(02-05-2014 02:19 PM)MtownTigers916 Wrote:  I think part of it is the Grizzlies. A lot of the people who came to the Tigers games to be seen are now spending their money to sit down low at the Grizzlies' games to be seen.

I agree. Now grant it. When the Tigers were awesome the last 3 years of Cal, the Grizzlies sucked. But I do agree that the Grizz have some effect on things. I like both fwiw.

This is a direct result of needing the money and seat licenses. The school needs the local corporations to buy those expensive seats down low around the court. If it isn't a big game then some of them do not get those tickets used. It is why the conference tourney was always a better atmosphere, it allows those who sit upstairs or cannot afford season tickets to come down and go crazy....too much wine and cheese in the primo seats because of the dollars they drop. It is what it is...no reason the student section has to suck so bad!!!

Also every timeout is sponsored by somebody, so when the other team calls timeout due to a big Tiger run, instead of Fight Song or Tigers spelling, we get the Kiss Cam or Volleyball or Dance for your Dinner or anyone else that gave the school $500

I have to agree. It is a different age, but the sponsorship on every move made before, during, and after the game is just so in your face its unenjoyable at times. Just like that Toyota logo on the playing floor. Ruins the whole floor for me.

I said it would happen years ago, and it's the absolute truth.

The Grizzlies are now THE thing to do when it comes to basketball in this city. The Tigers are the minor league team. Even with the Tigers in a major conference, it does not match going to a Grizzlies game, especially when teams like OKC, the Spurs, or the Clippers are in town.

Diehard, old school Tiger fans will never admit it, but that's exactly what has happened. The city has grown accustomed to the quality of basketball they see at Grizzlies games. The atmosphere at a playoff game cannot be matched by ANYTHING related to the Tigers.

The Tigers beat the snot out of Rutgers last night.....and to the casual basketball fan in this city, it doesn't matter. The Dallas Mavericks are in town tonight, which is a much bigger deal.

That's just the way it is now.

(02-05-2014 04:07 PM)HornLakeTiger Wrote:  I said it would happen years ago, and it's the absolute truth.

The Grizzlies are now THE thing to do when it comes to basketball in this city. The Tigers are the minor league team. Even with the Tigers in a major conference, it does not match going to a Grizzlies game, especially when teams like OKC, the Spurs, or the Clippers are in town.

Diehard, old school Tiger fans will never admit it, but that's exactly what has happened. The city has grown accustomed to the quality of basketball they see at Grizzlies games. The atmosphere at a playoff game cannot be matched by ANYTHING related to the Tigers.

The Tigers beat the snot out of Rutgers last night.....and to the casual basketball fan in this city, it doesn't matter. The Dallas Mavericks are in town tonight, which is a much bigger deal.

That's just the way it is now.

I hate to admit it, but I partially agree with the nefarious nerd. I don't agree with the trolling "minor league" or "much bigger deal" comments, but the atmosphere at Griz games are a huge step up from Tigers games. I'm talking about the pregame, the timeouts...all of the off the court gameday atmosphere stuff.

Difference between Tigers and Grizzles games are 1 is full of old people and the other is a mixed crowd of young and middle aged energetic people.

(02-05-2014 04:07 PM)HornLakeTiger Wrote:  I said it would happen years ago, and it's the absolute truth.

The Grizzlies are now THE thing to do when it comes to basketball in this city. The Tigers are the minor league team. Even with the Tigers in a major conference, it does not match going to a Grizzlies game, especially when teams like OKC, the Spurs, or the Clippers are in town.

Diehard, old school Tiger fans will never admit it, but that's exactly what has happened. The city has grown accustomed to the quality of basketball they see at Grizzlies games. The atmosphere at a playoff game cannot be matched by ANYTHING related to the Tigers.

The Tigers beat the snot out of Rutgers last night.....and to the casual basketball fan in this city, it doesn't matter. The Dallas Mavericks are in town tonight, which is a much bigger deal.

That's just the way it is now.

How is the Grizzlies attendance?

I have to believe that when the Grizz finally WON a playoff series, Memphians witnessed the pinnacle (for Memphians) of basketball atmosphere. One thing college BB has for it is intensity. In the NBA, players 'pace' themselves (and they should given the schedule) during the regular season. NBA playoff BB has intensity....and when grit and grind actually won a playoff series, that is simply better than what the Tigers have to offer - unless it's a game against Louisville or (maybe) Cincinnati. On a game-by-game basis - including regular season - Tiger BB is better. But on a 'what's the best BB you've EVER seen' basis, the Grizz win and I think that affects the Tigers.

The Big Dance is the greatest BB atmosphere of all - but, the problem is that it doesn't take place at FEF.

One last thing: The Big Dance is the greatest BB atmosphere of all and WHEN THE TIGERS ACTUALLY START GOING TO THE SWEET SIXTEEN, ELITE 8....then the momentum will likely swing back to the Tigers.

I still remember during the last part of the Cal years, the Grizz were just an absolute afterthought and talk about a depressing atmosphere!

(02-05-2014 04:31 PM)ddramone Wrote:  I have to believe that when the Grizz finally WON a playoff series, Memphians witnessed the pinnacle (for Memphians) of basketball atmosphere. One thing college BB has for it is intensity. In the NBA, players 'pace' themselves (and they should given the schedule) during the regular season. NBA playoff BB has intensity....and when grit and grind actually won a playoff series, that is simply better than what the Tigers have to offer - unless it's a game against Louisville or (maybe) Cincinnati. On a game-by-game basis - including regular season - Tiger BB is better. But on a 'what's the best BB you've EVER seen' basis, the Grizz win and I think that affects the Tigers.

The Big Dance is the greatest BB atmosphere of all - but, the problem is that it doesn't take place at FEF.

One last thing: The Big Dance is the greatest BB atmosphere of all and WHEN THE TIGERS ACTUALLY START GOING TO THE SWEET SIXTEEN, ELITE 8....then the momentum will likely swing back to the Tigers.

I still remember during the last part of the Cal years, the Grizz were just an absolute afterthought and talk about a depressing atmosphere!

I remember being in the grocery store during halftime of an Elite 8 game and it was a ghost town...That is the affect that Memphis basketball has on this city. I doubt the Grizzlies ever get there.

The Atmosphere in the stadium may be better in the playoffs for the Grizz, but the tigers are still king in this town.

(02-05-2014 04:21 PM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 04:07 PM)HornLakeTiger Wrote:  I said it would happen years ago, and it's the absolute truth.

The Grizzlies are now THE thing to do when it comes to basketball in this city. The Tigers are the minor league team. Even with the Tigers in a major conference, it does not match going to a Grizzlies game, especially when teams like OKC, the Spurs, or the Clippers are in town.

Diehard, old school Tiger fans will never admit it, but that's exactly what has happened. The city has grown accustomed to the quality of basketball they see at Grizzlies games. The atmosphere at a playoff game cannot be matched by ANYTHING related to the Tigers.

The Tigers beat the snot out of Rutgers last night.....and to the casual basketball fan in this city, it doesn't matter. The Dallas Mavericks are in town tonight, which is a much bigger deal.

That's just the way it is now.

How is the Grizzlies attendance?

12,000 Grizzlies fans are much louder than 17,000 Tigers fans.

(02-05-2014 03:09 PM)ByrdDogX Wrote:  I have to agree. It is a different age, but the sponsorship on every move made before, during, and after the game is just so in your face its unenjoyable at times. Just like that Toyota logo on the playing floor. Ruins the whole floor for me.

Agree with that 100%

Exchanging fun, excitement and school spirit for commercials may have run off the students as well.

comparing a Grizz playoff game to a Tiger game isn't really apples to oranges. Maybe if the NCAA tournament was played at home sites, you could compare. My family seems to enjoy both, so there is my small sample.

The Tigers will rise or fall depending on their 'on court' product. It has nothing to do with the Grizz. Each team more or less has their own fan bases that do overlap slightly (I'm in here). The crowds are very different. Not better or worse, different. I think the issue today is really the perception that some NCAA games are much more valuable than others. With widening gaps in NCAA budgets some teams simply can't be competitive but are still Division 1. We went to those Tigers games at the Coliseum no matter who they played, it was a great time and atmosphere. Most of us still go today but notice the difference in crowd enthusiasm and 'feel' when we play Louisville or Cincinnati as opposed to Austin Peay. I know most of us grew up when the only televised football as Saturday, Sunday and Monday night. There are just so many more options today. The Tigers are a constant top 10 draw and I think we're positioned well for the future.

(02-05-2014 01:45 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  lol 2004-2005 was the worst...some game they announced 10,000 at the forum...may have been 8k there

That Providence game in Dec 04 might have had 2K in attendance. Weeknight game, sleet and a team that had already crapped the bed early in the season is a bad recipe for good attendance.

The TCU game wasn't much better.

(02-05-2014 02:10 PM)cmt Wrote:  I think the emotion for the team has deteriorated over the last 40 years. There is a lot more to do in this great city of ours and the Grizzlies divide the attention even further.

70's
When I started going to games. That was it, Memphis State Basketball. I remember Finch and Robinson coming to my elementary schools and playing with us on the black top. After the NCAA finals ( we ran outside during halftime of the Providence game and played basketball until we were called back in for the second half, then we played for hours afterwards), the games were amazing for a few years. I was still screaming during the Yates years, but losing hurts the average fan's enthusiasm.

80's
When Kirk started, the crowd was there, but kinda quiet. Then Keith Lee and ESPN showed up and for the next 4-5 years the coliseum was as electric as any place on earth. Ba-ba-ba-ba-basketball. The waiting list for tickets was in the thousands.

90's
Finch fed of the final four for many years and the Arkansas games in the Pyramid were as loud as the coliseum was. There were nights at the Pyramid where students lined up for hours and hours to try and get a seat. But enthusiasm was dwindling a bit and when Finch was stupidly fired, and some life seemed to be permanently sucked out of the program.

00's
Calipari won a ton of games. Called the complainers "miserables" and told us what we could and couldn't and should and shouldn't do. His players were mostly hired guns and although I loved winning and even went to San Antonio, it wasn't the same. Calipari was a selfish egotistical bast@rd and did as much harm as good to the program.

10's
Pastner is bringing back real players and putting together real teams. We expect to be top 5, when we should only expect our players to play hard and have fun and entertain us. Pastner will find a Finch…Lee…Hardaway...Rose, he just hasn't yet. When he does we'll be back on top and the crowds will swell once again.

But I think the days of the universe centering around Memphis State Basketball are over. I don't think I'll ever be driving through the fairgrounds parking lot to see when the next game is ever again. And I'll never be 18 years old again either.

Wonderful post!

I don't get to attend very many games.

I had club level seats for the Sunday afternoon USF game.

It was shocked at how boring it was.

(02-05-2014 04:20 PM)Crazier Wrote:  Difference between Tigers and Grizzles games are 1 is full of old people and the other is a mixed crowd of young and middle aged energetic people.

old people who complain if you stand up... like they are more important cause they are older or something... go home and sit on your couch if you dont want to get excited

(02-05-2014 05:04 PM)dan o Wrote:  

(02-05-2014 03:09 PM)ByrdDogX Wrote:  I have to agree. It is a different age, but the sponsorship on every move made before, during, and after the game is just so in your face its unenjoyable at times. Just like that Toyota logo on the playing floor. Ruins the whole floor for me.

Agree with that 100%

Exchanging fun, excitement and school spirit for commercials may have run off the students as well.

Time out ads have run off the students? Come on.

Er...no.

It is fun having the Grizzlies in town- and without a doubt the Tigers cost them some attendance and vice versa.

But this self loathing trolling basically bullcrap hoping for a response like mine right now that they are number one and the Memphis Tigers have been relegated behind is garbage.

Played by someone with little other purpose, seemingly in life which is a wee sad, than to constantly antagonize Memphis Tiger fans and alums. A sadder statement on his pretty obviously lame life than an accurate reflection on the Tigers.

Our home schedule this year has not been great to date. There were great atmospheres for the Cincy and UConn games which unfortunately we lost. As has ALWAYS been the case the atmosphere was lower for lesser opponents. The constant ad barrage has been an ongoing nagging problem...but must be lived with.

In Memphis, actually, little is duller than the atmosphere of a mid-week Grizzly game against, say, Detroit. So spare me that crap.

A solution to any perceived lack of environment? Get your a$$es down to the Forum and cheer on the home team. Many do. Beats bitching and moaning and making up bullsh!t agenda based P-whipped mouth diarrhea by our own extra lame one.