(03-08-2024 06:48 PM)CarRamrod Wrote:  All of the fun, cool, accessible cities in the Sun Belt footprint and we opt for Pensacola. Incredibly dumb and reinforces the idea that the SB getting serious about basketball is mostly lip service at this point. I'm assuming the only redeeming quality is it is incredibly cheap.

The contract with Pensacola was signed before CUSA3 + JMU joined. Where the next contract goes will be telling.

(03-08-2024 06:16 PM)94computerguy Wrote:  Is the old Harrisonburg High School gym still there?

As a basketball gym? No. The space has been converted into inside facilities to support baseball & softball. You can see it online.

To start, it has been amazing across the board to join the Sun Belt and watch the conference profile grow.

I think with a 14 team tourney to increase attendance and the likely hood our strongest teams advance, the format can be tweaked.

I like a split between on campus and in a central site. For example, with the men's tournament.

5 - 8 seeds would host games on campus. (This year that would look like this on Tuesday and Wednesday).

5 - UL would host two games: 12 vs 11, with UL playing the winner.
6 - USM would host two games: 11 vs 14, with USM playing the winner.

Wednesday
7 - GST would host 1 game vs the 10 seed
8 - USA would host 1 game vs the 9 seed

Thursday would be a travel day for everyone to get to Charlotte for instance.

Friday the SBC - Elite 8 would commence in the host city (Charlotte)
1 - 4 seeds would likely get there early and get some workouts in the venue. The other 4 teams would have had a few games and travel.

Saturday - SBC final 4

Sunday - SBC Champ (the top 4 teams would know at least a week in advance they were going to the host city and, likely more than that).

BTW - if the desire is to keep the MB/WB at the same site. Have the 1 - 4 seeds host on-site through the Quarters and have the Semi/Finals at the host city.

(03-08-2024 10:20 PM)JMU_Rocks! Wrote:  To start, it has been amazing across the board to join the Sun Belt and watch the conference profile grow.

I think with a 14 team tourney to increase attendance and the likely hood our strongest teams advance, the format can be tweaked.

I like a split between on campus and in a central site. For example, with the men's tournament.

5 - 8 seeds would host games on campus. (This year that would look like this on Tuesday and Wednesday).

5 - UL would host two games: 12 vs 11, with UL playing the winner.
6 - USM would host two games: 11 vs 14, with USM playing the winner.

Wednesday
7 - GST would host 1 game vs the 10 seed
8 - USA would host 1 game vs the 9 seed

Thursday would be a travel day for everyone to get to Charlotte for instance.

Friday the SBC - Elite 8 would commence in the host city (Charlotte)
1 - 4 seeds would likely get there early and get some workouts in the venue. The other 4 teams would have had a few games and travel.

Saturday - SBC final 4

Sunday - SBC Champ (the top 4 teams would know at least a week in advance they were going to the host city and, likely more than that).

BTW - if the desire is to keep the MB/WB at the same site. Have the 1 - 4 seeds host on-site through the Quarters and have the Semi/Finals at the host city.

I think this idea has merit. I like that you sneak in a city right in the center of the SunBelt east teams. If a packed house is the goal, just make the day off (Friday of this year's tourney) the travel day and give the season winner home court for the semi-finals and championship game. Frankly, I'd rather play App State in a full arena, even if in Boone, than an empty one. Make all ticket purchases go on sale the moment the quarter's end and you know if your team is still in it.

On the plane right now headed to PC. Booked a cheap hotel on the beach and plan to Uber around the next few days. Any bar/restaurant options near the arena or JMU meetups planned? If I flew down here and we lose to Marshall will be dumping all of my JMU gear off at the exit. Let’s go!!!!

(03-09-2024 10:19 AM)Birdman33 Wrote:  On the plane right now headed to PC. Booked a cheap hotel on the beach and plan to Uber around the next few days. Any bar/restaurant options near the arena or JMU meetups planned? If I flew down here and we lose to Marshall will be dumping all of my JMU gear off at the exit. Let’s go!!!!

There’s a Duke Club social at 4pm at Garden & Grain: https://jmudukeclub.com/sports/2023/1/27...608a8a9ad1

Could hear the JMU contingent cheering on the good guys in tonight’s men’s game. Great job to those who made the game in person to represent!

Pensacola is a nice venue. Lots of food and bar options. The arena is old but the new seating is clean and comfortable. The configuration has 90% of the seats on the sidelines so most of the site lines are good. They have a minor league hockey team here so behind the baskets and court side seating isn’t the best.

Pensacola is a very walkable town and the beach is very nice too. The airport is easy to get into and out of as well.