MBB Summit 2024-25

[6-4-3 Jackrabbit]

Just saw Omaha's victory walk on YouTube. Crowd was worse than I expected and I wasn't expecting much. I'd think the turnout would hurt Omaha and St Thomas in their recruiting but also hurt SF in retaining the tournament. Scary for the conference's viability that it's tied to one team being consistently in the finals. This looks kind of like the crowds I see as I follow Lindenwood and the OVC. The four semifinalists should have stood up and driven in. Not that far for any of them.

The crowd would've been similar if the game was played at Baxter. Meaningless game (THANKS FENTON) with SDSU not playing. Fans with tournament fatigue and a Sunday night. I was shocked anyone was in attendance. I really enjoy the tournament each season, but I have had enough of Fenton, the ORU Coach crying about the crowd, CBS Sports broadcast mentioning the partisan crowd over and over again. I know in the world of academia they don't understand dollars and cents. Money just appears in their world. Move the tournament. Good luck. Let's see how it goes in Omaha, Denver, KC or Tulsa. I so want this league to have to come back to the SDSU fanbase with their tails between their legs. All because Fenton doesn't have the guts to stand up to some University Presidents and explain to them how good this league has it in Sioux Falls. That's my two cents (if it means anything).

[6-4-3 Jackrabbit]

I understand the balance between money and other factors, but it feels like Fenton has really damaged the SLT.

Removed student sections - I know this is normally just a SDSU and USD thing, but Omaha had a nice group of student yesterday. Sadly, they didn’t have great seats…

Letting an ineligible team into the SLT - ruined the 2025 championship game

Changing ticket protocols - going to hurt attendance and atmosphere

Removal of the Summit League spirit competition - less dance/cheer teams and less league spirit

Can anyone think of anything positive he has done?

TWO THUMBS UP!!!!

[6-4-3 Jackrabbit]

It could be!

I just think Sioux Falls has been a blessing to SDSU success and I am personally bias because it has been an annually event for me and my family!

I won’t be attending the championship tonight. Pointless game!

Totally agree. I just think it's time for the SDSU fan to call Fenton's bluff. He's a joke. I hate to say this. I hope he moves that tournament. He will have to back to Sioux Falls and the SDSU fanbase with his tail between his legs.

[6-4-3 Jackrabbit]

I agree with 6-4-3, skip the game.

If Fenton and the Presidents from the southern schools choose Omaha or Tulsa, this tourney will rot. No one besides Jacks fan will be there.

Fenton needs to be honest with the UMKC, ORU, Denver, Omaha and St Thomas folks that; however much you hate the tourney, it's only making money in one spot.

THANK YOU. Fenton is a joke. If he doesn't have the backbone to look these people in the eye and say, "We're a mid-major basketball conference that on the men's side gets fleeced every year by the Power 4. We're very fortunate that anyone is in the seats let alone 9,000 people on Saturday night along with 8500 Sunday afternoon." he should be fired. As we all know the world of academia isn't the real world and most times, they don't understand dollars and cents.

[bigticket1]

How about not having the All Conferance first team players names on the plaques there are at the bottom of the steps as you wanlk in? Was there anywhere where you could see who the player of the year was?

They did move the Omaha students down to right behind their team for the championship game. They let them and other people move down but they kicked some people out of "open" seats, too.

They used to have the banners for the all-conference teams and other award winners in the hotel next door. Haven't been in there for a few years, so don't know if they still do it.

[91jack]

I understand the balance between money and other factors, but it feels like Fenton has really damaged the SLT.

Removed student sections - I know this is normally just a SDSU and USD thing, but Omaha had a nice group of student yesterday. Sadly, they didn’t have great seats…

Letting an ineligible team into the SLT - ruined the 2025 championship game

Changing ticket protocols - going to hurt attendance and atmosphere

Removal of the Summit League spirit competition - less dance/cheer teams and less league spirit

Can anyone think of anything positive he has done?

How about not having the All Conferance first team players names on the plaques there are at the bottom of the steps as you wanlk in? Was there anywhere where you could see who the player of the year was?

They did move the Omaha students down to right behind their team for the championship game. They let them and other people move down but they kicked some people out of "open" seats, too.

[hoppityhophop]

I talked to an Omaha parent on Sunday. He thought it was a great venue. He was very positive. The #1 seed wins.

That reminds me - Omaha is hosting an NCAA hockey regional next year at the same arena. Can't be that bad of a venue from Omaha's perspective..

[OldHare]

I talked to an Omaha parent on Sunday. He thought it was a great venue. He was very positive. The #1 seed wins.

[MontanaRabbit]

As a UND fan, I would have liked to have seen how many fans that would have driven down had UND made it to the championship game. One of the biggest issues that isn't going to go away is that some combination of UND, UNO, and Omaha will always be hosting hockey games on Friday and Saturday night. With nearly 12k fans at the Ralph on Friday and Saturday night, it's hard to expect them to drop everything for a last minute trip to go watch a #6 seed team (lose). That said, I think this is one of the reasons Sioux Falls makes the most sense for the tournament... UNO, DU, and UND will never be able to consistently support a tournament like SDSU and USD can. UMKC is only a 5 hour drive.... it's the most central location possible. Everyone who complains about the hostile environment should really just be laughed at... an empty arena is not a better alternative lol.

This guy gets it.

I've been to about a dozen games DU/Jacks games in Denver. Denver's fan support is pathetic. Same with ORU (don't give me the attendance numbers from their box scores because they are total BS).

[hoppityhophop]

Just saw Omaha's victory walk on YouTube. Crowd was worse than I expected and I wasn't expecting much. I'd think the turnout would hurt Omaha and St Thomas in their recruiting but also hurt SF in retaining the tournament. Scary for the conference's viability that it's tied to one team being consistently in the finals. This looks kind of like the crowds I see as I follow Lindenwood and the OVC. The four semifinalists should have stood up and driven in. Not that far for any of them.

As a UND fan, I would have liked to have seen how many fans that would have driven down had UND made it to the championship game. One of the biggest issues that isn't going to go away is that some combination of UND, UNO, and Omaha will always be hosting hockey games on Friday and Saturday night. With nearly 12k fans at the Ralph on Friday and Saturday night, it's hard to expect them to drop everything for a last minute trip to go watch a #6 seed team (lose). That said, I think this is one of the reasons Sioux Falls makes the most sense for the tournament... UNO, DU, and UND will never be able to consistently support a tournament like SDSU and USD can. UMKC is only a 5 hour drive.... it's the most central location possible. Everyone who complains about the hostile environment should really just be laughed at... an empty arena is not a better alternative lol.

[OldHare]

The announced attendance was only about 900 less than the women's game. It looked like the crowd thinned out as the game went on. Likely lots of Jacks fans watched for awhile and then got an early start on the trip home.

Halftime involved many jackets in hand. It was good to see much of the Tommie contact to be called last night. They will need to work on the acting classes over the off season. Minnesale was due for a flagrant 1 after watching his play this year. Good luck to the Mavs as they enjoy the first trip to the Big Dance.

[bigticket1]

Just saw Omaha's victory walk on YouTube. Crowd was worse than I expected and I wasn't expecting much. I'd think the turnout would hurt Omaha and St Thomas in their recruiting but also hurt SF in retaining the tournament. Scary for the conference's viability that it's tied to one team being consistently in the finals. This looks kind of like the crowds I see as I follow Lindenwood and the OVC. The four semifinalists should have stood up and driven in. Not that far for any of them.

The announced attendance was only about 900 less than the women's game. It looked like the crowd thinned out as the game went on. Likely lots of Jacks fans watched for awhile and then got an early start on the trip home.

[Grizzled_Jack]

Just saw Omaha's victory walk on YouTube. Crowd was worse than I expected and I wasn't expecting much. I'd think the turnout would hurt Omaha and St Thomas in their recruiting but also hurt SF in retaining the tournament. Scary for the conference's viability that it's tied to one team being consistently in the finals. This looks kind of like the crowds I see as I follow Lindenwood and the OVC. The four semifinalists should have stood up and driven in. Not that far for any of them.

[NorCalJack]

I know this is a MBB topic, but here are some attendance numbers for Summit WBB

So the attendance for Big 10 WBB final was 8,358
For Big XII final - 5,084
For Summit League final - 8,417

The Summit League total attendance for WBB was 30,796.

Wednesday was a MBB and WBB so I split the attendance for that session.

[jakejc795]

Totally agree, Fenton is useless. He let the southern school presidents have too much say.

Was going to post a similar post about Fenton yesterday, but deleted it. He should be fired if the tourney moves, attendance will plummet.

He's being mentioned as a possible MVFC commissioner, so you may not need to worry about firing him, although maybe he'll try to double dip like Patty Viverito.