2015 AAC Tournament Location: Hartford, CT

[methodology]

This is not going to be a successful tourney. Hartford offers nothing in terms for people wanting to visit. No one wants to travel 15-25 minutes to go to places in West Hartford, Glastonbury or the surrounding areas. Casinos are 45 minutes away.. the bar areas and food around the Civic Center is nothing to write home about.

Memphis was an infinitely better place to host the tourney. The city and area is just a better place for entertainment, food, culture, music etc. If you want to gamble take the 45 min drive to Mississippi and you can play single deck or double deck blackjack instead of 6-8 deck shoes

The only people excited about this are UConn fans. Other fans will have little desire to come ot Hartford in March for the AAC bball tourney.

New Orleans, Memphis, Orlando are all much better host cities. Hell even Houston would be a better option.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

This is not going to be a successful tourney. Hartford offers nothing in terms for people wanting to visit. No one wants to travel 15-25 minutes to go to places in West Hartford, Glastonbury or the surrounding areas. Casinos are 45 minutes away.. the bar areas and food around the Civic Center is nothing to write home about.

Memphis was an infinitely better place to host the tourney. The city and area is just a better place for entertainment, food, culture, music etc. If you want to gamble take the 45 min drive to Mississippi and you can play single deck or double deck blackjack instead of 6-8 deck shoes

The only people excited about this are UConn fans. Other fans will have little desire to come ot Hartford in March for the AAC bball tourney.

New Orleans, Memphis, Orlando are all much better host cities. Hell even Houston would be a better option.

I always have a ball downtown Hartford. Also, 45 minutes is not a long drive to people who live in larger states. My friends in Georgia drive 50+ just to go to work each day. My Cali friends.....it takes them 45 minutes to realize they are in a moving car.

 

[HartbeatHusky]

I always have a ball downtown Hartford. Also, 45 minutes is not a long drive to people who live in larger states. My friends in Georgia drive 50+ just to go to work each day. My Cali friends.....it takes them 45 minutes to realize they are in a moving car.

I agree 100%. It is so overstated how boring Hartford is. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, decent hotels downtown and in the burbs and other attractions and cities not that far away, if people want to make the trip here and then explore the wider region, that's great. If they want to come and stay downtown for a few days, they will also be able to have a good time.

 

[UConnSwag11]

I think this is good and I'm happy it's here. Not just because I can go to it but because people who come here can go to either casino, go to boston, New York City, or other places and events.

 

[mcs333]

I live in NC. Hartford 10X Greensboro home of the ACC tournament.

 

[Husky25]

This is not going to be a successful tourney. Hartford offers nothing in terms for people wanting to visit. No one wants to travel 15-25 minutes to go to places in West Hartford, Glastonbury or the surrounding areas. Casinos are 45 minutes away.. the bar areas and food around the Civic Center is nothing to write home about.

Memphis was an infinitely better place to host the tourney. The city and area is just a better place for entertainment, food, culture, music etc. If you want to gamble take the 45 min drive to Mississippi and you can play single deck or double deck blackjack instead of 6-8 deck shoes

Saying that West Hartford, Glastonbury, and other surrounding areas are 15-25 minutes away is like saying that Hartford is 5-6 hours away from New York City. The Airport is 25 minutes from Hartford. Colchester is 25 Minutes from Hartford. Southington is 25 minutes from Hartford. Willington is 25 minutes from Hartford. West Hartford, East Hartford, Glastonbury etc. all share a border with Hartford and none of them takes more than 10 minutes, from downtown to any door.

Why is it acceptable to travel 45 minutes to Mississippi to gamble, but not down to Mohegan?

The only people excited about this are UConn fans. Other fans will have little desire to come ot Hartford in March for the AAC bball tourney.

New Orleans, Memphis, Orlando are all much better host cities. Hell even Houston would be a better option.

Hartford is far from perfect. Outside of Downtown, Hartford Proper and the surrounding 'burbs are a terrible walking environment, getting from point A to point B. There is no light rail and public transportation is entire comprised of city busses and taxis. If a visitor wants to do anything outside the immediate downtown area, they are probably going to have to rent a car. It is what it is. However, visitors to a number of other prominent - and larger - cities (e.g. Kansas City, Denver, and Pittsburgh) have to rent a car as well.

I think it is fair to say that the city and it's offerings is an afterthought. Memphis is, by many a measuring stick, a "better" city than Hartford. But judging from what Memphis fans said about the attendance of Tournament games in Memphis, the city itself did not attract basketball fans. I don't know if it was by design (I.e. closing a deck or section), but Memphis' lone game only sold 13,000 tickets for an arena with a capacity of over 18,000 (72.2% capacity) and the Tournament as a whole sold only 71% of the arena's capacity. IF the tournament experiences the same attendance at the Civic Center, the arena will be at least 79% filled (capacity is 16,294, but I would expect it to decrease given planned seating renovations.). Basketball attracts basketball fans.

 

[uconndoit]

Who's going to chomp at the bit to go to Hartford?

Or is it "champ at the bit"?

 

[methodology]

Saying that West Hartford, Glastonbury, and other surrounding areas are 15-25 minutes away is like saying that Hartford is 5-6 hours away from New York City. The Airport is 25 minutes from Hartford. Colchester is 25 Minutes from Hartford. Southington is 25 minutes from Hartford. Willington is 25 minutes from Hartford. West Hartford, East Hartford, Glastonbury etc. all share a border with Hartford and none of them takes more than 10 minutes, from downtown to any door.

Why is it acceptable to travel 45 minutes to Mississippi to gamble, but not down to Mohegan?


Hartford is far from perfect. Outside of Downtown, Hartford Proper and the surrounding 'burbs are a terrible walking environment, getting from point A to point B. There is no light rail and public transportation is entire comprised of city busses and taxis. If a visitor wants to do anything outside the immediate downtown area, they are probably going to have to rent a car. It is what it is. However, visitors to a number of other prominent - and larger - cities (e.g. Kansas City, Denver, and Pittsburgh) have to rent a car as well.

I think it is fair to say that the city and it's offerings is an afterthought. Memphis is, by many a measuring stick, a "better" city than Hartford. But judging from what Memphis fans said about the attendance of Tournament games in Memphis, the city itself did not attract basketball fans. I don't know if it was by design (I.e. closing a deck or section), but Memphis' lone game only sold 13,000 tickets for an arena with a capacity of over 18,000 (72.2% capacity) and the Tournament as a whole sold only 71% of the arena's capacity. IF the tournament experiences the same attendance at the Civic Center, the arena will be at least 79% filled (capacity is 16,294, but I would expect it to decrease given planned seating renovations.). Basketball attracts basketball fans.

Most places are 15-25 minutes to get to in the surrounding areas. If there is no cars and no traffic then yes its 10 minutes. I mean sometimes it takes 15 minutes just to drive from the Civic Center up Albany to Uhart because of traffic.

I only mentioned the Mississippi casinos because people were saying they can go to foxwoods or mohegan, which are 45 min away in CT, or go to Boston, NYC, Springfield, the surrounding areas, etc. That right there shows that Hartford is not the place to host the tourney. People saying they can travel to all these places outside of the immediate downtown area where the tourney will be hosted. Who wants to be in Hartford with the weather in March as compared to other southern locations and then have to have a car and travel anywhere from 15 min to 2 hours in order to go see places or do things to entertain them.

The conference is what hurt attendance. Had nothing to do with Memphis. The fanbases are so spread out with this conference and there is no history or rivalries. Hartford will see the same issues and probably worse if UConn, god forbid, bows out of the conference tourney early.

I believe someone else mentioned it in this thread. UConn fans were spoiled by the BE tourney, some even consider it a better tourney then the NCAA. It was held in the greatest city in the world and played at the basketball mecca with all the amenities any fan could desire within the city limits. That's why it was so successful but even the BE tourney failed to sell out the early rounds and non marquee matchups.

 

[John]

So these renovations will be completed by the time the season kicks off in November? It looks nice enough, but I'm sure the concourses will still be way too small and the bathrooms inadequate, etc

 

[UofMemphis]

After the 2nd day there really wasn't much to do. I think they should do it in Florida but that's my opinion

You get your wish...2016 in Orlando (with option for 2017)

Orlando's Amway Center:

 

[Robertelamin]

I think the nightlife in Hartford will be fine. I just don't know what people are going to do during the day. If you don't have a car then you can go to the Connecticut Science Center.....and then....I have no idea.

 

[UofMemphis]

I think the nightlife in Hartford will be fine. I just don't know what people are going to do during the day. If you don't have a car then you can go to the Connecticut Science Center.....and then....I have no idea.

Never been...but I would want to see the Capital building, drive to storrs and visit your Campus...see the ESPN set up in Bristol

 

[John]

I think the nightlife in Hartford will be fine. I just don't know what people are going to do during the day. If you don't have a car then you can go to the Connecticut Science Center.....and then....I have no idea.

Wadsworth, Old State House

 

[Husky25]

I used to live in Manchester. It took ten minutes to get downtown and park. I now live in Northern Middlesex County, 10 minutes from a divided highway. I can get to East Hartford in under 25 minutes. Traffic is terrible during rush hour to be sure, but not really unlike any other capital city.

While visitors may check out Blue Back Square, I don't buy many people going to NYC or Boston unless 1) It was already in the itinerary, 2) their team bows out early and/or 3) they flew into those cities and therefore have time to spare until they fly out. There just seems to be too many logistical nightmares that can pop up.

The BB HOF or Mohegan are really the only major OOT attractions that can be done in under a day.

Hey, It could be exactly the way you say, but I think the conference will provide good basketball when all is said and done and the city will put on a good showing.

As an aside, I really wish that fans, especially UConn fans, would stop comparing the AAC Tournament to what the Old Big East tournament used to be. No tournament held in New York City will ever approach that again. It was a perfect storm of circumstances that no longer exists, nor will exist in the future in any way, shape, or form. According to Forbes, the 2014 New Big East charged the most money per ticket on average ($181) than any other Conference and neither their final, nor any other game, remotely came close to selling out. You cannot say that Memphis was not a reason the AAC Tournament did not live up to expectations while stating New York is a contributing factor the the Old Big East's success. The Old Big East was successful because of good basketball, not city.

 

[HartbeatHusky]

I think the nightlife in Hartford will be fine. I just don't know what people are going to do during the day. If you don't have a car then you can go to the Connecticut Science Center.....and then....I have no idea.

Catch a flick at Spotlight, tour the Mark Twain and Stowe Houses, etc. It would be nice to have the Downtown shuttle running up Farmington Ave. and into West Hartford Center though. Maybe they can make that happen.

 

[John]

Catch a flick at Spotlight, tour the Mark Twain and Stowe Houses, etc. It would be nice to have the Downtown shuttle running up Farmington Ave. and into West Hartford Center though. Maybe they can make that happen.

it's a drive, but New England Air Museum is a real treasure for aviation buffs.

 

[beerfan]

A couple of thoughts

You needed a car in Memphis to see the sights, so there is no downside in the comparison here. I might be jaded as a lifelong resident but I cringe at people saying the Mark Twain House is a destination (it is not Graceland) most basketball fans do not want to see the Mark Twain house and certainly don't want to see the Stowe house.

The biggest problem with the Hartford venue is convincing the wife this is a basketball trip, getting a room downtown and drinking beer and watching a lot of basketball. After all this is what these tournaments are all about. There are a bunch of us who buy the package and go and watch all the games.

I agree with whoever said Phlly as a venue. Philly is a City with lots of history, attractions, and you don't have to drive to get around to see everything. It would be a great way to recreate to the Big East Tournament. I am really surprised no other conference and thought of this.

 

[John]

A couple of thoughts

You needed a car in Memphis to see the sights, so there is no downside in the comparison here. I might be jaded as a lifelong resident but I cringe at people saying the Mark Twain House is a destination (it is not Graceland) most basketball fans do not want to see the Mark Twain house and certainly don't want to see the Stowe house.

The biggest problem with the Hartford venue is convincing the wife this is a basketball trip, getting a room downtown and drinking beer and watching a lot of basketball. After all this is what these tournaments are all about. There are a bunch of us who buy the package and go and watch all the games.

I agree with whoever said Phlly as a venue. Philly is a City with lots of history, attractions, and you don't have to drive to get around to see everything. It would be a great way to recreate to the Big East Tournament. I am really surprised no other conference and thought of this.

Philly would be a very good location for this thing. Like NYC-lite.

 

[UofMemphis]

"You needed a car in Memphis to see the sights, so there is no downside in the comparison here. I might be jaded as a lifelong resident but I cringe at people saying the Mark Twain House is a destination (it is not Graceland) most basketball fans do not want to see the Mark Twain house and certainly don't want to see the Stowe house."

I still don't get how people can make it without a car...I wish we had decent public transportation.

 

[Vuce]

Never been...but I would want to see the Capital building, drive to storrs and visit your Campus...see the ESPN set up in Bristol

Basketball Hall of Fame is a very easy 25 to 30 min drive north to Springfield. If you went another 30 min further than that north there is the Yankee Candle place too.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Basketball Hall of Fame is a very easy 25 to 30 min drive north to Springfield. If you went another 30 min further than that north there is the Yankee Candle place too.

Ahem, Yankee Candle?! Is there a wicker plant and a paint drying museum next door to really make a day of that?
This isn't complicated. As Beerfan says, you simply need a place with good bars that can create a hub of excitement around the venue. Memphis had this in spades, but it didn't have people to fill those bars.

I heard an argument about insufficient good hotel rooms in Beale Street area of Memphis, I think this might be true. But there are at least 6 good hotels there (say 1500 rooms?) and I think they were all full. I'd ask how many hotels Hartford has, but it is irrelevant, people are driving to see the Huskies and then driving home.

Philly is the best idea, but I dare to say that I'd prefer Providence over Hartford. I went to NCAA first round in Providence in 1989 or so and that was the best first round sight I've ever experienced.
Oh c'mon you say, Providence is marginally better than Hartford.
Well, one of the strip clubs had a bus with a keg & some of their entertainers in the back driving around town picking people up to bring them to their doors. Do I need to say anything else?

 

[IHeartStairs]

So these renovations will be completed by the time the season kicks off in November? It looks nice enough, but I'm sure the concourses will still be way too small and the bathrooms inadequate, etc

That's the $105 mil renovation Howard Baldwin proposed that got shot down quickly. http://courantblogs.com/ct-real-estate/state-bond-commission-funds-xl-center-improvement-designs/ <-- this is the renovation they approved. Basically a band-aid for the XL that will keep it from crumbling while they figure out a replacement plan. Aside from new toilets, paint in the concourse and a new fan bar it will be the same experience.

 

[Rico444]

Well, one of the strip clubs had a bus with a keg & some of their entertainers in the back driving around town picking people up to bring them to their doors. Do I need to say anything else?

This is just about the coolest thing ever.

 

[HartbeatHusky]

Ahem, Yankee Candle?! Is there a wicker plant and a paint drying museum next door to really make a day of that?
This isn't complicated. As Beerfan says, you simply need a place with good bars that can create a hub of excitement around the venue. Memphis had this in spades, but it didn't have people to fill those bars.

I heard an argument about insufficient good hotel rooms in Beale Street area of Memphis, I think this might be true. But there are at least 6 good hotels there (say 1500 rooms?) and I think they were all full. I'd ask how many hotels Hartford has, but it is irrelevant, people are driving to see the Huskies and then driving home.

Philly is the best idea, but I dare to say that I'd prefer Providence over Hartford. I went to NCAA first round in Providence in 1989 or so and that was the best first round sight I've ever experienced.
Oh c'mon you say, Providence is marginally better than Hartford.
Well, one of the strip clubs had a bus with a keg & some of their entertainers in the back driving around town picking people up to bring them to their doors. Do I need to say anything else?

Hartford is lacking in the strip club department, the Gold Club will be poppin though. There are more than enough clubs in the general area though for those seeking such establishments. However, Mass. has better laws concerning alcohol sales and full nudity.

 

[8893]

If you went another 30 min further than that north there is the Yankee Candle place too.

Wow. Just wow.