NCAA announces finalists for future Final 4's (2021-24)

[bags27]

Dallas, Houston AND San Antonio? Doesn't the committee realize Baylor always chokes and only makes it to the Elite 8? Plus, didn't Dallas struggle with attendance the last few times it has hosted Regionals or the Final Four? Something about Einstein and doing the same thing over expecting a different result...Bags-can you help me out here?

Thanks for the prodding, DefenseBB! Turns out we were all fooled: just a false attribution to Albert.
“The definition of insanity” is the most overused cliché of al...

 

[DefenseBB]

Last year's final 4 in Dallas was a sellout. I know Indy didnt.... not sure if New Orleans and Tampa did in recent years.

BTW-what the heck happened yesterday? You had a 40-21 lead in the 2Q and you lost in overtime? Just when I was coming to be a JPM supporter again..Made me very sad...Though on the bright side, Good 'Ole Sylvia might think she can stick around for a few more years to really drive what's left of the program firmly to the basement of the ACC...

 

[triaddukefan]

BTW-what the heck happened yesterday? You had a 40-21 lead in the 2Q and you lost in overtime? Just when I was coming to be a JPM supporter again..Made me very sad...Though on the bright side, Good 'Ole Sylvia might think she can stick around for a few more years to really drive what's left of the program firmly to the basement of the ACC...

I didnt get to watch the game.... and seeing the outcome.... I have no desire to watch the replay either. I did read that we had a 88% free throw shooter miss 4 straight free throws around the 1 minute mark in the 4th .... and a 85% FT shooter go 1-2 at the line with 9 seconds to go in the 4th Cant blame that on McCallie.

 

[wallman]

which one are you?

View attachment 27960

All three, just at different stages of the night

 

[ctkaiser]

I thoroughly enjoyed all the bars in Nashville

Nashville was awesome plus on the off days got to go to bars and watch the Uconn men make local Kentucky fans very unhappy.

 

[Plebe]

Nothing east of Cleveland and nothing west of San Antonio. Hmm.

Did any cities in the Mountain or Pacific time zones put in a bid?

 

[ThisJustIn]

Did any cities in the Mountain or Pacific time zones put in a bid?

That's the multi-thousand question! Costs money, long-planning, and some sort of negotiation around TV rights.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

I understand cities have to make bids for these games and that the women's FF isn't the same level as the men's in terms of exposure but I wish more mid sized cities would get some recognition. Columbus is a good site in my opinion because it's not one of the usual suspects but is a perfectly large city with a lot to offer teams and fans.

I don't think attendance has been much of an issue for the past few years. Most teams and fans just want the experience of being there. It's on my bucket list for sure.

 

[MSGRET]

Why not Las Vegas, we have the hotels and a brand new arena that seats 18,000.

 

[Padutch5]

I'll put money on Indianapolis getting one of them.

I think when the NCAA got Money for their headquarters in Indianapolis from the state, Their agreement stated that major tournaments, unfortunately, would be there every 4 years.

 

[HoopsFan21]

I think when the NCAA got Money for their headquarters in Indianapolis from the state, Their agreement stated that major tournaments, unfortunately, would be there every 4 years.

Why would the NCAA need money from the state to build their headquarters? Don't they make enough money?

 

[nwhoopfan]

Why not Las Vegas, we have the hotels and a brand new arena that seats 18,000.

I think there is an unwritten rule that the NCAA will never hold a major event in Las Vegas due to it being the capitol of sports betting. The betting will occur regardless of where the games are being played, but that's how the NCAA rolls.

 

[cabbie191]

We had the Final Four here in Nashville the year after we moved here. I thought the City did a splendid job and the NCAA folks I talked to were delighted with Nashville's hospitality.

The City is adding thousands of new hotel rooms (prices are predicted to lower) and a lot more restaurants, bars, clubs, entertainment venues and attractions -- most within walking distance or a short bus ride or Uber hop from the Bridgestone Arena. Unless Vandy, MTSU or Belmont makes the Final Four there's no home advantage for any participating team.

I'm hoping that I can look forward to another Tourney Final in my hometown -- the last one was a gas!

My brothers and I attended both Nashville and Indianapolis and thoroughly enjoyed both cities. I wouldn't mind going back to either one.

 

[cabbie191]

Wherever they decide to host in the future, I really hope they will not schedule the Finals on Easter like they are doing this year.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Why not New York?

I agree; how about some places we want to visit?

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Nashville was one of the cities that submitted bids for the 2017-2020 years, but wasn't chosen due to them only bidding for one specific year instead of all four. IIRC, it was for the 2019 date, because they already have commitments for the arena during the other years. Bidding for any of the four years is the way to go apparently.

It needs to come back to Nashville. We have the infrastructure to support the Final Four, and it's amazing how much the city, especially the downtown area, has changed since 2014. Be prepared however, because hotel prices are currently on par, and higher, than NYC.

I would expect Minneapolis, due to the Lynx popularity, to be awarded as well.

I'm planning on going to Nashville for the SEC WBBT. If I can't get a hotel downtown, what's the next best spot?

 

[HoopsFan21]

I think there is an unwritten rule that the NCAA will never hold a major event in Las Vegas due to it being the capitol of sports betting. The betting will occur regardless of where the games are being played, but that's how the NCAA rolls.

Yeah I thought that was a rule. Several years ago NJ passed a sports gambling bill, and I think at the time Trenton was a site and they had to suddenly find a new city. I thought that new city was Bridgeport, and from that point on Bridgeport started being in the rotation of cities. Bridgeport or NYC are great locations. Both stops on Metro North.

 

[ochoopsfan]

I think there is an unwritten rule that the NCAA will never hold a major event in Las Vegas due to it being the capitol of sports betting. The betting will occur regardless of where the games are being played, but that's how the NCAA rolls.

If thats the case that needs to be changed.
NHL doing great in Vegas and the Raiders will be there soon. I think Vegas hosts 4 conference championships in March 2 WBB and 2 MBB. Time for a change, IMO

 

[nwhoopfan]

Yeah I thought that was a rule. Several years ago NJ passed a sports gambling bill, and I think at the time Trenton was a site and they had to suddenly find a new city. I thought that new city was Bridgeport, and from that point on Bridgeport started being in the rotation of cities. Bridgeport or NYC are great locations. Both stops on Metro North.

I seem to recall Portland wasn't able to host until Oregon changed its laws regarding sports gambling. Now they're regularly in the rotation for men's 1st/2nd round and Regionals for women.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I think Vegas hosts 4 conference championships in March 2 WBB and 2 MBB.

I think almost every conference in the western half of the country now holds their conference tourneys in Vegas. I know Pac 12 (men, not women), Mountain West and WCC do. Probably at least one more between Big Sky, Big West and WAC. The conferences can choose to do whatever they like, but when it's officially the NCAA itself choosing sites, Vegas is on the outs for now.


I had to look it up just because. Pac 12, Mountain West, WCC and WAC are all in Vegas. Big Sky is in Reno. Big West is the only one not in the state of Nevada, it's in Anaheim. For the men anyway.

 

[j66kicker]

If thats the case that needs to be changed.
NHL doing great in Vegas and the Raiders will be there soon. I think Vegas hosts 4 conference championships in March 2 WBB and 2 MBB. Time for a change, IMO

Change is coming. Not sure change for the better, but definitely change for the bettor. Yesterday it was reported the NBA is organizing a major lobbying effort to get state and Federal gambling laws changed to allow legal betting on pro basketball via mobil devices - not just casinos in states where casino wagering is already legal. This would dramatically increase the amount of legally-bet money, and the NBA wants a 1% cut of every bet. They want a lot of control too, in order to be able to "maintain the integrity of the game" (look for patterns like insider betting, officials, prop bets, etc.).

NBA officially supports legalized gambling, wants a cut

With this as the NBA "example", the NCAA, which is already totally morally corrupt anyway, will find holding events in Las Vegas to be much easier (or unnecessary) to justify.

 

[ricky]

Not true. The Men's tournament was kept out of NYC for years due to the basketball scandal but they did recently make a return trip. The Liberty do ok for drawing and let's face it with UConn so close the arena will be sold out. I just don't buy "it's too expensive" if you are trying to showcase your product. Plus, at least in NYC, there's other things to do. Besides the Mall of America (or whatever it's called these days) what the heck can you do in Minneapolis? Have each fan that comes off the plane get stick with a string to go ice fishing???

Don't underestimate the value of a good fresh chest of perch deep fried in your hotel kitchenette. That's at least a 25 dollar plate if your looking for this freshness. Afterward, you can go to the game with a real smile on your face. Oh, leave your windows cracked a little!

 

[HoopsFan21]

Most of the cities chosen are places no one would ever go otherwise. I don't even think the people that live there want to be there. When people visit America, do they choose places like NYC or south Florida or California, or would they rather spend time in Minneapolis or Indianapolis?

 

[MainefanSC]

Last year's final 4 in Dallas was a sellout. I know Indy didnt.... not sure if New Orleans and Tampa did in recent years.

According to the NCAA summary of the Dallas FF, "it was the first sellout since 2014". The 2004 FF in New Orleans was held in the Superdome and it was a sellout. The 2013 FF in NO was held in the Smoothie King Center and it was NOT a sellout. Needless to say, the venue change reduces the capacity dramatically and still did not sell out. According to the NCAA, one of the reasons they went from a Sunday/Tuesday schedule, back to a Friday/Sunday schedule was because attendance was suffering and they (NCAA) were trying to provide a schedule that would not "disrupt" the work week, as bad.

 

[skilz]

According to the NCAA summary of the Dallas FF, "it was the first sellout since 2014". The 2004 FF in New Orleans was held in the Superdome and it was a sellout. The 2013 FF in NO was held in the Smoothie King Center and it was NOT a sellout. Needless to say, the venue change reduces the capacity dramatically and still did not sell out. According to the NCAA, one of the reasons they went from a Sunday/Tuesday schedule, back to a Friday/Sunday schedule was because attendance was suffering and they (NCAA) were trying to provide a schedule that would not "disrupt" the work week, as bad.

If my memory serves me right, LSU was in the 2004 FF in the Superdome. LSU being there had ALOT to do with the sell out - home town team! LSU travels well with all teams.

 

[triaddukefan]

According to the NCAA summary of the Dallas FF, "it was the first sellout since 2014". The 2004 FF in New Orleans was held in the Superdome and it was a sellout. The 2013 FF in NO was held in the Smoothie King Center and it was NOT a sellout. Needless to say, the venue change reduces the capacity dramatically and still did not sell out. According to the NCAA, one of the reasons they went from a Sunday/Tuesday schedule, back to a Friday/Sunday schedule was because attendance was suffering and they (NCAA) were trying to provide a schedule that would not "disrupt" the work week, as bad.

If my memory serves me right, LSU was in the 2004 FF in the Superdome. LSU being there had ALOT to do with the sell out - home town team! LSU travels well with all teams.

Actually the Women's Final 4 has never been held in the Super Dome. 2004 and 2013 were in the New Orleans NBA Arena.... the one they had back in the early 1990s was held in the University of N.O. Arena. The Alamodome..... and the old HoosierDome were the only domes to have a WCBB final 4. Cant see it returning to a Dome anytime soon.

 

[j66kicker]

Actually the Women's Final 4 has never been held in the Super Dome. 2004 and 2013 were in the New Orleans NBA Arena.... the one they had back in the early 1990s was held in the University of N.O. Arena. The Alamodome..... and the old HoosierDome were the only domes to have a WCBB final 4. Cant see it returning to a Dome anytime soon.

I was at the 2003 FF and it was definitely in the Georgia Dome.

 

[triaddukefan]

I was at the 2003 FF and it was definitely in the Georgia Dome.

Yep.. thanks for pointing out my error......

I'd like to forget the 2003 Final 4 as well Hopefully Atlanta NEVER gets another Final 4

 

[MainefanSC]

Actually the Women's Final 4 has never been held in the Super Dome. 2004 and 2013 were in the New Orleans NBA Arena.... the one they had back in the early 1990s was held in the University of N.O. Arena. The Alamodome..... and the old HoosierDome were the only domes to have a WCBB final 4. Cant see it returning to a Dome anytime soon.

Was at both the NO . I am constantly reminded that my memory is suspect. I did google the locations and you are correct by their statement. I now will have to get my pics out and see what I can find.

 

[cabbie191]

I'm planning on going to Nashville for the SEC WBBT. If I can't get a hotel downtown, what's the next best spot?

We stayed at a Day's Inn when we were there for the Final Four. Off the beaten path, yes, and certainly a modest place. But it was quiet and there were two fine restaurants within walking distance. Our favorite was the Santa Fe Cattle Company. We were entertained by a great waitress named Dee who was trying to make it as a country singer. I suspect there are folks like that at almost every restaurant, thought.