WCC Tournament in Vegas Next Year

There has been a ton of talk about this for a long time now, but it looks like it's pretty official:

http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/collegesports/2008/02/27/quasi-breakling-news-the-wcc-tournament-is-on-the-move/

It'll be at the Orleans, which has an arena that holds about 9,000 or so.

Oh, and *cough* *cough* this is hard to say, but *ack!* *strangling sound* credit to Angelo from the Zag board for the find.

OOh great find. I'm going to start saving my lunch money now.

I'm having trouble accepting that it was because the coaches (specifically Few) wanted to eliminate home court advantage.

I mean, have you been to a tournament? has Gonzaga EVER been underrepresented at one of those things?

I think it has to due also with travel. And yes, there will be a definite home court advantage for the Toreros this year--I expect a relatively large USD showing, since they are legit...

That being said, I am glad to see them try it for 1 year... and see how it goes. I am all for a neutral court, but not so sure about having it in a city that the WCC does not participate in... but any excuse to go to Vegas... I would expect a spike in attendance next year from all schools due solely to the novelty factor! And if your team loses, you can always seek consolation at the Blackjack table... Count me in!!!

Agreed, Nut. It's nice to see them try something different. Hey, if it totally fails, they can always go back to the old way of doing things.

But I do think that it will be a nice novelty factor for a year or two, and I do like the idea of the neutral court.

The only counter argument to it is that it costs $$$ to rent the arena while it doesn't cost anything to host it at a WCC school, but now that they locked down a tournament sponsor (GEICO), seems like they may as well give it a shot.

And come to think of it... the Orleans is probably very eager to get people to use their arena and are banking on the fact that all the guests will be staying at their hotel and playing in their casinos. So maybe they aren't charging much at all.

So yeah - I'm all for it!

Agreed that Vegas is probably the only viable neutral site right now, due to economics.

I have to think that the Orleans certainly isnt charging the same as say, the Rose Garden would, for the reasons you stated. Lots of people spending money on your slot machines in between games!

I remember reading somewhere, the first time this idea was floated, that the Orleans was picked specifically over other casino venues (i.e. the MGM) because the arena had a seperate entrance and you didnt have to walk through all the debautchery to get to it, so it would be more "family friendly"... a good choice, the more I think about it.

Link to the Orleans Arena site: http://www.orleansarena.com

Hmmm, I wonder how many hands of Pai Gow I could play during half time?

That court looks a little small...Looks like lots of courtside seating, though.

Wow...lets go to Vegas.
Think We could actually bet on individual performance
s like the superbowl?
Now, I got to get an big idea so that all my friends come and pay my way.

I would love to do this. Out of curiosity, I checked out the casino's web-site. It appears that a room runs $53/night during the week and $124 on the weekend (checked it for May 2008). Gives you an idea of what the rooms will run - which seems quite reasonable.

Again, I would love to go to this!! I better start dropping hints to the lady soon

Those are very affordable room rates! Good info.

Throw in the complimentary drinks in the casino and one cant afford not to go...

I've already gotten emails from severl calssmates (or guys 1 or 2 years on either side) that have picked this up and expressed interest.

I love it - on can't afford not to go!!!!

Rochin... I'm thinking we should organize a reunion of the original Purple Pride founders. We could get your house, the Farm House, and the "other" house... plus dudes like Colin and Balls and Conant.

And then add to that MattyWizz, Zack Attack, etc.

Oh my gosh... we would have the rowdiest fans in the history of the WCC tournament.

LET'S DO IT!!!

Uh..... Sign this co-founder up pronto!!! Oh man it would be the biggest, rowdiest trash talking group of mid to late 20 year olds the WCC has ever seen...

Well, since Athletics can't find the money to send the band anymore, I may have to save my own and get down there. The last time I was in Vegas was a family vacation...when I was 20

I think this kind of buzz is just what the WCC had in mind. A great idea.

The one thing I would worry about for a WCC tourney in Vegas (if i was a coach) would be keeping the players focused. Now looking at the Pilots, I think we'll be ok. None of our players are out of control (the case would probably be different if tifenthaler or marcus carter where still around). But for other teams this could cause a problem.

But from a fans view I'd love to take a trip to Vegas. Hopefully we'll have a 1 or 2 seed for next year and then we can have a couple nights where we fans can focus on the other things that Las Vegas has to offer.

Marcus Carter? Did you mean Marcus Lewis?

Yea... I did indeed mean Marcus Lewis. Sorry bout that.

From the horse's mouth: WCC Press Release

Orleans Arena, 2009...

If things go at the tournament like they usually do, expect a big announcement tomorrow. (they usually save the biggest one for last).


My guess is that it will be the new Commissioner.

Are you the new Commish, Geezer?

Amazingly, they didn't extend me an offer. I attribute it to not posting a mailing address.

They announced the new guy at halftime of the SMC-USD game. Unfortunately, I didnt hear his name...

Luckily, here is a release from the WCC: New Commissioner Release

Best of luck to him. Priority #1? New hoops refs....

nah.. first priority -- TV contracts.
the release popped up 10 minutes after the game.

All I heard was Gilleran talking about Las Vegas, but I wasn't really paying attention.

Looks Like Jason's up late. the commissioner story is on the UP website at 1:30AM.

BTW, I notice the time on the forum above is an hour behind..