Pac-10 Isn’t Missing Much by Eschewing Tournament

I’m a great fan of postseason conference basketball tournaments. In the ACC. In the Big East. Maybe even the Big Ten.

But not in the Pacific 10. It wouldn’t work.

How do I know?

The Pac-10 had a tournament for four seasons. When it died in 1990, hardly anyone mourned. In fact, hardly anyone noticed.

Unlike the ACC, where fans from most schools are usually within a drive down Tobacco Road of the tournament, the Pac-10 is too spread out to ensure either great crowds or atmosphere.

The Pac-10 tournament resembled the ACC’s only at Tucson because of the support from Arizona fans. But it was flatter than George Zidek’s crew cut at other sites--Pauley Pavilion, the Forum and Tempe, Ariz.

Sure, it made money for some athletic departments, but nothing like the $400,000 that each ACC school earns. UCLA and Arizona made more money in subsequent years by playing an extra nonconference home game.

School presidents also complained that the tournament cost their student-athletes too much class time.

But Pac-10 officials have revived the idea, appointing a committee to study whether the tournament should return after the 1998-99 season. New arenas, such as the Pond of Anaheim, are eager to play host, greater sources of revenue are being explored and a plan has been devised to reduce academic conflicts.

As much as I might enjoy seeing a tournament, I still don’t think it would be good for the conference. Competition among teams this season is so intense that several games each weekend are crucial. That wouldn’t have been true if they had a tournament to fall back on.

After the Big Ten begins its tournament next year, the Pac 10 will stand with the Ivy League as the only conferences without one. Keep standing there. That’s good company.

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