nothing says "Atlantic Coast Conference" like playing in Brooklyn. Or having a team from Indiana in it. The ACC should be playing tournaments in NC, not NY.

To be fair, Brooklyn is far closer to the Atlantic than Raleigh.

 

[NJCat]

To be fair, Brooklyn is far closer to the Atlantic than Raleigh.

Tru dat.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

RANT WARNING

The conf tourneys, like the CCGs in football, are useless at best and harmful at worst.

There are three scenarios. 1. A first or second place team wins. Useless. Might affect the seed of one or the other. So what? The rest of the games in the tourney become glorified regular season games - teams jockeying for seeding or to knock each other out. Then, what's the purpose of the regular season anyway? Useless. Let the regular season decide. 2. A team wins that is lower in the pack but was going to go to NCAA anyway. Useless. See above. What's the purpose of the regular season. I'd go so far as to call it potentially harmful to the overall conference. 3. A bottom feeder wins. Cute. Happens about as often as a 16 beating a 1, so, who cares. If you firmly want to hold on to the useless tourney for this possibility, remember that you are asking hundreds of students and coaches to sacrifice their time and bodies on the one in 100 chance that Rutgers wins the BTT

Bottom line, the top couple of teams are going anyway, and are only playing for seeding. The next tier can knock each other out or pull themselves up. Lower teams are wasting time and budget.

THATS WHAT THE REGULAR SEASON IS FOR!!!! the teams have played EIGHTEEN conference games just to decide seeding in the B1G tourney? No - most teams fates we decided (NCAA) before. This exhibition tourney proves nothing.

Of course we all know it's a money grab, but it makes me sick and pissed . I hate the BTT and The CCG.

We already have a champion. Purdue. They have nothing left to prove

 

[NURoseBowl]

Couldn't agree more. It should always be in Indy!!!!

It's true. I live a long walk from Welsh-Ryan, but Indianapolis throws this party better than we do here in Chicago.

 

[hdhntr1]

Sucks. The Big 10 Tournament should be in Big 10 country. Two consecutive years on the East Coast is ridiculous. You think the NY media give two sh$ts about the Big 10? Nope.

The Tournament belongs in Indy. One central location with great facilities and a reasonable commute for everyone. Rutgers and MD don't like it, they can join the Big Least or the ACC.

Chicago can be added to that. Even Detroit but DC and MSG????

 

[BosCat]

RANT WARNING

The conf tourneys, like the CCGs in football, are useless at best and harmful at worst.

THATS WHAT THE REGULAR SEASON IS FOR!!!! the teams have played EIGHTEEN conference games just to decide seeding in the B1G tourney? No - most teams fates we decided (NCAA) before. This exhibition tourney proves nothing.

Great point! I did kind of forget to preface my OP with this sentiment of the stupidity of even having these tourneys - which I have felt with for a long time.

There is also the problem that this many games in such a short time is not good for the players. Our potential Fri night game won't end until around midnight and then they have to play again at 3:30 the next afternoon (and they also lose an hour of sleep Sat night)

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

Great point! I did kind of forget to preface my OP with this sentiment of the stupidity of even having these tourneys - which I have felt with for a long time.

There is also the problem that this many games in such a short time is not good for the players. Our potential Fri night game won't end until around midnight and then they have to play again at 3:30 the next afternoon (and they also lose an hour of sleep Sat night)

Plus they have to wake up at 2am to set their clocks forward