It's time for the Hyvee Classic to die

As a dual ISU/UNI fan, I would rather go back to the home and home format, but also recognize that the current chances of that are likely low as best.

So, being pragmatic about it, I'm okay with the concept of the Hy-Vee Classic, as it's better than nothing; however, I am irritated that living out here in Colorado there is no way for me to watch the game.

Two years ago the Cyclone-Panther game was on ESPNU at least, and that was a really fun game to watch. I frankly don't know how such things work, but it would be at all possible for UNI/ISU to reach their own deal with ESPN to at least show that game while letting the Hawks play on the Big Ten Network?

I thought this was on Cyclones.tv for out-of-state people like us? I know nobody likes forking over the $70 or whatever, but it should not kill your budget for the subscription.
 
I think that Home-Home series with both is good for the State of Iowa. But admittedly it wouldn't be in ISU or Iowa's interest. Well, financially not in their interest. RPI-wise (if that metric matters at this point), it's in ISU's interest. As opposed to beating Iowa this year hurt ISU's RPI. (-0.26)

Remember the last time Iowa played at UNI. Iowa got beat, Fran threw a fit, 2 T's and ejected. Knocked drinks up into the stands and after the game announced that Iowa would never play in that arena again.
All true, except I'm not so sure he said that as a public announcement. I could be wrong.
Nevertheless, I do think it would take a Iowa Legislature, or at least BOR level mandate to get Home-Home series going again with the Sqwaks. Perhaps ISU would do one if HyVee Classic stopped.

If the Squawks were forced to come to Cedar Falls, UNI could probably charge 50-100 bucks a ticket and sell out. For Fran to return after leaving on the terms he did (last time escorted out of the building by police and then not coming back), he would find a absolutely incredible environment. The chances of Iowa winning in CF in that climate is about nil.
 
I'm not a fan of games in Wells Fargo, it just seems like you are so far away from the court even when you have decent seats. We went one year and because of that we won't go back.

The upper deck side seats aren't bad but the 200 and 300 level seats behind the baskets are terrible.
 
THe format needs to be fixed but the actual idea of playing in Des Moines is good. I’ve gone and had a good time. The issue I think will be balancing the crowd to get a better environment and fixing the tv deal.

I love Hilton but it is just a different experience watching at Wells Fargo.
 
The upper deck side seats aren't bad but the 200 and 300 level seats behind the baskets are terrible.

We sat towards the lower part of the side upper deck once. For comparisons sake our Hilton season tickets are 2/3's of the way up in the upper deck there. It seemed like we were way farther from the court at Wells than we are at Hilton.
 
Get rid of the Hy Vee Classic. The ISU-Iowa game should be played on the Saturday night instead. It is the main game in the whole state and we should push the rivalry as much as possible.
Why? It' a no-win for ISU.
 
Worst Iowa State Twitter personality?

Ted Flint
Chris Williams
Alex Gookin
Wide Right Natty Lite

Embarrassing.
 
There is nothing to be gained for stepping foot in the Knapp Center or the McCloud Center for Iowa State. You can afford a loss @UNI but Drake is literally the equivalent of a bye game from an RPI standpoint so playing the dogs at their place is less than ideal makes zero sense.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Cyballzz
Worst Iowa State Twitter personality?

Ted Flint
Chris Williams
Alex Gookin
Wide Right Natty Lite

Embarrassing.

giphy.gif
 
I'm not a fan of this either, but it's what we have for a few years. If it goes away, I'm not sure I'd like to go back to home and home with all 4 schools. Like someone mentioned, maybe every other year with Drake and UNI, or 2 for 1.
 
I've supported his idea of 2-day semi-round-robin at WFA, compared to current format.

Example (Times CST)
Saturday:
5 p.m.: Iowa State vs. Drake
7:30 p.m.: Iowa vs. UNI

Sunday:
2 p.m.: Iowa vs. Drake
4:30 p.m.: Iowa State vs. UNI

Pairings and day/tip-time could rotate each season. I'd be open to suggestion about the game times, those might not be ideal.

He might have a point about being a "bad weekend" to do it, but not sure it'd be consistently workable for all four teams' schedules to do it any other time. It can be dependent on early-season tournament appearances, which can vary widely year to year.

I hadn't considered lack of solid TV coverage. Seems like it could be suitable for at least ESPNU.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: BCoffClone125
Pros:
-I like the fact that ISU plays at Wells Fargo on a Saturday every year. As someone who doesn’t live in Central Iowa but can drive to Des Moines, it’s one of them few games I can see ISU play in person without having to take time off work.
-The only event in the state where fans from all of the big 4 teams are in the same place at the same time (makes for a unique crowd)
-Downtown Des Moines makes it easy to make a full day out of it if you want (Court Ave, East Village, etc.)

Cons:
-TV options are bad/non-existent for out of towners (MC22 is just awful)
-We only play Drake/UNI every other year
-WFA not the best basketball arena, can only purchase tickets to both games which decreases attendance

My solution: Keep the Big 4 Classic going, but make it a 2 day event (Saturday/Sunday) and alternate ISU/Iowa playing Drake/UNI.
 
I've supported his idea of 2-day semi-round-robin at WFA, compared to current format.

Example (Times CST)
Saturday:
5 p.m.: Iowa State vs. Drake
7:30 p.m.: Iowa vs. UNI

Sunday:
2 p.m.: Iowa vs. Drake
4:30 p.m.: Iowa State vs. UNI

Pairings and day/tip-time could rotate each season. I'd be open to suggestion about the game times, those might not be ideal.

He might have a point about being a "bad weekend" to do it, but not sure it'd be consistently workable for all four teams' schedules to do it any other time. It can be dependent on early-season tournament appearances, which can vary widely year to year.

I hadn't considered lack of solid TV coverage. Seems like it could be suitable for at least ESPNU.

Beat me to it. This is the solution I prefer. Keep it in Des Moines, just make it a 2 day event where we'd get to play both UNI and Drake. If this is truly a $$$ decision, this would definitely generate more interest and money.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: cyclones500
I've supported his idea of 2-day semi-round-robin at WFA, compared to current format.

Example (Times CST)
Saturday:
5 p.m.: Iowa State vs. Drake
7:30 p.m.: Iowa vs. UNI

Sunday:
2 p.m.: Iowa vs. Drake
4:30 p.m.: Iowa State vs. UNI

Pairings and day/tip-time could rotate each season. I'd be open to suggestion about the game times, those might not be ideal.

He might have a point about being a "bad weekend" to do it, but not sure it'd be consistently workable for all four teams' schedules to do it any other time. It can be dependent on early-season tournament appearances, which can vary widely year to year.

I hadn't considered lack of solid TV coverage. Seems like it could be suitable for at least ESPNU.

No way Iowa State or Iowa are going to give up a home game for a 2nd neutral site game at the well.
 
Iowa v ISU is usually officiated well or at least decently for decades.

The final decade of ISU and Iowa playing @UNI was often a total travesty of officiating. Fran was wise to say “F this” after a typical screw job up there. I’m talking before UNI even got good it was typically a joke going up there. You expect it vs KU but there’s no reason to sign up for that vs UNI.
 
No way Iowa State or Iowa are going to give up a home game for a 2nd neutral site game at the well.

This. It doesn't work for anybody, except maybe Drake, to give up 2 non-con games especially with the Big Ten going to 20 league games for sure and a good chance The Valley will as well after they add Murray State and maybe one more next summer.
 
This thing can't die quick enough. I don't know why some are saying that this is their one chance to watch ISU. Just drive another 30 minutes to Ames. You can always buy tickets out front at Hilton and there always Saturday games.

No way am I going to shell out the ticket prices they charge at WF for those horrid seats. I like the idea of adding the road games back onto the schedule, even if they are at UNI and Drake.
 
Iowa v ISU is usually officiated well or at least decently for decades.

The final decade of ISU and Iowa playing @UNI was often a total travesty of officiating. Fran was wise to say “F this” after a typical screw job up there. I’m talking before UNI even got good it was typically a joke going up there. You expect it vs KU but there’s no reason to sign up for that vs UNI.

Three incredibly high level officials that night (Higgins, Boroski, Janssen) assigned by the Big Ten. Fran earned everything that happened that night and had made it abundantly clear he wasn't coming back before the game. The officiating was fine, not great, but just fine.

Also doesn't explain Fran getting run when he brought Siena to the McLeod Center...
 
Iowa v ISU is usually officiated well or at least decently for decades.

The final decade of ISU and Iowa playing @UNI was often a total travesty of officiating. Fran was wise to say “F this” after a typical screw job up there. I’m talking before UNI even got good it was typically a joke going up there. You expect it vs KU but there’s no reason to sign up for that vs UNI.

Weird how the officiating only became a problem when UNI became a good program and starting winning games.
 

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