More atmosphere in that game than any in some time.

We did not press as much as I would've liked. The press got us back in the game. This game was lost on the rebounds. NIU shot well enough to win many games, except free-throws. WMU was brutal from the free-throw line. Crowd came alive at the end. If, we could get 3-4k in the place it will be awesome. Its pretty obvious that next year can be special. Monty has turned this program around. We lost to a more rounded offensive team and a very hard playing team and I can except that. The near future of NIU Bball is very bright!

(02-09-2014 09:36 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  More atmosphere in that game than any in some time.

My eyes slightly watered up, Im not ashamed to say lol. It has been ages and upon ages since the Convo was that loud for an NIU game. That was an unbelievable fan response at the end of the game, I did not know 2100 could make that much noise. Can you imagine if 5000 people were at an NIU game with that type of energy, it would be the loudest building in the MAC. It was defeaning today A heartbreaking end, but another step in the long journey back. Today showed me that if NIU puts a winner out there in the next few years, fans will come back.

Its hard not to have tons of respect for the WMU basketball program. They may not get the top flight recruits, but man are they consistent in bringing in good talent. I swear even though the faces change it feels like you are playing the same damn team that graduated 5 years ago lol. It may not be the most talented roster in the MAC, but I think it has the most balance of any MAC roster and they have to be considered a top 3 favorite to win the whole thing. You have to think Whittington will get a pro chance, he has scary good touch for a guy that big. He might need to be a little tougher around the basket but his raw tools must make the pros druel right now.

Today I think the Huskies were kind of a victim of their recent success too, you can say teams play past a game or look to the next opponent. Not today, Western Michigan knew they were in for a slugfest today. Two things I take from that, one is that NIU definitely has started to get noticed around the conference and two, a great coaching job from WMU getting their kids in that mindset.

Not a good Sunday in the Convo. In the opener, the women got pummeled by Ball State, 63-50. Going into the game, I thought the women had a chance. But, Ball State has some bigs, and they were getting to the basket and hitting from all over the court, while our shots were not falling. Why is it that NIU teams have trouble making baskets in the Convo while the opponents have no such trouble? Can't figure it out.

It was nice to feel a little pre-game buzz in the Convo and have a nice crowd for the game. The place is starting to come back to life. Slowly, but surely, we are getting there.

So impressed with this team. They just keep battling. It's crazy, we don't have the most offensively talented (maybe consistent is a better word) team, but when we were down 16 in the second half, I felt like we were going to get back in the game. D will do that for you. Love the way Baker plays point and hats off to Jordan. Fantastic game. Hard not to get pumped up when you see your big man diving on the floor for loose balls.

Gotta say, it was nice to be pissed after a basketball loss. Haven't said/felt that in a long time.

(02-09-2014 11:26 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-09-2014 09:36 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  More atmosphere in that game than any in some time.

My eyes slightly watered up, Im not ashamed to say lol. It has been ages and upon ages since the Convo was that loud for an NIU game. That was an unbelievable fan response at the end of the game, I did not know 2100 could make that much noise. Can you imagine if 5000 people were at an NIU game with that type of energy, it would be the loudest building in the MAC. It was defeaning today A heartbreaking end, but another step in the long journey back. Today showed me that if NIU puts a winner out there in the next few years, fans will come back.

just have to win just like football.

(02-10-2014 10:20 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-09-2014 11:26 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-09-2014 09:36 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  More atmosphere in that game than any in some time.

My eyes slightly watered up, Im not ashamed to say lol. It has been ages and upon ages since the Convo was that loud for an NIU game. That was an unbelievable fan response at the end of the game, I did not know 2100 could make that much noise. Can you imagine if 5000 people were at an NIU game with that type of energy, it would be the loudest building in the MAC. It was defeaning today A heartbreaking end, but another step in the long journey back. Today showed me that if NIU puts a winner out there in the next few years, fans will come back.

just have to win just like football.

I am on board with that now after the Ohio game and the WMU game. It was just defeaning in that building with just over 2000 at the end of the game. The Convocation center if filled with 3000+ game would be one of the loudest stadiums in the country. I don't know what it is but the sound just really reverberates well. WMU actually seemed a little unraveled by the noise. Who would have thought that would ever be the case.

Loved the crowd. Dodge ball was interesting. They need a referee to say who is out.
Bowie can be frustrating but I loved is steal at the end of the game. Bowie please work on free throws.

(02-10-2014 12:51 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 10:20 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-09-2014 11:26 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-09-2014 09:36 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  More atmosphere in that game than any in some time.

My eyes slightly watered up, Im not ashamed to say lol. It has been ages and upon ages since the Convo was that loud for an NIU game. That was an unbelievable fan response at the end of the game, I did not know 2100 could make that much noise. Can you imagine if 5000 people were at an NIU game with that type of energy, it would be the loudest building in the MAC. It was defeaning today A heartbreaking end, but another step in the long journey back. Today showed me that if NIU puts a winner out there in the next few years, fans will come back.

just have to win just like football.

I am on board with that now after the Ohio game and the WMU game. It was just defeaning in that building with just over 2000 at the end of the game. The Convocation center if filled with 3000+ game would be one of the loudest stadiums in the country. I don't know what it is but the sound just really reverberates well. WMU actually seemed a little unraveled by the noise. Who would have thought that would ever be the case.

I really hope that puts "The Convo is the Problem" argument to an end.

(02-10-2014 01:41 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 12:51 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 10:20 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-09-2014 11:26 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-09-2014 09:36 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  More atmosphere in that game than any in some time.

My eyes slightly watered up, Im not ashamed to say lol. It has been ages and upon ages since the Convo was that loud for an NIU game. That was an unbelievable fan response at the end of the game, I did not know 2100 could make that much noise. Can you imagine if 5000 people were at an NIU game with that type of energy, it would be the loudest building in the MAC. It was defeaning today A heartbreaking end, but another step in the long journey back. Today showed me that if NIU puts a winner out there in the next few years, fans will come back.

just have to win just like football.

I am on board with that now after the Ohio game and the WMU game. It was just defeaning in that building with just over 2000 at the end of the game. The Convocation center if filled with 3000+ game would be one of the loudest stadiums in the country. I don't know what it is but the sound just really reverberates well. WMU actually seemed a little unraveled by the noise. Who would have thought that would ever be the case.

I really hope that puts "The Convo is the Problem" argument to an end.

The only big problem with the Convo is location, for your typical year if NIU is an average or below average team I do think it takes away from your walk up traffic compared to Chick Evans. That honestly could account for 500 or so a game.

If there is another redeeming thing from yesterday's game..WMU loses both Whittington and Brown next year

(02-10-2014 01:43 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 01:41 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 12:51 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 10:20 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  

(02-09-2014 11:26 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  My eyes slightly watered up, Im not ashamed to say lol. It has been ages and upon ages since the Convo was that loud for an NIU game. That was an unbelievable fan response at the end of the game, I did not know 2100 could make that much noise. Can you imagine if 5000 people were at an NIU game with that type of energy, it would be the loudest building in the MAC. It was defeaning today A heartbreaking end, but another step in the long journey back. Today showed me that if NIU puts a winner out there in the next few years, fans will come back.

just have to win just like football.

I am on board with that now after the Ohio game and the WMU game. It was just defeaning in that building with just over 2000 at the end of the game. The Convocation center if filled with 3000+ game would be one of the loudest stadiums in the country. I don't know what it is but the sound just really reverberates well. WMU actually seemed a little unraveled by the noise. Who would have thought that would ever be the case.

I really hope that puts "The Convo is the Problem" argument to an end.

The only big problem with the Convo is location, for your typical year if NIU is an average or below average team I do think it takes away from your walk up traffic compared to Chick Evans. That honestly could account for 500 or so a game.

The team has been the big problem. Sure, the convo is a little further from campus than the fieldhouse, but the bottom line is no one is going to go anywhere to watch the terrible team we've had for the past few years. The convo is an incredibly nice facility, and if the team can start winning the crowds will show up.

(02-10-2014 04:07 PM)niu_1087 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 01:43 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 01:41 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 12:51 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 10:20 AM)GCD70 Wrote:  just have to win just like football.

I am on board with that now after the Ohio game and the WMU game. It was just defeaning in that building with just over 2000 at the end of the game. The Convocation center if filled with 3000+ game would be one of the loudest stadiums in the country. I don't know what it is but the sound just really reverberates well. WMU actually seemed a little unraveled by the noise. Who would have thought that would ever be the case.

I really hope that puts "The Convo is the Problem" argument to an end.

The only big problem with the Convo is location, for your typical year if NIU is an average or below average team I do think it takes away from your walk up traffic compared to Chick Evans. That honestly could account for 500 or so a game.

The team has been the big problem. Sure, the convo is a little further from campus than the fieldhouse, but the bottom line is no one is going to go anywhere to watch the terrible team we've had for the past few years. The convo is an incredibly nice facility, and if the team can start winning the crowds will show up.

Agreed, but I think what the Chick evans central location did during down years was save your attendance to 1200 instead of 700

(02-10-2014 02:14 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  If there is another redeeming thing from yesterday's game..WMU loses both Whittington and Brown next year

Brown will likely be back for a 6th year. No joke. Multiple injuries during his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year in the program. From what I understand, he's likely to get approved by the NCAA and he wants to come back. Of course, that could change too.

(02-10-2014 07:36 PM)EA3 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 02:14 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  If there is another redeeming thing from yesterday's game..WMU loses both Whittington and Brown next year

Brown will likely be back for a 6th year. No joke. Multiple injuries during his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year in the program. From what I understand, he's likely to get approved by the NCAA and he wants to come back. Of course, that could change too.

That would be really significant if he gets approved. Surprised to hear its likely he will, he played at least 9 games a season each of the four years. Highsmith better get this year back if Brown gets approved, it would be only fair

(02-10-2014 07:40 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 07:36 PM)EA3 Wrote:  

(02-10-2014 02:14 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  If there is another redeeming thing from yesterday's game..WMU loses both Whittington and Brown next year

Brown will likely be back for a 6th year. No joke. Multiple injuries during his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year in the program. From what I understand, he's likely to get approved by the NCAA and he wants to come back. Of course, that could change too.

That would be really significant and pretty much unheard of if he gets approved.

Mbwake from Minnesota was the most recent to get approved. I believe his 6th year was just last season if I remember correctly. But yeah, it doesn't happen often.

The topic has come up often on the Stampede.

He has played in the following:

2009-10: frosh season (also Kool's senior season)...he played entire season injury free

2010-11: soph season...played in 9 games and suffered a season ending ankle injury.

2011-12:junior season...played in 10 games and suffered a season ending knee injury.

2012-13:senior season...still recovering from the knee injury, and subsequently another knee injury...didn't play until conference season got under way. Played in a total of 22 out of 35 games (missed the first 13 due to injuries mentioned above)

2013-14: 5th year senior...played in all games so far.

He's a prime candidate for a 6th year. And WOTS is he wants to come back

Heck...14 months ago most of us were convinced we would never see him play another game.

The NIU coaches said, Highsmith is not getting another year. They said the cut-off was 10 games.

Antone Christian comes back next week, will be good to have him back.