SEC basketball tourney news

[myusernamesucks]

Nashville Set To Become SEC’s Semi-Permanent Home For Hoops Tourney
Back in the spring, SEC commissioner Mike Slive let it be known that the SEC was looking to find a more permanent home for its annual men’s basketball tournament. The suspicion was that Nashville would get the nod.

Well, it looks like that nod will come tomorrow.

The SEC has sent out a press advisory regarding an “historic announcement” to be made in the Music City tomorrow by Slive, Nashville Mayer Karl Dean, and representatives of the Bridgestone Arena. It is expected that the SEC will still move the tourney to other sites on rare occasions.

This is a smart move by the league. Nashville now joins Atlanta (football) and Birmingham (baseball) as hosts to the major mens’ sports in the SEC. All three cities have plenty of hotel space, plenty of nightlife, and are centrally-located within the league’s footprint.

 

[mstateglfr]

Jackson, MS is centrally located within the footprint of the SEC. Nashville is way up there.
It could be good for some years when early weather makes it in the 60s, but itll suck when its in the 40s as a high during other years.

Atlanta was great for things to do outside of basketball.
...but that dome sucked for atmosphere. Just stupidly large.

 

[drt7891]

I wish Jackson had more resources (and better politics) to work it's way into contention for hosting these type events. Unfortunately, Jackson is 20 years behind these other cities in that there are no facilities (nor reason to build the facilities), nor the downtown infrastructure. Plus, Jackson is not perceived well around the south.

If Madison/gluckstsdt could drum up enough interest/support for an arena, they could host the women's SECT.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I like it better in Nashville selfishly just because I can get their a lot quicker. Wouldn't mind seeing it come to Memphis at some point.

 

[MSU124]

Agree on Memphis. Same for baseball (this has been discussed 100x times though)

 

[drt7891]

I have no idea why Memphis is never considered. Autozone park is one of the nicest minor league parks in the country and the fedex forum is right there with Bridgestone arena. Downtown has great nightlife and hotels. I hate it for the city because it deserves a chance to host, IMO.

 

[State82]

About the only collegiate tourney style event the Jackson Metro area will ever muster will probably be the CUSA baseball tournament. And I don't think it went over very well when Trustmark Park hosted it a couple years ago. That's a shame, too. I would have liked to have taken in a few of those games, but I am always in Hoover for the real thing.

 

[57stratdawg]

Sounds good to me..

 

[RocketDawg]

But Jackson is considerably smaller than Birmingham, Nashville, and Atlanta. Having an SEC event in Jackson would be about like having it in Huntsville or Mobile.

 

[RocketDawg]

I have no idea why Memphis is never considered. Autozone park is one of the nicest minor league parks in the country and the fedex forum is right there with Bridgestone arena. Downtown has great nightlife and hotels. I hate it for the city because it deserves a chance to host, IMO.

Think this was discussed last year, and someone pointed out that the SEC tournament is at the same time as the Memphis Barbeque fest, neither which can be rescheduled and supposedly it's not a good idea to have them at the same time in the same town.

 

[GTAdawg]

A+++ Move

I went to the tourney in Nashville when we lost to UK in the finals(2010?). Took a big group and stayed Thursday thru Saturday. Had a blast all around, and works out for a great mini vacation. Not to mention Bridgestone Arena is perfect venue for the tourney.

 

[MSUDawg25]

I am totally for it. Of course, I have a lot of family living in Nashville.

Is Mississippi even eligible to host SEC events because of the flag, or is that just NCAA stuff like bowl games?

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

You play the game in Nashville, and the Ky Hoard will easily fill it

Play it in Jacksonville, maybe, maybe not. The SEC likes the location, and likely guaranteed ticket sales.

Last time I was in Nashville, I can't tell you how many Ky fans were outside, just waiting for the chance to get in. Thousands.
Yes, I realize that the tickets are presold, but it's much better to have a full crowd...also you have a better chance to resale your tickets.

Yes I know they will go to Atlanta, but it's just not the same.

I like it.

 

[MSUDawg25]

The tourney could be played in Starkville, Gainesville, Knoxville, or Afghanistan and it would still be 70% Kentucky fans. They suck balls, but they travel well.

 

[mstateglfr]

Sorry, the first post wasnt clear-

But Jackson is considerably smaller than Birmingham, Nashville, and Atlanta. Having an SEC event in Jackson would be about like having it in Huntsville or Mobile.

I am not advocating the tournament be in Jackson, I was just commenting that if you look at a map, Jackson is centrally located within the SEC footprint while Nashville is way up there.

At this point, we span from Texas to South Carolina and from Arkansas down to Florida.


If I were to advocate for a town, itd be New Orleans or Memphis. And since NO gets Final Fours, probably I would go with Memphis so there is interest by fan bases(Florida and UK) to visit botht the conference tournament and Final Four and not have both in the same town weeks apart.
Memphis, for all its well documented issues, is a damn cool town for a 4 day visit and tournament.

But since the American Athletic Conference's tournament will be in Memphis, thats no longer an option.

So instead friggin Nashville gets it. There are less desirable destinations I can think of, but Nashville in early March just doesnt make me think destination trip for an SEC Tournament.

 

[Philly Dawg]

Nashville has a great facility and most of the hotels and tourist areas are in walking distance. The only other competitor as far as that goes is New Orleans, which I'd prefer, but Nashville would be my second choice.

If they played it in the Phillips Arena, Atlanta would be so much better.