While I'm waiting for Sheetz to cook me up something good, I figured I'd post about the Dayton experience.
- Really nice and vocal Pitt crowd. I'd estimate 1000. The Dayton neutrals around me were rooting for Pitt too but were there generally to see a good game. I know this probably doesn't say much since our fans were absent for most of the year, but that was one of the loudest "home environments" we were in. I didn't go to all the Pitt games at The Pete this season but the Pitt people at this game were so into it, I would think it would rank ahead of those Lou/GT/BC midweekers.
- Dayton sure does love basketball. I couldn't believe the event was sold out and Pitt didnt even have any to sell so I had to Stubhub. And no thanks to UPitt89, I ended up closest to Mississippi State's bench which the seating charts listed as "visitor." To be fair, SEMO was the visitor and sat there the first game so maybe they switch up home and visitor benches for the 2nd game for whatever reason. That said, I didnt understand how SEMO had what appeared to be a full lower level section across from their bench and Corpus Christi had a smaller but discernible section behind their bench. I did not notice any official Pitt or Miss St sections. But Pitt fans were scattered pretty well everywhere. I dont want to make it seem like the place was packed with us but there were enough to make it feel like somewhat of a home atmosphere. And considering there were no primary market tickets, that was pretty cool.
- Random fact: there is a Georgia Tech Research Institute along the highway near Dayton. WTF
- UD Arena is an interesting venue. Very small square footage wise. They smush together 13K seats. Reminds me of Beaver Stadium in the sense that its much smaller than what amount of people should fit in there. I'm pretty sure I could stand on the court and underhand a ball to hit the ceiling. Its probably closer to Palumbo in square footage than the Pete. But that makes it a really good place to watch a game. Similar to high school courts, there isnt much room from the out of bounds lines to the first row so all the seats have the feel on being on top of the court.
- OK, food is here. Great win. For anyone who says this wasnt an NCAAT game, yea right. Unbelievable atmosphere. Unbelievable celebration by Pitt fans and players after the game. I would liken it to being in Charlotte for the ACCCG in terms of joy felt by fans. Honestly, it felt like we won the NC. Just so many years of pent up frustration that all let out when the clock hit 0.
- Really nice and vocal Pitt crowd. I'd estimate 1000. The Dayton neutrals around me were rooting for Pitt too but were there generally to see a good game. I know this probably doesn't say much since our fans were absent for most of the year, but that was one of the loudest "home environments" we were in. I didn't go to all the Pitt games at The Pete this season but the Pitt people at this game were so into it, I would think it would rank ahead of those Lou/GT/BC midweekers.
- Dayton sure does love basketball. I couldn't believe the event was sold out and Pitt didnt even have any to sell so I had to Stubhub. And no thanks to UPitt89, I ended up closest to Mississippi State's bench which the seating charts listed as "visitor." To be fair, SEMO was the visitor and sat there the first game so maybe they switch up home and visitor benches for the 2nd game for whatever reason. That said, I didnt understand how SEMO had what appeared to be a full lower level section across from their bench and Corpus Christi had a smaller but discernible section behind their bench. I did not notice any official Pitt or Miss St sections. But Pitt fans were scattered pretty well everywhere. I dont want to make it seem like the place was packed with us but there were enough to make it feel like somewhat of a home atmosphere. And considering there were no primary market tickets, that was pretty cool.
- Random fact: there is a Georgia Tech Research Institute along the highway near Dayton. WTF
- UD Arena is an interesting venue. Very small square footage wise. They smush together 13K seats. Reminds me of Beaver Stadium in the sense that its much smaller than what amount of people should fit in there. I'm pretty sure I could stand on the court and underhand a ball to hit the ceiling. Its probably closer to Palumbo in square footage than the Pete. But that makes it a really good place to watch a game. Similar to high school courts, there isnt much room from the out of bounds lines to the first row so all the seats have the feel on being on top of the court.
- OK, food is here. Great win. For anyone who says this wasnt an NCAAT game, yea right. Unbelievable atmosphere. Unbelievable celebration by Pitt fans and players after the game. I would liken it to being in Charlotte for the ACCCG in terms of joy felt by fans. Honestly, it felt like we won the NC. Just so many years of pent up frustration that all let out when the clock hit 0.
