(04-28-2018 04:37 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote: (04-27-2018 10:21 PM)JMad03 Wrote: New Bridgeforth opened playing CCSU and the attendance was quite good.
Wouldn't surprise me that they would probably want to play a game they think we have a good chance of winning. The turnout is going to be huge no matter the opponent due to the "new car smell" of the Bank.
If winning is their goal, I think we'll be playing Harrisonburg High School. Great local turnout and a close win for the Dukes! What more could we ask for?!?!
I know you are just being sarcastic but I'm sure they will look to get not only regional exposure for the debut but perhaps even national exposure by playing a team who is likely to be ranked. There will be a full house regardless and a win would be great but JMU wants to maximize their media exposure with an event like this.
All kidding aside, I don't think much needs to happen for there to be pretty good media exposure.
Plus, this is a new opportunity to bring fans back. I'm not sure if bringing a ranked opponent is such a good idea.
It could very well be an L. Forever the history of JMU at the Union would be started with a loss. I understand we could win and it would be great, but I just don't see JMU looking at it that way. They want people to leave happy and a W gives them that.
If we got blown out against a ranked team, that's not great. It could validate that the team didn't need a new arena because they aren't worthy of one. The idea is to bring fans back. A ranked opponent is only worth it if JMU is good enough to beat ranked teams. If the Union were to open next season and we were playing a ranked team, I think we would get crushed. Perception is BIG, especially when you are trying to bring people in. The new arena is going to be enough to bring fans to the first game no matter the opponent. We could be playing Bridgewater and I'd be there.
Wins bring more people back than losses, even if the opponent isn't great. Am I saying we should play a garbage opponent? No, but I wouldn't be screaming about it if we were.
All that being said, I DO think JMU should play a ranked opponent at home and have a solid OOC schedule. I just don't believe Game 1 is where that should happen.
It's really hard to say how good/bad the program will be when it finally opens. If we have turned things around and are actually a good team and our chances of upsetting a ranked opponent are solid, then everything I just said changes.
I just don't think we'll be there yet.