I don't know. I doubt it. I don't see Minnesota coming to UNC-Asheville after Biedenbach's team went to MN and then came to UCONN and HC season before last. But why don't we host a Worcester tournament one of these years with a Big Ten team, and a couple of other teams that will fill the Centrum on two nights? Maybe this is a way for the athletic department to make money, which it so sorely needs.
NTK, I asked a similar question to Coach Willard and Dick Regan at last years preseason banquet. I asked why couldn't HC try to organize their own "bracket buster", and invite 3 solid mid majors to the Centrum to start the season. They both looked at me and sort of smirked; Regan questioned how anyone would want to come to Worcester with other attractive tournament venues out there (such as Maui). To me it's an indication that they haven't exhausted ALL scheduling possibilities, no matter what anyone says. But it's nice that they have a Big 10 opponent scheduled. To the Crusaders - hit the weight room!
Dave: "three solid mid majors"..not the way to go. Follow the old Lapchick tournament formula. Bring in two equally strong and attractive teams to play each other and then have HC play a team that gives us a good chance of winning. We then play in the finals. Teams would come to Worcester IF they can make money and that depends on marketing to the Worcester area fans. Not every team can go to Maui or NYC. There are scores of holiday tournaments and their numbers seem to grow each year. I think we need a more positive slant than what you relate.
The weight room remark is right on! Playing a Big Ten team will make our guys realize that they need to prepare for a very physical encounter. UNC-Asheville actually hung with the Gophers and were just a bucket or two away from making it a real nail biter and they did it with smart ball and quickness, qualities I think we will possess next year. The big man in the middle question still needs resolution though.
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Re: Why not a Worcester Tournament? -- Non Alum Dave, 11:08:38 05/02/04 Sun
I saw that game on TV NTK and indeed, UNC-A was impressive. I think HC can go in there and do the same, but someone in the 4-5 positions is going to have to really improve over the summer to give them a chance in this game.
As for the tourney, yeah, the Lapchick formula certainly makes sense. I just think it would be more difficult to get 2 big time schools. Marketing, as usual, would certainly be a key. It's something I would really like to see..
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Re: Why not a Worcester Tournament? -- NTKHC64, 11:44:13 05/02/04 Sun
Dave,
It's clear that they just have to make office space in the field house for the two us and things will work out fine!
UNC-A had senior Ben McGonigal at 6'11"/ 250 and a super backcourt. I don't see anyone on our roster with those numbers or experience to play the 5. With all due respect to the present players, the more time passes the more you appreciate Pat.
Non Alum Dave, as you can probably remember HC has hosted tournaments here in the past prior to Patriot League play. What a typical response from Regan. God forbid he or anyone else in senior positions in that athletic department work hard or think broadly. That one little smirk says it all about Regan's leadership of the HC Athletic Department.
What a surprise, a smirk from Regan, he has been nothing
but a zero since he arrived, his only positive step was hiring RW. It appears that the sports program will remain at the bottom of the barrel as long as Regan is AD.
