Darius Morris Wants to Play a UM Basketball Game in the Big House

Submitted by MaizeAndBlueManGroup on

I was just watching the latest edition of Inside Michigan Basketball and Doug Karsch was interviewing Darius Morris. He discussed how among other things he would want to be an Athletic Director one day, and how David Brandon has an incredible business mind. He then said he is going to tell Brandon that it would be a good idea to host a UM basketball game in the Big House.

I'm not exactly sure how this would work, espsecially considering that NCAA basketball is played in the fall/winter, but it would be pretty cool if it was somehow pulled off. What do you guys think?

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the_white_tiger

December 2nd, 2010 at 8:43 PM ^

Especially when you consider that they are moving away from shooting as many threes with Morris doing most of the ballhandling and Morgan's pleasant surprise down low. Add in Brundrige (who likes to drive to the basket, if I'm not mistaken), and we won't be shooting as many three's in the future, IMO.

Joined: 02/07/2009

MGoPoints: 5224

MGolem

December 2nd, 2010 at 8:06 PM ^

This could work if they were able to play two games at the same time (for space, visibility and ticket sales purposes). For example, throw EMU a bone and let them play at the same time we play with two courts next to each other. If all the teams involved were Michigan teams they may be able to sell some tickets. For example Michigan could play Central and Eastern could play Western (No MSU please). There are thousands of alums from those schools all over Southeastern Michigan and even if they did not follow their team that closely they may come out for a once in a lifetime event. Damn...maybe I should have applied for that CMO job

Joined: 10/14/2010

MGoPoints: 13581

kevin holt

December 3rd, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^

I would not go if there were 2 courts with 4 teams at the same time, for what it's worth. That's like slamball and would be embarrassing. The ball goes out of bounds, lands in the other court, trips someone, 100,000 people can't contain their laughter. 

Also, getting tickets on the EMU side of the stadium would ruin it.

Joined: 03/16/2010

MGoPoints: 17447

Dezzy

December 2nd, 2010 at 8:15 PM ^

If MSU is playing on an aircraft carrier, why can't we play in Michigan Stadium? 

Plus, in 2012, the football team won't be home between October 21st - November 9th.  That could be a season tip-off special or something.

Joined: 11/17/2010

MGoPoints: 773

Tater

December 2nd, 2010 at 8:56 PM ^

It would be great to see them play on a cement or ashphalt court like most of them started on as kids.  "Playground legends" have no problem playing outside; why should elite college athletes?  If they can sell out a hockey game, they can sell out a basketball game.  It's just a matter of marketing.  And we all know DB loves marketing. 

I just hope they don't get carried away and schedule it with MSU.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

Desmonlon Edwoodson

December 2nd, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^

An early season game in the big house would be incredible.  That likely precludes a conference game though.  In 2 years against Gonzaga?  Enough zag fans running around, that would draw.  Dont think Duke or North Carolina would go for it.  The obvious choice attendance-wise would be MSU, but then you've got to gaurd against a takeover and deal with the trash outside the stadium.

Joined: 12/02/2010

MGoPoints: 1382

willywill9

December 2nd, 2010 at 9:14 PM ^

Instead of going to Europe, the team can stay in Ann Arbor pre- preseason.  These can be a series of scrimmage games against an NBADL team, or other international teams.

In turn, the hockey team can go play in europe... Win-win baby, boom!  I'm in!

Joined: 09/22/2008

MGoPoints: 13162

JTGoBlue

December 2nd, 2010 at 9:39 PM ^

If it's sports management, marketing, etc, let the kid organize it as a independent study project...good idea, good student opportunity, great PR.

Joined: 08/31/2009

MGoPoints: 4536

KSmooth

December 2nd, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^

College hoops don't start until November, at which point the weather is really dicey.  In fact you can probably figure it'll be too cold.  The average daily high in November is 47, and while I don't have day-to-day averages handy I doubt the Nov 1. temperature (earliest possble date) would be much higher than the mid-50s.

Michigan Stadium is too big to throw any kind of temporary dome over it.  Maybe you could do this in one of the southern states, but in Ann Arbor?  Unh-unh.

Joined: 11/14/2009

MGoPoints: 3783

Raoul

December 2nd, 2010 at 11:10 PM ^

Maybe you already knew this, but before Crisler opened in 1967, the basketball team played in what was then known as Yost Field House. Yost was converted into an ice arena in 1973.

Joined: 09/29/2009

MGoPoints: 13957

Old Blue

December 2nd, 2010 at 10:52 PM ^

Ohio State plays a couple of lacrosse games every spring in the horseshoe.  One of them is played before their spring football game (which is an actual game and draws a much bigger crowd than our spring game).  I wonder with all the talk about Michigan lacrosse going varsity if they will be playing a game or two in the Big House in the future.  Maybe a home and home in alternating years with the buckeyes before each school's spring football games?

Joined: 05/21/2009

MGoPoints: 31

The Barwis Effect

December 2nd, 2010 at 11:10 PM ^

If they can figure out a way to air condition the entire country of Qatar for the World Cup, I'm sure some engineering wizard at U-M can figure out a way to heat up the Big House for an outdoor game.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 10175