Tulsa chosen to host NCAA 1st & 2nd round games in 2019

[Tulsafanzz]

Tulsa was again chosen to host 1st & 2nd round games in 2019. If you haven't gone to one of these before, you need to make this one. That first day with 4 games is a blast! Downtown Tulsa is now a festive place & the BOK is a very good venue.

Although I hope we are playing elsewhere (we can't play here, since we are hosting), I still plan on attending as many games as possible.

 

[drboobay]

Good news. We swung for the fences and also bid on regional finals this time but did not get it. But I love the bold move.

 

[t-townpod]

Have to wait 2 years!

 

[rusty-c]

The organizers need to get into high gear and fill those seats in 2019 if we hope to get a regional final in the future.

I have no doubt that if we hosted a regional final they would do a great job, as they have done with the opening rounds. Filling seats would not be an issue, as those are much more attractive matches. The infastructure is all there in downtown to make it a huge success. Lots of hotel rooms, restaurants, a safe area for the fans, great flow in and out of the venue area (way to go TPD), relatively low cost for the NCAA and the fans, Tulsa's central and easy to transport into, and a world class arena should make it very attractive. Not sure how much latitude they have with ticket promos and the like but it would be great if we could get the arena full and have a real shot at one of those finals. If we can get over the hump I just don't see how it can't be a slam dunk for the city and the NCAA.

 

[TU_BLA]

Selling out 1st and 2nd round games (3 sessions) I think would be a must before Tulsa would be considered as a regional final host. Selling out a regional final would be fairly easy IMO, but I think the NCAA is going to reward places that support whatever rounds of the event they get. Sure, local businesses support the events in full because they get a benefit from the event through increased taxes. Local fans need to support it better. Buy tickets, go to the practice rounds. There is ZERO reason why these games should not sell out after schools sell their allotment of tickets and then filling in the remaining 3-4K with local fans.

 

[drboobay]

Getting back our daily nonstop flights to New York, DC, and LA would help too. More parking at the airport is all fine and good but to really capitalize on our central location we need to make it easier to get here.

Both OKC and XNA have much better coastal air service now. Hopefully the new airport director can reverse the trend.

We have a lot to offer but need all the pieces in place to attract and support national sporting events.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Getting back our daily nonstop flights to New York, DC, and LA would help too. More parking at the airport is all fine and good but to really capitalize on our central location we need to make it easier to get here.

Both OKC and XNA have much better coastal air service now. Hopefully the new airport director can reverse the trend.

We have a lot to offer but need all the pieces in place to attract and support national sporting events.

I doubt we are going to have much luck there. I'm thinking they only want to have better flights to and from one city in a landlocked state with the size and population ours has. For us to win, OKC has to lose. With our movement downtown, and on Riverside we are making some strides to catch up with OKC, but we are still a ways from drastically exceeding them as a hub of activity.

 

[TUBballJunkie]

We'll plan to come home for that one. 2011 was great and hated to miss this year, plus I'm not going to get to see those awesome early rounds down here.

I'm not sure there is much crossover in the facilities who host first rounds and those who host regionals or final fours. I'm surrounded in Houston by facilities who host the latter (New Orleans, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas) and when first rounds get close, it's not the same facilities. UTSA and Ft Worth hosting future early rounds, for example, while later rounds are in the professional arena/stadium homes instead.

 

[TU_BLA]

Getting back our daily nonstop flights to New York, DC, and LA would help too. More parking at the airport is all fine and good but to really capitalize on our central location we need to make it easier to get here.

Both OKC and XNA have much better coastal air service now. Hopefully the new airport director can reverse the trend.

We have a lot to offer but need all the pieces in place to attract and support national sporting events.

Yeah, getting on a flight that goes from Tulsa to Kansas City just so you can get to St. Louis is pretty ridiculous. Or having to fly through Dallas on American to get anywhere. All the airlines cuts the # of flights and smaller airports like Tulsa had the most cuts. We used to be able to catch any one of 6 flights on Southwest from Tulsa to St. Louis depending on what time of day we wanted to fly. I think we're down to 3 without having to fly to an in-between point first. Heck, if an airline were smart, they'd offer a non-stop flight to each of the American's cities. Doesn't have to be many, but I'm sure they would get some takers and it would also help Tulsa land an AAC tournament. I'm not sure you can even get a non-stop to New Orleans at a reasonable price anymore.

 

[TUBballJunkie]

Heck, SWA only has 3 direct flights HOU>TUL now too. And 2 of those are 6am and 10pm. It's unfortunately United or bust from here.

 

[rabidTU]

I still believe a major advantage to Tulsa right now is that we don't have a Pro Basketball team to conflict with during basketball season. The NCAA selectors see an easy scheduling option in cities like Tulsa and Wichita. Plus, I get the feeling that some of the NBA cities are so enthralled with that league that they aren't willing to compete hard for an NCAA regional. To them its not a priority. IMO

 

[rabidTU]

Tulsa was again chosen to host 1st & 2nd round games in 2019. If you haven't gone to one of these before, you need to make this one. That first day with 4 games is a blast! Downtown Tulsa is now a festive place & the BOK is a very good venue.

Although I hope we are playing elsewhere (we can't play here, since we are hosting), I still plan on attending as many games as possible.

I've thought about the disadvantage of TU always hosting and ask myself the question of "why do we have to host"? Couldn't ORU do it? OSU? It hurts our chances of going to the tournament imo. KU always ends up in Kansas City at some point don't they? It doesn't seem fair.

 

[TU_BLA]

I still believe a major advantage to Tulsa right now is that we don't have a Pro Basketball team to conflict with during basketball season. The NCAA selectors see an easy scheduling option in cities like Tulsa and Wichita. Plus, I get the feeling that some of the NBA cities are so enthralled with that league that they aren't willing to compete hard for an NCAA regional. To them its not a priority. IMO

A lot of the talking heads at ESPN seem to think the NCAA needs to put the regional finals in the East in Madison Square Garden every other year.

When they say Ft. Worth, where are they playing? Jerry-World?

 

[TU_BLA]

I've thought about the disadvantage of TU always hosting and ask myself the question of "why do we have to host"? Couldn't ORU do it? OSU? It hurts our chances of going to the tournament imo. KU always ends up in Kansas City at some point don't they? It doesn't seem fair.

ORU doesn't have the resources (money and personnel) to host right now.

 

[cmullinsTU]

I don't understand why there's a host school period. OKC hosted a few years ago and there wasn't a host school. OU got to play that year in OKC the opening rounds.

 

[mcane]

I think BOK is a natural permanent first and second round host - KU, WSU, Arkansas, OU, OSU. Put any one of those teams and that's 15,000; put two here and it's a sellout and hard ticket.

 

[TU_BLA]

I don't understand why there's a host school period. OKC hosted a few years ago and there wasn't a host school. OU got to play that year in OKC the opening rounds.

The Big XII was the host. We could play in Tulsa if any of the other entities mentioned above or the Big XII or the AAC bid to host. Every site has an NCAA affiliated partner as a host to go along with the bidding group (Tulsa - Tulsa Sports Commission). Our best hope would be to convince the AAC to help be the "host".

 

[TUBballJunkie]

I still believe a major advantage to Tulsa right now is that we don't have a Pro Basketball team to conflict with during basketball season. The NCAA selectors see an easy scheduling option in cities like Tulsa and Wichita. Plus, I get the feeling that some of the NBA cities are so enthralled with that league that they aren't willing to compete hard for an NCAA regional. To them its not a priority. IMO

Ya I wondered if that's why OKC isn't on the list.

The Ft Worth host says something like Fort Worth Arena. Arlington is a Final 4 destination like NRG in Houston.

 

[Larry Lewis]

I don't get excited about hosting the NCAA tournament because it means that Tulsa can't play here. And we likely won't host an NIT game either because we have to host the NCAA tournament.

TU shouldn't agree to host it. Make someone else host it. It does TU no good at all. It is sickening to see all these other schools play 'Home" games in the NCAA tourney and Tulsa can't.

 

[drboobay]

I don't get excited about hosting the NCAA tournament because it means that Tulsa can't play here. And we likely won't host an NIT game either because we have to host the NCAA tournament.

TU shouldn't agree to host it. Make someone else host it. It does TU no good at all. It is sickening to see all these other schools play 'Home" games in the NCAA tourney and Tulsa can't.

I agree that it would be good if another entity would step up to host.

 

[drboobay]

Getting back our daily nonstop flights to New York, DC, and LA would help too. More parking at the airport is all fine and good but to really capitalize on our central location we need to make it easier to get here.

Both OKC and XNA have much better coastal air service now. Hopefully the new airport director can reverse the trend.

We have a lot to offer but need all the pieces in place to attract and support national sporting events.

I doubt we are going to have much luck there. I'm thinking they only want to have better flights to and from one city in a landlocked state with the size and population ours has. For us to win, OKC has to lose. With our movement downtown, and on Riverside we are making some strides to catch up with OKC, but we are still a ways from drastically exceeding them as a hub of activity.

We have had these flights in the not-distant past including daily flights to EWR for the New York area. Other airports like OKC, XNA, Omaha, etc have gained in recent years and we have lost. I put this partly on airport leadership which just changed. So I am hopeful.

Still think this is part of the concoction needed to draw the big national events.

 

[lawpoke87]

Could Tulsa even play at the BOK if we weren't a top 4 regional seed due to proximity rules?

 

[TU_BLA]

Of course they could if the region played out right. KU's going to lose at some point before the Final Four anyway so why not make them play in a hostile place in the 2nd round

 

[Gold*]

Could Tulsa even play at the BOK if we weren't a top 4 regional seed due to proximity rules?

If we adopted the Alley proposal to become a state school and moved athletics to OKC or Lawton. Hell, let's become a Texas school and play in Beaumont. Then Peters might follow us and we would have a captive market because NO ONE CARES ABOUT LAMAR!!!!1

 

[mcane]

I think it's still good for Tulsa, the City, if the regional is here, even if TU hosts. If TU makes the NCAA, those games will be on the alternate dates that won't conflict with the game dates here. And, I'll knock on wood hopefully fly to TU's game and sell my tickets to ravenous KU fans.

 

[cmullinsTU]

If we adopted the Alley proposal to become a state school and moved athletics to OKC or Lawton

Whoa whoa whoa... I thought we agreed move to Stroud???? Then we are equidistant from OKC and Tulsa!!!!1111

#TulsaState4Lifeeeeeeeeee

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Tulsa St at Stroud is almost as good as NE Tulsa St. U.

 

[TUBballJunkie]

I kinda want some Tulsa State U paraphernalia now.

 

[Bill Lowery]

I kinda want some Tulsa State U paraphernalia now.

Hey, I'm living in Missouri State University land now. I still want to call it Southwest Missouri State but my step daughter, who is graduating there this spring, sets me straight.

 

[Li'l Eric Coley]

I kinda want some Tulsa State U paraphernalia now.

Check Gordman's. Since they're going outta bidness, you can get TSU gear dirt cheap!
No returns though

 

[I.I.]

I think BOK is a natural permanent first and second round host - KU, WSU, Arkansas, OU, OSU. Put any one of those teams and that's 15,000; put two here and it's a sellout and hard ticket.

You nailed it mcane...... So far we get Kansas twice but no co-anchor participants. Baylor, SMU, and Memphis were attempts but only the schools you mentioned would fill the arena with KU. Only Northwestern this year instead of USC might have given us a shot at a sellout. Non drivable schools just can't provide the attendance unless there is a special reason for fans to pay the huge airfares.

As far as TU, 2019 is a prime year for an NCAA selection with our best team in a long time. There are probably a thousand TU fans that would be deflected to the TU site plus the distraction in the athletic department trying to go both directions. Still a great thing for the city of Tulsa, just tough to host when you have a great chance to go elsewhere in 2019.

 

[Gold*]

I've.

As far as TU, 2019 is a prime year for an NCAA selection with our best team in a long time. There are probably a thousand TU fans that would be deflected to the TU site plus the distraction in the athletic department trying to go both directions. Still a great thing for the city of Tulsa, just tough to host when you have a great chance to go elsewhere in 2019.

I had the same thought. Maybe ORU will help out in 2019? You can be D2 and be a host school, too, right?

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Wonder if the conference would fill in for us that year? I'd like to know when does the host have to be specified, or when is the deadline for changing the host.

Another question is what is our cost on hosting. If most of the work is volunteer or salaried then we'd lose a small wad of dough. A couple of years ago they were paying the host school $200k.

 

[TUBballJunkie]

Hey, I'm living in Missouri State University land now. I still want to call it Southwest Missouri State but my step daughter, who is graduating there this spring, sets me straight.

My dad still refuses to say UL or ULL. He has a degree from USL, damnit!

 

[TU_BLA]

Wonder if the conference would fill in for us that year? I'd like to know when does the host have to be specified, or when is the deadline for changing the host.

Another question is what is our cost on hosting. If most of the work is volunteer or salaried then we'd lose a small wad of dough. A couple of years ago they were paying the host school $200k.

I think the host is specified in the bid package. Probably something like the University of Tulsa in cooperation with the Tulsa Sports Commission and the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. I know a lot of the athletic personnel at TU worked on branding items and marketing as well as assisting with game ops (i.e. all the guys who sit at the table and do stats, official scorekeeper, PA announcer, etc. were all the guys who normally do TU games.

 

[mcane]

It would be interesting for TU to host and be playing elsewhere. My guess is the Sports Commission would need to fill in, but the travelling team doesn't take its announcer, etc., so there is not a total overlap. It would be a good problem to have.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

I think the host is specified in the bid package. Probably something like the University of Tulsa in cooperation with the Tulsa Sports Commission and the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. I know a lot of the athletic personnel at TU worked on branding items and marketing as well as assisting with game ops (i.e. all the guys who sit at the table and do stats, official scorekeeper, PA announcer, etc. were all the guys who normally do TU games.

I pretty much knew all of that, the main thing is when a team can be substituted in by another entity, ie the conference.

 

[TU_BLA]

I pretty much knew all of that, the main thing is when a team can be substituted in by another entity, ie the conference.

I'm gonna guess that is highly frowned upon by the NCAA unless there is a legit logistical reason why it needs to happen, i.e. the host entity no longer has the money or personnel to make it happen. I'm pretty sure it would damage Tulsa's future opportunities of hosting any NCAA events if it swapped out hosting responsibilities with ORU or the AAC just so it would have a chance of being placed here for NCAA tournament games.

 

[rabidTU]

ORU doesn't have the resources (money and personnel) to host right now.

How much money does it take? And as far as the workers/personnel how much ($) /many is really needed? Doesn't the NCAA actually make money off it? You'd think the host would too. Surely we don't just donate to that event. Wouldn't ORU need some more money to pay their next MBB coach?

But in the end, its more about going to the dance and winning in the dance. That helps the school and the league in the long run. IMO