MWC basketball tourney away from Vegas?
There's no doubt that the Mountain West conference is in somewhat of a quandary with the conference basketball tournaments.
On one hand, Vegas is where the fans and yes, the media want to go. Who wouldn't. It's Vegas. On the other hand, whether UNLV has a good team or not, the Rebels have a homecourt advantage. There can be no argument about that. It is real.
So what does the league do? Talk can be cheap, but it appears the conference is actually looking into the situation. The league office on Wednesday sent a release, naming five cities that are in the mix to host the tournament. Evidently, Laramie didn't make the cut. Yes, that's sarcasm.
According to the release, the Mountain West Conference future basketball championships site subcommittee has announced finalist cities to host the 2011-13 tournaments. The five finalists are Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and San Diego. These cities will be moved forward in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process with an expected awarding of the future site to take place in June 2009. Denver (2004-06) and Las Vegas (1999-2003, 2008-10) have previously hosted the MWC Basketball Championships.
“The Mountain West Conference Basketball Championships is a signature event that highlights our student-athletes,” said Craig Thompson, MWC Commissioner. “We are pleased with all of the cities that showed interest in this event, and the subcommittee is eager to begin reviewing the proposals from each finalist and move forward in the selection process.”
Sixteen cities, featuring 27 different facilities, received the initial RFP on July 15. Final proposals and bid specs will be due in February 2009. After a thorough analysis and breakdown of each proposal, the Mountain West Conference subcommittee will convene to review the proposals and make a recommendation for the MWC Joint Council to review during its meeting in Phoenix in May 2009. The Joint Council decision will be forwarded to the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors for final approval during its June 2009 meeting. It is anticipated an announcement will be made at the completion of the Board of Directors meetings.
I'll begin my own process of elimination. First off, eliminate Salt Lake City. Still a little chilly in March, and let's face it, it's Salt Lake City. It's been in Denver before. Easy drive, a little chilly and not much for crowds. Denver's done. I like Albuquerque. I always enjoy the trips there covering basketball. But I've been there plenty, so let's toss Loboland. I'll narrow it down to Vegas and San Diego.
So now, it comes down to which team, UNLV or SDSU, would have a bigger homecourt advantage. Just based on past experiences, the Rebels always beat the Cowboys in Vegas and Wyoming seems to knock off the Aztecs in San Diego on occasion.
I'd pick San Diego for that reason.
But then again, Vegas is Vegas. I'm a sucker for the bright lights. Keep it in Vegas, but move it away from the Thomas & Mack.
Maybe they can build a court in Circus Circus. You know, a little high-wire pre-game act and maybe an animal act or two at halftime. It's a thought.
On one hand, Vegas is where the fans and yes, the media want to go. Who wouldn't. It's Vegas. On the other hand, whether UNLV has a good team or not, the Rebels have a homecourt advantage. There can be no argument about that. It is real.
So what does the league do? Talk can be cheap, but it appears the conference is actually looking into the situation. The league office on Wednesday sent a release, naming five cities that are in the mix to host the tournament. Evidently, Laramie didn't make the cut. Yes, that's sarcasm.
According to the release, the Mountain West Conference future basketball championships site subcommittee has announced finalist cities to host the 2011-13 tournaments. The five finalists are Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and San Diego. These cities will be moved forward in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process with an expected awarding of the future site to take place in June 2009. Denver (2004-06) and Las Vegas (1999-2003, 2008-10) have previously hosted the MWC Basketball Championships.
“The Mountain West Conference Basketball Championships is a signature event that highlights our student-athletes,” said Craig Thompson, MWC Commissioner. “We are pleased with all of the cities that showed interest in this event, and the subcommittee is eager to begin reviewing the proposals from each finalist and move forward in the selection process.”
Sixteen cities, featuring 27 different facilities, received the initial RFP on July 15. Final proposals and bid specs will be due in February 2009. After a thorough analysis and breakdown of each proposal, the Mountain West Conference subcommittee will convene to review the proposals and make a recommendation for the MWC Joint Council to review during its meeting in Phoenix in May 2009. The Joint Council decision will be forwarded to the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors for final approval during its June 2009 meeting. It is anticipated an announcement will be made at the completion of the Board of Directors meetings.
I'll begin my own process of elimination. First off, eliminate Salt Lake City. Still a little chilly in March, and let's face it, it's Salt Lake City. It's been in Denver before. Easy drive, a little chilly and not much for crowds. Denver's done. I like Albuquerque. I always enjoy the trips there covering basketball. But I've been there plenty, so let's toss Loboland. I'll narrow it down to Vegas and San Diego.
So now, it comes down to which team, UNLV or SDSU, would have a bigger homecourt advantage. Just based on past experiences, the Rebels always beat the Cowboys in Vegas and Wyoming seems to knock off the Aztecs in San Diego on occasion.
I'd pick San Diego for that reason.
But then again, Vegas is Vegas. I'm a sucker for the bright lights. Keep it in Vegas, but move it away from the Thomas & Mack.
Maybe they can build a court in Circus Circus. You know, a little high-wire pre-game act and maybe an animal act or two at halftime. It's a thought.
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