The conference tourney needs to be played somewhere else.

[willie99]

we're used to fan bases traveling, the problem is nobody from most of these schools travel anywhere to watch them play basketball

the building was empty last year too, and that was in Orlando

Of course, no AAC city can replicate NYC, and just about every old Big East fan base can drive to the Big Apple, it's a different world

The next time we host, maybe we should try the Mohegan Sun. Easier to fill a 10,000 seat arena, and the CT Casinos along with Southeastern CT is more attractive for out of state visitors.

Hartford in March with 20 degree weather is just painful, would you suggest anyone visit Hartford? I love my state, and I just can't do that to somebody

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

We could give Cincy a shot at hosting. I'm not sure how the league feels about on campus sites but there has to be a 10k-12k seat arena in Cincy...right?

 

[scotty0330]

we're used to fan bases traveling, the problem is nobody from most of these schools travel anywhere to watch them play basketball

the building was empty last year too, and that was in Orlando

Of course, no AAC city can replicate NYC, and just about every old Big East fan base can drive to the Big Apple, it's a different world

The next time we host, maybe we should try the Mohegan Sun. Easier to fill a 10,000 seat arena, and the CT Casinos along with Southeastern CT is more attractive for out of state visitors.

Hartford in March with 20 degree weather is just painful, would you suggest anyone visit Hartford? I love my state, and I just can't do that to somebody

True the only time Hartford looks good is when it's in your rear view mirror

 

[Ewekon]

I'm all for a shot for Mohegan but it really isn't an airport friendly location. Still, those guys are pros and I think they would be smart enough to do some quality marketing to the various markets/schools involved. Using social media to gin up excitement is cheap and it is a real deal venue.

 

[UConnDad]

the Fed Ex in Memphis is 1000 times superior to XL in every way. Food, sound, atmosphere on Beale St., location for other schools etc.. it has to be all about attendance at this point as we still offer the best chance for filling seats.

Inferior as far as travel time

 

[UConnNick]

Semis got around 10 and final about 13.

I think we can all agree today's game will be played in front of oceans of fans disguised as empty seats. I don't know about anybody else, but I'm not going to watch it, even when it takes no more effort than clicking the remote from my easy chair. If only the SWAC final was on in the same time slot I would be watching that. I have zero interest in either team. I couldn't care less if either team wins or loses in this game or the NCAAs, or if this snowshow of a conference lives or dies.

 

[JSM1970]

I agree, great spot and other teams would love it.

And would attract some other team's fans.

And even consider splitting with Foxwoods so some teams stay there.

Should be hosted at Mohegan just like the Women.

 

[BFieldHusky]

I agree, great spot and other teams would love it.

And would attract some other team's fans.

And even consider splitting with Foxwoods so some teams stay there.

Where would they play at Foxwoods?

 

[TampaHusky78]

Nola would be a nightmare. They couldn't even fill a high school. Memphis and Ct are only places wheee you will get any fans. No one in Florida gives a rats about hoops or sports in general. Orlando will be a larger arena with even fewer fans.

Tell that to Florida and FSU who actually play real college football

 

[Deepster]

The problem with Mohegan is that hotel rooms there are way, way too expensive for someone to travel in and stay for 2-3 days from out of town.

 

[scotty0330]

Tell that to Florida and FSU who actually play real college football

We aren't talking about college football genius

 

[JSM1970]

All games @ Mohegan, just have the teams split staying between the 2 places and have shuttles run between both for the fans.

They could use some of the conference space for a practice area.

Where would they play at Foxwoods?

 

[JSM1970]

Good point. The Fri-Sat rates are astronomical. There are other cheaper options close by like the Hyatt Place and Courtyard.

The problem with Mohegan is that hotel rooms there are way, way too expensive for someone to travel in and stay for 2-3 days from out of town.

 

[J187Money]

If no one shows up, do you really have a home court advantage?

Here is the thing - the 8K that were there yesterday were LOUD and CARED. Nobody was there that didn't give a crap, because why would you be there if you didn't give a crap. Crowd was great yesterday. We absolutely had home court advantage. Cincy is a better team and the refs didn't help. But don't blame the venue.

 

[Slasher]

We could give Cincy a shot at hosting. I'm not sure how the league feels about on campus sites but there has to be a 10k-12k seat arena in Cincy...right?

There's 3 in fact. Fifth Third Arena seats 13,176 prior to reno this year (I think I ready 12,500 after reno). Xavier's Cintas center holds ~10k and US Bank Arena downtown holds ~17k according to wikipedia - but it's a complete dump.

 

[J187Money]

And as my buddy said yesterday - when it IS a UCONN home game, the good seats are filled with corporate folks who hardly cheer, let alone stand up. So yesterday's crowd was equally (if not more) loud even though it was 50% of a sellout.

 

[mjmoney23]

Not for nothing, if nosebleeds weren't 70 you might actually get some casual fans to show up. This conference thinks it's the acc charging those prices.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

There's 3 in fact. Fifth Third Arena seats 13,176 prior to reno this year (I think I ready 12,500 after reno). Xavier's Cintas center holds ~10k and US Bank Arena downtown holds ~17k according to wikipedia - but it's a complete dump.

The AAC has no probably holding it in our 15k downtown dump.

 

[JSM1970]

Did you watch the SMU-UCF game or the other non-UConn games? Or the UConn-USF game?

Hartford is a dump anytime of the year, especially in the winter.

Here is the thing - the 8K that were there yesterday were LOUD and CARED. Nobody was there that didn't give a crap, because why would you be there if you didn't give a crap. Crowd was great yesterday. We absolutely had home court advantage. Cincy is a better team and the refs didn't help. But don't blame the venue.

 

[J187Money]

Did you watch the SMU-UCF game or the other non-UConn games? Or the UConn-USF game?

Hartford is a dump anytime of the year, especially in the winter.

In this conference - I'm sure no matter where you played the tournament you would get a lot of attendance for the home team games and very little for anything else (unless some other school is close). Only way you could sell out the AAC tournament is playing it at Chaminade.

I was commenting on home court advantage. If you think we didn't have it yesterday I'm not sure what you were watching.

 

[CL82]

There is no good solution to attendance. The problem is that no one cares. Such is life in the AAC. Put the tournament in a small venue, ideally in an interesting location so that the few fans that do travel have fun and the attendance doesn't look embarrassing on t.v.

Mohegan Sun, like the women do. Plenty of rooms, plenty of restaurants, smaller venue.

 

[ivrytontusker]

We aren't talking about college football genius

And that's why we're in the AAC