So we did end up making the trip out there for the bball games. Here is a summary of my experience.

1. Weather was bad near the Convo, they could have done a better job to plow the parking lot before and after the game. I ended up entering through entrance 4 just cause it was close to where I parked and they escorted me to the ticket booth area. Although well executed by the staff, this screams for the facility master plan to have an open concourse all the way around the arena.

2. We got our tickets, pup club kid was free, and we had good seats for the games. One thing about the convo, I know it gets blasted on this board, but the sightlines to watch a basketball game are actually pretty good. Unfortunately the women gave up the lead at the end of their game and they went to overtime where they eventually lost. This caused the men's game to start a half hour later than expected, 8pm.

3. They set up the bounce house and the basket rim for little kids which my son had fun with. Lots of kids participated.

4. The Pup Club pizza party took place primarily between games. They had Pizza and Cake for the the kids. Pizza actually looked pretty good. My son enjoyed it, not sure where it was from. Unfortunately a few of the kids parents felt they were entitled and took pizza and cake for themselves(even though many of them didn't look like they needed it) when it was a Pup Club kids only event. My wife and I did the honest thing while this was going on and went to the concession stand and purchased hot dogs(plenty available) and ice cold French Fries(at least microwave them) that were supplied.

5. Mascots from several local teams were there including the Steel, WhiteSox, Joliet Slammers, and a few others. I strongly felt Southpaw (White Sox mascot) was absolutely robbed in the mascot dance off competition. Considering the weather it was a decent crowd, probably not over 2k but a good crowd that was into the game.

6. Game itself was actually very exciting. Lots of turnovers and failures to convert on both sides, but we played just fine for the level we are at. As I previously mentioned I wouldn't go to a game until I felt the men's team was at least watchable. Well after seeing the game I can in fact say they are watchable.

7. Baker was tremendous on Saturday, I didn't think he missed a 3 point attempt all night. We established Maric the first half, and when EMU tried to shut him down 2nd half, our guards and wings, namely Baker, Wilson, Key, and Armstead took over the game. That Thompson guy I heard so much about was good, but not the end all be all by any means. Once he got his 4th foul he was useless the rest of the game.

In all we actually have a half way decent team that is worthy of our support. Don't get me wrong, lots yet to improve on, but the signs of a decent program in the offing are there. Although it took Monty almost 5 years I can truly say for the first time he is building a competitive program in the right direction.

I would strongly encourage everyone on the board to make the trip out there for at least one game this year to try the game experience. I know they were pumping the Toledo game in two weeks (especially with the Alumni deal) , not sure I can make that one, but I may go to another one this season. My son had a good time and even got on the dance cam.

For the ticket price it was worth it and I saw a decent college basketball game.

Good analysis and I agree 100%. Great game and good environment given weather kept some home. The player signing was a great touch and ALL of the players were extremely nice, polite, and I could not thank them enough for that! To play hard and then be friendly and energetic to a bunch of 5 year olds is incredible!

Only negative was your #4. We rsvp'd our two kids and by the time we went there the cake was gone and they essentially split a slice of pizza. Oh well, we bribed them with other stuff from concessions and had a great time

(01-11-2016 09:59 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Good analysis and I agree 100%. Great game and good environment given weather kept some home. The player signing was a great touch and ALL of the players were extremely nice, polite, and I could not thank them enough for that! To play hard and then be friendly and energetic to a bunch of 5 year olds is incredible!

Only negative was your #4. We rsvp'd our two kids and by the time we went there the cake was gone and they essentially split a slice of pizza. Oh well, we bribed them with other stuff from concessions and had a great time

I guess you can thank those parents mentioned up above.

(01-11-2016 10:30 AM)StevenNIU Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 09:59 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Good analysis and I agree 100%. Great game and good environment given weather kept some home. The player signing was a great touch and ALL of the players were extremely nice, polite, and I could not thank them enough for that! To play hard and then be friendly and energetic to a bunch of 5 year olds is incredible!

Only negative was your #4. We rsvp'd our two kids and by the time we went there the cake was gone and they essentially split a slice of pizza. Oh well, we bribed them with other stuff from concessions and had a great time

I guess you can thank those parents mentioned up above.

This is true, my understanding was they only ordered enough pizza for the kids who responded. Some of the parents were even told it was for the kids and they took a piece anyway. Really poor form by those adults.

Id have to agree a 13-2 team is watchable

(01-11-2016 09:59 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Good analysis and I agree 100%. Great game and good environment given weather kept some home. The player signing was a great touch and ALL of the players were extremely nice, polite, and I could not thank them enough for that! To play hard and then be friendly and energetic to a bunch of 5 year olds is incredible!

Only negative was your #4. We rsvp'd our two kids and by the time we went there the cake was gone and they essentially split a slice of pizza. Oh well, we bribed them with other stuff from concessions and had a great time

NIU: The school that always runs out of food LOL.

(01-11-2016 12:25 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Id have to agree a 13-2 team is watchable

I just might jump on the basketball bandwagon this year.

Ritz got a special treat too, he saw possibly the last Saturday game of the year in the Convo.

(01-11-2016 01:47 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Ritz got a special treat too, he saw possibly the last Saturday game of the year in the Convo.

Looks like there are 2 more Saturday games, on Feb 13 and Feb 27th. Unless they change those too.

(01-11-2016 01:59 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 01:47 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Ritz got a special treat too, he saw possibly the last Saturday game of the year in the Convo.

Looks like there are 2 more Saturday games, on Feb 13 and Feb 27th. Unless they change those too.

They will, that is what I meant, the 13th will definitely be a Friday game at least.

(01-11-2016 10:30 AM)StevenNIU Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 09:59 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Good analysis and I agree 100%. Great game and good environment given weather kept some home. The player signing was a great touch and ALL of the players were extremely nice, polite, and I could not thank them enough for that! To play hard and then be friendly and energetic to a bunch of 5 year olds is incredible!

Only negative was your #4. We rsvp'd our two kids and by the time we went there the cake was gone and they essentially split a slice of pizza. Oh well, we bribed them with other stuff from concessions and had a great time

I guess you can thank those parents mentioned up above.

NO, NO THIS IS CLEARLY NIU AND CONCESSIONS FAULT!!!

QUICK EVERYBODY PILE ON TO THE COLLEGE AGED KIDS WHO CASHIER AND WHO MAKE NO DECISION ABOUT HOW MUCH FOOD TO SERVE OR EVEN WHEN TO COOK MORE!!!

/sarcasm

Sometimes this fan base man...

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

It was a fun game to watch. There were a few more people there than usual and they had part of the upper bowl out on one side of the floor, but only about 25 people sitting in that section. They probably expected more people but snow had an effect. I drove out to DeKalb around 5:30 and it was dark and the wind was blowing the snow across the road. Not great conditions. Just fine on the way home though.

Concession lines were slow-moving, as usual. Not all of it the fault of the concession stand though. Still, they need another line open. If they did get a crowd of 2000 or more the lines would be horrific.

I like the fact that they have a better selection of alcoholic beverages (beverages for alcoholics, like me). In addition to stuff like Miller Lite, they had a couple of New Belgium beers, and Mike's Harder Lemonade, and maybe a couple others. I won't buy many at $6 or $7 but I've had one a couple times and it's nice to have the option.

(01-11-2016 03:26 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 10:30 AM)StevenNIU Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 09:59 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Good analysis and I agree 100%. Great game and good environment given weather kept some home. The player signing was a great touch and ALL of the players were extremely nice, polite, and I could not thank them enough for that! To play hard and then be friendly and energetic to a bunch of 5 year olds is incredible!

Only negative was your #4. We rsvp'd our two kids and by the time we went there the cake was gone and they essentially split a slice of pizza. Oh well, we bribed them with other stuff from concessions and had a great time

I guess you can thank those parents mentioned up above.

NO, NO THIS IS CLEARLY NIU AND CONCESSIONS FAULT!!!

QUICK EVERYBODY PILE ON TO THE COLLEGE AGED KIDS WHO CASHIER AND WHO MAKE NO DECISION ABOUT HOW MUCH FOOD TO SERVE OR EVEN WHEN TO COOK MORE!!!

/sarcasm

Sometimes this fan base man...

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

Actually I was being pretty understanding of the situation. But you could make a pretty strong argument that the college age kids working that event could have simply said "I'm sorry, pizza and cake is for pup club kids only". I simply just thought oh well, we will go buy something at concessions. But to have people rsvp and then run out, many folks would be pissed. I didn't care though

(01-11-2016 08:31 PM)JB04 Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 03:26 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 10:30 AM)StevenNIU Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 09:59 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Good analysis and I agree 100%. Great game and good environment given weather kept some home. The player signing was a great touch and ALL of the players were extremely nice, polite, and I could not thank them enough for that! To play hard and then be friendly and energetic to a bunch of 5 year olds is incredible!

Only negative was your #4. We rsvp'd our two kids and by the time we went there the cake was gone and they essentially split a slice of pizza. Oh well, we bribed them with other stuff from concessions and had a great time

I guess you can thank those parents mentioned up above.

NO, NO THIS IS CLEARLY NIU AND CONCESSIONS FAULT!!!

QUICK EVERYBODY PILE ON TO THE COLLEGE AGED KIDS WHO CASHIER AND WHO MAKE NO DECISION ABOUT HOW MUCH FOOD TO SERVE OR EVEN WHEN TO COOK MORE!!!

/sarcasm

Sometimes this fan base man...

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

Actually I was being pretty understanding of the situation. But you could make a pretty strong argument that the college age kids working that event could have simply said "I'm sorry, pizza and cake is for pup club kids only". I simply just thought oh well, we will go buy something at concessions. But to have people rsvp and then run out, many folks would be pissed. I didn't care though

That wasn't directed at you, sorry of that was misunderstood. It was directed at the people on here and in general who think they can screw up at their work without penalty but then crucify others for the same thing

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

(01-11-2016 08:46 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 08:31 PM)JB04 Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 03:26 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 10:30 AM)StevenNIU Wrote:  

(01-11-2016 09:59 AM)JB04 Wrote:  Good analysis and I agree 100%. Great game and good environment given weather kept some home. The player signing was a great touch and ALL of the players were extremely nice, polite, and I could not thank them enough for that! To play hard and then be friendly and energetic to a bunch of 5 year olds is incredible!

Only negative was your #4. We rsvp'd our two kids and by the time we went there the cake was gone and they essentially split a slice of pizza. Oh well, we bribed them with other stuff from concessions and had a great time

I guess you can thank those parents mentioned up above.

NO, NO THIS IS CLEARLY NIU AND CONCESSIONS FAULT!!!

QUICK EVERYBODY PILE ON TO THE COLLEGE AGED KIDS WHO CASHIER AND WHO MAKE NO DECISION ABOUT HOW MUCH FOOD TO SERVE OR EVEN WHEN TO COOK MORE!!!

/sarcasm

Sometimes this fan base man...

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

Actually I was being pretty understanding of the situation. But you could make a pretty strong argument that the college age kids working that event could have simply said "I'm sorry, pizza and cake is for pup club kids only". I simply just thought oh well, we will go buy something at concessions. But to have people rsvp and then run out, many folks would be pissed. I didn't care though

That wasn't directed at you, sorry of that was misunderstood. It was directed at the people on here and in general who think they can screw up at their work without penalty but then crucify others for the same thing

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

I wasn't upset at what you said... I tread lightly because I too feel some people are way too critical. Athletics does their best and nothing goes perfectly. To move on in another direction: I could not emphasize enough how awesome the players were after the game....coach Monty should be proud.