In 2002, when LSU coach John Brady counted on mercurial scorer Ronald Dupree and lockdown post-man Collis Temple III, the Tigers orchestrated a home-and-home series against then No. 1 University of Arizona, who featured future NBA draft picks Channing Frye and Salim Stoudemire.

With Loyola’s Athletic Director Michael Giorlando on the sidelines as a then-LSU assistant, the Tigers hosted them in Baton Rouge and dealt them a 66-65 upset in front of a nationwide audience on ESPN2. However, they would have had to pay the top-ranked Wildcats a hefty guarantee for that privilege had it not been a home-and-home.

That’s just part of the high-stakes game that is scheduling collegiate exhibitions.

To offset the hefty price tags, schools will travel to the other team’s floor and later host them in return.

“It’ll wash pretty evenly,” Giorlando said.

Other times, school A will only agree to play a home-and-home-and-home: School A will demand pay to play a third game at school B’s floor so as to still bag a gain, and in return school B draws two home crowds.

So, though Loyola could never host the NCAA’s marquee programs at The Den, is a home-and-home with neighborhood bully Tulane feasible?

“We always try. Tulane gives us a nice guarantee, but in return, they get a nice crowd – it’s one of the better crowds of the year,” Giorlando said.

“It’s good will, it brings up good memories of years past and excites students and teachers about their teams. We appreciate Tulane playing us, it helps us a lot.”

Said sports information director Brett Simpson, “It’s always a big alumni event for the Tulane game. It’s a big deal for (New Orleans’) sports fans, too.”

So could Tulane ever repay the annual trek down the block with a showdown in The Den’s confines?

Coach Giorlando parted a smile but shook his head, “No.”

-Ramon Vargas