Huggins' reasons for not wanting to play Marshall should be enough to pull the plug.

[KeatonsCorner]

why are you acting like our games aren't always televised on Root anyways?

Your attempt to note "what college basketball thinks" of Huggins' scheduling was for what reason? Huggs is the one scheduling them........ it is HIS criteria that he makes his decisions on.........


The game is done. It was not in WVU's best interest, nor a preferred game by our Head Basketball Coach.

btw............ ESPNU is carrying EKU @ WVU tonight............................. just like they would carry any other team not named Marshall if there are no bigger matchups to air....


#ballgame

 

[Buckaineer]

If the benefits are so great, why does our own coach say this game isn't in our best interest and want to end it?

Huggins is pandering to his local audience-people who are bitching about playing the game and I suspect he was genuine in his complaint about MU's coach stating WVU was afraid to play the game last year, although its doubtful MUs coach was attempting to personally disparage Huggins, he obviously mispoke.

 

[Buckaineer]

Its unknown at this time whether WVU and MU will continue playing. Its probably a bit bigger decision than just coaches on either team saying things to one another. WV's legislature probably has some say in it as well as other leaders and politicians.

Not sure why people have tried to make this game into some horrible situation when its really not anything close to that.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

"Nearly 12,000 fans attended a game between two WV schools in WV. That's never a bad thing and the game continues to have over 10,000 in attendance."

so did Morehead St, VMI, The Citadel, Delaware State, and plenty others............. the difference being WVU pocketed 100% of the door... not 50%


#itsdoneson

 

[Buckaineer]

"Nearly 12,000 fans attended a game between two WV schools in WV. That's never a bad thing and the game continues to have over 10,000 in attendance."

so did Morehead St, VMI, The Citadel, Delaware State, and plenty others............. the difference being WVU pocketed 100% of the door... not 50%


#itsdoneson

and then from that take they PAID Morehead St., VMI, The Citadel, Delaware State, and plenty of others.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

and then from that take they PAID Morehead St., VMI, The Citadel, Delaware State, and plenty of others.

not remotely close to what MU was taking out of WVU's pocket........................ not even close.


The fact remains that next season's OOC has 2 mandated home games of which WVU cannot schedule, just like this season with Stetson and BCU, that the Preseason NIT will assign TO US. Both those teams will be bad. We can't control that. We already inked Western Carolina for Charleston too. With 3+ opponents of the 200 or higher RPI nature already locked in, there is no way AD Lyons can legitimize entering into a NEW CONTRACT with another awful program.......... especially one with zero light at the end of the tunnel due to a horrendous coaching hire.

 

[Buckaineer]

not remotely close to what MU was taking out of WVU's pocket........................ not even close.

I'm willing to bet that you have 0 idea what the financial ramifications of the capital classic are to WVU or Marshall so its preposterous for you to claim the above.

Marshall getting paid for a game they attend and participate in is not taking a dime from anyone that they are undeserving of. Its not just WVUs game--its BOTH schools game. MU would probably be happy to have the games at Huntington every other year. The movers and shakers decided it would be in Charleston and that's good for everyone.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

"Marshall getting paid for a game they attend"

You obviously don't attend the Classic..... They bring 10% of the butts to seats. And get paid for 50%


Hell, that bush league program couldn't even sell out the seats behind their own bench this year...

 

[Buckaineer]

"Marshall getting paid for a game they attend"

You obviously don't attend the Classic..... They bring 10% of the butts to seats. And get paid for 50%


Hell, that bush league program couldn't even sell out the seats behind their own bench this year...

The team comes and plays and fans from both sides attend--its not an exclusive WVU event.

Money has nothing to do with WVU or Marshall playing--both are getting paid. WVU is not losing money on the capital classic so stop pretending they are.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

"WVU is not losing money on the capital classic so stop pretending they are."

You're refusing to live in reality...... WVU splits 11,700 tickets...............50/50................ that's 5,850 tickets. Our average home attendance game is roughly 8,500 right now............. our averaged Charleston attendance for a game over the Bob Huggins era is 10,000+...........

 

[Darth_VadEER]

Huggins is pandering to his local audience-people who are bitching about playing the game and I suspect he was genuine in his complaint about MU's coach stating WVU was afraid to play the game last year, although its doubtful MUs coach was attempting to personally disparage Huggins, he obviously mispoke.

You're his local audience. So obviously he isn't. He really doesn't like this game. I don't think the decision is solely in his hands, but if it were he'd cancel it. From a coaches perspective, this isn't a good deal for his team.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

The "pro-game" crowd's argument so far:

Money doesn't matter
RPI doesn't matter
OOC games don't matter
one game doesn't matter
our former players don't matter
Our own coach's preference doesn't matter


"it's good for the state"

 

[Buckaineer]

"WVU is not losing money on the capital classic so stop pretending they are."

You're refusing to live in reality...... WVU splits 11,700 tickets...............50/50................ that's 5,850 tickets. Our average home attendance game is roughly 8,500 right now............. our averaged Charleston attendance for a game over the Bob Huggins era is 10,000+...........

You're refusing to live in reality--WVU DOESN'T OWN THE GAME--they PLAY in the game just like Marshall does--therefore they are only entitled to whatever cut they agreed to. The revenue split for the game isn't taking a dime from WVU its adding to WVU's revenue pot.

 

[Buckaineer]

The "pro-game" crowd's argument so far:

Money doesn't matter
RPI doesn't matter
OOC games don't matter
one game doesn't matter
our former players don't matter
Our own coach's preference doesn't matter


"it's good for the state"

The NO game's argument so far:

RPI doesn't matter-unless its Marshall
OOC games don't matter-unless its Marshall
TV coverage and exposure doesn't matter--unless its Marshall
Well this team had this guys buddy or that guys brothers-cousins-uncle on it that knew this person--so that matters-even though no one in all of college basketball gives a rats ass about any of that
Playing one game in a state classic eliminates every possiblity of WVU playing teams that have ties to former WVU players or some preference of WVUs coach

Its all pettiness and silliness at this point.

 

[Buckaineer]

You're his local audience. So obviously he isn't. He really doesn't like this game. I don't think the decision is solely in his hands, but if it were he'd cancel it. From a coaches perspective, this isn't a good deal for his team.

You are putting words in Huggin's mouth. There's nothing any different for a coach or team than many other games played except that there is some in state bragging rights and attention focused on this game. In years where both teams are decent there's even more than that.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

The NO game's argument so far:

RPI doesn't matter-unless its Marshall
OOC games don't matter-unless its Marshall
TV coverage and exposure doesn't matter--unless its Marshall
Well this team had this guys buddy or that guys brothers-cousins-uncle on it that knew this person--so that matters-even though no one in all of college basketball gives a rats ass about any of that
Playing one game in a state classic eliminates every possiblity of WVU playing teams that have ties to former WVU players or some preference of WVUs coach

Its all pettiness and silliness at this point.

The difference obviously being that I have posted not one of the above statements, while posted every single one that I provided.

There are multiple fact-driven posts in this thread that prove why the Capital Classic does not need to be renewed, and the majority of posters here, as well as overall in the fanbase, agree with Head Coach Bob Huggins and AD Lyons that the game does not consider what is best for West Virginia University.

It. Is. Over.

The national basketball collective doesn't respect the game in the least, as proved by WVU dropping in the Coaches poll this week 2 spots, despite a blowout victory...

 

[Buckaineer]

WVUs drop has to do with teams above them losing and teams below winning against top opponents and moving up--nothing to do with the opponent WVU played which fits right in with a myriad of schools WVU has played so far.

There hasn't been anything official on the WVU Marshall series, but there are many reasons to keep the longstanding capital classic going.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

"but there are many reasons to keep the longstanding capital classic going."

name them

 

[Darth_VadEER]

You are putting words in Huggin's mouth. There's nothing any different for a coach or team than many other games played except that there is some in state bragging rights and attention focused on this game. In years where both teams are decent there's even more than that.

Read the first post in this thread. Huggins clearly stated this game was not in our best interest (his words). He doesn't want the game and already said he'd be willing to cancel it. Those are his words.

This game is shoved upon Huggins, does nothing for our program and he doesn't like it. Doesn't look like it's getting renewed right now.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

WVUs drop has to do with teams above them losing and teams below winning against top opponents and moving up--nothing to do with the opponent WVU played which fits right in with a myriad of schools WVU has played so far.

There hasn't been anything official on the WVU Marshall series, but there are many reasons to keep the longstanding capital classic going.

The only reason is you and Marshall fans like it, that's it. Our own coach doesn't even want the game. I don't think our administration wants it either, JMO.

 

[Darth_VadEER]

The NO game's argument so far:

RPI doesn't matter-unless its Marshall
OOC games don't matter-unless its Marshall
TV coverage and exposure doesn't matter--unless its Marshall
Well this team had this guys buddy or that guys brothers-cousins-uncle on it that knew this person--so that matters-even though no one in all of college basketball gives a rats ass about any of that
Playing one game in a state classic eliminates every possiblity of WVU playing teams that have ties to former WVU players or some preference of WVUs coach

Its all pettiness and silliness at this point.

Tell Huggins. He has reasons for the teams he schedules and believe it or not, the feelings of Marshall fans aren't one of them - sorry.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

Tell Huggins. He has reasons for the teams he schedules and believe it or not, the feelings of Marshall fans aren't one of them - sorry.

I literally posted his reasons in this thread and in others.................. and they were dismissed as "BS"....

 

[Cuyahoga Falls Eers]

As to non national coverage--ROOT sports produced the game for a more regional audience in 2014 and here's what they had to say about it:

“This instate contest is one of the most anticipated games every season, and this year we take great pride in being a part of the experience and bringing the rivalry to over 3.3 million homes throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Maryland,” said Shawn McClintock, Senior VP and General Manager of ROOT SPORTS. “It’s a great celebration of the state of West Virginia, the states’ prestigious collegiate athletics and their remarkable fans who bring an unparalleled passion and enthusiasm to the game.”

http://pittsburgh.rootsports.com/20...inia-universities-to-air-live-on-root-sports/

but yeah, I'm sure WVU doesn't want exposure to those 3.3 million homes in WV, PA, Ohio, New York or Maryland--much better to play an opponent with coverage to just a few people because Huggins knows someone's cousins brother on the other team.

It's call puffery to sell the product. They would say the same thing if two 0-11 teams were finishing season against each other on their channel. If you buy that puffery, then there's a bridge in Brooklyn but no longer swamp land in Florida because it's all been built over that I would like to sell you.

 

[WhiteTailEER]

"WVU is not losing money on the capital classic so stop pretending they are."

You're refusing to live in reality...... WVU splits 11,700 tickets...............50/50................ that's 5,850 tickets. Our average home attendance game is roughly 8,500 right now............. our averaged Charleston attendance for a game over the Bob Huggins era is 10,000+...........

I'm not arguing for continuing this game, but there's one thing missing in your argument.

The games in Charleston are not part of the season ticket package, so whatever revenue they get from games in Charleston is on top of what they've already gotten from season ticket holders. That 8500 attendance at home is almost entirely season ticket holders and students, and for those that don't fall in either of those two categories the revenue is minimal. For instance, tickets for tonight's game are $10. I think it was the ULM game that was "Family Night" where $70 got you 4 tickets, popcorn, drinks, etc.

Of course, the statement I just made doesn't include revenue from parking and concessions at a home game.

 

[KeatonsCorner]

Or the increased purchase price that an addition of another home game on overall season ticket package costs....

 

[steeleer]

Marshall isn't good enough to warrant a neutral site game.

If they want to play us, make it every 2-3 years and at WVU only.

/thread

 

[5150]

You fail to see what you don't want to see..........

The money situation for WVU and the Classic is awful. We take over a 3,000 ticket CUT in revenue for this game...... and tickets are sold cheaper for it as well.

National TV does not cover this game with ANY regularity. This season made it to the U because there were literally no other games 'cept 1 for top 25 teams. This game, for anyone not living in Southern WV, is usually accessible solely via an internet connection, especially over the last 5-6 seasons.

Trying to rationalize that "it doesn't matter who WVU plays" as long as we do well in March? Do I even need to address this thought?


I agree the money part of this needs to get fixed and see above I addressed that issue, but the RPI discussion makes no sense because Huggs plays other schools with less RPI's. The other thing you bring up, i
Again, every team on our OOC provides at least 2 things that Huggs seeks when scheduling:

Good RPI
Recruiting-ground coverage
Has hired WVU guys
Close, personal friendship with HC of opponent
Comes to Morgantown, no neutral site crap
Away venue located in an area where current WVU player, usually senior, is from
Opponent doesn't run their mouth about WVU in the media

Every single opponent scheduled by Huggs............... since Stetson and Bethune Cookman were not scheduled by our staff.............. fit that criteria.


Next season, Charleston fans get Western Carolina........... a reasonable OOC opponent that is a one-off, check game where WVU keeps the ticket sales........... and they STILL bring a better RPI to the table. And, with the crappy turnout for JMU this season, that's all Charlestonians deserve...

You fail to see what you don't want to see..........

The money situation for WVU and the Classic is awful. We take over a 3,000 ticket CUT in revenue for this game...... and tickets are sold cheaper for it as well.

National TV does not cover this game with ANY regularity. This season made it to the U because there were literally no other games 'cept 1 for top 25 teams. This game, for anyone not living in Southern WV, is usually accessible solely via an internet connection, especially over the last 5-6 seasons.

Trying to rationalize that "it doesn't matter who WVU plays" as long as we do well in March? Do I even need to address this thought?

Again, every team on our OOC provides at least 2 things that Huggs seeks when scheduling:

Good RPI
Recruiting-ground coverage
Has hired WVU guys
Close, personal friendship with HC of opponent
Comes to Morgantown, no neutral site crap
Away venue located in an area where current WVU player, usually senior, is from
Opponent doesn't run their mouth about WVU in the media

Every single opponent scheduled by Huggs............... since Stetson and Bethune Cookman were not scheduled by our staff.............. fit that criteria.


Next season, Charleston fans get Western Carolina........... a reasonable OOC opponent that is a one-off, check game where WVU keeps the ticket sales........... and they STILL bring a better RPI to the table. And, with the crappy turnout for JMU this season, that's all Charlestonians deserve...

Honestly, the financial issue is the only real reason WVU has other then just not wanting to play(wvu brings most of the fans and splits the funds). If Huggs does not want to play the game then stop the BS reasons, but using Ron Ron not getting a second interview as an excuse makes the debate and game a joke. Huggs just needs to come and say Im out and don't want to play.

 

[Bronco-eer]

WVUs drop has to do with teams above them losing and teams below winning against top opponents and moving up--nothing to do with the opponent WVU played which fits right in with a myriad of schools WVU has played so far.


Uh, it has every thing to do with who they played. You just proved it. If WVU had played a top opponent and won they would have moved up, your words. If they would have lost a close one they would have dropped same as playing Marshall. They are not worthy of every year.

 

[dolemitebmf]

Marshall isn't good enough to warrant a neutral site game.

If they want to play us, make it every 2-3 years and at WVU only.

/thread

Just like in football, Marshall is on a completely lower level than WVU. They should get the same deal as any other minor team that is in a poor recruiting area, with no national interest. Marshall shouldn't get special welfare, because the state of WV is unfortunate to have Marshall inside its borders...