Basketblog

Madness, March and Midnight

Posted by: Paul Klee

Saturday, March 28, 2009 12:15 PM

Before last night, I didn't share the opinion the Big Ten had a good NCAA tournament. Not when Ohio State lost a virtual home game. (Though its opponent was superior, something we warned about after watching Siena.) Not when Illinois laid an egg and Minnesota got creamed. Thought the Big Ten needed someone to advance into a regional final. Over the past three seasons, the league had placed only one team into the the Elite Eight. So once again Michigan State saved their bacon. As you might suspect, the Illinois coaches are rooting for Michigan State this weekend for several reasons, and the league's image is one of those.

- Sunday on HQ and in the N-G we'll have a rundown of some stuff to anticipate this offseason. I think two of the more interesting items involve ticket sales and preparations for midnight madness.

The UI marketing departments and ticket office are brainstorming on several ideas to bump ticket sales, which were down about 13 percent this season from the 2007-08 season. The decline was due in part to sagging student season ticket sales, which were down about 1,500 from the previous season. Part of the plan is to offer student tickets for the 2009-10 season in late April, giving them a headstart on the process. Then the ticket office will pursue incoming students during their orientation visits. But the biggest boost, you would think, would come from a 24-win campaign and what appears to be a solid four-player recruiting class.

As for the season-opening midnight madness event, Illinois will try to match its previous two endeavors, both of which were a hit. In 2007 you had the "Pink Out" at the Assembly Hall, which raised about $53,000 for the American Cancer Society. Last year you had the outdoor practice, with over a dozen recruits, sticky-hot weather and an orange basketball court on a football field. Another great idea.

"This one (in 2009) should be something people will remember, much like the last two," UI marketing strategist Chris Hanna said yesterday.

In preparing for the madness bash, Bruce Weber brainstorms with the marketing folks - and Rod Cardinal - to come up with ideas. The coach is scheduled to meet with them some time next week, though planning is under way. Hanna said the date is on or around Oct. 16.

pklee@news-gazette.com

Comments

Be the first to share your opinion!