So is there any information on the whys of the Wisconsin game deal at MSG

[e5fdny]

exactly...both great points by JMM and Janowski

Except the one by @RUJMM78 about Yankee Stadium. ;)

Away game? Yes.

Nice neutral site OCC match up where the Yankees make it worth it ($$$)? Sure, why not.

HOME conference game? I have random drug testing at work so I will say "I'll pass" on the pipe from whomever thought this was a good idea.

 

[RUChoppin]

Buy the cheapest and don't go

Empty seats sends right message

I'm already buying the cheapest and not going. The only question is whether I can recoup any of that money.

 

[Tango Two]

I'm already buying the cheapest and not going. The only question is whether I can recoup any of that money.

You won't but at least it might insure it doesn't happen again

 

[RUsojo]

It's really as simple as we do what the big10 wants us to do.

No matter how much you can complain about the negatives of such an event (if you're on that side of the fence) it will not hurt the program by any quantifiable standards.

Honestly, I'm tired of the complaining (not that anyone cares) of the non basketball related topics - all that matters is coach pikiell and staff consistently developing our roster and consistently recruiting better athletes. Improving the quality of play is the only thing that will create improvement in the program.

Bells and whistles are already being added to aid coach in succeeding. This, frankly does not matter, and as soon as non-sports business related people understand that these events are standard practice in the industry the better your feelings will be.

 

[ScarletDave]

You are all miserable. I don care if there are 5 fans there you go and support RU. Complain about our LAME fans who won't drive 30 miles into NYC for a game against a huge opponent, when a lot of fans in the Big Ten travel 3, 4+ HOURS to go to games. It shouldn't matter where we are playing, the fans should go and support! Maybe it's our "FANS" who aren't ready for the Big Ten ... SMH!

 

[HeavenUniv.]

I have been a season ticket holder for Rutgers Basketball and Football since 1983. I hate everything about New York City--wouldn't want my worst enemy to have to live there. I go to the Yankee Stadium football games because there are so few football games. Don't see myself going to any Rutgers Basketball games in New York. If The Meadowlands Arena re-opens, I would certainly go. If it was Newark, I would probably go (especially if it was a day game).

 

[bac2therac]

You are all miserable. I don care if there are 5 fans there you go and support RU. Complain about our LAME fans who won't drive 30 miles into NYC for a game against a huge opponent, when a lot of fans in the Big Ten travel 3, 4+ HOURS to go to games. It shouldn't matter where we are playing, the fans should go and support! Maybe it's our "FANS" who aren't ready for the Big Ten ... SMH!

when you become a 25 year season ticket holder and within that time RU has had ZERO NCAA appearances then you can shake your head at me

 

[G- RUnit]

when you become a 25 year season ticket holder and within that time RU has had ZERO NCAA appearances then you can shake your head at me

Although I don't agree with BAC on this one as a game or two a year at either the Garden or the Meadowlands (Remember the UCLA and ND wins) has long been a staple, RU fans have certainly earned the right to voice their opinion. I respect BAC's opinion and knowledge and absolutely no reason to criticize.

BTW Giving up a home football game to our closest rival at Yankee Stadium is especially ridiculous!

 

[e5fdny]

Although I don't agree with BAC on this one as a game or two a year at either the Garden or the Meadowlands (Remember the UCLA and ND wins) has long been a staple, RU fans have certainly earned the right to voice their opinion.!

1. Neither was a conference HOME game.

2. Imagine those two games you mentioned were at the RAC instead. Like ND's own upset of UCLA at the Joyce Center. Much different atmosphere IMO.

 

[RUsojo]

when you become a 25 year season ticket holder and within that time RU has had ZERO NCAA appearances then you can shake your head at me

It would be great if season ticket holders of 25 years stopped attempting (unsuccessfully) to use their tenure as ammunition to elevate their opinion above the rest. Do such people have a unique perspective? Yes. Is it a superior perspective? No.

I find it troubling that people can't come to terms with the fact that we have to follow the commands from the Big Ten in the near term regarding venues and location, knowing they granted us a lifeline, only because of our location. I mean c'mon!

 

[bac2therac]

because the above poster was trying to shame people and call them miserable who are not going to the game, Am I allowed to respond to that?

according to Delaney, the schools have volunteered to play in this

 

[koleszar]

Let's be real honest here. The B1G owes us nothing. We are getting a financial windfall and inclusion in a great conference. Are we holding our end of the bargain up with our play on the field and the court?

To be honest, how can you even ask this question at this time? We are receiving $9 mil. while our B1G brethren receive $36mil. and next year is only going to get worse. When we receive around $10 mil. and others close to $50 mil. And don't even bring up Maryland they got a $30 mil loan and advancements on payouts. Our overtures all got denied. Ask this question in about 10 years when we've been able to bank and spend this financial windfall you speak of.

 

[APKnight]

The issue I have is that Wisconsin is playing hoops and hockey, and we're only playing hoops. Wisconsin is the featured program, even though it was supposed to be our home game. Plus, they put the basketball game early, at noon, which will hold our crowd size down even more. We'd get more fans if the game were at 4:00. This was not a positive move for us. Why not have RU wrestling at noon vs another Big 10 team such as Michigan State, followed by RU-Wisconsin in hoops at 4:00. That would make us the featured program, as it should be considering this was supposed to be our home game.

 

[motorb54]

in this event last year Penn State was the home team to Michigan
this year RU vs Wisconsin
2018 Minnesota home game
2019 Maryland home game

There is no comparison to the Yankee Stadium home game in football
There are only six or seven home games a year in football
That is a ridiculous event

 

[urbanecane]

Totally agree

With how absolutely pathetic a showing we are making in B10 sports across the board
We are lucky to be included in an event this BIG

Most teams would be dying to play at vaunted venues like MSG & Yankee Stadium
but RU? WE find a way to complain about EVERYTHING

A home game was essentially turned into a quasi road game. In the grand scheme of things it's not a huge deal, but it seems worthy of some complaints.

 

[Tango Two]

In all seriousness, until the fans show Hobbs that games at the garden and Yankees stadium are NOT a good idea, they might continue to happen.

4000 people at Yankees stadium sends a messsge.

35,000 people at Yankees stadium sends another message.

The fans will ultimately decide what message is sent.

 

[Russ Wood]

The issue I have is that Wisconsin is playing hoops and hockey, and we're only playing hoops. Wisconsin is the featured program, even though it was supposed to be our home game. Plus, they put the basketball game early, at noon, which will hold our crowd size down even more. We'd get more fans if the game were at 4:00. This was not a positive move for us. Why not have RU wrestling at noon vs another Big 10 team such as Michigan State, followed by RU-Wisconsin in hoops at 4:00. That would make us the featured program, as it should be considering this was supposed to be our home game.

Wrestling is not an option. Also this wasn't about making Rutgers the featured program.

In Dec. 2014, the Big Ten announced an extensive agreement with Madison Square Garden to feature the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in New York City for the first time in 2018, along with men's basketball and hockey doubleheaders from 2016 through 2019 and a significant branding presence both inside and outside the building.

I'm guessing that since the B1G considers NYC to be Rutgers' market, it made sense to include RU in the event and designate them as the home team.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Got outdrawn and outcheered by a fanbase from the upper-Midwest, and then the team could not close what should have been a win going away.

Nothing positive came out of this game off campus.

 

[e5fdny]

Got outdrawn and outcheered by a fanbase from the upper-Midwest, and then the team could not close what should have been a win going away.

Nothing positive came out of this game off campus.

"Good evening everybody and welcome to the David and Dianne Athletic Center here on the campus of Rutgers for tonight's game between the top ranked Scarlet Knights and the Indiana Hooisers!"

 

[MGSA99]

We played UNC in mike rice first years as a home game in MSG and there was about 8000 people there ....

Bad money idea

We also played UNC during that same series once at the RAC, and our own students showed up in the student section wearing Carolina gear.

 

[BrunswickBob]

Got outdrawn and outcheered by a fanbase from the upper-Midwest, and then the team could not close what should have been a win going away.

Nothing positive came out of this game off campus.

TH tweet stating football recruits in attendance loved it. That's one.

 

[e5fdny]

We also played UNC during that same series once at the RAC, and our own students showed up in the student section wearing Carolina gear.

That kind of stuff would drive my Dad crazy when he came to visit me as student in the 80's.

 

[bac2therac]

We also played UNC during that same series once at the RAC, and our own students showed up in the student section wearing Carolina gear.

I believe but not totally certain that this game was part of the season ticket package?? Anyone remember?

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

TH tweet stating football recruits in attendance loved it. That's one.

Let's see who they commit to, RU or Wisky, before judging it a success.

 

[dpwhite]

I believe but not totally certain that this game was part of the season ticket package?? Anyone remember?

I remember going to this game and buying them separately. I think you were given some sort of pass to get tickets early when your season ticket package came in.

 

[bac2therac]

I remember going to this game and buying them separately. I think you were given some sort of pass to get tickets early when your season ticket package came in.

ok thanks, my memory is going bad and that was forgettable game where UNC pounded RU in every facet of the game

 

[dpwhite]

ok thanks, my memory is going bad and that was forgettable game where UNC pounded RU in every facet of the game

It was also after that really rough blizzard where players missed practice getting back from Christmas break... all around disaster.

 

[rubaseball78]

RU basketball will never be NYCs team, thats the issue. Villanova isnt even a comparison, they play in a 6500 arena and draw 15K plus for games at Wells Fargo. They are a part of Philly basketball. No one thinks of Rutgers as NYC at all. How many basketball programs are around the NYC area. For one I can say that schools like St Johns, UConn, Syracuse, and Seton Hall corner the market on NYC for various reasons and I have seen this proven first hand at BE tourney and other one off games. RU can certainly be a part of that I am not saying that but the idea that NYC is ours to take given our history is a stretch. Plus where our program is at, we are 4-42 in the Big 10 since we got in. Those are not the kind of the numbers that are going to generate the large turnouts that games like this are intended to.

Don't agree with the thought that RU playing in the Garden will never draw people. Back in the 70s, RU in the Garden was a guaranteed sell out. Different era now and we need to become a consistent winner to get people to come out. Too many years of inept basketball has made us an afterthought. As to playing there this year, this is apparently an annual Big 10 event which we volunteered to participate. It is a lot different giving up 1 of 4 conference home games in football to play at Yankee Stadium as opposed to giving up a conference bball home game to play at the Garden. Next year it is Ohio State and MInny, and the following year it is Illinois and MD. We weren't singled out to give up a home game because we are the new kid.

 

[BoroKnight]

Given the HUGE disparity in current payouts ($10M for RU v. $40M for full-fledged conference members), it's nearly impossible for RU to "hold up our end." Just saying . . . .

I've said this before, but I guess it bears repeating: The Big Ten spent DECADES building up this amazing brand, becoming the best conference in the country. We -- with little tradition, a small fan base, sub-par facilities but a great location -- get tossed an invitation we do not deserve based on any objective criteria other than that great location and WE ARE GOING TO BITCH??? You say, "Thank you, Sir, may I have another," when they send you to MSG. Or even god-awful "Yankee" Stadium.

There is no "disparity." Consider it a buy-in. Probation, if you will. And if you really think the difference in payouts is what makes it impossible for Rutgers to "hold up our end," well, let's just say that's crap. Two years ago we were 8-5.

 

[Russ Wood]

Nothing positive came out of this game off campus.

Possibly but
I wouldn't be so sure about that. Kids love the idea of playing in NBA arenas. If some RU recruits think they'll get a chance to do that once or twice a season that's good for recruiting.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

The UNC game in the early 2000's that was played at MSG was most definitely included in the season ticket package and was NOT optional. The most outrageous aspect of it was that it was actually a weeknight game.

 

[Upstream]

I believe but not totally certain that this game was part of the season ticket package?? Anyone remember?

Yes, it was part of the season ticket package. It was also a 9 pm game on a Tuesday night, which meant getting home after midnight. And the tickets were $65 each, which made them the most expensive tickets in the season ticket package. I wasn't able to go to the game and I lost $15 per ticket selling them on StubHub.

 

[dpwhite]

I have to defer to these guys. My memory is not as good as it used to be.