Big Ten Tournament attendance?

[lbodel]

Sorry if there's a thread on this already (I have been very hit or miss on reading the forum the past several months), but are there any of you coming out to DC?

I live in DC and am very excited to have the tournament here, solely for my own good. I'm interested to see how it goes in DC/NYC (I have not heard anything about ticket sales). Obviously the Big Ten is relying on the cities being tourist draws to get Big Ten fans to travel to both (I would have suggested spreading DC/NYC over a few years instead of back-to-back because of that, but hey). However, just because thousands of Big Ten fans come from the midwest to DC - doesn't mean they stay in the Verizon Center the whole tournament. And if anything given the amount of stuff to do in DC, they will bail on basketball very quickly to go do other stuff if their team loses. The Big Ten obviously is praying Maryland doesn't lose early as that's the only school that will be able to help attendance in a significant way last minute (i.e. there's not 5,000 Wisconsin fans showing up out of nowhere to come to a championship game). If Maryland loses (and even in sessions with no Maryland), the Big Ten Tournament could be embarrassingly empty - DC is not a college sports town.

That being said, I've lived in DC for over a decade so if anyone's interested in any recommendations or if you have any questions, happy to help.

PS The bar the Purdue Alumni Association chose for their headquarters is not the best. They went here when Purdue played in the tournament a ways back, but there's a lot better options especially now.

 

[TC4THREE]

My thought was that they were relying on enough local Big Ten and general basketball fans to show up to get decent attendance numbers. I'm interested to see how it works out. New York is big enough that they may be able to pull that off without a ton of people traveling out there from the Midwest. Not so sure about DC. Agree that they are probably praying for a Maryland run.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Sorry if there's a thread on this already (I have been very hit or miss on reading the forum the past several months), but are there any of you coming out to DC?

I live in DC and am very excited to have the tournament here, solely for my own good. I'm interested to see how it goes in DC/NYC (I have not heard anything about ticket sales). Obviously the Big Ten is relying on the cities being tourist draws to get Big Ten fans to travel to both (I would have suggested spreading DC/NYC over a few years instead of back-to-back because of that, but hey). However, just because thousands of Big Ten fans come from the midwest to DC - doesn't mean they stay in the Verizon Center the whole tournament. And if anything given the amount of stuff to do in DC, they will bail on basketball very quickly to go do other stuff if their team loses. The Big Ten obviously is praying Maryland doesn't lose early as that's the only school that will be able to help attendance in a significant way last minute (i.e. there's not 5,000 Wisconsin fans showing up out of nowhere to come to a championship game). If Maryland loses (and even in sessions with no Maryland), the Big Ten Tournament could be embarrassingly empty - DC is not a college sports town.

That being said, I've lived in DC for over a decade so if anyone's interested in any recommendations or if you have any questions, happy to help.

PS The bar the Purdue Alumni Association chose for their headquarters is not the best. They went here when Purdue played in the tournament a ways back, but there's a lot better options especially now.

I wouldn't go to DC for a B1G tournament, but would consider it if we played NCAA games there.

 

[TC4THREE]

Hard for most fans to commit to the long travel when you don't know when the games will be until late and how many there will be.

 

[312_Purdue]

The conference makes their money on the TV rights (B1G sells many of the prime games to CBS or ESPN). Ticket sales are a bonus.

I'm not so cynical as to suggest that they don't care about attendance at all, but TV is just much more important in the modern game economics.

 

[TC4THREE]

The conference makes their money on the TV rights (B1G sells many of the prime games to CBS or ESPN). Ticket sales are a bonus.

I'm not so cynical as to suggest that they don't care about attendance at all, but TV is just much more important in the modern game economics.

But location is not really a factor in the tv money.

 

[312_Purdue]

But location is not really a factor in the tv money.

Exactly. That's why the B1G can do this "DC Experiment" despite the fact that ticket sales are likely to be much weaker than the traditional Indy or Chicago tournaments. Ticket sales aren't driving the bus anymore.

 

[TC4THREE]

Exactly. That's why the B1G can do this "DC Experiment" despite the fact that ticket sales are likely to be much weaker than the traditional Indy or Chicago tournaments. Ticket sales aren't driving the bus anymore.

They haven't been for awhile. That said, you don't want attendance to look like a joke on tv either. What if we end up with Purdue and Wisconsin in the championship game? Or worse yet, something more unexpected like Michigan and Northwestern? That game might be played in front of a few dozen fans.

 

[lbodel]

My thought was that they were relying on enough local Big Ten and general basketball fans to show up to get decent attendance numbers. I'm interested to see how it works out. New York is big enough that they may be able to pull that off without a ton of people traveling out there from the Midwest. Not so sure about DC. Agree that they are probably praying for a Maryland run.

I can tell you right now, the random DC people with no connections to a Big Ten school will not be showing up in noticeable numbers. DC is not really a college sports town, let alone college basketball (they don't show up for Georgetown games).

I think each school will have decent core numbers of fans that travel to DC - it's such a tourist destination that regardless of game time/days not known, they'll plan it as a trip. But it's also not helpful that it's a down year for the Big Ten - not a lot of schools are hyped for postseason.

In addition, DC is a majority-transplant city. There's a lot of Big Ten alums, but it's tough to rely on long-distance alums who typically do not follow things as closely, assuming they even like sports.

I also liked how the Big Ten Tournament had done things for mini student sections over the years. Obviously Indy/Chicago are easy road trips, not as much DC for most of those schools.

But the Verizon Center is big - 20k+. I have no idea how sales have gone and obviously if Maryland fans buy in good numbers and they stay in, then it should be fine. Yes, the ticket sales aren't the driving factor for the tournament - but you also don't want an empty arena on national TV for 12 hours a day.

 

[NVBoilerFan]

I can tell you right now, the random DC people with no connections to a Big Ten school will not be showing up in noticeable numbers. DC is not really a college sports town, let alone college basketball (they don't show up for Georgetown games).

I think each school will have decent core numbers of fans that travel to DC - it's such a tourist destination that regardless of game time/days not known, they'll plan it as a trip. But it's also not helpful that it's a down year for the Big Ten - not a lot of schools are hyped for postseason.

In addition, DC is a majority-transplant city. There's a lot of Big Ten alums, but it's tough to rely on long-distance alums who typically do not follow things as closely, assuming they even like sports.

I also liked how the Big Ten Tournament had done things for mini student sections over the years. Obviously Indy/Chicago are easy road trips, not as much DC for most of those schools.

But the Verizon Center is big - 20k+. I have no idea how sales have gone and obviously if Maryland fans buy in good numbers and they stay in, then it should be fine. Yes, the ticket sales aren't the driving factor for the tournament - but you also don't want an empty arena on national TV for 12 hours a day.

So basically, whoever has to play Maryland is playing 5on8, at least until the championship game.

 

[tjreese]

I can tell you right now, the random DC people with no connections to a Big Ten school will not be showing up in noticeable numbers. DC is not really a college sports town, let alone college basketball (they don't show up for Georgetown games).

I think each school will have decent core numbers of fans that travel to DC - it's such a tourist destination that regardless of game time/days not known, they'll plan it as a trip. But it's also not helpful that it's a down year for the Big Ten - not a lot of schools are hyped for postseason.

In addition, DC is a majority-transplant city. There's a lot of Big Ten alums, but it's tough to rely on long-distance alums who typically do not follow things as closely, assuming they even like sports.

I also liked how the Big Ten Tournament had done things for mini student sections over the years. Obviously Indy/Chicago are easy road trips, not as much DC for most of those schools.

But the Verizon Center is big - 20k+. I have no idea how sales have gone and obviously if Maryland fans buy in good numbers and they stay in, then it should be fine. Yes, the ticket sales aren't the driving factor for the tournament - but you also don't want an empty arena on national TV for 12 hours a day.

****************
was looking at ticket prices and seating this morning. It didn't appear that the cost for such a high seat merited with me. If prices drop, I may reconsider as I have a daughter that lives about a half an hour north (Frederick, MD) of the northernmost metro point (close to Gaithersburg where she used to live).

 

[lbodel]

****************
was looking at ticket prices and seating this morning. It didn't appear that the cost for such a high seat merited with me. If prices drop, I may reconsider as I have a daughter that lives about a half an hour north (Frederick, MD) of the northernmost metro point (close to Gaithersburg where she used to live).

No matter where the tournament is, you're likely able to get ticket prices cheaper on the secondary market/scalpers than face value. Obviously there are caveats - a Purdue/IU matchup in a session in Indianapolis would not be cheap. But given the situation in DC with Maryland only having a 'home' crowd potential, you'll be able to get tickets under face value for all other sessions. And if Purdue does play in a same session as Maryland, I'm still not sure that demand would create THAT high of ticket price.

If you look at StubHub, tickets for the Wednesday session start at $6, the Thursday sessions start at $10 and the Friday day session starts at $40 (the night session is $80). And this is with only all-session tickets on sale and nobody has lost.

Ironically, usually the championship game is the easiest to get tickets (and if Maryland is not in it, you'll get them under $10).

 

[tjreese]

No matter where the tournament is, you're likely able to get ticket prices cheaper on the secondary market/scalpers than face value. Obviously there are caveats - a Purdue/IU matchup in a session in Indianapolis would not be cheap. But given the situation in DC with Maryland only having a 'home' crowd potential, you'll be able to get tickets under face value for all other sessions. And if Purdue does play in a same session as Maryland, I'm still not sure that demand would create THAT high of ticket price.

If you look at StubHub, tickets for the Wednesday session start at $6, the Thursday sessions start at $10 and the Friday day session starts at $40 (the night session is $80). And this is with only all-session tickets on sale and nobody has lost.

Ironically, usually the championship game is the easiest to get tickets (and if Maryland is not in it, you'll get them under $10).

I would expect what you say...just not sure I want a 9 hour drive if I don't know what I'm doing. When I checked this morning it was $200 for all sessions and the seats were up high. Maybe after the dust settles and I have an idea who plays who I can make a move? Thanks again for the insight...

 

[lbodel]

I would expect what you say...just not sure I want a 9 hour drive if I don't know what I'm doing. When I checked this morning it was $200 for all sessions and the seats were up high. Maybe after the dust settles and I have an idea who plays who I can make a move? Thanks again for the insight...

The ONLY factor to worry about is Maryland, which certainly could affect one of the sessions on Friday and the Saturday session. Keep in mind even when Purdue played MSU in the championship game last year, tickets were had pretty cheap (which goes with the notion of the championship game is actually one of the easiest to get).

And the prices you see right now - are probably high. I really doubt that all of the seats except the 400 sections behind the basket are all sold out (that would mean 16,000+ all-session passes). And as soon as schools start getting knocked out, it's more and more tickets on the market.

Keep in mind the tournament did not often sell out in Chicago/Indianapolis - and the Verizon Center is 2,000 seats bigger than Bankers Life.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I would expect what you say...just not sure I want a 9 hour drive if I don't know what I'm doing. When I checked this morning it was $200 for all sessions and the seats were up high. Maybe after the dust settles and I have an idea who plays who I can make a move? Thanks again for the insight...

One good thing now with the expansion is that there will be six schools eliminated before the four top seeds play.....more choices for tickets I would guess.

 

[TC4THREE]

In addition, DC is a majority-transplant city. There's a lot of Big Ten alums, but it's tough to rely on long-distance alums who typically do not follow things as closely, assuming they even like sports.

I think this is what they are hoping. Alums out on the East Coast taking the opportunity this season and next to go watch their schools in the BTT. I'm skeptical that it will work in DC. Perhaps in New York just because there are so many people located there. I also think, as you said, there is more appreciation for college basketball in New York than DC. Probably will get more casual fans in New York.

 

[BoilerGal74]

Lots of military folks in DC originally came out of the Midwest....but whether they would get time off for games would depend on luck of the draw and a sports- minded Chief

 

[lbodel]

I think this is what they are hoping. Alums out on the East Coast taking the opportunity this season and next to go watch their schools in the BTT. I'm skeptical that it will work in DC. Perhaps in New York just because there are so many people located there. I also think, as you said, there is more appreciation for college basketball in New York than DC. Probably will get more casual fans in New York.

There's a ton of Big Ten alums in DC. Purdue has around 5,000 alumni. However, like I said - there's limited connection. I talked to a Purdue alum a couple weeks ago who didn't even know the tournament was in DC. There's also a lot of the 'football school' alumni - who are not as prone to show up for basketball (i.e. Penn State fans...). And like I said, if Purdue or any other school made the championship game, it's not like 5,000 Purdue fans will show up out of mid-air that were not intending to already go like they could in Indy or Chicago.

My big question is why they are doing DC and NYC back-to-back. I feel like if you space it out by a year or two, you're more likely to get more people traveling from the midwest and more of the east coasters to go. Not sure how many will do both unless their team is doing really well.

 

[TC4THREE]

There's a ton of Big Ten alums in DC. Purdue has around 5,000 alumni. However, like I said - there's limited connection. I talked to a Purdue alum a couple weeks ago who didn't even know the tournament was in DC. There's also a lot of the 'football school' alumni - who are not as prone to show up for basketball (i.e. Penn State fans...). And like I said, if Purdue or any other school made the championship game, it's not like 5,000 Purdue fans will show up out of mid-air that were not intending to already go like they could in Indy or Chicago.

My big question is why they are doing DC and NYC back-to-back. I feel like if you space it out by a year or two, you're more likely to get more people traveling from the midwest and more of the east coasters to go. Not sure how many will do both unless their team is doing really well.

Yea I agree. Just because someone graduated from Purdue doesn't make them apt to attend the BTT. The vast majority of them probably have little interest in sports whatsoever. That's why I thought that maybe there would be enough in the NYC area to draw a strong contingent. DC just isn't as big.

 

[tjreese]

There's a ton of Big Ten alums in DC. Purdue has around 5,000 alumni. However, like I said - there's limited connection. I talked to a Purdue alum a couple weeks ago who didn't even know the tournament was in DC. There's also a lot of the 'football school' alumni - who are not as prone to show up for basketball (i.e. Penn State fans...). And like I said, if Purdue or any other school made the championship game, it's not like 5,000 Purdue fans will show up out of mid-air that were not intending to already go like they could in Indy or Chicago.

My big question is why they are doing DC and NYC back-to-back. I feel like if you space it out by a year or two, you're more likely to get more people traveling from the midwest and more of the east coasters to go. Not sure how many will do both unless their team is doing really well.

**************
Why did they take in Rutgers? I think the reason for both is the same.

 

[lbodel]

Is no one coming to DC? We will be playing at noon on Friday as the #1 seed.

Not really sure how to play the ticket game - the Big Ten has been very coy about how many tickets it has sold - and there's been no single game sale yet either.

I'm debating whether to bite the bullet and get tickets now or wait. The big wild card is that Maryland being in your session will be the only thing that makes it a tough ticket. The #4 seed would play in Purdue's session and right now there's a 3 way tie for third including Maryland, Minnesota and Michigan State (Maryland split with Minnesota and plays MSU for the first time Saturday). And to make it more complicated, there's two teams tied one game behind.

Right now, Maryland may not even get the double-bye, but if they end up getting the 4 seed on Saturday, prices will not get any lower and will likely rise. However, if they aren't in Purdue's session, the prices could go way down for a daytime session on Friday. Right now, tickets in the lower ends are $60s and upper levels are $50s. No idea what face value is.

Also, if anyone is selling tickets - I know some people looking for tickets for Thursday evening session.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

i'm going.

Sorry if there's a thread on this already (I have been very hit or miss on reading the forum the past several months), but are there any of you coming out to DC?

I live in DC and am very excited to have the tournament here, solely for my own good. I'm interested to see how it goes in DC/NYC (I have not heard anything about ticket sales). Obviously the Big Ten is relying on the cities being tourist draws to get Big Ten fans to travel to both (I would have suggested spreading DC/NYC over a few years instead of back-to-back because of that, but hey). However, just because thousands of Big Ten fans come from the midwest to DC - doesn't mean they stay in the Verizon Center the whole tournament. And if anything given the amount of stuff to do in DC, they will bail on basketball very quickly to go do other stuff if their team loses. The Big Ten obviously is praying Maryland doesn't lose early as that's the only school that will be able to help attendance in a significant way last minute (i.e. there's not 5,000 Wisconsin fans showing up out of nowhere to come to a championship game). If Maryland loses (and even in sessions with no Maryland), the Big Ten Tournament could be embarrassingly empty - DC is not a college sports town.

That being said, I've lived in DC for over a decade so if anyone's interested in any recommendations or if you have any questions, happy to help.

PS The bar the Purdue Alumni Association chose for their headquarters is not the best. They went here when Purdue played in the tournament a ways back, but there's a lot better options especially now.

What's wrong with the bottom line? I always have a good time there and the drinks are reasonable and the staff is nice which is more than I can say for most dc area bars. The bathroom is kinda weird but if you've been to Harry's then you'll feel right at home.

 

[Dryfly88]

I'm happy for you guys that live in the area and can attend. I know why it's there and NY next year so not getting into that, just wish it would alternate between Chicago and Indy. I don't look for a very good PU crowd so you guys need to be extra strong.

I gave it a serious look, but just too much time and money needed to make a trip to DC. I put my request in the JPC for NCAA tournament tickets and crossing my fingers they go to either Indy or Milwaukee. If they do I'll be there for sure.

 

[lbodel]

i'm going.

What's wrong with the bottom line? I always have a good time there and the drinks are reasonable and the staff is nice which is more than I can say for most dc area bars. The bathroom is kinda weird but if you've been to Harry's then you'll feel right at home.

The Bottom Line is fine - DC doesn't have a lot of sports bar options to begin with outside of Chinatown. The Big Ten Tournament spot is Penn Quarter Sports Bar though. 10 years ago, this was one of the better options in the area. Now? There's a lot better options - and closer to the Verizon Center.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

I'm happy for you guys that live in the area and can attend. I know why it's there and NY next year so not getting into that, just wish it would alternate between Chicago and Indy. I don't look for a very good PU crowd so you guys need to be extra strong.

I gave it a serious look, but just too much time and money needed to make a trip to DC. I put my request in the JPC for NCAA tournament tickets and crossing my fingers they go to either Indy or Milwaukee. If they do I'll be there for sure.

Good luck, Dry. I'll be really surprised now if Purdue is not playing in Milwaukee for the opening round(s). NBA arena, so it should be a decent shooting background/environment....hopefully, anyway.

 

[lbodel]

Good luck, Dry. I'll be really surprised now if Purdue is not playing in Milwaukee for the opening round(s). NBA arena, so it should be a decent shooting background/environment....hopefully, anyway.

I don't know if I'd be "really surprised" - Purdue's the regular season conference champion, but still could share it and who knows what happens in the tournament.

As for type of venue - the NCAA has made an effort recently to move away from football stadiums. Every first/second round location and regional location this year is a basketball arena. I wouldn't mind going back to the Garden....great place, and we didn't play too bad there either!

 

[Dryfly88]

Good luck, Dry. I'll be really surprised now if Purdue is not playing in Milwaukee for the opening round(s). NBA arena, so it should be a decent shooting background/environment....hopefully, anyway.

Tex, I'm with you. I think Milwaukee is the most likely. I would love Indy because the drive is so much quicker and easier from Fort Wayne. I put in request for either place and you can only get 2 tickets so I'm hopeful I will get a pair from JPC. Much cheaper than getting on secondary market.

 

[lbodel]

Tex, I'm with you. I think Milwaukee is the most likely. I would love Indy because the drive is so much quicker and easier from Fort Wayne. I put in request for either place and you can only get 2 tickets so I'm hopeful I will get a pair from JPC. Much cheaper than getting on secondary market.

It obviously depends, but I think people assume they won't get tickets from the school so they don't put in requests. The school makes it sound very hard (which granted they get very few tickets to begin with so they underpromise), but given the very short turnaround time, it can be easier than you think to get tickets. And some people aren't impressed with the first opponent, so they sit the rounds out - especially Thursday/Friday daytime games. I can't imagine there's too many JPC donors living in Milwaukee...

 

[Dryfly88]

It obviously depends, but I think people assume they won't get tickets from the school so they don't put in requests. The school makes it sound very hard (which granted they get very few tickets to begin with so they underpromise), but given the very short turnaround time, it can be easier than you think to get tickets. And some people aren't impressed with the first opponent, so they sit the rounds out - especially Thursday/Friday daytime games. I can't imagine there's too many JPC donors living in Milwaukee...

I hope you're right.

I've never tried to get tournament tickets through JPC so I have no idea how likely it is that I get a pair. They let you know Monday night after selection show so you still have time to get on secondary market if you want.

 

[anilrao08550]

JPC is all out of BTT tournament tickets and the Purdue alumni club of DC should turnout well. Obviously Maryland will drive turnout in DC, but that's no different than IU driving turnout in Indy.

 

[Dryfly88]

JPC is all out of BTT tournament tickets and the Purdue alumni club of DC should turnout well. Obviously Maryland will drive turnout in DC, but that's no different than IU driving turnout in Indy.

I hope you're right. I don't know how many tickets JPC had available for BTT? Like Ibodel, I just can't see too many people traveling that distance and $$ but I would love to be wrong and have a great PU crowd there.

 

[tjreese]

I hope you're right. I don't know how many tickets JPC had available for BTT? Like Ibodel, I just can't see too many people traveling that distance and $$ but I would love to be wrong and have a great PU crowd there.

I haven't ruled it out...have free room and board 30 minutes north in FRederick...but have accounted for vacation days and such later and not sure to pull the trigger. I will see teh games no matter where I am if alive. I think winning the Big probably gives Purdue a tougher first game than Wisconsin...guessing Minny or MSU

 

[lbodel]

I hope you're right.

I've never tried to get tournament tickets through JPC so I have no idea how likely it is that I get a pair. They let you know Monday night after selection show so you still have time to get on secondary market if you want.

Like I said, there's a lot of factors at play. They seem to be doing it a bit differently this year, which could change things.

In general, a lot of schools do not sell out of their allotments given the travel/short notice. For the first round, you can always also buy through another school playing in the same session. The catch is obviously if the school you purchase from advances, then you get tickets for the next round automatically. If they don't, then you don't. The good thing is the tickets schools get are GOOD seats (lower arena, along the court), which if you bought on a secondary market would probably be double the price.

 

[lbodel]

JPC is all out of BTT tournament tickets and the Purdue alumni club of DC should turnout well. Obviously Maryland will drive turnout in DC, but that's no different than IU driving turnout in Indy.

Anyone know what section Purdue's tickets are?

I think every school will have a decent crowd. DC is a tourist destination and fairly easy to travel to. However, the BTT didn't usually sell out most sessions in Chicago and Indy - and the Verizon Center is 20k+. So I can't imagine that it's going to be full. When the tourney was in Chicago (similar size arena), each school had 1,000 tickets - but not every school sold theirs and that was in Chicago. And I'd imagine when their team is not playing (or loses), a lot of people will be off doing touristy things.

I think with it being a down year - in terms of high ranking teams - it will also hurt travel. If the Big Ten had 3 top 15 teams, I think those teams would travel very well. And Purdue will have their block, but outside of that block - I don't think you're going to see walk-ups/single buyers of more than 1,000 Purdue fans. There's 5,000 Purdue alumni in the DMV area - 20% of them aren't coming, particularly at noon on a weekday. And if Purdue (or any other school) made the championship game, there aren't going to be 5,000 people that show up out of the blue, unlike in a Chicago or Indy where several schools were within 3-4 hour drives. The closest schools to DC outside of Maryland are Rutgers and Penn State....

 

[lbodel]

****************
was looking at ticket prices and seating this morning. It didn't appear that the cost for such a high seat merited with me. If prices drop, I may reconsider as I have a daughter that lives about a half an hour north (Frederick, MD) of the northernmost metro point (close to Gaithersburg where she used to live).

FYI - someone told me that single session tickets will go on sale on Monday. These will probably be all 400 level tickets.

But, keep in mind, you'll most likely be able to get tickets under face value.

Tickets for Purdue's session on Friday are fairly reasonable right now - you can get lower levels for $40 - which are about $50 after fees (if you go on Vivid Seats, they do a lot of retargeting with promo codes to come back and get $10 off - there's one below my message right now as I type this). I can't imagine they are much cheaper (if not more expensive) face value.

Word of advice, Verizon is big. The 400 level first few rows are fine, but you're getting up there after that.

 

[tjreese]

FYI - someone told me that single session tickets will go on sale on Monday. These will probably be all 400 level tickets.

But, keep in mind, you'll most likely be able to get tickets under face value.

Tickets for Purdue's session on Friday are fairly reasonable right now - you can get lower levels for $40 - which are about $50 after fees (if you go on Vivid Seats, they do a lot of retargeting with promo codes to come back and get $10 off - there's one below my message right now as I type this). I can't imagine they are much cheaper (if not more expensive) face value.

Word of advice, Verizon is big. The 400 level first few rows are fine, but you're getting up there after that.

Thank you. I'm going to watch it on TV. I have been swamped at work and almost had to go to China as of 3pm last Friday. It would have been a nice trip to D.C. (not China..boss asked me if I wanted to go and said I thought I could work with them as needed in the states...except would have liked getting some pearls) and had my work and Kim's schooling not been an issue it might have really been fun. Thank you for the update that I hope is of value to others as well...

 

[lbodel]

FYI If anyone is in the DC area or considering going...

Tickets for our session on Friday have dropped big time in price since Maryland is not in our session.

Lower level tickets can be bought for just $17/ticket: https://www.vividseats.com/ncaab/big-ten-tournament-tickets/big-ten-tournament-3-10-2078831.html

Daytime session tickets are $4 in the lower level tomorrow - attendance for the daytime sessions looks to be bleak. The evening sessions seem to have some demand (particularly Maryland's Friday night).

The semis session is still high in price - obviously a lot of that will depend on Maryland's win or loss on Friday night. If Maryland loses, I'd anticipate very low prices.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Sorry if there's a thread on this already (I have been very hit or miss on reading the forum the past several months), but are there any of you coming out to DC?

I live in DC and am very excited to have the tournament here, solely for my own good. I'm interested to see how it goes in DC/NYC (I have not heard anything about ticket sales). Obviously the Big Ten is relying on the cities being tourist draws to get Big Ten fans to travel to both (I would have suggested spreading DC/NYC over a few years instead of back-to-back because of that, but hey). However, just because thousands of Big Ten fans come from the midwest to DC - doesn't mean they stay in the Verizon Center the whole tournament. And if anything given the amount of stuff to do in DC, they will bail on basketball very quickly to go do other stuff if their team loses. The Big Ten obviously is praying Maryland doesn't lose early as that's the only school that will be able to help attendance in a significant way last minute (i.e. there's not 5,000 Wisconsin fans showing up out of nowhere to come to a championship game). If Maryland loses (and even in sessions with no Maryland), the Big Ten Tournament could be embarrassingly empty - DC is not a college sports town.

That being said, I've lived in DC for over a decade so if anyone's interested in any recommendations or if you have any questions, happy to help.

PS The bar the Purdue Alumni Association chose for their headquarters is not the best. They went here when Purdue played in the tournament a ways back, but there's a lot better options especially now.

Tons of empty lower level seats. Not a good look on TV.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

Tons of empty lower level seats. Not a good look on TV.

Maryland dropping out after the quarterfinal was the conference's worst nightmare for attendance and didn't help the ticket brokers/scalpers either for the secondary market, which is truly truly a darn shame......

 

[lbodel]

Maryland dropping out after the quarterfinal was the conference's worst nightmare for attendance and didn't help the ticket brokers/scalpers either for the secondary market, which is truly truly a darn shame......

I went to the games Thursday and Friday. The lower 2 levels were pretty full for the sessions (which I believe are where the schools were all allotted tickets). The upper level - was not really at all. I think the listed attendance for our session was 12,000, which was fair (and also probably tickets sold vs. bodies...).

I was going to post my own "critique" of the tournament, but overall - I was not terribly impressed. It seemed a bit amateur-hour at times from a production standpoint (i.e. the "on court" host kept referring to Michigan State as Michigan in the game after ours which led to the MSU fans booing). You wouldn't really expect this from the "premiere" college sports conference (and richest). They had a bunch of Big Ten decals in the Metro station, but staged nothing outside of the Verizon Center - where an entire block was blocked off, but no "Big Ten presence" was there. If you're going to go into 'new' markets, at least make an effort. It's like they didn't even try to make it a cool event or have it be the Big Ten's first splash in the DC area where there are a ton of alums. It just felt like they checked off the to-do list and that was that.

One thing I will add as well - the Big Ten needs to do electronic tickets. This paper-only tickets for the all-session tickets, while I understand it's to make it harder to resell tickets - even though that's a complete reality of a tournament, it's also incredibly annoying in 2016 and probably hurts the overall atmosphere.