Why don't Indiana mid-majors band together?

[Jason Svoboda]

Was thinking about this today as I was hearing updates on the Tip Off Classic being held at Southport. For those that don't know, it's an invitation of 12 of the best Indiana high school teams with some big time match ups of the best high school talents. For example, today you could see Romeo Langford and New Albany play Kris Wilkes and North Central. Gym was absolutely packed.

Since the "power" schools won't let us into their holiday tournament, why don't the Indiana mid-majors band together and create something? It could be held at the Pepsi Coliseum (IUPUI's gym at the fairgrounds) and you could have 3-4 match ups (4 if you wanted to have a D2 "undercard" if you think you needed it to sell the thing out)

Example Card:

USI vs UIndy
IPFW vs Evansville
IUPUI vs Ball State
Indiana State vs Valpo

I would go to this every damn year and this is the sort of thing that could build rivalries. Obviously you've have to navigate around if some of the teams already have scheduled one another but not only would this be a great event, all of those teams could tap into the Indiana high school hoops market as you know you've have potential recruiters there. Thoughts?

 

[ISUCC]

Jason, that just makes too much sense, therefore it will probably never happen. Agreed though, it would be a fantastic event

 

[4Q_iu]

Was thinking about this today as I was hearing updates on the Tip Off Classic being held at Southport. For those that don't know, it's an invitation of 12 of the best Indiana high school teams with some big time match ups of the best high school talents. For example, today you could see Romeo Langford and New Albany play Kris Wilkes and North Central. Gym was absolutely packed.

Since the "power" schools won't let us into their holiday tournament, why don't the Indiana mid-majors band together and create something? It could be held at the Pepsi Coliseum (IUPUI's gym at the fairgrounds) and you could have 3-4 match ups (4 if you wanted to have a D2 "undercard" if you think you needed it to sell the thing out)

Example Card:

USI vs UIndy
IPFW vs Evansville
IUPUI vs Ball State
Indiana State vs Valpo

I would go to this every damn year and this is the sort of thing that could build rivalries. Obviously you've have to navigate around if some of the teams already have scheduled one another but not only would this be a great event, all of those teams could tap into the Indiana high school hoops market as you know you've have potential recruiters there. Thoughts?

Love the idea, not sold on the D2 game - esp that match-up as usi & uindy are conf foes... Maybe they agree to make that their conf game... I'd rather it be us, isu-m, valpo and ue - as long as we don't play ue as we already do.... If ipfw and iupui were added, still possible - just respect the current conf match-up ups.

Would the Indiana Farmer's Coliseum @ the Fairgrounds be big enough with six schools? Believe it's capacity is 6,500 or so....

What weekend? The crossroads classic has the best date in Indy.... Course, there are plenty of hotels and restaurants

Call Clink and make it happen!!

 

[Sycamore Proud]

The concept is great. I'm not sold in the D2 game, but I would be willing to give it a shot and see what happens.

 

[Bluethunder]

I would be there. If you ever figure out who to contact to make something like a reality let me know and I would help anyway I could.

FYI, the Crossroads Classic may not last too much longer as IU has been invited to a bigger event and many alums would like to see them pull out of the CC and go to the other event.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Love the idea, not sold on the D2 game - esp that match-up as usi & uindy are conf foes... Maybe they agree to make that their conf game... I'd rather it be us, isu-m, valpo and ue - as long as we don't play ue as we already do.... If ipfw and iupui were added, still possible - just respect the current conf match-up ups.

Would the Indiana Farmer's Coliseum @ the Fairgrounds be big enough with six schools? Believe it's capacity is 6,500 or so....

What weekend? The crossroads classic has the best date in Indy.... Course, there are plenty of hotels and restaurants

Call Clink and make it happen!!

I forgot it is only 6500. It used to be 8000 back in the day so that is the only reason I considered the D2. Between 6 schools, you should be able to sell 6500 tickets. Also, I don't care about the matchups, but I'd assume you could just keep conference foes apart unless they're okay with it.

 

[4Q_iu]

I forgot it is only 6500. It used to be 8000 back in the day so that is the only reason I considered the D2. Between 6 schools, you should be able to sell 6500 tickets. Also, I don't care about the matchups, but I'd assume you could just keep conference foes apart unless they're okay with it.

Per the iupui website, the capacity is 6,800 --- that may be large enough for a 4-team invitational, 6-8 teams... they'd either have to do a Friday night / Saturday afternoon OR find a date at The Fieldhouse...

Regardless, the idea has merit -- Clink should push for it