Big Ten Schedules Michigan vs. Rutgers at MSG, counts as a UM home game
[Ed-Seth]: The OP missed some crucial information and jumped into a frenzy.
The Big Ten scheduled its annual MSG game as a Michigan-Rutgers hoops/wrestling event. Because Michigan was to play Rutgers at home this year, this takes away a Michigan home game and places it in the nearest metropolitan area to their opponent, a controversial move if we didn't know Michigan fans were likely to make MSG a home game anyway because lolRutgers.
As far as we know, Michigan didn't have a choice in the matter.
[/end Seth]
Original Post:
Warde scheduled a home game at MSG vs Rutger
Why is he still employed
Having the BB team (which plays 20+ games in the regular season, including about a half dozen at home against glorified high school teams) play in MSG (in a major city with large UM fan base and is somewhat in the Big Ten footprint) does not bother me.
Having the FB travel to the other side of the country to play in JerryWorld (which has little to no UM fanbase locally and is no where near the Big Ten) to play against a team that is normally just a few hours away, and losing a home game in a season where there are already precious few (and costs way too much), bothers me.
I have a feeling this is exactly where Phil Martelli will be recruiting.
When I was a student, these Tuesday night game vs inferior opponent games were fun. More people who were not season ticket holders could get cheap tickets, we’d all have a little pregame together, and have a good time watching a win.
I understand wanting to tap in to the donors and east coast alum. However, it does take away from the students and season ticket holders a conference game.
There is just one question. Does this help UofM win a national title? If yes then it’s a good move. We could have 0 home games if it helps us win.
No. It makes it more difficult. Everyone seems to be assuming that Michigan is just going to go into MSG and win. Perhaps people have forgotten the Nebraska game in 2018, where the team had run out of gas from too many games and too much travel over a short period of time.
Michigan is handing the rest of the Big Ten an advantage by accepting one fewer home game. I don't care about the benefits to the "brand" or to whether or not some well-heeled NYC alumni can go to a second game this season. I care about the effects on the students and on the team's chances to win a Big Ten and national title.
For everyone who's saying, "hey, the kids will love to play at MSG," you're missing the point. Let Rutgers move their home game to MSG. Hell, they can play all of their games there, for all I care. Or play a non-conference game against another power school, or at St. John's.
But Michigan should not be giving up a home game to play 50 miles from their opponent's campus. In any sport. It's ridiculous.
As if anybody gives two shits about playing Rutgers at home.
Still, it's a better idea than playing the Knicks at Rutgers stadium.
If this game was at Crisler, it would be the easiest B1G game to get tickets for.
Alcohol and rivalry games don't mix.
Boo!
So what? New York has tons and tons of Michigan fans. We should beat them anyway.
This is relatively harmless yet your stupidly strong reaction of Warde needs to get fired just shows how illogical and foolish YOU are.
Pretty sure our kids will absolutely love the opportunity to play at Madison Square Garden...great venue!
Warde is doing a good job.. a game against Rutgers at MSG is a big draw. It would sell out and have massive attention.
Michigan Athletics just finished #1 in the country, that’s why he’s still employed...
We're playing a neutral site regular season basketball game?!
OUTRAGE!!!
Anybody bothered by this needs prescription medication.
Ehhh...this is not that bad
Is "Why is he still employed" the next "Fire Bakich!"
I have no idea what level some of the comments ITT are on.
This is a B1G thing. The conference has the annual event in NYC and rotates teams through it.
But sure, blame Warde. FIRE WARDE. I mean, it's the end of the world not having a home game against Rutgers, amirite?
Warde has done some things I haven't liked, but this is not one of them. Actually, if you add up all the stuff I haven't cared about, and bounce that list against the good things he's done, he is a clear winner. You can't please everyone, but you can be consistent in pleasing most - which is what he's done.
You're complaints about firing him over this bit of non-news is ridiculous, and you should feel bad.
This makes little sense to me.
I think "Rutger" has run its course. It reminds me unpleasantly of "Ohio" and the Hoke years.
On-topic, I can see why season ticket holders would be irritated, but I think the MSG game is a good idea.
Some season ticket holders will be upset; however, there are many that wouldn't waste there time going to Crisler to see Rutgers. I've been to that game and sat in season ticket holder's seats...i'm not a season ticket holder, just walked down and took them because only a third of the section was there.
MSG will be sold out.
If I had season tix, I likely wouldn't go to that game. It would probably be on a weeknight and I would just give my tix to a co-worker instead of driving up in the cold for that.
I know it's sold as the world's most famous arena, but MSG is a dump. I'd rather just play in Piscataway.
Players would disagree. Every time we play there the players are in awe of the history. They inevitably call it one of their great basketball experiences.
They're just being nice.
Holding on for the next news......
Fire Bakich got us to the CWS,
Fire Warde should yield something good.
Another Warde bashing thread? How intelligent and original. Congrats.
Lots of grads in NYC.
Giving up a home game against MSU or OSU or IU or WI would be irritating, but Rutgers? I’m gonna save my supply of “Fire Warde” rage for something more worthy of it.
If anything, the fact that it's Rutgers makes it even worse. The conference has bent over backwards to hand that school as many silver-platter presents as it could. I'd be less offended if the event were against Wisconsin in Milwaukee, not more - even though that would make things much harder still on what should be the home team.
I'm ok with this. Crisler would've been dead for a game vs Rutgers, especially because it probably would've been in January or February in the middle of the week. You can't underestimate the number of NYC based alums, especially young professionals. Anytime Michigan sports plays a game in NYC, it is a big deal to them. You engage your fanbase, get $$ and the players get to play in MSG. This is Rutgers - not a big game. To me this is more akin to playing some low or mid level P5 team in an early season OOC tournament.
Fergodsakes.....next we'll be playing in a ballroom in the bahamas or something crazy like that.
Lotta M alumnae in NYC who might opt for a game at MSG and think about donating a few more bucks to the U, even if it does mean one less game in AA. For sure those same alumnae would think twice about attending a regular UM - Rutger away game at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ.
So Ward rents the MSG, which is probably fine with the team. Several of the team members hope to be playing there for money one day, so it's good for them to get a "preview" of the venue.
Since you used the word improperly twice, I'm going to be that guy and correct you. "Alumnae" = multiple females. Unless you were truly only talking about the women, the correct word is Alumni. I assume your German is better than your Latin :)
This is fine, even a good idea. NYC is loaded with Michigan alums. MSG will be 95% Maize and Blue and be a true home game. I've been to every UM bball or hockey game at MSG in the last 3 years and each felt like a MICHIGAN event. It will probably be especially packed as the alums will want to greet Juwan Howard and see the new look team.
Not concerned about home court advantage - we do pretty well at MSG and it's Rutger. My guess is this game played in AA would get middling attendance anyway. At MSG, the game may be televised nationally and perhaps NYC area recruits may come.
This isn't terrible from a strength-of-schedule point of view. It takes a game against a bad conference opponent up a notch, and as Seth discussed in his edit, we probably have more rabid fans in NYC than Rutger does anyway.
This findes pretty awesome to me, for all the aforementioned reason from other posters.
I'm might fly from SF and reunion with college friends in NY and go to the game.
"Why does Warde still have a job?"
Better question, why are you still allowed to post?
Has there ever been an Athletic Director at Michigan that this board has been happy with?
Seems like a tough job.
Not sure if anyone's noticed, but MSG and NYC are home turf for Michigan basketball.
This is an ok idea considering there are so many hoops home games, many on weeknights during exams, etc. Let the thousands of NYC alums see them play.
Beware the game thread for that Rutger "@" Michigan game if the unthinkable happens.
Or if Rutgers even ever takes a lead at any point in the game. As it is, most of our game threads already draw out the worst in our resident Nancies.