It's a damn shame our state doesn't have...

[Xenomorph]

..anywhere suitable to host early round games of either the men's or women's tournament.

If we were even close (and we're not) we'd probably get tossed a bone every once in awhile. Instead we get to watch Bama and Auburn both play in Birmingham.

 

[theoriginalSALTYdog]

..anywhere suitable to host early round games of either the men's or women's tournament.

If we were even close (and we're not) we'd probably get tossed a bone every once in awhile. Instead we get to watch Bama and Auburn both play in Birmingham.

We don't have a major metropolitan area so that's some of it. Of course there is Memphis and I'm not sure why they never host and Birmingham does. B'ham is just basically a smaller version of Memphis and there is nothing grand about the BJCC so IDK.

 

[Cantdoitsal]

We don't have a major metropolitan area so that's some of it. Of course there is Memphis and I'm not sure why they never host and Birmingham does. B'ham is just basically a smaller version of Memphis and there is nothing grand about the BJCC so IDK.

What's Memphis' situation these days? Do they still play in the Pyramid? Do the Grizzlies have their own arena? Too lazy to look it up right now.

 

[ababyatemydingo]

What's Memphis' situation these days? Do they still play in the Pyramid? Do the Grizzlies have their own stadium? Too lazy to look it up right now.

The Pyramid is a Bass Pro Shop. The Grizzlies play in FedEx Forum

 

[Cantdoitsal]

The Pyramid is a Bass Pro Shop. The Grizzlies play in FedEx Forum

I've seen a few concerts at The Pyramid back when I lived there and thought it was nice. Doesn't Tiger High still play there?

 

[mstateglfr]

We don't have a major metropolitan area so that's some of it. Of course there is Memphis and I'm not sure why they never host and Birmingham does. B'ham is just basically a smaller version of Memphis and there is nothing grand about the BJCC so IDK.

Not sure if there is a min size to host?
Des Moines is 220k with 650k within 1 hour.
If that's big enough, is the Jackson/central MS area?

 

[MSUDC11-2.0]

We don't have a major metropolitan area so that's some of it. Of course there is Memphis and I'm not sure why they never host and Birmingham does. B'ham is just basically a smaller version of Memphis and there is nothing grand about the BJCC so IDK.

Memphis has definitely hosted NCAAT games in recent years and is scheduled to do so next year. This is the first time Birmingham has in a while.

 

[dawgstudent]

Not sure if there is a min size to host?
Des Moines is 220k with 650k within 1 hour.
If that's big enough, is the Jackson/central MS area?

Yes. The MSA of Jackson is around 600K.

From Wikipedia - Jackson, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the central region of the U.S. state of Mississippi that covers seven counties: Copiah, Hinds, Holmes, Madison, Rankin, Simpson, and Yazoo.

 

[Cantdoitsal]

Yes. The MSA of Jackson is around 600K.

From Wikipedia - Jackson, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the central region of the U.S. state of Mississippi that covers seven counties: Copiah, Hinds, Holmes, Madison, Rankin, Simpson, and Yazoo.

That's a lot of counties to include. Do people in Yazoo City drive to Jackson for work everyday?

 

[johnson86-1]

That's a lot of counties to include. Do people in Yazoo City drive to Jackson for work everyday?

No, but plenty of people drive from Madison to Yazoo City to work.

I suspect it's strictly about facilities and the competence to host. Even if we dumped a bunch of money into creating a facility capable of hosting, I suspect there would be a lot of concern over the ability to provide an enjoyable atmosphere, with well functioning security and concessions and nearby hotels with running water and a safe environment.

 

[L4MANDW]

What's Memphis' situation these days? Do they still play in the Pyramid? Do the Grizzlies have their own arena? Too lazy to look it up right now.

I went to om/Memphis game a few years back because I was up Memphis way for something. They played in the Grizz FedEx Arena. The Pyramid is a Bass Pro Shops now but they used to play in there years ago.

 

[BluffParkDawg]

..anywhere suitable to host early round games of either the men's or women's tournament.

If we were even close (and we're not) we'd probably get tossed a bone every once in awhile. Instead we get to watch Bama and Auburn both play in Birmingham.

The arena at BJCC in Bham just went through a major $100+ million renovation with the intention of being able to host NCAA early rounds again (improved facilities, boxes, etc).

BJCC officials say NCAA tournament wouldn’t be in Birmingham without costly 2021 renovations

BJCC Officials launched the newly renovated Legacy Arena and Protective Stadium back in 2021.

www.wbrc.com

 

[Cantdoitsal]

I went to om/Memphis game a few years back because I was up Memphis way for something. They played in the Grizz FedEx Arena. The Pyramid is a Bass Pro Shops now but they used to play in there years ago.

Where does Memphis play their home games then?

 

[msstatelp1]

Where does Memphis play their home games then?

FedEx Forum

 

[She Mate Me]

I suspect there would be a lot of concern over the ability to provide an enjoyable atmosphere

There should be a WHOLE LOTTA CONCERN.

 

[The Cooterpoot]

..anywhere suitable to host early round games of either the men's or women's tournament.

If we were even close (and we're not) we'd probably get tossed a bone every once in awhile. Instead we get to watch Bama and Auburn both play in Birmingham.

And the BHam arena isn't nice at all. It doesn't take much. The coast is where it needs to happen.

 

[Xenomorph]

What's Memphis' situation these days? Do they still play in the Pyramid? Do the Grizzlies have their own arena? Too lazy to look it up right now.

....We have people asking if basketball is still played in the Memphis Pyramid. This is how I know we at SPS are becoming our parents.

Pretty soon I'll need my kid to come over to log me into Roku.

 

[BluffParkDawg]

Yes. The MSA of Jackson is around 600K.

From Wikipedia - Jackson, MS Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the central region of the U.S. state of Mississippi that covers seven counties: Copiah, Hinds, Holmes, Madison, Rankin, Simpson, and Yazoo.

Birmingham MSA is about 1.1 million, but Birmingham proper is under 200K. Hoover approaching 95K.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

And the BHam arena isn't nice at all. It doesn't take much. The coast is where it needs to happen.

In the present day, yes, I agree.

But future tense, if Jackson can ever get its act together, a new arena would be a great addition.

 

[ll Martain ll]

And the BHam arena isn't nice at all. It doesn't take much. The coast is where it needs to happen.

Agreed, but the coast also would probably need a new arena. Visiting the coast for a weekend in March would be a great trip for a lot of people who don't know how underrated a place it is.

I also selfishly wish Southwest would fly to GPT, regular events like that might help entice them.

 

[mstateglfr]

....We have people asking if basketball is still played in the Memphis Pyramid. This is how I know we at SPS are becoming our parents.

Pretty soon I'll need my kid to come over to log me into Roku.

And then asking where games are now played after they find out it isnt in the Pyramid.
Google cant answer everything, but it sure can answer a lot...and its faster than asking a message board.

Its like a Progressive commercial around here.

 

[615dawg]

The BJCC Arena upgrade is first class.

 

[FormerBully]

It would be awesome if the coast got an arena. It would be a cool place to go for an opening weekend.

 

[Xenomorph]

The BJCC Arena upgrade is first class.

Yeah.. people who haven't been in it for awhile wouldn't recognize it.

Comparing Birmingham to Jackson won't put us in a good light. The revitalization that city has undertaken in the last 10 years is remarkable. Building Barons stadium downtown really kicked things off.

It takes leaders.. and it looks like Birmingham had some.

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

Jackson => Leaders => NOT

 

[Puppers]

....We have people asking if basketball is still played in the Memphis Pyramid. This is how I know we at SPS are becoming our parents.

Pretty soon I'll need my kid to come over to log me into Roku.

Right and it's only been damn near 20 years since basketball has been played at the Pyramid. And the FedEx Forum has hosted NCAA tournament games.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

Yeah.. people who haven't been in it for awhile wouldn't recognize it.

Comparing Birmingham to Jackson won't put us in a good light. The revitalization that city has undertaken in the last 10 years is remarkable. Building Barons stadium downtown really kicked things off.

It takes leaders.. and it looks like Birmingham had some.

I've heard interviews with B'ham city leaders where they openly court folks from the suburbs coming into the city to spend money. Jackson leaderships seems to be the opposite. "Where there is no vision, the people perish."

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

That's a lot of counties to include. Do people in Yazoo City drive to Jackson for work everyday?

Yes, people drive from there, V'burg, Mendehall, Newton, Brook, Crystral Springs and Magee to the Jxn area.

Although not counted in the MSA, I know folks who drive from Leflore and Carroll counties to work at the Nissan plant and have done it for 20 years.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Memphis tends to host the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games and not opening rounds.

 

[GloryDawg]

That's a lot of counties to include. Do people in Yazoo City drive to Jackson for work everyday?

Geographically it is way smaller than Jacksonville's metro area or Houston. Just saying. Yes, people do drive from Yazoo City to Jakson. It's a 40-minute drive at most. Historically the Metro use to take in Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties but that has been extended. Those three counties probably make up 500K of the 600K.

 

[johnson86-1]

And the BHam arena isn't nice at all. It doesn't take much. The coast is where it needs to happen.

Coast Coliseum has between 10k and 11k capacity for a basketball setup. Looks like Birmingham has ~17k capacity. Not sure what the minimum would be for first round games or whether the Coast Coliseum would be nice enough if it had the minimum capacity.

 

[Called3rdstrikedawg]

In the present day, yes, I agree.

But future tense, if Jackson can ever get its act together, a new arena would be a great addition.

Well that is never going to happen as long as the voters vote the way they have since Dale Danks.

 

[She Mate Me]

I've heard interviews with B'ham city leaders where they openly court folks from the suburbs coming into the city to spend money. Jackson leaderships seems to be the opposite. "Where there is no vision, the people perish."

It cannot be overstated just how incredibly incompetent, uninspired and almost certainly criminal Jackson's mayor is.

 

[mstateglfr]

Coast Coliseum has between 10k and 11k capacity for a basketball setup. Looks like Birmingham has ~17k capacity. Not sure what the minimum would be for first round games or whether the Coast Coliseum would be nice enough if it had the minimum capacity.

As of a handful of years ago when I read about this, the minimum was 10,000.
The smallest venue for this year's opening rounds holds 15,200.

 

[johnson86-1]

I cannot be overstated just how incredibly incredibly incompetent, uninspired and almost certainly criminal Jackson's mayor is.

He apparently just lost a court case because he tried to veto the city council's decision to not pass a resolution he proposed. It'd be the equivalent of the President sending a bill to congress and then enacting it into law by "vetoing" Congress's decision to not pass it.

 

[johnson86-1]

As of a handful of years ago when I read about this, the minimum was 10,000.
The smallest venue for this year's opening rounds holds 15,200.

Quick google looks like the smallest this year is the Wells Fargo arena in Iowa with 16,111, and the smallest I can find having hosted is Jacksonville, with a little over 14k.

 

[615dawg]

I grew up in Alabama and the BJCC was the epitome of all concerts, basketball Final Fours, conventions, etc.

Was at a volleyball tournament there earlier this year and it was unrecognizable. The $100 million upgrade to the arena is amazing. UAB's new stadium is beautiful.

The Birmingham Crossplex is in a questionable part of the city, but that facility puts everything in the state of Mississippi to shame.

I told a friend that you don't realize how bad Jackson is until you visit Birmingham. A lot of folks in Mississippi think Jackson and Birmingham are similar. Birmingham is way ahead.

Before:

After:

Protective Stadium at the BJCC

 

[615dawg]

The Mississippi Coliseum renovation renderings were promising, but the result was underwhelming

 

[The Cooterpoot]

Stop discussing Jackson. That's the worst place and isn't an option. It's the coast ! Casinos, food, beach, interstate....Buc-ees brisket soon.
Hell, the capital should move. It could go back to Enterprise/Stonewall and be better than Jackson.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Yeah.. people who haven't been in it for awhile wouldn't recognize it.

Comparing Birmingham to Jackson won't put us in a good light. The revitalization that city has undertaken in the last 10 years is remarkable. Building Barons stadium downtown really kicked things off.

It takes leaders.. and it looks like Birmingham had some.

Jackson is 20 years behind Birmingham. And Birmingham didn't have good leaders, they just finally got rid of the sh*tty ones.

Investors WANT to invest in cities. All Birmingham did was get out of the way, and it was William Bell that started it in 2010. He didn't actually DO anything. He did nothing. That's all Jackson needs to do. Back the 17 up out of the way. Basically, the opposite of what idiot babychok is doing. Birmingham was rampant with crime, even in downtown. Sewer system bankrupt and non-repairable. Same crap Jackson has going on right now, just bigger. Birmingham is nothing special now, it's just a big city, and cool things will happen in cities IF YOU LET THEM. Get out of the way, let the free market work.

People want Jackson to be cool. If the idiots would simply back up, it could be. But they are too stupid to understand it. I am guessing that the investment will eventually come anyway, and simply overwhelm the idiots.