I have noticed that, especially when D'Vonte Smith is playing the point, we move the ball quickly up the court and force the issue. We are not walking the ball up the court as much as in the past, and are moving the ball around more quickly. For those who have been "punishing" the program by not coming to games, you might be missing something by staying home. I really think they're playing a much more exciting brand of ball. How may wins this will translate into, I can't say. But it's definitely a transition from the way we have played in the past. Those of you who have been to the games.
Are you seeing the same thing?
(12-05-2013 02:24 PM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ]I have noticed that, especially when D'Vonte Smith is playing the point, we move the ball quickly up the court and force the issue. We are not walking the ball up the court as much as in the past, and are moving the ball around more quickly. For those who have been "punishing" the program by not coming to games, you might be missing something by staying home. I really think they're playing a much more exciting brand of ball. How may wins this will translate into, I can't say. But it's definitely a transition from the way we have played in the past. Those of you who have been to the games.
Are you seeing the same thing?
I'm not one of the ones staying at home yet, but I resent the reference that those that do are "punishing the program." I think you've got it backwards, and that the program has been "punishing the loyal fans" for years by providing a really poor to mediocre D-1 basketball team. Some folks get tired of being **** on year after year, and nothing ever changes except some poor assistant coaches are made to walk the plank instead of the captain of the ship.
So they might be a little better this year, and Shields has finally figured out that by pushing the ball more, it's become more interesting. Did it take him eleven years to figure that out? Maybe he's a slow learner. I can't and won't attempt to speak for those who have left, but I can answer for myself. Leaving this program won't be trying to punish anyone, but stopping me from being punished any longer.
(12-05-2013 03:07 PM)LRTrojan Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 02:24 PM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ]I have noticed that, especially when D'Vonte Smith is playing the point, we move the ball quickly up the court and force the issue. We are not walking the ball up the court as much as in the past, and are moving the ball around more quickly. For those who have been "punishing" the program by not coming to games, you might be missing something by staying home. I really think they're playing a much more exciting brand of ball. How may wins this will translate into, I can't say. But it's definitely a transition from the way we have played in the past. Those of you who have been to the games.
Are you seeing the same thing?
I'm not one of the ones staying at home yet, but I resent the reference that those that do are "punishing the program." I think you've got it backwards, and that the program has been "punishing the loyal fans" for years by providing a really poor to mediocre D-1 basketball team. Some folks get tired of being **** on year after year, and nothing ever changes except some poor assistant coaches are made to walk the plank instead of the captain of the ship.
So they might be a little better this year, and Shields has finally figured out that by pushing the ball more, it's become more interesting. Did it take him eleven years to figure that out? Maybe he's a slow learner. I can't and won't attempt to speak for those who have left, but I can answer for myself. Leaving this program won't be trying to punish anyone, but stopping me from being punished any longer.
If fans feel like they've been punished, they certainly have the right to disassociate themselves from the program. For whatever reason, people come to the games, regardless of what goes on on the court. They just enjoy being there, and win or lose, they continue to come. I'm not saying they're better fans. Maybe the others find something more interesting to
do. I just happen to be one of those who really enjoy the games. During the Winter months I would be somewhat more bored than I am, since I can't play golf, so it's my Winter sports outlet. I didn't mean to sound critical when I used the word "punished". I think from some comments that have been made, those who didn't renew their tickets seemed to be showing their displeasure and the only way they could make a statement was by now renewing, and I thought that would equate to punishment.
Anyway, what I was trying to say was that I think we're playing a more exciting brand of basketball. Maybe it's because we have more talent and are able to do it. Anyway, I hope you guys do come to as many games as you can. Always good to see you there and critique the games at halftime. Happy Holiday season to all of you, and let's hope our weather doesn't cause too much havoc.
No one I know expects the team they follow to win every game, but you would like to think that if their team hadn't played in post season in ten years(most of you know I don't consider that we've made the tournament if we lost the play-in game), that the coach of ten years wouldn't be coaching the team in year eleven. He is.
(12-05-2013 03:58 PM)LRTrojan Wrote: [ -> ]No one I know expects the team they follow to win every game, but you would like to think that if their team hadn't played in post season in ten years(most of you know I don't consider that we've made the tournament if we lost the play-in game), that the coach of ten years wouldn't be coaching the team in year eleven. He is.
I believe you're correct, but I'm not qualified to make those executive decisions. For whatever reason, Chris has chosen to stay with Steve through thick and thin, and hasn't gotten to the point where he wants to make a change. It could be financial or maybe he just likes Steve so much he's willing to accept a less than stellar performance from his teams. So I have made peace with the fact that Steve will be the coach as long as Chris is the AD, barring some unforseen problem. I feel the ticket prices are a larger problem with our attendance than the coaching situation. Someone made the perceptive concept that Chris decided to charge premium prices before he increased attendance. So we continue to beat the dead horse. I promise time will solve all these problems. Whether we'll be around to see those changes, that's another story.
(12-05-2013 05:59 PM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 03:58 PM)LRTrojan Wrote: [ -> ]No one I know expects the team they follow to win every game, but you would like to think that if their team hadn't played in post season in ten years(most of you know I don't consider that we've made the tournament if we lost the play-in game), that the coach of ten years wouldn't be coaching the team in year eleven. He is.
I believe you're correct, but I'm not qualified to make those executive decisions. For whatever reason, Chris has chosen to stay with Steve through thick and thin, and hasn't gotten to the point where he wants to make a change. It could be financial or maybe he just likes Steve so much he's willing to accept a less than stellar performance from his teams. So I have made peace with the fact that Steve will be the coach as long as Chris is the AD, barring some unforseen problem. I feel the ticket prices are a larger problem with our attendance than the coaching situation. Someone made the perceptive concept that Chris decided to charge premium prices before he increased attendance. So we continue to beat the dead horse. I promise time will solve all these problems. Whether we'll be around to see those changes, that's another story.
I tend to agree that the premium seats are probably overpriced, but Chris know more about running an athletic program than I do. I doubt pricing keeps anyone out of the arena since end zone tickets are 7 bucks a game and $100 dollars each for season tickets for a family of 4. When I first moved to LR, right out of graduate school, I would have been thrilled to be able to buy tickets at that price. Now, luckily I can afford to pay more. But until those seats are sold out, no one can complain about tickets being too expensive.
(12-05-2013 10:17 PM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 05:59 PM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 03:58 PM)LRTrojan Wrote: [ -> ]No one I know expects the team they follow to win every game, but you would like to think that if their team hadn't played in post season in ten years(most of you know I don't consider that we've made the tournament if we lost the play-in game), that the coach of ten years wouldn't be coaching the team in year eleven. He is.
I believe you're correct, but I'm not qualified to make those executive decisions. For whatever reason, Chris has chosen to stay with Steve through thick and thin, and hasn't gotten to the point where he wants to make a change. It could be financial or maybe he just likes Steve so much he's willing to accept a less than stellar performance from his teams. So I have made peace with the fact that Steve will be the coach as long as Chris is the AD, barring some unforseen problem. I feel the ticket prices are a larger problem with our attendance than the coaching situation. Someone made the perceptive concept that Chris decided to charge premium prices before he increased attendance. So we continue to beat the dead horse. I promise time will solve all these problems. Whether we'll be around to see those changes, that's another story.
I tend to agree that the premium seats are probably overpriced, but Chris know more about running an athletic program than I do. I doubt pricing keeps anyone out of the arena since end zone tickets are 7 bucks a game and $100 dollars each for season tickets for a family of 4. When I first moved to LR, right out of graduate school, I would have been thrilled to be able to buy tickets at that price. Now, luckily I can afford to pay more. But until those seats are sold out, no one can complain about tickets being too expensive.
That just doesn't make much sense. Not selling out seats that would be crappy in a high school setting certainly doesn't justify way overpricing the seats that are decent for a program that isn't embraced by the public at large. That's just a stupid marketing "plan".
(12-06-2013 12:20 AM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 10:17 PM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 05:59 PM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 03:58 PM)LRTrojan Wrote: [ -> ]No one I know expects the team they follow to win every game, but you would like to think that if their team hadn't played in post season in ten years(most of you know I don't consider that we've made the tournament if we lost the play-in game), that the coach of ten years wouldn't be coaching the team in year eleven. He is.
I believe you're correct, but I'm not qualified to make those executive decisions. For whatever reason, Chris has chosen to stay with Steve through thick and thin, and hasn't gotten to the point where he wants to make a change. It could be financial or maybe he just likes Steve so much he's willing to accept a less than stellar performance from his teams. So I have made peace with the fact that Steve will be the coach as long as Chris is the AD, barring some unforseen problem. I feel the ticket prices are a larger problem with our attendance than the coaching situation. Someone made the perceptive concept that Chris decided to charge premium prices before he increased attendance. So we continue to beat the dead horse. I promise time will solve all these problems. Whether we'll be around to see those changes, that's another story.
I tend to agree that the premium seats are probably overpriced, but Chris know more about running an athletic program than I do. I doubt pricing keeps anyone out of the arena since end zone tickets are 7 bucks a game and $100 dollars each for season tickets for a family of 4. When I first moved to LR, right out of graduate school, I would have been thrilled to be able to buy tickets at that price. Now, luckily I can afford to pay more. But until those seats are sold out, no one can complain about tickets being too expensive.
That just doesn't make much sense. Not selling out seats that would be crappy in a high school setting certainly doesn't justify way overpricing the seats that are decent for a program that isn't embraced by the public at large. That's just a stupid marketing "plan".
"Crappy" because they are bleachers? Certainly a courtside seat in most arenas would be a lot more than 7 bucks. I don't want to sit in bleachers, but 30 years ago it wouldn't have bothered me.
(12-06-2013 12:25 AM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2013 12:20 AM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 10:17 PM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 05:59 PM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 03:58 PM)LRTrojan Wrote: [ -> ]No one I know expects the team they follow to win every game, but you would like to think that if their team hadn't played in post season in ten years(most of you know I don't consider that we've made the tournament if we lost the play-in game), that the coach of ten years wouldn't be coaching the team in year eleven. He is.
I believe you're correct, but I'm not qualified to make those executive decisions. For whatever reason, Chris has chosen to stay with Steve through thick and thin, and hasn't gotten to the point where he wants to make a change. It could be financial or maybe he just likes Steve so much he's willing to accept a less than stellar performance from his teams. So I have made peace with the fact that Steve will be the coach as long as Chris is the AD, barring some unforseen problem. I feel the ticket prices are a larger problem with our attendance than the coaching situation. Someone made the perceptive concept that Chris decided to charge premium prices before he increased attendance. So we continue to beat the dead horse. I promise time will solve all these problems. Whether we'll be around to see those changes, that's another story.
I tend to agree that the premium seats are probably overpriced, but Chris know more about running an athletic program than I do. I doubt pricing keeps anyone out of the arena since end zone tickets are 7 bucks a game and $100 dollars each for season tickets for a family of 4. When I first moved to LR, right out of graduate school, I would have been thrilled to be able to buy tickets at that price. Now, luckily I can afford to pay more. But until those seats are sold out, no one can complain about tickets being too expensive.
That just doesn't make much sense. Not selling out seats that would be crappy in a high school setting certainly doesn't justify way overpricing the seats that are decent for a program that isn't embraced by the public at large. That's just a stupid marketing "plan".
"Crappy" because they are bleachers? Certainly a courtside seat in most arenas would be a lot more than 7 bucks. I don't want to sit in bleachers, but 30 years ago it wouldn't have bothered me.
Bleachers are crappy if they are paid for no matter what the setting. Demand determines whether they will sell. We have no demand.
(12-06-2013 12:25 AM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2013 12:20 AM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 10:17 PM)mjs Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 05:59 PM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ] (12-05-2013 03:58 PM)LRTrojan Wrote: [ -> ]No one I know expects the team they follow to win every game, but you would like to think that if their team hadn't played in post season in ten years(most of you know I don't consider that we've made the tournament if we lost the play-in game), that the coach of ten years wouldn't be coaching the team in year eleven. He is.
I believe you're correct, but I'm not qualified to make those executive decisions. For whatever reason, Chris has chosen to stay with Steve through thick and thin, and hasn't gotten to the point where he wants to make a change. It could be financial or maybe he just likes Steve so much he's willing to accept a less than stellar performance from his teams. So I have made peace with the fact that Steve will be the coach as long as Chris is the AD, barring some unforseen problem. I feel the ticket prices are a larger problem with our attendance than the coaching situation. Someone made the perceptive concept that Chris decided to charge premium prices before he increased attendance. So we continue to beat the dead horse. I promise time will solve all these problems. Whether we'll be around to see those changes, that's another story.
I tend to agree that the premium seats are probably overpriced, but Chris know more about running an athletic program than I do. I doubt pricing keeps anyone out of the arena since end zone tickets are 7 bucks a game and $100 dollars each for season tickets for a family of 4. When I first moved to LR, right out of graduate school, I would have been thrilled to be able to buy tickets at that price. Now, luckily I can afford to pay more. But until those seats are sold out, no one can complain about tickets being too expensive.
That just doesn't make much sense. Not selling out seats that would be crappy in a high school setting certainly doesn't justify way overpricing the seats that are decent for a program that isn't embraced by the public at large. That's just a stupid marketing "plan".
"Crappy" because they are bleachers? Certainly a courtside seat in most arenas would be a lot more than 7 bucks. I don't want to sit in bleachers, but 30 years ago it wouldn't have bothered me.
The other night, the bleacher seats were pretty full on both ends. According to the reported attendance, we had a nice crowd. I know nobody believes the accuracy of the reported attendance, but it looks good on paper.
(12-06-2013 01:02 AM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ]The other night, the bleacher seats were pretty full on both ends. According to the reported attendance, we had a nice crowd. I know nobody believes the accuracy of the reported attendance, but it looks good on paper.
Was the crowd typical of other comparable games? If so, not bad for a non-D1 game.
One thing that may be helping us run this year is that the guys up front are getting the job done on the boards. There have not been many years where we have had two big guys with at least 6.7 rpg. That allows your perimeter players to release quicker.
(12-06-2013 08:23 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2013 01:02 AM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ]The other night, the bleacher seats were pretty full on both ends. According to the reported attendance, we had a nice crowd. I know nobody believes the accuracy of the reported attendance, but it looks good on paper.
Was the crowd typical of other comparable games? If so, not bad for a non-D1 game.
At about ten minutes prior to the game, it looked like the over/under was going to be more than folks in the seats, as someone predicted. But it turned out there were a lot of people in both bleacher sections, which made the crowd acceptable. I doubt there were the announced 3,000, but it was respectable.
The plastic chair backs should have been installed in the end zones in an arena as nice as the Jack. Bleacher seats are not comfortable for a lot of folks. I personally wouldn't want to sit in the end zone if they had recliners, but some do like the view from the end zones. That's one reason I don't like to go to Arkansas State because they usually put our fans there.
(12-06-2013 10:28 AM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ]At about ten minutes prior to the game, it looked like the over/under was going to be more than folks in the seats, as someone predicted. But it turned out there were a lot of people in both bleacher sections, which made the crowd acceptable. I doubt there were the announced 3,000, but it was respectable.
Hard to tell the attendance without Scotto there.
With a non-D1 game, it could have been awful. If it was even close to being respectable, I am pleased.
(12-06-2013 11:38 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote: [ -> ]With a non-D1 game, it could have been awful. If it was even close to being respectable, I am pleased.
Respectable crowd? For us, and especially a non D-1 game, I'd say it was about a normal crowd. I'd guess they added about a thousand of the ghosts to the real numbers though.
I was afraid it might end up with 500 actual bodies there.
(12-06-2013 11:52 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote: [ -> ]I was afraid it might end up with 500 actual bodies there.
I had the same fear ten minutes before the game. I was amazed at how many showed up at the last moment.
(12-06-2013 11:52 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote: [ -> ]I was afraid it might end up with 500 actual bodies there.
Don't know about the UAFS game, but 500 actual attendance would be pretty accurate for the Southern Arkansas game.