We're one weekend of Horizon League Men's Basketball regular season games away from having the bracket set for the 2010 Speedway Horizon League Men's Basketball Championship. Call it a "tournament," call it an "event," call it whatever you'd like... but there's no denying that the level of play is heightened, and the stakes are raised. It's exciting, and for fans, that's what counts.
Since we're exactly one week from the First Round games, I figured now was the time to let everyone know what they can expect from us in the next two weeks. Another men's basketball champion will be crowned, and HLN is your home for more coverage and access to the tournament than anywhere else.
But, before we go any further, I want to make sure you've noticed the banner at the top of each page on HLN. With just one click, you can purchase tickets to the 2010 Speedway Horizon League Men's Basketball Championship. If you haven't done this yet, WHY? There's no denying that this tournament provides some of the best mid-major basketball in the Midwest. Buy your tickets today, or I'll personally send Alfreeda Goff out to get ya (provided she's OK with that). Better get them tickets fast!
OK... back to the topic at-hand.
After the regular season games have been completed this weekend, we'll provide some analysis on the HLN Blog about the bracket itself. I'd say that we would be "unveiling" the bracket, but I peruse enough of the fan sites out there to know that there are plenty of you following all of the scenarios, and will know the implications of each win and loss this weekend. Essentially, you'll know the First Round match-ups at the same time we do, so there's no reason fooling ourselves into thinking we'd be "telling" you anything.
Instead, we'll give your our thoughts on the tournament as a whole. Monday, March 1st, myself and Adam Coppinger (and perhaps some other guests), will break down the bracket from Number 1 to Number 10. As it stands right now, there are opportunities for some pretty compelling First Round match-ups, so you'll want to keep an eye out for that piece of Internet video gold.
Of course, the following night, March 2nd, is when the First Round games take place. Depending on which campuses end up hosting First Round contests, Adam and I may be out on the road that night. But, regardless of whether or not we end up traveling, you can join us for an HLN Live Blog while the games are in progress. Last season, the HLN Live Blog was a roaring good time, but we simply haven't had as many opportunities (due to that whole "HLN Game of the Week" thingy) to crank it up this year. At the same time, I know many of you out there have created your own team-specific live blogs. Let me ask, if I may, that everyone join OUR party that night. Interacting with fans from all across the Horizon League always makes for a good time, and I know that Adam and I (as moderators) get a good kick out of it.
On March 3rd we'll recap the previous night's action, and look ahead to the Second Round games which will be played March 5th at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Once again, the two Second Round games will be shown live on HLN, and this year we're planning a special surprise! NO...not THAT kind of surprise. I promise it'll be F-R-E-E... FREE, FREE, FREE! Instead, this surprise should calm some of our fans that sometimes get disgruntled with the video quality on HLN. It's going to take some more testing, but we hope to debut our "surprise" during the Second Round games. Cross your fingers, ok? While the games will be available on the front page of HLN, each team's postgame news conferences will be made available on that team's specific channel. So, when your team pulls an upset, you'll be able to hear from your team's coach and players.
Once the Second Round is complete, it's a quick turnaround for everyone. The Semifinal Round takes place the following night, March 6th inside Hinkle Fieldhouse. Despite the short amount of hours in between, you'll be able to once again visit HLN to find a complete recap of the previous night's action and a preview of the Semifinal Round from Adam and I. However, I won't guarantee that either of us will have found a razor to clear the scruff from our faces. Of course, the Semifinal Round is carried by ESPNU, but HLN will still have a large presence during the contests. We'll dial up the HLN Live Blog once again, and carry the postgame news conferences on HLN's front page.
It's worth noting, that last year's HLN Live Blog during the Semifinal Round was the most successful of the 2008-09 season. Hundreds and hundreds of you stopped in to chat with us during the games. Throughout the night there were not only big moments on the court, but on the HLN Live Blog as well, as we were thanked by a U.S. Soldier (and rabid Cleveland State fan) in Iraq for keeping him informed of what was happening during the game. Obviously, ESPNU wasn't available in his "area." That night we were also introduced to the mother of former Green Bay standout, Ryan Tillema. Adam and I quickly dubbed her "Tillemom" and the hilarity ensued. To date, she's still the only "HLN Live Blog All-Star," a title any fan would want to put on their résumé. Right?
The schedule will be the same after the Semifinal Round and prior to the Championship. We'll recap and preview here on HLN, provide a live blog during the title game, and carry the postgame news conference on HLN following the championship. And, of course, we'll wrap it all up with a neat little bow once the events have concluded.
In essence, this is a roundabout way of telling you that HLN is truly the place to be the next couple of weeks for coverage of the 2010 Speedway Horizon League Men's Basketball Championship. We're ramping up our coverage, so we hope you'll ramp up your support... either here, or in person!
