Big East AD's vote to hold BE Tournament

[eebmg]

Fresh off Geno's comments about not seeing aany reason to hold it, AD's vote for it, Should UConn opt out to avoid the risk? I would.

Source: Big East ADs vote to hold women’s basketball tournament

“Yeah, me personally, if we didn’t have a tournament, it wouldn’t bother me one...

www.ctinsider.com

 

[ConnecticutBB]

I understand Gene’s opinion and I also agree with other teams hoping to get a chance for a play into the tournament...but if there happens to be an exposure to COVID at any time during the tournament time this could jeopardize most if not all teams involve. With no guarantees with what the future hold for all of us I tend to lean toward Geno’s remarks....This is only my opinio.

 

[eebmg]

If UConn opts out, would the NCAA Tournament still be required to accept the BE automatic bid? Or are all rules changed and they will look only for the best reams based on season (conference tournament is part of season) results ??

 

[oldude]

Despite Geno’s comments, I don’t see UConn foregoing the BE tournament. The teams don’t have to interact off the court, and there is no evidence so far that anyone has contracted the virus on the court. In addition, if past practice holds, the women’s tournament ends 10 days before the Big Dance begins, so even if teams had to quarantine as a precaution, there would be ample time to quarantine and test negative leading up to the opening rounds of the Big Dance.

 

[LETTERL]

Could UCONN just decide not to play in the Big East conference tournament? Clearly, they are headed for a #1 seed in the national tournament.

I guess what I'm asking is...would it be frowned upon if UCONN just decided not to participate and wait for the NCAAT?

 

[willtalk]

UConn as nothing to gain and everything to lose by playing. But of course it would set a bad precedent. DePaul would most likely get an at large bid anyways. If they don't win the tourn. then perhaps not.

 

[eebmg]

I at least hope there is a bubble structure. I am guessing Geno would not buck the system

 

[oldude]

A bigger question in my mind is what happens during the Big Dance when you have 64 teams in TX. For example if a top seed plays Blowout U in the 1st round and beats them by 40 pts, and a day later someone on Blowout U tests positive, is the top seed then out of the tournament because they have to quarantine out of an “abundance of caution?”

 

[Boreifs]

UConn will not opt out. They need the extra games to prepare for the tournament, plus avoiding another long gap between contests. It’s also their first year back in the league; the University does not want accusations of “Prima Donna” behavior.

 

[Skeets]

Question, if UCONN decided to drop out, would they run the risk of being tossed out of the BE? I would imagine such a moved would not endear UCONN with other BE members. Where would UCONN go? A10? Patriot league? A local HS conference?

 

[HuskylnSC]

Could UCONN just decide not to play in the Big East conference tournament? Clearly, they are headed for a #1 seed in the national tournament.

I guess what I'm asking is...would it be frowned upon if UCONN just decided not to participate and wait for the NCAAT?

Geno is the kind of guy that honors all commitments and attending the tournament is a commitment of all members. If the tournament is held UConn will be there. Also Geno understands the UConn brand is linked to the Big East brand and he would not take an action to harm either.

 

[Lorcan]

Could you imagine if UConn skipped the tournament, a team like St. John's some how snatching up the bid by upsetting DePaul in the semi-finals, and Villanova in the finals?

If UConn isn't there, it'd be interesting to see if someone bursts a bubble elsewhere.

 

[GRIFFBIFF20]

If UConn opts out, would the NCAA Tournament still be required to accept the BE automatic bid? Or are all rules changed and they will look only for the best reams based on season (conference tournament is part of season) results ??

I would say that "IF" UCONN opted out of the Big East Tournament, they would have to solely depend on an At Large Bid. Of course, UCONN would definitely get into the Big Dance, but not playing in the Big East Tournament 'could' (but not definitely) possibly impact them getting a # 1 seed.

 

[freshler40]

Providing all the same health protocols are continued I don't see any reason for not playing. Our team is very young and needs court time. The season already is truncated. There is risk in everything we do, that's life and were dealing with it. With a continued high rate of vaccinations many over age 50 should have some immunity when these tourneys are played. Let go for it!

 

[VaConnFan11]

I would be scared of what precedent this would set going forward if UConn (or any other top ranked team) opted out. What happens when teams that are "locks" for a 1 or 2 seed start opting out of conference tournaments citing they don't want to risk injury to any of their players before the big dance.

If you are in a conference, you should be required to play in the conference tournament in order to play for a national title.

 

[warbler1055]

LOL. Why are we even discussing this. "UConn will play any one, any time this season" per Geno himself. Geno floated the idea that BE tournament is not necessary but that is a far cry from not playing in the BE tournament. UConn will play!!!

 

[huskyd]

Could you imagine if UConn skipped the tournament, a team like St. John's some how snatching up the bid by upsetting DePaul in the semi-finals, and Villanova in the finals?

If UConn isn't there, it'd be interesting to see if someone bursts a bubble elsewhere.

"A team like St. John's" was the last unranked team to upset UConn in MSG a few years back . . .

 

[MooseJaw]

I understand Gene’s opinion and I also agree with other teams hoping to get a chance for a play into the tournament...but if there happens to be an exposure to COVID at any time during the tournament time this could jeopardize most if not all teams involve. With no guarantees with what the future hold for all of us I tend to lean toward Geno’s remarks....This is only my opinio.

The same reasoning applies to the NCAA's no? The whole season has put teams at risk, why not just cancel the rest of the season and go straight to the big dance. The big dance is the big dance only because of what it takes to get there. If there is such fear of the virus why did the season even start. While I understand the reasoning behind Genos statement I don't agree with it. I may not have the popular view, that's OK with me. Players want to play, that's why they come to UConn and other places.
If there is a compelling argument to be made I can be swayed to change my mind, just haven't heard one yet.

 

[Lorcan]

"A team like St. John's" was the last unranked team to upset UConn in MSG a few years back . . .

Yes, but I think we would all agree that this version of St. John's is nowhere close to that squad -- nor is Kim Barnes Arico around to lead them to a major upset.

Those were the days.

 

[MooseJaw]

Despite Geno’s comments, I don’t see UConn foregoing the BE tournament. The teams don’t have to interact off the court, and there is no evidence so far that anyone has contracted the virus on the court. In addition, if past practice holds, the women’s tournament ends 10 days before the Big Dance begins, so even if teams had to quarantine as a precaution, there would be ample time to quarantine and test negative leading up to the opening rounds of the Big Dance.

Once again I should have read your post first, I have replied to a previous post I could have just said see oldude's post and saved my index finger the pain from pounding the keyboard.

 

[Ozimoto]

It seems sort of odd to on the one hand talk about the interrupted season and the lack of games played and then say the conference tournament isn't necessary. Since it would be fairly easy to "bubble" a tournament and it would provide a chance for games leading up to the NCAA tournament I can't see the downside to participating in the BE tournament.

I also didn't get the idea that Geno doesn't want to participate in the tournament, just that he didn't think it was necessary.

 

[DefenseBB]

There’s ZERO chance Geno would skip the BE Tournament as it also has ramifications for the men. The UConn AD would not risk anything especially the 1st year back. Any speculation to the contrary is just a waste of timen

Please move along...

 

[stamfordhusky]

There’s ZERO chance Geno would skip the BE Tournament as it also has ramifications for the men. The UConn AD would not risk anything especially the 1st year back. Any speculation to the contrary is just a waste of timen

Please move along...

Correct. Also UConn, under the Big East bylaws, is contractually obligated to play.

 

[Vowelguy]

A bigger question in my mind is what happens during the Big Dance when you have 64 teams in TX. For example if a top seed plays Blowout U in the 1st round and beats them by 40 pts, and a day later someone on Blowout U tests positive, is the top seed then out of the tournament because they have to quarantine out of an “abundance of caution?”

The whole idea is to create a bubble. Teams will surely have to arrive early and have rigorous CV testing before being allowed to interact with others. And then they'll be restricted in terms of what they do in between games. Also strict rules for all hotel & arena staff.

The NBA, WNBA, NHL bubbles were exceptionally effective.

 

[Vowelguy]

Correct. Also UConn, under the Big East bylaws, is contractually obligated to play.

That said, if any team wanted to withdraw for health & safety reasons, I doubt the conference would do anything this year.
Other years would be a much different story.