We love the BB&T Classic. But lately, we’ve noticed it could use some … improvements. Here are five things we’d change:
5. If the event can’t extend back to two days, scale it back to a doubleheader » Triple headers dilute the atmosphere. If the showcase game is at 8 p.m., there’s no reason to show up for an opening act five hours earlier. Verizon Center was literally empty at points on Sunday before Maryland played Temple.
4. Pick a better venue or a better date » The Verizon Center isn’t a huge draw for Maryland students, and the Sunday afternoon timing doesn’t work in the heart of the NFL season. If the Terps are expected to carry the load attendance-wise, why not Comcast Center on a Thursday or Friday night?
3. Make winning meaningful » Showcases are exhibitions. Tournaments are competitions. The way to re-energize the event is to create some value for the schools involved. That might mean different host sites, which is easier if it runs over multiple days.
2. Stoke the local rivalries » No one cares that GW played Marist and Boston University in Villanova in November. The Colonials should play American, Maryland, Navy, Howard, George Mason, AND Georgetown every year.
1. Get Georgetown involved » Fine, they don’t have to play Maryland right away. But local hoops showcases work best when the best local hoops teams are the ones showcased. The BB&T has been known for far too long as much for who doesn’t show as who does.
