Maryland, St. John's & BC Pulling A Georgetown With Syracuse Basketball Tickets

Update: And it looks like Boston College is doing it as well, offering a Syracuse or Duke Flex Pack. You have to buy four more games, two ACC contests and two crappy OOC games. (H/T: Brian)

In a way I suppose we should be flattered.

If there's one problem the Syracuse Orange basketball team doesn't have, it's packing an arena. Even with one as big as the Carrier Dome, making the place look full and sound loud is rarely a concern.

So, we're always confused by the need of other top programs to package ticket deals and feel the need to limit access to opposing fans. And when Orange fans are the ones personally feeling the brunt, well, we just don't like it very much.

Not to mention, we usually find a way around it anyway. Just ask Georgetown.

But try, you must. And if you're the Maryland Terrapins and St. John's Red Storm, you are most certainly trying.

First, the Red Storm, who are requiring that anyone who wants to purchase a ticket to the December 15th game against SU in Madison Square Garden, you must do so by purchasing a package.

Your first option is to buy a ticket to the game as well as a ticket to the MSG Holiday Festival, which is not some kind of family-friendly ice skating show, but in fact a basketball tournament including St. John's, LaSalle, Stony Brook & Fordham.

Your second option is a four-game flex plan which allows you to purchase a ticket to the SU game (or the Villanova game, but not both) and then choose three more out of a field of five. That field includes games against Georgetown, Butler and Xavier, so if you're just in it to watch decent basketball (or hope the Hoyas lose), that might be up your alley. Just don't pick the DePaul game…you've suffered enough.

Now, onto Maryland, where the ACC's big screw you to its departing member was not to give them a home game against either Duke or UNC this year. That makes their home game against us their big ticket for the 2013-2014 season. And they're making that if you're in a penny, you're in for a pound.

If you want a ticket to the February 24 contest between SU and Maryland, you have to buy it as part of a three-game package. That package allows you to pick two other games from separate pools that could be best described as "So-So ACC Games" and "Crappy OOC Games." The first grouping to pick one from is Georgia Tech, FSU and Virginia Tech. The second grouping includes games against Morgan State, FAU, BU, Tulsa and NC Central. For the rare Syracuse/NC Central fan, this is your dream deal.

Now, this deal is currently going through the SU Alumni Club of DC, and there may be single-game opportunities ahead. Maryland's single-game tickets go on sale on November 11, but chances are that's how it'll work (keep an eye out for UM Alumni deals we can hack, though…).

H/T: Robert & Jen