South Padre Invitational

[OrangeandBlack74]

While no official announcement has been made by BU, it appears more and more likely that the Braves will be participating in this event.

This link from the Miami, OH message board provides the names of several teams (Iowa, Vandy, Austin Peay) that apparently will be partcipating, including BU.....

http://www.miamihawktalk.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=376375

[Da Coach]

Indeed it seems like the deal is done.
A friend of mine just returned from South Padre Island from a vacation. They went over to the SP Civic Center and checked out the upcoming events. The South Padre Island Basketball tournament is listed there and the teams are listed-- including Bradley. So I am not sure why the delay in an official announcement- mbut it will be announced soon.
They probably have a final date that hasn't passed yet, that allows either side to cancel the agreement. I am sure Bradley doesn't want to announce the tournament, then have it cancelled, or have things change. People might make unrefundable arrangements, then be upset.

By the way, Creighton just did this. They had announced their participation in next fall's Las Vegas Tournament, then a couple weeks ago, pulled out. Some fans had already made reservations which were non-refundable, and are upset.

[MacabreMob]

Just guessing...

If format has couple games at home then more later in S Padre, would Bradley, Mia (OH), Vandy and Iowa be the home teams before going to S Padre?

[Da Coach]

That sounds about right to me.

From what I hear, Bradley would play home games on the Sunday (11/18 ) and Tuesday (11/20) prior to Thanksgiving, then play 2 games in South Padre on Friday 11/23 and Sat. 11/24. This is the same format as the Chicago tournament last fall.

This would give Bradley 4 games in the tournament, which counts as only 1 game toward the NCAA maximim of 27 games.

[squirrel]

If they project Vandy or us as the final opponent for Miami, then that would likely make the Commodores our Friday opponent, unofficially

Vandy loses two of their top three players and a key center. However, they still return quite a bit.

BU's record against those (rumored) teams:

0-2 vs. Austin Peay
0-2 vs. Vanderbilt
3-6 vs. Iowa

BU and Miami have never played.

[MDCowboy]

Plus good news - if you aren't traveling to Padre, the games are televised live on CSTV. Granted not many get CSTV, but this is still a very good thing for those who have it!

[IlliBraves]

How are we 0-2 against Austin Peay??? Didn't project AP as being one of the teams BU has a losing record against.

[Braveman]

How are we 0-2 against Austin Peay??? Didn't project AP as being one of the teams BU has a losing record against.

I think 0-2 is because we lost to them twice, but I am no expert...

[MacabreMob]

How are we 0-2 against Austin Peay??? Didn't project AP as being one of the teams BU has a losing record against.

I think 0-2 is because we lost to them twice, but I am no expert...

LOST vs Austin Peay 12-20-89 70-65

LOST at Austin Peay 1-14-91 86-76

[houstontxbrave]

I just called down to the South Padre Convention Center and a guy named Jim answered and said that they would be confirming entrances of teams in the tourney sometime near June 1, but he did say that he knew of Iowa, Vandy and Bradley.

He also said there are two hotels across from the Convention Center.. a LaQuinta and a Holiday Inn Express.

The number to the Convention Center is 888-spi-tkts. Tickets though were not on sale.

[Da Coach]

I just called down to the South Padre Convention Center and a guy named Jim answered and said that they would be confirming entrances of teams in the tourney sometime near June 1, but he did say that he knew of Iowa, Vandy and Bradley.

He also said there are two hotels across from the Convention Center.. a LaQuinta and a Holiday Inn Express.

The number to the Convention Center is 888-spi-tkts. Tickets though were not on sale.

For those inclined to consider renting a condo, the island is loaded with condos, and most owners stay away on holiday weekends like Thanksgiving, so there would be a lot of them available, especially near beaches.
I would suggest when the final announcement is made, try doing a Google search for "South Padre,condo,and rental" and there should be a lot of options.

[houstontxbrave]

Just wanted to give a little info I am finding about air to South Padre.

If you decide to go on your own, Southwest flies into Harlingen Texas and Harlingen is about 45 minutes from South Padre. Of course that would require a drive to STL or Midway.

American, Northwest, Continential, US Airways, Delta and United also look like they will get you to Harlingen but each would require atleast 2 stops.

[OrangeandBlack74]

Just wanted to give a little info I am finding about air to South Padre.

If you decide to go on your own, Southwest flies into Harlingen Texas and Harlingen is about 45 minutes from South Padre. Of course that would require a drive to STL or Midway.

American, Northwest, Continential, US Airways, Delta and United also look like they will get you to Harlingen but each would require atleast 2 stops.

You can also fly into Brownsville, which is approx. 10 miles closer to SP than Harlingen.

I have not looked at flights from central Illinois to SP, because I will be in Florida for Thanksgiving. However, the flights from Florida into either Brownsville or Harlingen appear to be approx. the same price.

[BUBraves06]

So who is planning on going? I'm gonna do my best to go to as many away games as possible this season as it'll be my last as a student.

[Da Coach]

I'll be there. We need to have a place to meet and party!