(02-12-2018 11:09 AM)Tygrys Wrote: (02-12-2018 09:23 AM)bcmemphis Wrote: Why are fans really staying away? Watching teams with similar records as Memphis(14 to 16 wins); there are crowds at the games. Are we so spoiled as a fanbase that we only support a top level winner?
I am very disappointed in our team, also. But in contrast, I was a student at Memphis State and attended games as far back as the Mid South Coliseum. If Memphis was playing, there was a good crowd. Memphis was not always winning the conference back then. But, very competitive. The vibe was different then. Diehard Tiger fans were REAL. Today there is so much negativity flowing about our Coaches, Players, Administration, Fans. We are cannabalizing our own program.
I am not saying it’s not a mess. I’m saying that Tyler Smith and his Father’s observations about fan support has merit. We are not very good fans.
Who are you watching that is at 14-16 wins at this point in the season and still drawing decent crowds?
The part in bold perfectly sums it up. Competitive. Memphis has not been competitive in 2 full seasons and there is absolutely nothing that gives fans a glimmer of hope about next year.
The negative vibe is being set by Tubby himself. He is calling fans out, throwing his players under the bus, telling everyone who will listen expectations are unreasonable and so on.
Despite what many think, our fan base is not unique in that numbers fall drastically after prolonged stretches of mediocrity and being just down right bad. Under John Pelphry Arkansas was literally giving away tickets at will call to anyone who was willing to just show up and they have great arena, in a major conference, a national title, and no pro or other major college teams to compete with...
I don't do back and forth on a message board, but it seemed that you doubted that I have seen games where fans support their teams, with 14 to 16 wins, this time of the year. It appeared that there were very good crowds at these games. I have recently seen games hosted by:
Alabama: 16 wins (Tennessee)
NC State : 16 wins (North Carolina)
Oklahoma: 16 wins (West Virginia)
Baylor: 16 wins (Kansas)
Notre Dame : 15 wins (Florida State)
Texas: 15 wins (Baylor)
Indiana: 14 wins (Michigan State)
Georgetown: 14 wins (Seton Hall)
LSU: 14 wins (Mississippi)
South Carolina: 13 wins (Florida)
Iowa State: 13 wins (Texas Tech)
Vanderbilt: 9 wins (Arkansas)
There were other teams with very poor records drawing good crowds. What is a good crowd? More than what Memphis is drawing these days. Many of these schools are schools which our fanbase compare our program with. We purport that we are on the same level. Are we?
What is a loyal fan? Every televised game, I see Kaye, sitting in her season ticket seat right behind the TV announcers. She is diehard. Every game I attend, she is there.
I am a football season ticket holder. Back in the day, I attended Memphis v Mississippi State in Larry Porter's tenure. That was the worst Memphis team I had ever seen. I left early and I never leave early. But, I continued to attend football games and supporting our team to this day. Unfortunately, I have a similar vibe about this basketball team.
The point of it all is loyal fans support their teams, even if it is mired in a mess.