Topic: Should MU accept a Post Season Pay for Play Tournament Bid?

[svherd]

I know many consider the CIT or CBI tourneys an embarrassment, saying there are too many post season bids going out; just like bowls in football. If we don't win the league tourney or get an NIT bid, which is very unlikely; should we accept a pay for play bid?

I say yes. The reason being, any post season after the past three years would be considered a big success. It would would help this program from a developmental standpoint and perception wise. It would also be a nice reward for the players and fans.
Heck, not many on here were predicting more than 10-12 wins before the season started. And when we started 0-6, many of us, myself as well, started really doubting what was going on. I doubt any of us at the time would have imagined we would be in the spot we are today. Any post season bid would continue that momentum.

Some say that we shouldn't accept such a bid; saying its not a legit post season tournament or that Marshall can't afford a pay to play tournament. Frankly, if we can't afford the fee to play in a post season CBI or CIT, we sure as hell need to stop the talk of going to the AAC some day and adding 10 million or so to our budget to compete with the schools in that league. jmo.

What say you?

[iherdya]

I know many consider the CIT or CBI tourneys an embarrassment, saying there are too many post season bids going out; just like bowls in football. If we don't win the league tourney or get an NIT bid, which is very unlikely; should we accept a pay for play bid?

I say yes. The reason being, any post season after the past three years would be considered a big success. It would would help this program from a developmental standpoint and perception wise. It would also be a nice reward for the players and fans.
Heck, not many on here were predicting more than 10-12 wins before the season started. And when we started 0-6, many of us, myself as well, started really doubting what was going on. I doubt any of us at the time would have imagined we would be in the spot we are today. Any post season bid would continue that momentum.

Some say that we shouldn't accept such a bid; saying its not a legit post season tournament or that Marshall can't afford a pay to play tournament. Frankly, if we can't afford the fee to play in a post season CBI or CIT, we sure as hell need to stop the talk of going to the AAC some day and adding 10 million or so to our budget to compete with the schools in that league. jmo.

What say you?

i think we should, especially if we can pay to get a home game. we've had good crowds the last half of the year, should continue tonight and saturday. we'd make a little money, get a little more experience. win win as far as i'm concerned.

[herdfifteen]

NO. If you aren't one of the 100 college bball teams selected for the two primary tourneys forget it.

[MrRobertPruett]

We should if we can get a home game, it would be a sign of progress but it will be a moot point when we win the CUSA tourney.

[bbcard1]

We should if we can get a home game, it would be a sign of progress but it will be a moot point when we win the CUSA tourney.

Agreed. With a home game we can actually generate some income.

[Johnnyherd]

If the players truly want to play in it, then yes....If they are not excited and motivated then, he!! no....The last thing we need is to bring in some fringe team that beats the pants off of us....Because they are super motivated and excited and we treat the game like it's a 2 hour set of extra wind sprints being forced on the them after going to a funeral.... (funeral being the feelings of not making either tourney)...

[herdfifteen]

I suggest we play in one of these tournaments and give each player a participation trophy for being involved.

[iherdya]

I suggest we play in one of these tournaments and give each player a participation trophy for being involved.

i suggest you have a snickers.

[Herdmeister]

If the players truly want to play in it, then yes....If they are not excited and motivated then, he!! no....The last thing we need is to bring in some fringe team that beats the pants off of us....Because they are super motivated and excited and we treat the game like it's a 2 hour set of extra wind sprints being forced on the them after going to a funeral.... (funeral being the feelings of not making either tourney)...

Agree. Let the players decide. The last time we played in one the players clearly didn't want to be there.

[wasbarryb]

My opinion on the subject is divided at best, in part due to lack of knowledge. I have many questions on the existence of such tournaments.

How much does it cost?
Is there any chance of breaking even financially?
How many extra practices are tournament teams allowed over not going to a tournament?

Frankly it all comes down to a cost benefit question in my mind, and right now I don't see the benefits verses the costs.

[iherdya]

My opinion on the subject is divided at best, in part due to lack of knowledge. I have many questions on the existence of such tournaments.

How much does it cost?
Is there any chance of breaking even financially?
How many extra practices are tournament teams allowed over not going to a tournament?

Frankly it all comes down to a cost benefit question in my mind, and right now I don't see the benefits verses the costs.

unless it's changed, you don't have to pay to play, you have to pay to host. and by "pay" it means you guarantee X number of tickets sold (or $Y revenue from X tickets sold). the teams that guarantee the most are given home games, you hope you make way more than your guarantee.

i saw an article where the usual guarantee for first round games is $35,000. anything about that $35,000 in ticket sales, we'd get to keep. so if we hosted a first round, guaranteed $35,000 and sold 6,000 tickets at $15 a piece, that'd be $90,000...$35,000 to the cbi/cit and $55,000 to marshall. the guarantees aren't set in stone and the later rounds increase pretty significantly, up to 75,000 for semifinals, etc.

[Herdmeister]

unless it's changed, you don't have to pay to play, you have to pay to host. and by "pay" it means you guarantee X number of tickets sold (or $Y revenue from X tickets sold). the teams that guarantee the most are given home games, you hope you make way more than your guarantee.

i saw an article where the usual guarantee for first round games is $35,000. anything about that $35,000 in ticket sales, we'd get to keep. so if we hosted a first round, guaranteed $35,000 and sold 6,000 tickets at $15 a piece, that'd be $90,000...$35,000 to the cbi/cit and $55,000 to marshall. the guarantees aren't set in stone and the later rounds increase pretty significantly, up to 75,000 for semifinals, etc.

I was told at practice Tuesday by a MU administrator that the fee now is $38,500 per game.

[svherd]

Maybe I am too competitive or old fashioned but how can a player NOT want to play in a tournament or have another game or two? Whey the hell play at all if they can't get up for a game? That's a head scratch-er for me.

[iherdya]

I was told at practice Tuesday by a MU administrator that the fee now is $38,500 per game.

still totally reasonable for us to make some money on a first round game.

[Herdmeister]

still totally reasonable for us to make some money on a first round game.

I agree, just wanted to get the number right. I guess it used to be 35k but it's gone up.

[svherd]

still totally reasonable for us to make some money on a first round game.

We should make some money then, even with a marginal crowd.

[VA Herd Fan]

i suggest you have a snickers.

Nice! ;D

[whf]

Of course, tourney experience for the non-seniors who will be fighting their butts off to get into one of the bigger ones next year.  Its a small fee; and playing away might even be better than playing at home for their experiences.

[bighat]

Play till the whistle blows.

[Herdmeister]

Of course, tourney experience for the non-seniors who will be fighting their butts off to get into one of the bigger ones next year.  Its a small fee; and playing away might even be better than playing at home for their experiences.

If you recall we were guaranteed an home game for the entire tournament the last time we were in and then laid an egg with a loss to Ohio in the first round. The year prior we beat Western Carolina only to lose the next one to Appalachian State.

[Big City]

Splitting hairs 38,500 -35,000.

[The Right Stuff]

If we could get a home game I think it would be a good idea.  This group is entirely different tha n Herrion's or DJ's kids.  These kids like one another and enjoy playing the game of basketball.  I think they would play hard to win the thing.  It would allow James  and Justin to play in post season before there college careers were over.  It would give the team more practice time as well.  I just don't know if the administrations has a favorable attitude toward this arrangement..  Plus I think it would make for a good springboard into next fall practice if they can be successful.

TRS
MU 71

[MUonium]

so if you can bring in roughly $50K from 6K gate, does anybody know how much expenses would be to operate and how much you collect at concessions?

[elginherd]

If we could get a home game I think it would be a good idea.  This group is entirely different tha n Herrion's or DJ's kids.  These kids like one another and enjoy playing the game of basketball.  I think they would play hard to win the thing.  It would allow James  and Justin to play in post season before there college careers were over.  It would give the team more practice time as well.  I just don't know if the administrations has a favorable attitude toward this arrangement..  Plus I think it would make for a good springboard into next fall practice if they can be successful.
TRS
MU 71

That is a great point...and I believe that trumps whether we got the home game or not.

[jt]

Yeah, but:    If we get a home game first, do we then Lose Money going on the road for subsequent games.???

But, yeah:   The players should decide -- 100% their choice. If they are eager and hungry, then  it is a Win-Win...

Otherwise, those 2 tourneys kinda suck and it is hard for a fan to get excited.  UNLESS, it is Vegas Baby where I could maybe see the Herd LIVE in action.