9,300 in the UNI-Dome tonight

[jegbomb52]

I hate to be a negative person, but if uni went into the breslin center i don't see them coming closer than Iowa. I hate it say it, it has to be one of the toughest places to play in College Bball. By the way i did not know Cameron indoor stadium only held 9400 max compacity, that is tiny. Kind of nice all the undefeated teams went down, but i think G-town only pissed duke off and i think they are going to kill everyone in their path until the national title.

Please explain? Is the Breslin Center where MSU plays? If that is the case you are smoking crack my friend because our (meaning people who still think UNI is better than Iowa, apparently unlike yourself) Panthers don't get beat by 30, we don't get beat by 20, I don't even KNOW if we would have gotten beat at all. I think some explaining needs done, are you still one of those people who say that "they are on a different level" or "you know Iowa is still better but I don't like Alford so I will root for UNI".

[alleycat]

How did the crowd look compared to Monday?? I know there were some thoughts that Monday's number was inaccurate. Watching both games on TV I couldn't tell the difference, but they do not show the "football seating" side of the stands much so its tough.

It was a great crowd. You now need to show up about 45min early if you want to sit in the stands behind the bench. This will be a hot seat next year. Nice problem to have when people will start selling tickets on ebay next year so they can get into a sold out game. Coupons in the back of the phone book next year will likely have to say, "except for B-Ball".

[NJ Panther]

I hate to be a negative person, but if uni went into the breslin center i don't see them coming closer than Iowa. I hate it say it, it has to be one of the toughest places to play in College Bball.

I know memory repression is a desired Hawk trait, but remember UNI BEAT Iowa, thusly proving they are the superior team (For those holding superbowl or home game theories then Iowa must forfeit bragging up its win over Illinois). Second no one, any where any time, is going to beat this team by 30, 20, or a ligit 10 or more (4-6pts plus FT's does'nt count). Hell, Georgia Tech (national runner-up) and Wisconsin (elite 8) barely walked off the court with wins the last two years and this team is better then both of those. I'll grant the neutral court, but we also went into Baton Rouge and won and nearly won in Cini last year. UNI plays like last night and they beat ANYONE, ANYWHERE. Just my opinion though

[GonzoCat]

It was a great crowd. You now need to show up about 45min early if you want to sit in the stands behind the bench. This will be a hot seat next year. Nice problem to have when people will start selling tickets on ebay next year so they can get into a sold out game. Coupons in the back of the phone book next year will likely have to say, "except for B-Ball".

Ha! Last night we got to the dome an hour and a half early and couldn't get seats in the stands. Got stuck sitting up in the east stadium seats by the birthday boy.

[4N6]

The Dome and Basketball

I'm afraid this is going to be buried, and no one will view it. But, as I sat in the Dome last night watching a great event, I thought to myself what a GREAT building it has been for the University, the Cedar Valley, and for the state of Iowa. It occured to me that the greater share of events I've witnessed in the Dome have been sports related ... in particular, Basketball. It THEN dawned on me, that with the huge crowd gathered last night, that the Dome is truly not such a bad place to watch and experience a basketball game. True, I can't speak for playing a game in the Dome, and yes .... I'v heard ex-Panthers talk about the fact that they too look forward to the new arena for the benefit of the program. But, last I checked, the court in the new arena will be the same size as the Dome. What colleges tend to really want in their arena's is home court advantage. Seems we have that in the Dome. And, with 9,000+ fans last night, we had home court advantage and more. We had an event. I'll bet Coach Mac will be the first to tell you that with winning, crowds will come. (I've heard him say it in person.) Well, we're winning now, and the crowds have been coming. Wait until two weeks from this weekend. I look forward to the new arena opening. By the same token, I'll miss watching a game like last night in the Dome. Seeing fans line to court was amazing. Did you see the maintenance crew brought in some last-minute bleachers? Amazing.

If you ask me, the Dome isn't so bad to watch basketball in. Those people that say they have to park too far away probably have never been to Hilton in Ames when it's -15F. out. I even hear that "I have to sit too far from the court." That's a good one. When I walked up last night to get a soda, I looked down at the court and thought, "hey this aint too bad from here."

I'll quit now. I can't wait to have my new seats in the McLeoud Center. (Trust me, they'll be good seats, as I've been a season ticket holder since the days of averaging 12 - 1500 per home game.) But, the bottom line is that I'll miss the Dome and the loud cavernous echo heard everytime a Panther scores. Is ANYONE in agreement with me?

[B.True]

love your passion for the dome and what it has meant to UNI, 4N6. it was the first thing i saw while i came on a visit my senior year or HS and the building i saw in my rearview mirror after graduation....in between were a lot of great memories in the dome.

lots of good stuff. not sure whether "rules" have been set up for the Mc and i don't think that this has more than a 5% chance of happening....but even with a new arena, if UNI and Iowa were ranked in the top20 heading towards a game against each other in CF, they could probably set up for 20K and fill the place....would that happen?

i don't know, just a question for the masses....the new building will be great, but there really could be a game like that in the future. but, like i've said on this board before, the 7k McLeod Center is perfrect because you create a very hot ticket that is in demand and there are sellouts.....granted, if 20k wanted to see a game in a 7k arena, UNI probably wouldn't make more money...but the scalpers (are there any in CF? ) would....

[Panthers to the Bone]

I saw a scalper last night...I think for the first time ever. It was hilarious!!!! A guy was looking for tickets outside the dome. Awesome! My favorite part of the pre-game was when the PA announcer came on and said, "We have waited a long time to make this announcement, but would all people in the bleachers please scoot together, get comfy with your neighboor, to help accomodate the crowd!" Classic!

[Marc Wigim]

Please explain? Is the Breslin Center where MSU plays? If that is the case you are smoking crack my friend because our (meaning people who still think UNI is better than Iowa, apparently unlike yourself) Panthers don't get beat by 30, we don't get beat by 20, I don't even KNOW if we would have gotten beat at all. I think some explaining needs done, are you still one of those people who say that "they are on a different level" or "you know Iowa is still better but I don't like Alford so I will root for UNI".

I'll explain for you, jeg: there are still a large contingency of Iowa fans who believe that Big Ten membership=infallibility. Screw 'em.

[B.True]

My favorite part of the pre-game was when the PA announcer came on and said, "We have waited a long time to make this announcement, but would all people in the bleachers please scoot together, get comfy with your neighboor, to help accomodate the crowd!" Classic!

sounds like what our priest would say when the "Cheasters" (those that only attend on Christmas and Easter) would come out in full force.

[Born-a-Panther]

The Dome means a lot to myself and my family for more reasons than one... I'm super excited to be in the Mac, but it's going to be a little strange to say goodbye to bball in the UNI-Dome. Can't imagine what it's going to feel like to walk out of there after the last home game this season... but then I think about the fact that we'll still get to play football in there -- to keep the Dome tradition alive... and start new traditions and memories in an awesome new arena that so many people put so much effort into to make happen. We're damn lucky to be Panthers!!

[Jonsoup]

Well said Born.

[Newsbreaker]

If we had a stronger basketball history, I'd probably be a bit more sentimental for the dome. Yes, there have been great times in there, and mental pictures that will never fade, however if this new building is as good as I think it's going to be, by the 16:00 mark of the first half of the first game next year, we'll all be overjoyed to finally have the type of building we deserve.

It'd be different if we could get 9,000 in the dome everygame, but that probably won't ever happen. What's happening is certainly for the best, and there will never be a word that strikes fear into the heart of the Valley/Gateway like the UNI-Dome!

Don't forget the other side...football had to practice, preparing for a National Championship, on 20 yard sections. We have a world-class football program, and it deserves it's own building too.

[JCPanthers]

There is no doubt the MAC is going to be a huge advantage for the basketball program as well as the football program. Just ask the BB players how many times they have been able to actually practice in the Dome. They can't always get in there because it's always being used for something....Track meets, concerts, the football team during the playoffs, etc. etc. In a way it's almost a neutral court.

I know that the size of the MAC has been questioned because of the crowds that have been coming to games this year. However, keep in mind that there are several promotions that are getting people to the games....i.e. $1 kid tickets, phone book coupons, Family fun packs, etc. I would have to believe that some of these people would not come if it weren't for the great deals offered by the Athletic Dept. My guess is that the days of great promotions to BB games will be reduced once the MAC is opened.

It's all about the almighty dollar and what it does for our Athletic program financially. If you do the math.... 7,100 at $15 bucks is better than 9,300 at $10.