Who's Ready for the VEGAS 16! (which is actually 8)

[Doctor Worm]

Up to now, teams that fell on the wrong side of the CBI or CIT bubble faced nothing but heartbreak. Not anymore! Today is the tipoff for the inaugural VEGAS16 tournament. It is planned to be a 16 team tournament, but this year it is only eight. All low majors this time, but unlike CIT they do target the high majors. The tournament is played over the next four days at Mandalay Bay. All seven games are telecast on CBSSN.

While the world probably doesn't need another postseason tournament, I actually like the concept of playing it within a compressed period, rather than over several weeks.

Something to shoot for next year!

 

[G- RUnit]

Great road trip and have to think coaches would like another month of coaching or if seniors a final hurrah.

 

[Doctor Worm]

I really do like the concept of this tournament from the fan's perspective. It's designed to simulate a bowl experience. It's intentionally two weeks after the regular season, so fans have a chance to plan their trip to an attractive locale.

I think this tournament's goal is to attract high majors with big fan followings who are in down years. That is the goal of the CBI as well, but they haven't been able to do it. Perhaps Vegas 16 will, assuming it survives long enough to have a chance.

If we manage to go 14-17 next year, I predict we get invited.

 

[MCKnight2004]

Who is in this? Teams sat around for two three weeks before games begin, that is odd

 

[Doctor Worm]

Who is in this? Teams sat around for two three weeks before games begin, that is odd

All mid-low majors this year. However, the two-three week layoff may actually be a selling point - guaranteed extra practices. Whereas with the other minor tournaments, you go out early and you're done.

 

[BoroKnight]

I like the format, but the world does not need yet another postseason basketball tournament. And nobody is going to buy tickets for the lineup they threw out there this time.

 

[bac2therac]

I dont see why fans of any schools would spend money to go and see this....especially high majors. Do you think more than 10 RU fans or even SHU fans would go to this tourney if the record was 14-17. Seems like a joke that will fail bady

 

[Local Shill]

The attendance at this thing yesterday reminded me of the RU-Stillman game from a couple years back.

 

[G- RUnit]

I am always sad when college hoops is over. Judging from attendence its a hard sell and not good for the casino but CBS Sports network had some additional content to surround 45 minutes of Lon Kruger, who seems like a very good coach and nice man.

 

[rutger80]

The attendance at this thing yesterday reminded me of the RU-Stillman game from a couple years back.

That Stillman?

 

[Vegas pj]

Teams had to pony up $50K each to play. Covered transportation and lodging (Motel 6 since its not big time?) guess its a nice way to do something during spring break, but was a non event here this year.

 

[RUfinal4]

it would be interesting if they went with a World Cup / Olympic group type system or double elimination so the teams get multiple games.

If 8 teams - 2 groups of 4 that play 3 games over 3 days. Then the final day you have a 3rd place and 1st place game.

 

[Vegas pj]

it would be interesting if they went with a World Cup / Olympic group type system or double elimination so the teams get multiple games.

If 8 teams - 2 groups of 4 that play 3 games over 3 days. Then the final day you have a 3rd place and 1st place game.

Makes sense and makes trip worthwhile for everyone involved.

 

[bac2therac]

this is such a stupid tournament

 

[RUfinal4]

this is such a stupid tournament

While it may be stupid in some people's eyes, it is really no different then the college football bowl system. If you look at the Final 4 championship and then the top bowls played with the top 30-40 teams it is like the NCAA and NIT tourneys. Then all the other bowls are like the CIT, CBI, or other toruneys since football teams that are 6-6 or 7-5 are being rewarded with a bowl game.

Teams like a:
- 17-15 Rhode Island
- 16-16 Penn St
- 20-12 Northwestern

Can get extra practice time and play in a post season tourney where the competition is of a similar level would not be bad.

The 4 day tourney in Vegas makes sense.
A similar tourney in Barclays or Prudential works too or something in Orlando during Easter week when fans are at the parks with their kids for Spring Break also work.