Should we stop playing all men’s games at CA?

[MarkRedman]

The signing this week of the 2 Florida kids , King and Storr might be a bellwether in only playing select OOC games at CA .  We might think of Playing all BE and Key OOC games at the Garden and the new Belmont arena .   Why not ? 

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Why not ?   Financial cost of playing games at the Garden is why.   

StJ's is required to guarantee a breakpoint for paid attendance. StJ's will not move games to the MSG it believes will be losers at the gate.                                                           Otis , you are likely in touch with the Rental Fees , etc for games at MSG , that most of us are not aware of .. I’m sure MSG is expensive but , at what point does the Program have to step up and just recognize a New CA is not in any plans to be built .  Playing in CA diminishes the Goal of the Program to be BE Competitive and rise to heights not achieved in decades .     The key to better attendance and bigger Crowds at MSG is a better team . . We seem to be on the verge .  And , I can’t imagine a favorable deal could not be struck with the new Belmont Arena , at Rates better than MSG .   I’m not advocating all.CA games be abandoned but , just BE Games and OOC games against National Powers .  We can continue to play St Francis , St Pete’s , NJIT , etc at Louie’s Place . 

I’m sure we can get a better deal at Barclays also. Between MSG, UBS and Barclays, there’s no reason to play a Big East game or Quality OOC opponent at CA. Plus it will raise the profile of the program.

To play devil's advocate, I remember going to games at MSG during the Lavin era vs teams like Depaul, and literally nobody was there. I don't see any reason to have games like these outside of CA.


Another issue is that our fan base has not historically come out in big numbers for games at MSG. I am sick and tired of hearing much louder cheering at MSG through the years for teams like UConn, Syracuse, Villanova than for St John's. It almost makes it seem that we are the road team at times. Shameful but true!!

I am very hopeful than an improved product on the floor will change that paradigm.

 

 

[austour]

 

We don't draw flys at Barclays.

Speak for yourself, I brought my slacker 20 something son there last time.  Enough said.  /media/kunena/emoticons/tongue.png

 

[bamafan]

 

We don't draw flys at Barclays.

Speak for yourself, I brought my slacker 20 something son there last time.  Enough said.  /media/kunena/emoticons/tongue.png

and the 2 of you probably had the place to yourselves.

 

[BrooklynRed]

 

We don't draw flys at Barclays.

Speak for yourself, I brought my slacker 20 something son there last time.  Enough said.  /media/kunena/emoticons/tongue.png

and the 2 of you probably had the place to yourselves.

As much as I like Barclays (great food and I can walk to the games), I think Storr answered the MSG question as it appears that was a big part of what he liked in his recruiting visit.  While NYers may be jaded about the popularity of MSG, it appears it still has a special place in the minds of potential recruits.

 

[prjohnnies]

I went to the Barclays for a SJU/Georgia Tech game during Lavin's next to last season (I believe we blew them out), and also for the VCU/SJU game during Mullin's last season (which was a fun game, which Ponds won with a last second shot and there was a controversial no-call I think on the other end).  Crowds were so so.  I don't see Barclays as a viable option.  Belmont may be, but I still think it comes down to the Garden for the traditional/historic in-conference rivals and high-major OOC games, and perhaps expanding to certain other targeted BE matchups that might draw b/c of the time/team/location, plus Carnesecca against other BE teams (the Midwest schools in particular) and low/mid-major OOC.

 

[room112]

I still think playing in Barclays is good for 1 game per year. You have to think about how kids view this. They love being able to play in NBA arenas. 

 

[SLYFOXX1968]

I think the comments of Storr about how seeing MSG was a decision maker for him in choosing SJU.    Sure the Garden may be expensive but , past history shows if we put a Winning Team on the floor that could challenge for a BE Championship , fans will come to the Garden .   Of course , Tuesday Night games vs DePaul shouldn’t be played there but , every time we play  Nova, UCOnn, Seton Hall, Xavier , Providence , G’Town and all OOC games against National Teams should be at MSG .  Butler , DePaul, Creighton , could be played at Belmont .  The Cupcake games could be at CA. 

 

[sjc88]

I think the topic question is should we stop playing ALL Big East games at CA? Reality is when we are playing NJIT, St. Peter’s etc. we have NO CHOICE. No pro building is going to want an opening with 3,000 or 4,000 fans. This is not a shot at these opponents but it’s just reality that a Wednesday in November with these opponents just isn’t going to draw. We also do need these type of games to get ready for the BE season.

Now the Big East and select out of conference games are a different story. I get we seem to enjoy a better home court advantage in the more intimate Carnesecca Arena. However, that is shortsighted if you want to build a bigger profile. Problem is, as always, that if the team is not good and the opposition is only ok the bigger buildings still don’t want us. So I don’t always think it’s our choice. 

I do think we have made the strategic mistake of not playing more on Long Island. It’s no secret that we have a large Alumni presence here. UBS is going to be a nice venue and I expect we will draw well with Kansas as the opponent. Thinking outside the box what about a game at Nassau Coliseum? I believe the building still hosts some events and reduced seating capacity might make it a decent atmosphere for college basketball. Again, NOT suggesting moving away from MSG but just looking to help build a stronger brand and engage Alumni.

 

[prjohnnies]

I used to think all BE games at MSG. I’m one of the converted that has no issue as a fan with playing the Midwest BE schools at Louie’s building. We have a legit home court there. Teams sometimes are uncomfortable or the fans being on top of the court can make them uncomfortable. I don’t think it really hurts recruiting at all to do that as long as you still have the MSG card.

I want Nova, Uconn, Gtown and other high majors OOC scheduled for smart times at MSG. Seton Hall probably too. If we want to be nice, Providence, but as noted I just love how nuts it makes Cooley to play in Queens so am fine with it for that reason alone. 

A game here or there at a Barclays or Belmont fine by me. 

 

[austour]

 

We don't draw flys at Barclays.

Speak for yourself, I brought my slacker 20 something son there last time.  Enough said.  /media/kunena/emoticons/tongue.png

and the 2 of you probably had the place to yourselves.
 

I have come to realize that my humor is oftentimes too obtuse for even myself.  I was trying to say WE don't draw flies at Barclay addressing those of us on the board, and then that my son was a slacker and didn't shower enough ergo he drew flies.  None of it is even true, except that I did bring him to my only game ab Barclays.  LOL

 

[room112]

The reality is, with where we are at as a program, and with what the costs are at MSG to break even, there are only certain opponents that make sense to play there. Unfortunately those are the teams who we can expect to draw a decent portion of their fans in addition to ours. 

Just being realistic, but right now it probably doesn't make financial sense to play the Midwest teams like Xavier, Creighton, Butler, DePaul and Marquette at MSG. 

 

[mm52]

plus Carnesecca against other BE teams (the Midwest schools in particular) and low/mid-major OOC.

Agreed.  Many fond recent memories of games at CA against Butler, Creighton, Marquette and to a lesser extent DePaul.