Seriously? Their gym looks like many of the high school gyms I’ve been in. Attendance at the EKU game was 423. How do they recruit D1 players?

(02-10-2023 08:42 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  Seriously? Their gym looks like many of the high school gyms I’ve been in. Attendance at the EKU game was 423. How do they recruit D1 players?

I think it was a bad addition!

(02-10-2023 08:42 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  Seriously? Their gym looks like many of the high school gyms I’ve been in. Attendance at the EKU game was 423. How do they recruit D1 players?

Jacksonville's gym is considerably less impressive than theirs.

But I don't think Queens was a bad addition necessarily.. They were clearly recruiting D1 talent when they weren't even D1 based on how well they've done in their first season. Perhaps we'll see some renovations eventually, but private schools like that can find their niche and do well even without sparkling arenas.

I don't think Bellarmine's on-court results would be significantly better or worse if they were playing in Knights Hall instead of Freedom Hall, and it has a similar capacity to the facility at Queens (though Bellarmine does draw better).

(02-10-2023 09:04 AM)eku05 Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 08:42 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  Seriously? Their gym looks like many of the high school gyms I’ve been in. Attendance at the EKU game was 423. How do they recruit D1 players?

Jacksonville's gym is considerably less impressive than theirs.

But I don't think Queens was a bad addition necessarily.. They were clearly recruiting D1 talent when they weren't even D1 based on how well they've done in their first season. Perhaps we'll see some renovations eventually, but private schools like that can find their niche and do well even without sparkling arenas.

I don't think Bellarmine's on-court results would be significantly better or worse if they were playing in Knights Hall instead of Freedom Hall, and it has a similar capacity to the facility at Queens (though Bellarmine does draw better).

How many times has EKU been criticized regarding McBrayer Arena? More times than I care to remember. I personally like the way it currently looks, big blank wall and all. But, a 31 mil renovation will completely change it, and hopefully make it even a better venue. I am sorry I do not agree with you 05 on this one. Queens “arena” looks exactly like Madison Central HS “gym” in blue! And 423 people? They announced it as Homecoming (guess this a thing when you don’t have football, which brings up the issue of funding two major sports)? And they, Queens, playing EKU, third place team in conference. 423 fans? In a large “metro” city we keep hearing is so very necessary and important? Just not impressed.
Just to throw this out, I guess I am just an old timer, but I am not thrilled with being in a conference with Bellarmine either. Nothing to do with them, but us, and how we treaded water way too long. I am certain MTSU, WKU, Murray State, Marshall, App State, and more , all old rivals, are all envious of how we have “moved on”.

Quote:How many times has EKU been criticized regarding McBrayer Arena? More times than I care to remember.

By people in other conferences we're hoping to join? A little. But it was never widely considered one of the bad arenas in either conference we've actually been in.

(02-10-2023 08:42 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  Seriously? Their gym looks like many of the high school gyms I’ve been in. Attendance at the EKU game was 423. How do they recruit D1 players?

I've been pretty impressed with Queens.

They had 1600 at their opener with a win over Marshall. They are almost .500 in the conference with D2 players. Wins over Bellarmine, FGCU, Stetson, and a blowout over UNA. Imagine when they actually start to get D1 players!

But, no, that gym isn't D1-worthy. Yet, it's a process. UNA slapped lipstick on ours pretty fast though before entering the ASUN. Even just redoing the floor would improve theirs so much.

Queens was the swimming/diving dynasty in D2. I assume that was the major reason they wanted to reclassify.

Quote:But, no, that gym isn't D1-worthy. Yet, it's a process. UNA slapped lipstick on ours pretty fast though before entering the ASUN. Even just redoing the floor would improve theirs so much.

I think UNA looks reasonably nice as far as I what I can tell from pics and on game streams. But the one thing (I believe) you still have that always subtly suggests "not big time" is the ceiling-hang goals. I think that's a subtle change that alters the vibe of an arena. The only school that gets a free pass on those is Duke.

(02-10-2023 03:11 PM)eku05 Wrote:  

Quote:But, no, that gym isn't D1-worthy. Yet, it's a process. UNA slapped lipstick on ours pretty fast though before entering the ASUN. Even just redoing the floor would improve theirs so much.

I think UNA looks reasonably nice as far as I what I can tell from pics and on game streams. But the one thing (I believe) you still have that always subtly suggests "not big time" is the ceiling-hang goals. I think that's a subtle change that alters the vibe of an arena. The only school that gets a free pass on those is Duke.

UNA's holds up for what it is. It's built "old-school" for sure. But, they did some pretty major renovations in 2018 as the D1 transition was starting. They spent about $2M to completely replace the court, replaced all seating, built a hospitality suite, installed video boards, etc.

(02-10-2023 09:48 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  Just to throw this out, I guess I am just an old timer, but I am not thrilled with being in a conference with Bellarmine either.

Oh, how we BU fans appreciate the high honor and privilege of playing your Colonels. It's as if all of our dreams have come true.

(02-11-2023 05:46 AM)BellarmineGrad Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 09:48 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  Just to throw this out, I guess I am just an old timer, but I am not thrilled with being in a conference with Bellarmine either.

Oh, how we BU fans appreciate the high honor and privilege of playing your Colonels. It's as if all of our dreams have come true.

If you will notice, I said it had nothing to do with you! It has everything to do with our university and lack of movement while our old rivals move on to FBS conferences. Take it how you will, I felt the same about Northern KY U. They were a community college at one time, kudos for them, their University and Bellarmine had a goal to become D1 and improve their visibility and athletic status. Obviously, we (EKU), were happy too long with the status quo.. Just MY opinion of my alma mater.

(02-11-2023 05:46 AM)BellarmineGrad Wrote:  

(02-10-2023 09:48 AM)LexColonel Wrote:  Just to throw this out, I guess I am just an old timer, but I am not thrilled with being in a conference with Bellarmine either.

Oh, how we BU fans appreciate the high honor and privilege of playing your Colonels. It's as if all of our dreams have come true.

I very much do not share this opinion. I think the Bellarmine basketball program has big things ahead of it, and I think they are far more likely to outgrow the ASUN than we are, at least in terms of Men's Basketball.

Bellarmine has secured their place as a viable D1 program in Kentucky by beating Louisville, EKU, and Murray State...all just this season.

I can understand criticism of Queens. I don't mind adding them, but I can fathom how some people might. If you think we're bigger than being in a conference with Bellarmine, well, you're just not paying enough attention to Bellarmine is all I can say about that.