MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hopefan]

^^^ I disagree. With only four teams in the tournament the current arrangement is fine. Gives additional incentive to come out on top in the regular season. Expand the tournament to eight teams, then a neutral site (doesn't have to be Saint Louis) is probably a good idea. You guys just want the convenience of having the tournament convenient to where you live.

Well, you might have a little something there... my main argument was when BC hosted and only had 3 or 4 rows of bleachers on one side of the gym....

[Greek Tragedy]

The idea of having 8 teams in a conference tourney in a conference that has 10 teams is ridiculous in my mind, especially at a neutral site. I understand some conferences do that (ODAC has everyone in their conference tourney at a neutral site, I think).  Anyway, as pointed out, where is the incentive to do well in the regular season?

Also, Even having a four team tourney at a neutral site (or even at the #1 seed) actually cuts down on the attendance, most likely. You have at least THREE teams traveling. Having separate semis at the higher seed usually means you have at least two well attended games for the semis, instead of just one, and then having the Final at the highest seed remaining means you'll have good attendance at the Final. What if the host seed loses at in the semis, then you have just one of three games well attended. Yeah, travel costs are larger in this case, but you want to have a good atmosphere for the players as well.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

The idea of having 8 teams in a conference tourney in a conference that has 10 teams is ridiculous in my mind, especially at a neutral site. I understand some conferences do that (ODAC has everyone in their conference tourney at a neutral site, I think).  Anyway, as pointed out, where is the incentive to do well in the regular season?

ODAC plays the first round games at school-sites, though the top four have byes. Then they head to the Salem Civic Center for the quarterfinals onward.

[y_jack_lok]

If the SLIAC would expand to six teams the top 2 could have byes and the bottom 4 play a first round before the semis. Where to play the games would still have to be decided. But we have covered this in a past year and been told that if they do it for basketball then other sports would want the same. The conference doesn't want to do that.

[WUPHF]

I would have the Men and Women play in the same gym, same weekend for a total of four games on Day 1 and two games on Day 2. 

If the SLIAC could get the St. Louis Sports Commission behind the event and help get the necessary sponsorship, they may be able to make a great weekend out of it. 

Money is always the issue, but if they could get a few sponsors behind the tournament, they may be able to provide for a better overall tournament experience...

[Greek Tragedy]

I think this has been discussed on other boards regarding combining men's and women's tourneys, usually referring to the NCAA, which would be the same concept as a 4-team conference tourney for both teams. I believe the argument is logistics, mainly practice time on the court, game times, hotels for teams and fans (probably not an issue in the St. Louis area) etc. Stevens Point is probably a rare exception because the men and women play in the same building, but different gyms.

[WUPHF]

Very interesting points...

Do teams have to be able to practice on the court that they will play on?

[Greek Tragedy]

Very interesting points...

Do teams have to be able to practice on the court that they will play on?

I would assume so and I would think the visiting teams would WANT to. Depth perception behind the baskets, lighting, getting a feel for the rims etc. There was an issue back in the days when the Point women moved their regional/sectional into the men's gym because of capacity. I don't think they were real fond of it, but it gave them a (better) chance to host.

[hopefan]

In the past (late 90's?) I went down to see the SCAC conference tourney as a very good friend had a daughter who played on Trinity... Men and Womens tourney all at Rhodes (predetermined at Rhodes,I don't know why).. it was GREAT.. hoops all day on Friday Quarters, 4 big games semis on Saturday, 2 finals on Sunday... yes attendance was awful, probably not much more than families of teams, but for the D3 nut like me, I was in heaven, and I only knew one player!!!!  Did this 2 years in a row....

[WUPHF]

I would assume so and I would think the visiting teams would WANT to. Depth perception behind the baskets, lighting, getting a feel for the rims etc. There was an issue back in the days when the Point women moved their regional/sectional into the men's gym because of capacity. I don't think they were real fond of it, but it gave them a (better) chance to host.

I am 100% sure of that, but curious if teams would be OK if everyone practiced in another gym.  I guess they are no rules related to conference tournaments.

The thing to do would be to have the men play Friday-Saturday and the women play Saturday-Sunday or vice versa with three games played on Saturday.  Or, do a Saturday-Sunday tourney with substantial practice opportunities on Friday.

The gym would certainly have more people for the final that they did last season when MacMurray bowed out on Day 1.

[Gregory Sager]

I don't think that Greenville plays on Sundays. Or has that changed?

[WUPHF]

I don't think that Greenville plays on Sundays. Or has that changed?

Right, Greenville...

[y_jack_lok]

The ODAC men's and women's quartefinals, semis, and finals are all held at the Salem Civic Center. The men's quartefinals (four games) are played Thursday afternoon/evening, the women's quarters on Friday afternoon/evening. Men's semis on Saturday afternoon, women's semis Saturday evening. Men's championship Sunday afternoon, followed by women's championship. Not sure what they do about practice. Maybe every team gets some court time in the mornings.

[hopefan]

When none of the bottom 3 play each other, it means we have only 2 games where contenders face off... 
Today:
Iowa Wesleyan at Webster... Iowa Wesleyan lacks the depth, inside game to beat Webster in most cases... of course, if Michael Soukup, Butler, Drey all hitting from the perimeter, maybe it becomes a different game...has anyone else noticed that Webster league record with Hunter Ward was 3-3, without Hunter Ward 6-1, and that one loss was the stunner vs MacMurray.    Hmmmmmmm.. maybe having a 5th starter who moves without the ball, moves the ball around, goes to the basket is meaningful despite the loss of Ward's glossy stats....  Anyway, I go with Webster's defense today for the win

Prin at Blackburn... huge for both, virtually a must win for both... which coach can get the most out of their players... gotta side with Blackburn, though the talent edge is with Prin... Prin getting 0 out of bench though.

The other 3 games contenders vs bottom 3, it's hard to find an upset possibility.

[hopefan]

Webster leads Iowa Wesleyan most of the way, decides to shout, "HERE, TAKE IT!!"... one bad shot, one missed free throw, and Iowa Wesleyan responds, "Thank you Gorlocks, for your generous gift!"  Steve Soukup makes 2 fts, Webster can't answer, and they throw away the "lock" I gave them...

Prin and BC battle to a tie with a minute left, Adaku Anumu makes a 3 for Prin, BC misses the tie trey, and Prin wins another must win game....

The 3 other contenders, Greenville, Westmin, and Eureka all win against the 3 non contenders....