I was just wondering if there was anyone else that misses the U.K.I.T. basketball tournament? I always enjoyed it, I like the tourney atmosphere around the holidays. For example, this week U.K. plays Santa Clara and UMass. I believe that the U.K.I.T. would be a good thing to bring back. Invite a couple of teams like this in along with maybe another in state team for 2 day tournament. Imo that tournament was very popular with the fan base and would give the fans a chance to see a couple of other teams as well. What are everyones thoughts on this?

Yes. I miss it...it was great family time for us to get together. We would get around 10 tickets and stay in Lexington...mini vacation.

I was just wondering if there was anyone else that misses the U.K.I.T. basketball tournament? I always enjoyed it, I like the tourney atmosphere around the holidays. For example, this week U.K. plays Santa Clara and UMass. I believe that the U.K.I.T. would be a good thing to bring back. Invite a couple of teams like this in along with maybe another in state team for 2 day tournament. Imo that tournament was very popular with the fan base and would give the fans a chance to see a couple of other teams as well. What are everyones thoughts on this?

I agree. Don't make it 3 cupcakes though.

 

Maybe you could rotate KY schools to give it some flair over Christmas break.

 

This year, EKU, WKU, Georgetown.

Next, Murray, NKU, Transy

I remember it, but the overall lack of talent was a joke.

:thumb: Great post Oldrambler!! I always enjoyed the UKIT. It always added more excitement to the Holidays. It would be great to bring it back.

I agree. Don't make it 3 cupcakes though.

 

Maybe you could rotate KY schools to give it some flair over Christmas break.

 

This year, EKU, WKU, Georgetown.

Next, Murray, NKU, Transy

I also like the idea of in state teams, I could see 2 other in state schools with one outside. You also mentioned "cupcakes" - most schools that hold their own holiday tournament invite these schools that they feel they can beat fairly easy. Not saying that is a right way to go just that this is what I see in most "invitationals" around the Holiday season. You invite teams in that you can beat, they get a big paycheck and a butt whuppin' . Another thing about a U.K.I.T. is that the studenats are for ther most part gone during the Christmas break and there should be better opportunities for a fan to get tickets that normally might not be able to.

I agree. Don't make it 3 cupcakes though.

 

Maybe you could rotate KY schools to give it some flair over Christmas break.

 

This year, EKU, WKU, Georgetown.

Next, Murray, NKU, Transy

I agree. Maybe they could add Louisville into the mix!!:lol:

I agree. Maybe they could add Louisville into the mix!!:lol:

:laugh: :laugh: We had the U.K. / Fredom Hall invitational this past Saturday.

:laugh: :laugh: We had the U.K. / Fredom Hall invitational this past Saturday.

:thumb: And I enjoyed the outcome.

I also like the idea of in state teams, I could see 2 other in state schools with one outside. You also mentioned "cupcakes" - most schools that hold their own holiday tournament invite these schools that they feel they can beat fairly easy. Not saying that is a right way to go just that this is what I see in most "invitationals" around the Holiday season. You invite teams in that you can beat, they get a big paycheck and a butt whuppin' . Another thing about a U.K.I.T. is that the studenats are for ther most part gone during the Christmas break and there should be better opportunities for a fan to get tickets that normally might not be able to.[/QUOTE]

 

 

Of the games I have seen over the last few years, this isn't a real problem anyway because the students don't take half of the seats they used to pickup as they did in the 70's and 80's.

Miss it. An earlier post said we could have UMASS, Santa Clara, and an in state team, if it was played this year. The in state team could be EKU. UK vs. EKU in one game and UMASS vs. Santa Clara in the other with the winners and losers meeting the next night in the 3rd place game and Championship.

I remember it, but the overall lack of talent was a joke.

 

 

Problem was that it wasn't always that way.

 

When it first began in the 50's it was one of the premiere tourneys in the nation.

 

It still had quality moments in the 70's and 80's.

 

I recall the '79 season Tourney field had Texas A&M (who beat UNC that year in the NCAA), Syracuse with Roosevelt Bouie and a solid Illinois squad.

 

I think in '80 Joe Barry Carroll and Purdue came and they ended up in the Final Four.

 

In the '78 season (UKIT '77) there was the leading NCAA scorer in Freeman Williams from Portland and a #19 St Johns team.

 

The year before the Utah Utes upset UK in the final and they went on to the NCAA.

 

It wasn't always a bad tourney, it's just many teams started hosting their own or not wanting to come to UK and play at Xmas time.

Problem was that it wasn't always that way.

 

When it first began in the 50's it was one of the premiere tourneys in the nation.

 

It still had quality moments in the 70's and 80's.

 

I recall the '79 season Tourney field had Texas A&M (who beat UNC that year in the NCAA), Syracuse with Roosevelt Bouie and a solid Illinois squad.

 

I think in '80 Joe Barry Carroll and Purdue came and they ended up in the Final Four.

 

In the '78 season (UKIT '77) there was the leading NCAA scorer in Freeman Williams from Portland and a #19 St Johns team.

 

The year before the Utah Utes upset UK in the final and they went on to the NCAA.

 

It wasn't always a bad tourney, it's just many teams started hosting their own or not wanting to come to UK and play at Xmas time.

:thumb:

I'm not old enough to remember the UKIT.

 

Some of your are showing your age! :sssh:

I also like the idea of in state teams, I could see 2 other in state schools with one outside. You also mentioned "cupcakes" - most schools that hold their own holiday tournament invite these schools that they feel they can beat fairly easy. Not saying that is a right way to go just that this is what I see in most "invitationals" around the Holiday season. You invite teams in that you can beat, they get a big paycheck and a butt whuppin' . Another thing about a U.K.I.T. is that the studenats are for ther most part gone during the Christmas break and there should be better opportunities for a fan to get tickets that normally might not be able to.[/QUOTE]

 

 

Of the games I have seen over the last few years, this isn't a real problem anyway because the students don't take half of the seats they used to pickup as they did in the 70's and 80's.

Kick I mentioned that U.K. had Santa Clara and UMass this week on the schedule, I wasn't meaning that they should be in a U.K.I.T.. What I was trying to get across was instead of the scheduling of two home games like this U.K. could replace those games with a tournament. I personally like the idea of 2 other in state teams and then another out of state opponet.