I could see definite potential as an invitational-type tourney. I would even think it would be good to expand it beyond the runners-up and make it a 24- or 32-team event, with the next group of teams coming from an average of the various computer rankings and BGP rankings of the other also-rans. Play more than one game a day to speed it up (this is done in most of your holiday invitationals) and avoid conflicts with the boys and girls.

 

Sounds like a pretty good idea. I think high school athletes would love a chance to play in something like this. Ending your season in a tournament that is just for fun is a lot easier than ending it losing in one of the biggest games of your life. (Region championship)

I have a working title: "The Bridesmaid's Ball Invitational"

Sounds like a pretty good idea. I think high school athletes would love a chance to play in something like this. Ending your season in a tournament that is just for fun is a lot easier than ending it losing in one of the biggest games of your life. (Region championship)

 

Plus, it would also include a team such as June Buchanan who has been tough all year, but got a tough draw in the district. UHA had a close call against Hoptown as well.

I have a working title: "The Bridesmaid's Ball Invitational"

 

I was thinking something along the lines of Kentucky Invitational Tournament but I guess that works. :lol:

Plus, it would also include a team such as June Buchanan who has been tough all year, but got a tough draw in the district. UHA had a close call against Hoptown as well.

 

This tournament would also include teams like Scott co/Lexcath/Bryan Station from the 11th as well as Highlands/Holmes/Covcath of the 9th and some of the better 7th region Louisville teams.

 

People would pay to see these games and travel somewhere centrally located.

I'm guessing everyone that is talking about scheduling conflicts is thinking to have this at Rupp? Well what about having it at Memorial Colosseum? Or Freedom Hall? Probably not Alumni Colosseum bc of the All A that is already there, but these other locations are just something to think about.

 

Btw, I like the idea Eta Rho, but like you said, I doubt we will ever see it happen.

I'm guessing everyone that is talking about scheduling conflicts is thinking to have this at Rupp? Well what about having it at Memorial Colosseum? Or Freedom Hall? Probably not Alumni Colosseum bc of the All A that is already there, but these other locations are just something to think about.

 

Btw, I like the idea Eta Rho, but like you said, I doubt we will ever see it happen.

 

I don't think there's any way you could have an event such as this at Rupp. Since you would have boys and girls playing at the same time, it might be better off to start somewhere smaller and perhaps spread the first couple rounds out between a few high schools. You could have the quarters, semis and championships at a larger place, such as NKU, EKU or Bellarmine/Lou Gardens, etc. Top-rate sponsorship would be a must, or else playing at a larger arena wouldn't be economically feasible at first, as there would be no guarantees as to crowd turnout.

 

Date-wise, however, it could work. This year, for example, March 16-18 (Sun/Mon/Tue) falls right between the boys and girls Sweet 16s, and could easily accomodate a tournament such as this with 32 or 24 teams. Two of the three days would have to have multiple rounds; the winner and runner-up would end up playing five games in three days, which could be a drawback.

I was thinking something along the lines of Kentucky Invitational Tournament but I guess that works. :lol:

 

Hey, it's your idea -- you get the final say! A catchy name makes it easy to hype, but KIT would certainly be easier for the sportswriters to work with. :thumb:

I kind of thought about this before. It's a good idea.

 

I'd also like to see, now that Tn/Ky All stars no longer play football, something a little different there. Break the state up into North/South/East/West Region All Stars, and let them play. 2 weeks later, in another venue, let the 2 winners play each other and let the 2 losers play each other, also. I think this could be a lot of fun and produce a lot of exposure for the kids.

I kind of thought about this before. It's a good idea.

 

I'd also like to see, now that Tn/Ky All stars no longer play football, something a little different there. Break the state up into North/South/East/West Region All Stars, and let them play. 2 weeks later, in another venue, let the 2 winners play each other and let the 2 losers play each other, also. I think this could be a lot of fun and produce a lot of exposure for the kids.

 

I like the idea of playing the all star games. Personally I don't think a region runner-up tourney would generate enough fans or interest to make it feasible. But that doesn't mean the kids aren't deserving, or that I would be against trying it and seeing how it would be accepted.

I like the idea of playing the all star games. Personally I don't think a region runner-up tourney would generate enough fans or interest to make it feasible. But that doesn't mean the kids aren't deserving, or that I would be against trying it and seeing how it would be accepted.

 

That's why you expand it to invite the at-large teams as well. There will be plenty of ranked teams in it, and it could be on par with some of the big holiday tourneys at least in terms of quality teams.

That's why you expand it to invite the at-large teams as well. There will be plenty of ranked teams in it, and it could be on par with some of the big holiday tourneys at least in terms of quality teams.

 

I'm not saying that there wouldn't be quality teams involved... All I'm saying is, what stakes are on the line???? IMO, I just don't know if third party fans would turn out.

I LOVE it!!! the K.I.T. I can see it now.:thumb:

I'm not saying that there wouldn't be quality teams involved... All I'm saying is, what stakes are on the line???? IMO, I just don't know if third party fans would turn out.

 

I think hoops fans would. It's not like we'd be expecting to make money off the gate. How many of those holiday tournaments pay their bills off the gate? You've gotta have the sponsorship. That's why it's called the 5th/3rd in Lex.

 

The stakes are to be the champion of the (Insert sponsor's name here) Kentucky Invitational Tournament -- a quality end-of-season invitational tournament full of top-20 teams. Why can't it build up prestige over time?

The average joe fan would not attend like the do the Sweet 16, Everybody wants to play in the Sweet 16 not the Not so Sweet 16.

 

Good idea in theory but would never work.