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Official 2006 Big Ten Tournament Discussion Thread

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If we beat Northwestern, we are guaranteed to at least share the Big Ten title. We are the only big ten team with 4 losses, and should beat NW and Purdue, leaving us as the undisputed champs of the big ten. Losing our first game in the tourney would not change that.
 
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BigTen.com

2/27/06

Indianapolis Unveils Plans for Big Ten Basketball Tournaments
City Declares March 2-12: "A Celebration of Big Ten Basketball"



Feb. 24, 2006

Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and the City of Indianapolis declared March 2-12 to be a "Celebration of Big Ten Basketball" in Indianapolis Friday at a news conference at Conseco Fieldhouse. Fred Glass, co-chair of the city's organizing committee for the 2006 Big Ten Tournaments, presented the proclamation to Big Ten Conference Commissioner Jim Delany along with the Key to the City.

"We celebrate the wonderful traditions and history that Big Ten student-athletes and coaches have created and salute the current student-athletes and coaches that will participate in the nation's best conference tournaments March 2-12," said Glass, representing the City.

Both tournaments will be played at the Fieldhouse with the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament presented by Xbox Live beginning on Thursday, March 2, at 3 p.m. and concluding with the championship game on Monday, March 6, at 7 p.m. The Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament will begin Thursday, March 9, at 12 noon. Its championship game will take place on Sunday, March 12, at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets for both tournaments are still available and can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (317-239-5151 in central Indiana) and www.ticketmaster.com.

The news conference also featured organizers announcing their "celebration" plans for the two weeks of basketball. A variety of special events will take place, including pep rallies, fan festivals and autograph sessions with former Big Ten players.

"The Big Ten Tournaments are highly sought after events and we are proud that we can serve as host." said Donnie Walsh, president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Inc. "We hosted the Big Ten Men's Tournament in 2002 and 2004. The Big Ten Women's Tournament has been held here since 1995, except for one year. These tournaments bring energy to the city and are the focus of everyone in Indianapolis."

As part of the Big Ten Tournaments, organizers are transforming city streets and businesses into the "Home of Big Ten Basketball." Street pole banners, flags and the renaming of Indianapolis streets will help show fans the excitement the city has for the tournaments. Local businesses also will be celebrating as 11 nightspots and restaurants have adopted a Big Ten team to create gathering places for fans.


"We are rolling out the red carpet for Big Ten student-athletes, coaches and fans and will show them the best of Indianapolis hospitality," said Susan Williams, president of Indiana Sports Corporation.

"The Big Ten Tournaments mean so much to this community. With most of the downtown hotels already booked, we're hopeful for a significant economic impact. More importantly, our community's image is enhanced as every tournament game is broadcast live nationally or regionally. The events also give residents the chance take part in a true celebration of Big Ten basketball complete with terrific college basketball and a variety of special events."

In 2004, the Big Ten Tournaments caused an economic impact of more than $10 million on Indianapolis, according to the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association.

The city will also get some free publicity as Comcast SportsNet Chicago will televise the first round, quarterfinals and semifinals of the women's tournament. ESPN2 will broadcast the women's championship game and the first round games of the men's tournament. ESPN will air the first two quarterfinals of the men's tournament, while the evening quarterfinals will be on ESPN Plus. CBS will broadcast the semifinals and championship game of the men's tournament.

In addition to the news conference, organizers unveiled their Tourney TownTM Shoe as part of the Big Ten Tournaments décor. The giant 13-foot long shoe molded in fiberglass and standing seven-feet tall is laced with the Big Ten logo and the logos of the Big Ten universities. It will remain on the west side of Conseco Fieldhouse until April. Indiana Sports Corporation and Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Inc. purchased the shoe to thank the student-athletes and coaches of the Big Ten.

The shoe is one of several oversized Tourney TownTM Shoes and Backboards throughout the downtown area. Tourney TownTM is a fundraiser to help the Indianapolis Local Organizing Committee for the 2006 NCAA Men's Final Four offset some of the costs of hosting the Final Four.

Following is a list of Big Ten Tournaments Events and Activities:

Big Ten Talk of the Town
On Saturday, March 4 from 2:30-4 p.m., fans of all ages are invited to attend "Talk of the Town" at the Indianapolis Artsgarden. "Talk of the Town" is a unique opportunity for both media and the general public to hear from the four remaining Big Ten Tournament semifinalists. Coaches will field questions from the public and be available to media for one-on-one interviews from 2:30-3:30 p.m., while the student-athletes take part in the autograph session. Select players from the semifinal teams and former Tournament Most Outstanding Players Shereka Wright (Purdue 2003 and 2004), and Kristin Haynie (Michigan State 2005) will let fans become part of the Big Ten celebration that afternoon. T-shirt designs created by students that participated in the Big Ten Middle School Curriculum Program also will be on display during the event.
Championship Game Pep Rallies
Prior to the championship games of both tournaments, Indianapolis organizers will be hosting pep rallies featuring the championship teams' pep bands, cheerleaders and mascots.
The women's tournament pep rally will take place on Monday, March 6, from 5-6 p.m. in the Entry Pavilion of Conseco Fieldhouse. Fans are invited to come downtown early to be a part of the festivities. The pep rally will include local entertainment, band and cheerleader performances, free popcorn and face painting.
The men's pep rally will take place in the Ober Lot outside Conseco Fieldhouse on Sunday, March 12, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Again, local entertainment, band and cheerleader performances, free popcorn, face painting, interactive games and autograph sessions will make the pep rally a must for all Big Ten basketball fans.
Hoops Hospitality
Downtown Indianapolis nightspots and restaurants are adopting Big Ten schools throughout the tournaments to establish pre- and post-game gathering spots for Indianapolis visitors. The spots will provide places for fans to gear up for the game, hang out or celebrate a big win. Each of the 11 Big Ten teams has been paired with an establishment to celebrate Big Ten basketball.
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Dammit, this sucks, I have class at 1230-230. Might have to take my labtop to class.

Anyways right now we would be lookin' at a game against the winner of Minny/PSU.

Then the winner of Wisky/Michigan.

Then whoever wants to come from the other side of the bracket.

This will be very interesting.

First lets take care of business to finish the season.
 
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Possibly another stupid person asking a question..

I know that the Big Ten champions get an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. That's the Big Ten tournament champions. What about the regular-season champions?

Before everyone jumps on me saying that it doesn't matter, because the season champions would get an at-large bid, anyway, I already know that. I'm just curious if it is actually an automatic bid, or an at-large bid. No real reason - just curious.

Or maybe it's practical (though not realistic). What if one team finishes 9-7, one finishes 7-9, and all other teams finish 8-8 in the regular season, and each was 0-10 before the season started. Would that 9-17 (9-7) team get an automatic bid, even if they didn't win the tournament?
 
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Zurp said:
Possibly another stupid person asking a question..

I know that the Big Ten champions get an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. That's the Big Ten tournament champions. What about the regular-season champions?

Before everyone jumps on me saying that it doesn't matter, because the season champions would get an at-large bid, anyway, I already know that. I'm just curious if it is actually an automatic bid, or an at-large bid. No real reason - just curious.

Or maybe it's practical (though not realistic). What if one team finishes 9-7, one finishes 7-9, and all other teams finish 8-8 in the regular season, and each was 0-10 before the season started. Would that 9-17 (9-7) team get an automatic bid, even if they didn't win the tournament?
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I believe the automatic bid only goes with the tournament champion. That's how some good small schools get passed over when they don't win their conference tournament, even if they win the regular season.
 
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