SEC-Big East Showcase At BJCC

[AUChizad 0]

This would be pretty cool. I'd go for sure.Click This

BJCC may get Tide-Hoyas, AU-W.Va.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

JON SOLOMON

News staff writer

The SEC and Big East are engaged in negotiations with ESPN that could bring matchups of Alabama-Georgetown and Auburn-West Virginia to the BJCC for a men's basketball doubleheader in December.

Sources familiar with the discussions confirmed Wednesday the games would be part of a previously-announced SEC-Big East showcase event on ESPN's stations in early December for at least the next three years.

Sites and team pairings have not been finalized and could change if complications arise, according to the sources. Representatives of ESPN and the SEC declined to comment.

Under the scenario being discussed, Birmingham would be the host on Dec. 5 with games shown on ESPN or ESPN2. A neutral Big East site, likely Philadelphia, would be the host for two more games on Dec. 6.

The series, which moves to different sites in 2008 and 2009, is an effort by the SEC to promote basketball.

ESPN has the first right to the BJCC for several early-December 2007 dates, said Jack Fields, BJCC executive director. Fields said ESPN reviewed the rental fee and wants to move forward, pending a final contract with the conferences about the teams.

"It would be wonderful," said Fields, who was unaware of the possible matchups. "ESPN wants to make sure they have the right teams for the neutral location so it would draw support."

Georgetown and West Virginia each reached the "Sweet 16" round of the NCAA Tournament last year. The Hoyas lost by four points to eventual national champion Florida, and the Mountaineers lost on a buzzer-beater to Texas.

Alabama and Auburn last played together in Birmingham on Dec. 9, 2000, at the Arby's Hardwood Classic. Their doubleheader against Akron and Detroit drew a crowd of 11,776.

Auburn has played in Birmingham more recently, losing to Virginia in 2001 before a crowd of 8,178.

If Birmingham secures the SEC-Big East event, it would add to what could be a remarkable 2007-08 basketball season for a city once known as "The Football Capital of the South."

The first and second rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament return to the BJCC on March 21 and 23, 2008. The Alabama Sports Foundation and UAB have bid to hold the Conference USA men's basketball tournament at the BJCC in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

However, Fields said the BJCC would likely be unable to hold the C-USA Tournament in 2008 because of a possible concert.

When: Dec. 5 at the BJCC; Dec. 6 at neutral Big East site

Likely BJCC matchups: Alabama-Georgetown and Auburn-West Virginia

[WinCrimson 61]

How stupid would GU and WVU have to be to come play us in our town? Neutral site... yeah.

[AUChizad 0]

How stupid would GU and WVU have to be to come play us in our town? Neutral site... yeah.

Under the scenario being discussed, Birmingham would be the host on Dec. 5 with games shown on ESPN or ESPN2. A neutral Big East site, likely Philadelphia, would be the host for two more games on Dec. 6.

Reading is FUNdamental.

[WinCrimson 61]

But not us. UK or UF would go up there to play... RU or UConn. Not us.