NIU vs SIU......Who is going to this game?

Unless Mother Nature doesn't allow me to, I have already made plans to clear my schedule for this game and a few others. Do I think SIU will beat us? Yes and I was afraid the poll was about that.... I don't think we can hang with SIU of the MVC like we did with Ind State of the MVC. They are two different levels. But, hopefully I'm wrong and it will be a great game. In any case of final score, YES I WILL BE THERE TO SUPPORT OUR HUSKIES!!!

Yes, SIU should beat NIU. But that doesn't take away the excitement I have for this program. NIU basketball hasn't been in this state of promise in 15 years. I just hope Ricardo Patton sticks around for 2 years and we are poised to win the MAC next season.

Is it foregone conclusion that Gates should be / will be Patton's successor?? I think I'm okay with that assuming of course he is class individual and can be good x's and o's coach.

4 sho

Nigel Incubator-Jones Wrote:Yes, SIU should beat NIU. But that doesn't take away the excitement I have for this program. NIU basketball hasn't been in this state of promise in 15 years. I just hope Ricardo Patton sticks around for 2 years and we are poised to win the MAC next season.

Is it foregone conclusion that Gates should be / will be Patton's successor?? I think I'm okay with that assuming of course he is class individual and can be good x's and o's coach.

Well said on all accounts. Ditto!!
SIU might thump us. I could get over it based on the future. If not and it is a great game or if we somehow win, then that is even better!!

What are the chances this game sells out? I'm hoping to go, but would probably just want to buy a ticket (since I'm more than likely heading out there by myself) at the game.

its my bday that day! so i may just be a lil under the influence when i show up haha

Big Red Wrote:What are the chances this game sells out? I'm hoping to go, but would probably just want to buy a ticket (since I'm more than likely heading out there by myself) at the game.

Ive heard Flames and salukiinohio saying that as many as 3-4k SIU fans could be in attendance which I find really hard to believe. I'll believe it when I see it, but if thats true, I definitely welcome it. It is bodies inside of the Convocation Center. My guess for attendance is 4,800 with 3,000 NIU fans and 1,800 SIU.

Just make sure it isn't 3000 SIU and 1800 NIU fans! If they were to bring 3000, we need to have at least that many ourselves. Pass the word!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going. I have season tickets for both men and women but I only go to weekend games. I will make an exception in this case.

MaddDawgz02 Wrote:

Big Red Wrote:What are the chances this game sells out? I'm hoping to go, but would probably just want to buy a ticket (since I'm more than likely heading out there by myself) at the game.

Ive heard Flames and salukiinohio saying that as many as 3-4k SIU fans could be in attendance which I find really hard to believe. I'll believe it when I see it, but if thats true, I definitely welcome it. It is bodies inside of the Convocation Center. My guess for attendance is 4,800 with 3,000 NIU fans and 1,800 SIU.

Sorry for my ignorance, but I'm not sure how that translates. How much does the arena hold? Should I get tix in advance?

I think you will be able to get tickets at the door. However, how good those tickets will be in the arena are another question if these numbers are correct. You could get them in advance and be done with it! I think I might do that as well.

http://www.chicagohoops.com
Thursday Television Tangle: 2006 Mr. Basketball Jon Scheyer And Duke To Battle Bryan Mullins, 2008 Mr. Basketball Kevin Dillard And Southern Illinois On ESPN2

Southern Illinois will take on Duke in a Thursday night battle on ESPN2 in a game that will match 2006 Illinois Mr. Basketball Jon Scheyer (Duke), against Bryan Mullins (Southern Illinois) and 2008 Illinois Mr. Basketball Kevin Dillard (Southern Illinois).

Duke enters the contest with a record of 3-0 while Southern Illinois comes in with a mark of 2-0. The game is a semifinal match-up in the 2K Sports Classic, and will be played at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Scheyer, who played his high school ball at Glenbrook North, comes into the game averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per contest. Mullins, who played his high school ball at Downers Grove South, comes in averaging 11.5 points, 10.5 assists and 4.0 steals per contest. Dillard, who played his high school basketball at Homewood-Flossmoor, averages 11.5 points, 7.5 assists and 2.5 steals per contest.

The game is set to tip-off at 6:00 p.m. central standard time on Thursday night

High On NIU Hoops Wrote:I think you will be able to get tickets at the door. However, how good those tickets will be in the arena are another question if these numbers are correct. You could get them in advance and be done with it! I think I might do that as well.

Yeah, I think I'm going to do the same. Might as well not risk it.

If this game were on a weekend it would sell out. I would guess 5-6K will attend. Maybe more Saluki fans than Huskie fans.

HuskiemobileMan Wrote:If this game were on a weekend it would sell out. I would guess 5-6K will attend. Maybe more Saluki fans than Huskie fans.

Yes and that is disappointing this one could not be a weekend game. Im not sure if it would sell out though with the students gone, but 6k+ would be a lock.

The students would only account for 300 people at most. I foresee approx 6,000 fans with 4,000 of them cheering on the Salukis.

NIUtrav09 Wrote:The students would only account for 300 people at most. I foresee approx 6,000 fans with 4,000 of them cheering on the Salukis.

Wow 4,000 SIU fans, I'll really take my hat off to SIU fans if they show up in these kind of numbers. I dont care who comes in though even if it were 7,000 SIU fans to 1,000 NIU fans. I think once people start to see what kind of an atmosphere/noise level can be generated at this place, it will cause some excitement for future attendance. I think the acoustics of the Convo Center will really create a great environment once the place starts filling up.

MaddDawgz02 Wrote:

NIUtrav09 Wrote:The students would only account for 300 people at most. I foresee approx 6,000 fans with 4,000 of them cheering on the Salukis.

Wow 4,000 SIU fans, I'll really take my hat off to SIU fans if they show up in these kind of numbers. I dont care who comes in though even if it were 7,000 SIU fans to 1,000 NIU fans. I think once people start to see what kind of an atmosphere/noise level can be generated at this place, it will cause some excitement for future attendance. I think the acoustics of the Convo Center will really create a great environment once the place starts filling up.

No doubt about the acoustics. I went to the AA Super-Sectional. The place was 90% full and VERY loud.

MaddDawgz02 Wrote:

NIUtrav09 Wrote:The students would only account for 300 people at most. I foresee approx 6,000 fans with 4,000 of them cheering on the Salukis.

Wow 4,000 SIU fans, I'll really take my hat off to SIU fans if they show up in these kind of numbers. I dont care who comes in though even if it were 7,000 SIU fans to 1,000 NIU fans. I think once people start to see what kind of an atmosphere/noise level can be generated at this place, it will cause some excitement for future attendance. I think the acoustics of the Convo Center will really create a great environment once the place starts filling up.

Unlike NIU, basketball is THE THING at SIU and a lot of alums live in the Chicagoland area and rarely get to see their team play in person. They will be aware their team is playing at NIU and will make the trip out to DeKalb.

My guess:
3,000 SIU fans
2,500 NIU fans