Iup basketball

[ctrabs74]

Re: Iup basketball

I'm considering leaving Pittsburgh a bit early Wednesday and heading down to the Angelo Dome. Looks like a good doubleheader.

Any advice from you Vulcans on a good dining spot before the game? Is that bar/restaurant way up on the hill (overlooking town) still open?

Two years ago I remember getting in to town late and grabbing dinner at the student union. Campus food has come a long way compared to the slop in the late 90s.

I fully anticipate the men's game to be another tight one. Maybe IUP pulls away late. I've watched quite a few Cal games this year. They have some real nice offensive players who can score the ball.

Even after three years living in the dump that is Cal Boro, I can't really recommend any good eats other than Dairy Queen or Subway - if either of them are still around.

[ctrabs74]

Re: Iup basketball

One thing that has hurt Gannon is the Erie Bayhawks G-League team and to a lesser extent, the Erie Otters OHL team (especially when Connor McDavid played there from 2012-15).

Both teams play at the newly refurbished Erie Insurance Arena -- it is beautiful and a few blocks away from the Hammermill. The games are as much about the atmosphere and entertainment as they are basketball. Their marketing is robust and and they cater to the families. You never see young people or families with kids at Gannon -- they are all down the street at the EIA.

Is Erie keeping their G-League franchise? I know they're affiliated with the Atlanta Hawks this season, but Atlanta's launching their own G-League affiliate in Atlanta for the 2019-2020 season.

[IUP CRIMSON HAWKS]

Re: Iup basketball

Even after three years living in the dump that is Cal Boro, I can't really recommend any good eats other than Dairy Queen or Subway - if either of them are still around.

Hey, some of us did tell you to come to IUP awhile back you know.

I recall the one local doctor telling me that he and his family were heading down to Cal for some sporting event and his daughter was trying to decide if she would rather go to Red Lobster or Olive Garden. The good doctor just broke out laughing and told her to forget about any of that. There's nothing there he informed her.

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[Golden89]

Re: Iup basketball

Is Erie keeping their G-League franchise? I know they're affiliated with the Atlanta Hawks this season, but Atlanta's launching their own G-League affiliate in Atlanta for the 2019-2020 season.

To my knowledge, there are no plans for the G-League franchise to relocate. Erie's had other affiliations over the years before the Hawks.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

It should be a good doubleheader tonight.

I haven't heard much of who is playing or not playing for the Cal ladies. I assume that's being held pretty close to the vest. IUP can get a nice little lead in the West with a win tonight. Cal leads the all-time women's series, 45-36. Irish Tom is 2-8 against the Vulcans in his tenure.

The men's game ... every IUP game this season is a thriller so I expect no different tonight. IUP just doesn't have the bench to knock teams out. It should be an exciting game. Cal is one of the top-scoring offensive teams in the PSAC (84.7 ppg) but also the worst defensive team in the conference (88 ppg). I'm projecting something around 90-85 IUP -- likely close in to the final 120 seconds.

Bravado Joe is 18-6 against Cal -- including five straight wins in California. IUP leads the all-time men's series, 112-72.

I'd really like to see Blake get going tonight. His minutes are shrinking and I'm sure his confidence is a bit, too. Two straight games he's picked up four fouls in less than 13 minutes. He's playing out of position but that's a moot point now. They need him. He can spread the floor nicely.

Side note: Minus Indiana Borough, where is seems salt is banned, the rest of PA has pretty decent roads. Hopefully IUP gets some fans down there in the Viet Mon tonight. Plenty of good seats available.

[IUPalum]

Re: Iup basketball

One thing that has hurt Gannon is the Erie Bayhawks G-League team and to a lesser extent, the Erie Otters OHL team (especially when Connor McDavid played there from 2012-15).

Both teams play at the newly refurbished Erie Insurance Arena -- it is beautiful and a few blocks away from the Hammermill. The games are as much about the atmosphere and entertainment as they are basketball. Their marketing is robust and and they cater to the families. You never see young people or families with kids at Gannon -- they are all down the street at the EIA.

I don't think the Bayhawks or Otters have any effect on Gannon's attendance. The Bayhawks games aren't well attended unless free tickets are given to K-8 grade students. I think the Gannon attendance is down some because of the style basketball played there. Reilly will always win but is that style fun to watch for the casual fan?

[Guest]

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

It's everywhere. There are 12 teams in the PSAC right now drawing less than 297 per game.

Notice the trend for IUP and Gannon -- the two yearly leaders in attendance:

Starting with the current season and in descending order:

IUP

794 (current season)
1,367
1,363
1,330
2,090
1,586
971


Gannon

640 (current season)
712
763
1,134
963
1,080
1,121


Those are pretty eye-opening declines. Including the current season, IUP's 7-year average is 1,357. Gannon's 7-year average is 916. So, going by the 7-year number (good sample size), IUP is down 563 per game this season. Gannon is down 276 per game.

Now, it's logical to say the games over break bring down the number. However, in IUP's case, they played just three home games over the break -- and each one exceeded the season average. Figure that one out. In other words, the team is drawing better, per the gate numbers, with students not on campus.

IUP only has (5) regular season home games left -- three of which are on Saturday nights (which generally draw better).

Make of this little example what you want but if anything else it's interesting to see the numbers.

As someone who attends the home games, this is really the first year you can notice the big decline. As to why ... opinions vary.

[Guest]

Re: Iup basketball

Gannon edinboro game really boosted the average. Take out that game attendance average is 540 a game.

[IUP24]

I think the general point is about the atmosphere. Sure, you go to see the basketball game. But you enjoy the crowd being involved and into it.


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[Fightingscot82]

Re: Iup basketball

I think the general point is about the atmosphere. Sure, you go to see the basketball game. But you enjoy the crowd being involved and into it.


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Good point. Its very similar to the debate about the Pirates. If you're a true baseball person you can enjoy going to see the Washington Wild Things for $5. But its not the same thing as going to a Pirates game. Why? Atmosphere. Its still baseball but they're not in the same league for atmosphere. A small Division II court can feel 'big time' if the people want it.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Quality over quantity.

Look at that Pitt upset of Miami at the end of the football season. Heinz Field was juiced up. Very rare but it was alive. That was an atmosphere and it certainly helped the home team. I like the idea of Pitt tarping off the upperdeck. Pack the lower bowl. I'd like the KCAC to do something similar. IUP is never going to come even close to routinely filling the place (or even half of it). Obviously I'm not talking about tarping seats there but condensing the crowd.

Look at the Field House ... 1,500 in there was packed and loud. Those same 1,500 in the KCAC are spread out way too far and dull nearly every game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

IUP can also improve the atmosphere dramatically by taking advantage of the facility more. They have one of the only state-of-the-art gyms around. Most were built 50 years ago.

I think they need to really spruce up the player introductions. Turn the lights off. Use the spotlights. That's one of the coolest parts of D1 games. They can do it. All the technology is there. The P.A. announcer needs some energy. Talk about a snooze fest.

Use the video board board more effectively. Play modern music. Earth, Wind and Fire is cool like maybe once a season. The Big League Haircut Hairy Man and the Kiss Cam were cool 6 years ago. Spice things up. As IUP24 has said many times, ... get the old people out of the courtside seats. The first 4-5 rows across from the benches should be all students. Whole way across the floor.

Those are cheap fixes that would go a long way to liven the place up. Make it look and feel like a college game and not a high school game. Why build the arena to have the same look and feel of the Field House?

Never know ... 'cool' things up a little bit and that coveted 'culture' may start to change.

[IUP24]

Quality over quantity.

Look at that Pitt upset of Miami at the end of the football season. Heinz Field was juiced up. Very rare but it was alive. That was an atmosphere and it certainly helped the home team. I like the idea of Pitt tarping off the upperdeck. Pack the lower bowl. I'd like the KCAC to do something similar. IUP is never going to come even close to routinely filling the place (or even half of it). Obviously I'm not talking about tarping seats there but condensing the crowd.

Look at the Field House ... 1,500 in there was packed and loud. Those same 1,500 in the KCAC are spread out way too far and dull nearly every game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Re: Iup basketball

Ugly first quarter for Megan Smith. Make matters worse ... 2 fouls.

Parsons also has two.