Does the BSC Tournament Belong in Reno?

[msu_agfan]

For me, it comes down to "Can I drive there in less than 10 hours" I tried to make it work to go to Reno this year... but the flights are a killer financially for us. If it had been in Salt lake or Spokane, we very likely would have gone. We live 8 hours from Spokane, and i'm guessing 10-11 to Salt Lake. I appreciate the idea of having the tourney with a "village" feel. But, is it financially possible? Having it in Denver, or maybe Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Facilities?) maybe would do something for the village feel. If the tourney was in Salt Lake, Lots of teams' fans would be able to drive. UNC, NAU, SUU, Weber, ID, Id State, MSU, UM, and maybe another that I'm just not thinking of.

[msu_agfan]

How about this for a solution-




The regular season conference champs, win the tournament site for the following season... so in this years example, the lady cats would have won the tournament site for next season, in bozeman (cuz they were the regular season conference champs).

Thoughts???

I like that idea a lot.

[Rich K]

Because we do not play a full double round robin, giving the conference tournament to the regular season champion will give various teams each year an advantage.

How about we start the conference season off with a single round robin, the leader of the conference at the completion of the round robin will get to host the championship. While the home/away aspect of the decision will be off, at least everybody will have played every other team once. This year that date would have been about February 11th. That would give everybody about a month to figure out travel plans.

[trackcat]

Wife and I just returning from Reno. We had a great time and its so nice to be able to walk a block to the games from your hotel. Probably 90% of the MSU fans that came who were not parents drove down. Most stopped on the way and made it a long day and a short day of driving. Two hours before every Bobcat game the fans, cheer squad, and the spirit of the West band would meet in the casino and cheer for our teams success. It is awesome to look at the reactions of the casino patrons to our Marching band and cheer squad playing in the middle of the casino at 10 oclock in the morning. Many patrons joined in with us during the school song. Many commented on how great our fans were. We all formed the tunnel on Saturday morning through the casino and out the door for the lady cats. I feel it let the ladys know that they had support that is often not recognized in womens sports. It was our first time to Reno and we are both excited to return next year.

[MSU01]

For me, it comes down to "Can I drive there in less than 10 hours" I tried to make it work to go to Reno this year... but the flights are a killer financially for us. If it had been in Salt lake or Spokane, we very likely would have gone. We live 8 hours from Spokane, and i'm guessing 10-11 to Salt Lake. I appreciate the idea of having the tourney with a "village" feel. But, is it financially possible? Having it in Denver, or maybe Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Facilities?) maybe would do something for the village feel. If the tourney was in Salt Lake, Lots of teams' fans would be able to drive. UNC, NAU, SUU, Weber, ID, Id State, MSU, UM, and maybe another that I'm just not thinking of.

Geographically, SLC is the ideal location (probably why the BSC headquarters are in Ogden). Within an easy day's drive of the 8 schools you mentioned plus maybe EWU (that is stretching it a bit though), and multiple non-stop flight options with SLC being a Delta hub for the other schools. I am tentatively planning to go to Reno next year, but as you said the length of the drive and expense of the flights makes it tough without unlimited money and/or time.

[trackcat]

As far as expense i know of a guy who booked his room at one of the connecting casinos for $32 a night. The casino is wore but he said the rooms were clean updated and nice. We stayed Monday night through Friday night at the Legacy, the official hotel, and left after the ladys game on saturday and our hotel bill was $480. Other venues are going to have a tough time with cheap hotels within short walking distance to the games.

[msu_agfan]

As far as expense i know of a guy who booked his room at one of the connecting casinos for $32 a night. The casino is wore but he said the rooms were clean updated and nice. We stayed Monday night through Friday night at the Legacy, the official hotel, and left after the ladys game on saturday and our hotel bill was $480. Other venues are going to have a tough time with cheap hotels within short walking distance to the games.

What was the cost of tickets to the games? I never got that far, after figuring it would be $700 per person just for the flight and room. (we would have brought 3 people) If I had more time, we would just drive it but, we would be pushing things already to be off Thursday thru Sunday. (my situation only, i'm sure many who are retired or whatever can get more days off)

[CelticCat]

Most of the central destinations are going to be flights for most teams/fans. Spokane is probably the best choice if you wanted fans to be able to drive to the game.

But Reno really is a good choice for just about everything - there are things to do in Reno (not a ton but not bad), and it is CHEAP. Cheap to fly, cheap to stay. Last year for my yearly tradeshow I attend in Reno, I got a flight and a room at the Peppermill for $350 for grand total for 3 nights. Yes that includes my flight as well (from Seattle). And that was outside of the tradeshow reservation block, I did that just through AlaskaAir.com.

I don't see it being a much bigger draw in any city that doesn't have a Big Sky team. Reno is cheap for the conference, cheap for the fans.

If you are going to have it in a city that has no interest in the tournament, Reno is as good as any IMO.

[wapiti]

Salt Lake makes the most sense geographically.
As most of the schools would be within a 10 hour drive and many less than an 8 hour drive.
(North Dakota is leaving so I do not they should be part of the discussion. They are currently the furthest at about 18 hour drive.)
City. Hours drive from SLC
Portland 12
Cheney 11
Moscow 10.5
Sacramento 9
Greely 8
Flagstaff 8
Missoula 7.5
Bozeman 6.5
Cedar City 4
Pocatello 2.5
Ogden 38 Minutes

Wherever it is held weather will be an issue for traveling.
Plus the SLC airport is a hub for a major airline.

[SLC_Cat]

One thing to think about with Spokane, is the arena has a primary tenant in the Spokane Chiefs (hockey). Getting dates to allow for a 12 team men's tournament is tough. Having the women there too is probably a nonstarter.

For those talking about Salt Lake City, you could have the same problem. The Maverick Center hosts the Salt Lake Grizzlies (hockey), and now an indoor football team. A one week block might be tougher than we think.

The Delta Center is too big for mid-major basketball, plus the Jazz make it tough to get an entire week in the building too.

Just my thoughts

[BelgradeBobcat]

Because we do not play a full double round robin, giving the conference tournament to the regular season champion will give various teams each year an advantage.

How about we start the conference season off with a single round robin, the leader of the conference at the completion of the round robin will get to host the championship. While the home/away aspect of the decision will be off, at least everybody will have played every other team once. This year that date would have been about February 11th. That would give everybody about a month to figure out travel plans.

That would mean spitting up the men's and women's tournaments (at least in most years) which is something I don't think Big Sky wants to do.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summit_Le ... Tournament

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summit_Le ... Tournament

The Summit League Tournament is in Sioux Falls, about equal distance between South Dakota State and South Dakota, and a pretty easy drive from North Dakota State. They've been having their men's and women's tournament there since 2009. Since that time, a school from the Dakotas has won it every time except twice. This year SDSU won it as a four seed. For the women, either SDSU or USD has won it every time except once.

I don't know how the politics work in the Big Sky, but I would guess that there's no way the league is going to put the tournament in Billings, which they will feel gives the Montana schools a big advantage. Conversely the Montana schools and some others will never go for putting in Salt Lake City because of the advantage for Weber and ISU. Spokane might have a chance since EWU doesn't have that big of a following and Idaho and Montana would be in favor along with possibly PSU and MSU. But that would only be if the women's tournament is included in Spokane and not in Cheney as they proposed last time.

So I would not be the least bit surprised if it goes back to Reno. It's a totally neutral location that gives the least advantage to any school as long as the league isn't losing too much money. I can't imagine the league is making any money in Reno, but if they cut a sweet deal for the arena rental, room rates and food and stuff for the teams it might not matter that no one is in the building to watch the games.

Anybody know how it is voted on. Athletic Directors? Presidents? Is it a simple majority that rules?

[Bocephus]

I think Spokane would be the absolute best. UI, ISU, PSU, EWU, UM AND MSU are all within easy driving distance. Weber isn't a bad drive. The NCAA hosts tournaments there so some research must support their argument. Spokane is also a basketball town (#1 zags) and may draw a couple casual fans. The biggest thing is the Idaho teams and EW would be right there and um/MSU travel well. Need to be close to fan bases that travel well. Heck I might even go to Spokane.

[BelgradeBobcat]

I think Spokane would be the absolute best. UI, ISU, PSU, EWU, UM AND MSU are all within easy driving distance. Weber isn't a bad drive. The NCAA hosts tournaments there so some research must support their argument. Spokane is also a basketball town (#1 zags) and may draw a couple casual fans. The biggest thing is the Idaho teams and EW would be right there and um/MSU travel well. Need to be close to fan bases that travel well. Heck I might even go to Spokane.

I'd go if it was in Spokane.
Pocatello is 576 miles to Reno and 560 miles to Spokane. Based on that, ISU may prefer the more neutral site in Reno-same for Weber.

Boise is another location that might get broader support in the league, but would it get a majority? I wish I was a fly on the wall in those meetings.

[Bocephus]

I think Spokane would be the absolute best. UI, ISU, PSU, EWU, UM AND MSU are all within easy driving distance. Weber isn't a bad drive. The NCAA hosts tournaments there so some research must support their argument. Spokane is also a basketball town (#1 zags) and may draw a couple casual fans. The biggest thing is the Idaho teams and EW would be right there and um/MSU travel well. Need to be close to fan bases that travel well. Heck I might even go to Spokane.

I'd go if it was in Spokane.
Pocatello is 576 miles to Reno and 560 miles to Spokane. Based on that, ISU may prefer the more neutral site in Reno-same for Weber.

Boise is another location that might get broader support in the league, but would it get a majority? I wish I was a fly on the wall in those meetings.

I think at this point players would prefer to play in front of opposing teams fans than no one.

[SLC_Cat]

Because we do not play a full double round robin, giving the conference tournament to the regular season champion will give various teams each year an advantage.

How about we start the conference season off with a single round robin, the leader of the conference at the completion of the round robin will get to host the championship. While the home/away aspect of the decision will be off, at least everybody will have played every other team once. This year that date would have been about February 11th. That would give everybody about a month to figure out travel plans.

That would mean spitting up the men's and women's tournaments (at least in most years) which is something I don't think Big Sky wants to do.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summit_Le ... Tournament

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summit_Le ... Tournament

The Summit League Tournament is in Sioux Falls, about equal distance between South Dakota State and South Dakota, and a pretty easy drive from North Dakota State. They've been having their men's and women's tournament there since 2009. Since that time, a school from the Dakotas has won it every time except twice. This year SDSU won it as a four seed. For the women, either SDSU or USD has won it every time except once.

I don't know how the politics work in the Big Sky, but I would guess that there's no way the league is going to put the tournament in Billings, which they will feel gives the Montana schools a big advantage. Conversely the Montana schools and some others will never go for putting in Salt Lake City because of the advantage for Weber and ISU. Spokane might have a chance since EWU doesn't have that big of a following and Idaho and Montana would be in favor along with possibly PSU and MSU. But that would only be if the women's tournament is included in Spokane and not in Cheney as they proposed last time.

So I would not be the least bit surprised if it goes back to Reno. It's a totally neutral location that gives the least advantage to any school as long as the league isn't losing too much money. I can't imagine the league is making any money in Reno, but if they cut a sweet deal for the arena rental, room rates and food and stuff for the teams it might not matter that no one is in the building to watch the games.

Anybody know how it is voted on. Athletic Directors? Presidents? Is it a simple majority that rules?

I know when the Big Sky was moving from school host sites to Reno they used a subcommittee of ADs, SWAs, FARs, and Big Sky staff to evaluate the bids. This subcommittee then made a recommendation to the Joint Athletics Council (All schools ADs, SWAs, and FARs). This was then moved to the Presidents where they approved the Reno bid. In most cases they would prefer to have unanimous support before putting anything in front of the Presidents.

I would imagine this next round of bids would follow the same path, but with more input from the Commissioner.

[91catAlum]

Most of the central destinations are going to be flights for most teams/fans. Spokane is probably the best choice if you wanted fans to be able to drive to the game.

But Reno really is a good choice for just about everything - there are things to do in Reno (not a ton but not bad), and it is CHEAP. Cheap to fly, cheap to stay. Last year for my yearly tradeshow I attend in Reno, I got a flight and a room at the Peppermill for $350 for grand total for 3 nights. Yes that includes my flight as well (from Seattle). And that was outside of the tradeshow reservation block, I did that just through AlaskaAir.com.

I don't see it being a much bigger draw in any city that doesn't have a Big Sky team. Reno is cheap for the conference, cheap for the fans.

If you are going to have it in a city that has no interest in the tournament, Reno is as good as any IMO.

Rooms are cheap, but it's not that cheap a flight from Montana. And there are no direct flights from any city in Montana to Reno.

[SkyRider]

They did that back in the 80's. We hosted in 1988 because we won the regular season title the year before. I believe that tournament set records for attendance in all sessions as Bozeman really turned out in force. But I doubt they go that route again because the Big Sky has too many remote locations that just won't be good for hosting. Are there enough motel rooms in Moscow or Cedar City for 11 teams, cheerleaders, bands, and fans? Can you get to Flagstaff from here?

I really like the idea of having both the men's and women's tournament at the same time in the same location. As a fan of both teams, I wouldn't want to have to decide who to travel to go see, and I would be more likely to go if I could at least see my school play 2 games. Also that way the band and cheerleaders can support both teams.

I give credit to the Big Sky for giving it a try, but clearly Reno isn't working out from an attendance standpoint. The totally neutral location has provided some great basketball for sure, but there's nobody there to see it. Reno isn't easy to get to for anyone. Even Sac State had trouble getting there due to snow storms. I hope some of those who actually went to the tournament report back about the experience. Attendance is very important, but it may not be the only deciding factor.

Giving the tournament to last seasons winner kills the competitive bid process. Instead making deals on hotel packages and stuff like that, the host City will probably jack their rates for everything.

Last time out, Billings made the mistake of only bidding on the men's tournament. If they're serious about getting it, they need to host both the men's and women's. I think that part has been popular with the schools and I doubt they break them up. Maybe them hosting the NAIA will give them a chance to iron out the wrinkles and show whether or not the folks in Billings will turn out for out-of-state teams.

I think Salt Lake City probably makes the most sense if they can find someone down there to bid on it and they can find an adequate venue that's available. SLC is a direct flight for most everyone, it's bus-able for several Big Sky schools, there are lots of alumni from most Big Sky schools there, and Weber has the biggest basketball fan base (for the men anyway) and probably deserves to have it close by. If the tournament was in SLC I would have driven down for it. We drove down there last year for the WNIT game and it was easy and we had fun despite the outcome of the game.

Spokane is another good location because it's easy for a lot of Big Sky schools to get to. Last time out their bid was to host the men's tournament in the Spokane Arena and put the women's tournament in Cheney. How would our women have done against EWU in Cheney if the tournament was there? So I don't like that idea.

Good stuff on this thread. Like Belgrade states, the conference did try awarding the tournament to the previous year's champion. Another problem with that is it doesn't necessarily guarantee good attendance the next year. NAU won in the 80's, and they were awarded the next year's tournament. As I recall, they lost in the first round, and attendance was horrible for the remainder. I think ISU faced Nevada in the finals, and as you can imagine, there weren't many there to watch.

I like the idea of a neutral site, but I'm really starting to get behind the idea of awarding the tournament to a city which doesn't have a division I program (i.e. Billings). Nevada has a good team this year, and they garnered a lot of media attention in Reno, even with the Big Sky's tournament going on. Their MWC championship game took place around the same time as the Big Sky championships. Like it or not, it's still competition. The WCC holds their tournament a little earlier in the week, so Spokane might not be a bad idea (but I would bet most still would see Gonzaga as competition). Awarding the tournament to a city with no division I program gives them a unique event (i.e. Sioux Falls), brings ESPN to their city, and hopefully gives their economy a nice little bump.

I like the idea of both tournaments in the same location. If Billings were to bid, I'd hope they include both. The Tri-Cities has a metro area of about 250,000, and the Toyota Arena in Kennewick seats about 6,000. Burns Arena in St. George, UT, seats about 5,000. Travel to some of these places would be a negative factor, but I'm starting to think the 'Sky needs to think outside the box once again and try a location where the tournament is THE event going on in town.

[Hawks86]

I'm sure it was mentioned in here somewhere? But, its the AD's and Presidents that decide the tournaments location/format. We'll see in June? if higher attendance in the future is the main goal.

[BelgradeBobcat]

http://www.bigskyconf.com/news/2017/3/1 ... aspx?path=

I think it's going to be in Reno for the foreseeable future, whether the fans like it or not.
In losing North Dakota there will be two fewer games. Maybe they should scruntch it up by a day or two. It would mean having a couple of morning sessions. Making the event two days shorter and not giving teams a day off in between the early rounds might help people with their travel plans.

[MSU01]

http://www.bigskyconf.com/news/2017/3/1 ... aspx?path=

I think it's going to be in Reno for the foreseeable future, whether the fans like it or not.
In losing North Dakota there will be two fewer games. Maybe they should scruntch it up by a day or two. It would mean having a couple of morning sessions. Making the event two days shorter and not giving teams a day off in between the early rounds might help people with their travel plans.

Yes, it's pretty awkward having the tournament run from Monday through Saturday, since a lot of fans might not be able to travel to Reno for the entire week. If you go for a few days early on, you are guaranteed to see your teams play but can't stay for the later rounds if your team advances. If you wait until the last few days to go, you're running the risk that your team has been knocked out early and you may not get to see them at all. Not sure if there would be a better option or if the tournament could be condensed any further without using multiple venues. Perhaps once the 12th team UND is gone, you could cut out a day by having the Women's 1st Round + 2 Men's 1st Round games (5 games total) on Day 1, Women's QF + 3rd Men's 1st Round game (5 games total) on Day 2, Men's QF on Day 3, Semifinals on Day 4 and Finals on Day 5. The third Men's 1st Round game would be the 8/9 game to give the #1 seed a small extra advantage in its QF opponent not having the day off that the winners of the 7/10 and 6/11 games would have.