The Big Ten Tournament at MSG was 100% awesome

Submitted by SAMgO on
For all the naysayers, this turned out to be an epic venue for the BTT. One week early is obviously not ideal, but the atmosphere was electric all weekend and Michigan fans especially made a difference. It was 80/20+ in the Garden today in our favor, essentially a home game and Coach B acknowledged as much in the postgame. I would love for MSG to be a regular part of the rotation. Much better than Wells Fargo center, for sure. The semifinal session was completely sold out which I don’t believe has ever happened in the BTT, even in the Midwest.

J.

March 4th, 2018 at 8:20 PM ^

The BIg East has to know it's not the draw it once was.  But, more to the point, both the Big East and the Big Ten are beholden to the same masters.  I imagine their complaints would magically fade away as soon as FOX gave them a call.

Maize4Life

March 4th, 2018 at 7:36 PM ^

hosting..If we are going to travel for the tournament NY where we have  HUGE fan base is a PLUS for Michigan ..Big Plus...and can only help recruiting wise

PhillipFulmersPants

March 4th, 2018 at 8:12 PM ^

Almost everyone I know who's attended in Indy and almost everything you read is generally positive.  I wasn't at the Garden to compare to this B10 tourney, but Indy will be on the rotation for years to come for a lot of good reasons.  

BJNavarre

March 4th, 2018 at 9:19 PM ^

Yup. I've attended the tournament in Indianapolis multiple times, and always had a good time. The arena is near a bunch of bars and hotels in downtown Indy, which is a big advantage it has over the United Center in Chicago. Downtown Indy is somewhat bland and corporate though. Little Caesars Arena would be a great place for the tournament as well. I think the downtown/midtown area has much more interesting eating and drinking spots than Indy, and the city would really cater to the tournament.

Squad16

March 4th, 2018 at 10:23 PM ^

Yes, Indianapolis is good for travelers. Yes, it should stay in the rotation. But it's also overrated. 

 

Its problem is that there's no advantage for locals, relative to other cities. Michigan has far more alums in cities like San Franciso and Boston (not saying we should go there, trying to make a point), let alone New York, Chicago or Detroit, than in Indianapolis, so it's easier for alums who live near the tournament site (who are more likely to hop at an easy opportunity). 

 

The Michigan army at MSG definitely had some travelers, but it was primarily comprised of local alums. 

 

Indy doesn't present us with that opportunity. 

ScottyP

March 6th, 2018 at 4:28 PM ^

WHat is your idea of fun? being in bars or restaurants so packed you can't even hear anyone you are talking to? I will take Indy any day, love the small charm, don't haev to deal with millions of people all up in ScottyP's grille.

charblue.

March 4th, 2018 at 7:40 PM ^

as well as the current one. Seen Knicks, Rangers, and many college basketball games there as well as great concerts. It is a great place to watch a game with the rest of your tribe. Back in the day, the place was incredible to watch the Knicks with Clyde Frazier, Dick Barnett and Earl the Pearl Monroe, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley and Dave DeBuscherre, a Detroit University grad.

It would be nice if Detroit got a shot at hosting the tournament now that the new arena is open. Beilein is a New York state native whose teams have played many games at the Garden so he understands the significance of playing there.

But quite frankly watching Beilein-coached teams is a treat wherever they play. It was great to know Michigan had a virtual homecourt advantage this weekend over every other team. And the truth is, Beilein's teams play the way the old Knick teams used to play with great defesne and unselfish offense. So, to me it just seems like old times. It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine at tournament time.

Michigan earned automatic entry for the second straight year into the tournament. No questions asked. The only mystery is where they are seeded.

If you look at the team's body of work, you will see their worst losses to UNC, Nebraska and Northwestern came after playing multiple games in a short period of time, and they've lost four games in the past two months. Don't know how anyone can look at this team and not think it isn't Top 10 or better. It can beat anyone in the country.

 

Bo_Knows

March 4th, 2018 at 7:42 PM ^

Got great last minute tickets to the semis for $100 on Saturday.  Watched the Michigan game from the stands with great turnout from both Sparty and Mich fans.  Paid for access to the Delta 360 Lounge where we had drinks at the bar and a rather intimate Q&A session with MSU alum and former NBA player, Eric Snow.  (My buddy and I were able to ask a lot of questions and Snow gave some good,nuanced answers).

Snuck into a premium lounge for the Purdue/PSU game for unlimited food and drink and watched PSU hit a late backdoor cover with last minute 3's to hit a few bets.  

Oh and Michigan beat up MSU.  Good times.

M-Lemon

March 4th, 2018 at 7:46 PM ^

Loved seeing the semifinals with my kids at MSG, but Barclays Center is a better venue in NYC.  Barclays is hosting the ACC tournament this week and Michigan has played there a few times--let's give it a try too!

KennyHiggins

March 4th, 2018 at 8:26 PM ^

$120 each for two tickets on the aisle.  Great pro-Michigan atmosphere.  Red Panda at Halftime.  Are you kidding me

Could see the reaction on the players faces.  Teske served notice.  D Rob got to take a bow in NY.  Awesome

 

RoseInBlue

March 4th, 2018 at 8:30 PM ^

I have 0 issues with MSG as a venue.  It's an awesome venue for a tournament.  My problem is what had to be done in order to accomodate it.  I don't like the toying with the conference schedule.  And I'll admit to being worried about what the 2 weeks off before the tournament will do to our momentum (and yes, that's a real thing).  

But hey, maybe the 2 weeks will just give us time to get rested up and refocused.  I suppose we'll find out.

M Squared

March 4th, 2018 at 9:01 PM ^

I had a great time. Lots of Michigan folks but a lot were pretty quiet - you know, typical for some Michigan folks. The only downside is I feel like I overpaid on Stub Hub but oh well. I was there very early and I was standing next to the parents of players and it was cool to see their excitement to take in the experience. In a total separate spot, I saw Bill Martin with a scowl. Not sure what that was about.

Anyway, I’m happy for the team and the seniors. Hope we get Detroit games and make a deep run!

BJNavarre

March 4th, 2018 at 9:26 PM ^

I'm pretty sure the semifinal session is almost always soldout, and frequently a tough ticket. The stadium definitely looked packed. Michigan advancing definitely helped in that regard.

UMgradMSUdad

March 4th, 2018 at 10:20 PM ^

Delaney should be thanking the basketball gods that Michigan made it to the finals, and also that Rutgers won a game.

Imagine how empty it would have been for something like a Purdue -Iowa final.

seegoblu

March 5th, 2018 at 8:30 AM ^

Simple as that. My estimate was 80% UM fans, 10% PU and 10% other B10 teams' fans who thought their team would make the finals (oh, and Rutgers "fans").

It was a weekend reunion for UM alums...I saw more old friends at MSG than I had in many years. It was great.

Big East has MSG locked up for the prime weekend until 2026...however, after that I would assume that MSG will be in a regular rotation with Chicago, Indy and maybe DC.

It was a blast!

Primo

March 5th, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^

I don’t understand why the same advantage would not be had at the Barclays Center. The week early thing worries me about how sharp the team will be and feels like we’re 2nd fiddle to the Big East.

MW147

March 5th, 2018 at 4:13 PM ^

Barclays would also be a fantastic venue, and Michigan would have the same home crowd advantage it had at MSG. 

The ACC tournament is there this week, I am pretty sure it was there last year, too. I don't know about the future, if they don't have it booked Delaney should absolutely be looking into it as a future venue. 

 

 

wayneandgarth

March 5th, 2018 at 4:37 PM ^

I'd like to see a slight adjustment to the normal schedule whereby the champlonship in on Saturday rather than Sunday.

1.  more rest before the NCAAs

2.  more time for the championship game to be absorbed into the bracket decisions

3.  not hard to adjust the regular season by a day rather than a week

TIMMMAAY

March 5th, 2018 at 6:16 PM ^

Agreed. I didn't like the idea to begin with, but it was pretty great. And I think I like it better than Indy, if for no other reason than to take away some advantage from IU (not that they are good now). But yeah, a good thing. 

Just fix the scheduling. That was brutal, and very well could bite us twice. 

L'Carpetron Do…

March 6th, 2018 at 2:47 PM ^

I was there for the Nebraska and Purdue games and had a great time.  

Tix were on the annoyingly expensive side but it was a blast.  I'm an LI guy and I grew up loving the Garden.  Loved to see my team take care of business in the World's Most Famous Arena!