2015 AAC Tournament Location: Hartford, CT

[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.

 

[8893]

Ahem, Yankee Candle?! Is there a wicker plant and a paint drying museum next door to really make a day of that?

Exactly.

That said, the nearby Butterfly Conservatory is actually pretty cool.

 

[John]

Exactly.

That said, the nearby Butterfly Conservatory is actually pretty cool.

maybe tour some of the lesbian-owned-and-operated farms in Northampton.

 

[Robertelamin]

Are there any Bed Bath and Beyonds in the area?

 

[beerfan]

Wow. Just wow.

I was thinking the same thing but then realized we could have used a yankee candle in the hotel room after a couple of days at the big east tournament. I bet even one of my friends would drive a half hour to get one.

 

[Caronimo]

Wow. Just wow.

Hahah Yankee candle... I'm falling out of my chair laughing at this.

Hooker Brewery, Mohegan/ Foxwoods... and I think we have a Yankee Candle store in Buckland Hills Mall... Just sayin