ISU (red) at UNI

[GoCatz!]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

I respect your opinion and agree that we need to build our fan base, but I disagree with your logic. If something is getting people in the door and to the games, I think you should keep that policy going and expand it. That is how you build a fan base, by putting butts in the seats, showing them a good time and making them want to come back for more.

Maybe I put it the wrong way before about the PSC club room, I loved the free beer (who doesn't) but what I really enjoyed was hanging out with my buddies prior to the game and being able to watch the teams warm-up. It got us all in the basketball mindset. The concourse is beautiful and a wonderful area, but its overcrowded and always too darn hot for such a large gathering area. Why can't they set it up on the east observation area?

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

Budget cuts and tightness are what they are. But, sorry, you said you would easily spend $10 a game if the beer was $1 per...You could spend that same $10 and get 3 beers before the game. Not judging, but you really want to and CAN drink 10 beers before tip off without your "tip being off"? BTW, East side doesnt' work because there is no elevator on that side...UNI can't sponsor an event up there as a result is what I have been told.

In regards to more open seats last night, though, I did notice that all of the suites were being used. I'm assuming they leased them out on a "per game" basis to get them all full. I estimated about 10 - 15 in each of them, which would be an extra 40 - 60 people not in seats. Don't know how much of a visual impact this would have, but there were some seats right around me that I thought might be empty as a result. In any case, 4,000+ ain't cuttin it for attendance...although I loved the mentality of the crowd last night. Stand, clap, whistle and HAVE FUN! The players definitely respond.

[GoCatz!]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

That makes sense about the elevator, its too bad. The $10 I mentioned is figuring in a round or two for my group, not just myself, but then again, in years past I needed about ten in me just to put up with what I was seeing on the floor. This year, different story, thank goodness.

I never bothered to turn around last night and check out the suites, I'm glad they are filling up, I wonder what they are charging for a one-game rental, that could be fun.

Crowd was definitely into it last night, 3K more would make it amazing. Even if they are there just for the "social" aspect of it, when it gets loud, they have no choice but to join in and make it louder.

[Marc Wigim]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

If we do well in our next two games, I predict at least 6K for Creighton. Trust me, the students are always geared up for that game. Some even started booing when Justis announced them as the next home game.

[panthertrack]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

If the students get jacked for that game, hopefully they can come up with some better taunts for the game.

"Haircut" last night was the most God-awful, annoying, stupid chant I've heard from them since the high school-esque "You can't do that" used to roam the section.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

I'm only complaining about this b/c the Panthers are winning and there is nothing else to complain about, but when JE has a sub-par night people are calling him a disappointment. Well, Koch had 2 points tonight and no one seems concerned. When the Panthers see some real competition (sadly, that won't come from the Valley this year) Adam better not go 0-8 from the field or UNI will be in a heap of trouble.

Is anyone else bothered by this??

Not really.

Jordan's play is easily explained by his battling the flu. He still gave us some good minutes in the second half, grabbed some boards and blocked a couple of shots, he was just rushing on offense, though he did have a couple of nice dishes.

Koch did not score and that was not typical, but he also did a heck of a job defensively on Oguchi-who actually was/is the Redbirds leading scorer. Yeah, he had 11, but 3 were on that scramble trey with 20 seconds left and he was basically a non-factor because he was in foul trouble trying to guard Adam. Would have like to see Koch make his FT's on the 1 and 1, though towards the end.

[Khan4Cats]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

The mid-week games hurt attendance. The numbers prove that, even when UNI played in the Dome and had that strong three-year run. Students don't come out as strong, church night for some and some out of towners don't want to make the drive if they have to get up early the next morning. Unfortunately for UNI, it's Saturday night MVC home games were early -- versus Wichita State and Missouri State when students were on break and people were still uncertain what this team was capable of doing.

Creighton has a better shot of being a sellout than SIU since Creighton is a Sunday game and SIU is a Wednesday night. However, I don't think either will be. That said, 4,500 and change is very disappointing. But it was a vocal 4,500.

Evansville has THE POTENTIAL to be the best crowd. It's the last regular season game of the year, on a Saturday (probably at night) and possibly needing a win to clinch its first league title. Or, if they have it wrapped up by then, it will be a net-cutting celebration that night.

Excellent summary.

In addition I would add look at which teams we are playing on which nights. We get the teams that are farthest from us on the weekends (with the exception of Creighton)-not many of the casual fans will drive to our place anyways.

The closer teams we play on week nights-Bradley, Illinois State, and Drake. If those games are on a weekend, we could pick up more fans from those teams coming as well. Heck, with Drake, we can't even get many UNI fans to drive from Des Moines for a weeknight game (understandable as it is).

I don't know if we'll sell out Creighton, their fans are kinda frustrated with their team and may not be as willing to make the trip this year, but I also think we will see progressively more excited crowds if the team keeps playing well down the stretch, with the potential for a really nice crowd the last game against Evansville to send the team off to St. Louis.

[Newsbreaker]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

Budget cuts and tightness are what they are. But, sorry, you said you would easily spend $10 a game if the beer was $1 per...You could spend that same $10 and get 3 beers before the game. Not judging, but you really want to and CAN drink 10 beers before tip off without your "tip being off"? BTW, East side doesnt' work because there is no elevator on that side...UNI can't sponsor an event up there as a result is what I have been told.

In regards to more open seats last night, though, I did notice that all of the suites were being used. I'm assuming they leased them out on a "per game" basis to get them all full. I estimated about 10 - 15 in each of them, which would be an extra 40 - 60 people not in seats. Don't know how much of a visual impact this would have, but there were some seats right around me that I thought might be empty as a result. In any case, 4,000+ ain't cuttin it for attendance...although I loved the mentality of the crowd last night. Stand, clap, whistle and HAVE FUN! The players definitely respond.

What are they doing locally, other than turning the lights on and unlocking the doors, to get attendance up?

If we're having 2000+ empty seats right now, this seems like the prime time to either drop the price on certain seats, or start giving tickets away via radio (and even TV) promotions like crazy. Get people in there - you aren't selling those tickets as it is, and at least when you give them away you make some extra concession money.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

What are they doing locally, other than turning the lights on and unlocking the doors, to get attendance up?

If we're having 2000+ empty seats right now, this seems like the prime time to either drop the price on certain seats, or start giving tickets away via radio (and even TV) promotions like crazy. Get people in there - you aren't selling those tickets as it is, and at least when you give them away you make some extra concession money.

Haven't seen much to date. I think the hope was / still is that the winning will equate to more ticket sales and income (which in all reality it SHOULD). If we were losing, I could see pushing the panic button, but right now, it is hard to do that when you still have to think that people will get on this bandwagon. I would like to see some commercials or other publicity talking up the "1st Place UNI Panthers!!", though.

[FerociousCat]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

Great win!

Loved it when Ali hit a 3...then a quick turnover & Ali pulled up in transition & hit another 3...then he turned & grinned @ Coach Jake...& Coach Jake also grinned...but more of a parental "you little stinker" grin...Classic!

[TravelingPanther]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

We need some weekend games. Bradley and Illinois State falling on Wednesdays may have had something to do with it. Not sure . . . loved the amount people were willing to stay standing tonight. I'm sure the team enjoys it too!

That's why Creighton on a Sunday looks good. Everyone hates Creighton.

[SteinPizza]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

If we were losing, I could see pushing the panic button, but right now, it is hard to do that when you still have to think that people will get on this bandwagon. I would like to see some commercials or other publicity talking up the "1st Place UNI Panthers!!", though.

Hopefully they will get on the bandwagon. My theory is that the only way the very casual fan gets interested is if UNI is ranked. That gets their attention, and let's them know UNI is a contender for something other than a MVC championship. It also means UNI gets national exposure, which makes getting on the bandwagon that much easier.

I'm at a loss myself...I don't understand why the Cedar Valley doesn't support this team given the lack of competition for their attention, and/or lack of other things to do in the area. I also vaguely understand that Wednesday is a "church night", but really, how common is that for the majority of church-going people?

[jman2004]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

That's why Creighton on a Sunday looks good. Everyone hates Creighton.

Even the Lord? I suppose that's why we will beat them for a second time this season . . . on a Sunday!

[jman2004]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

I also vaguely understand that Wednesday is a "church night", but really, how common is that for the majority of church-going people?

Actually, rather common. I can count off nearly 18 fans that I know of personally that either did not attend last night's game because of church functions, or came at half-time because of church functions. And I'm just one person, and I don't know too many people. You get my drift.

I think Wednesday nights hurt attendance. Hopefully our remaining weekend games will make up for it.

[bobsboy84]

Re: ISU (red) at UNI

Favorite three plays of the night . . .

3). Kwadzo shouldering Sampay out of bounds to keep him from saving the ball.

2). O'Rear knocking Holloway out while celebrating after his offensive put back.

. . . and my favorite play of the night . . .

1). Ali's nothin' but net floater on the baseline. What a shot!

This was more than a shoulder. He laid the guy out with full body. Saw it from up top on the east side concourse.......man, way to get physical. Great effort.