Are The "box seats/suites" Sold - They Look Terrible on TV

[BuffetParrothead]

Are the what I think are box seats or suites on court level sold. I've been watching the games on ESPN 3 and I believe I counted 3 or 4 people in those seats last night with no sign of human life inside the glass doors. Its been similar for each game realizing this is the beginning of the schedule with PITT mostly delivering beat downs to visiting teams.
Will they be full when we get to the big games? If not they look terrible empty!

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Are the what I think are box seats or suites on court level sold. I've been watching the games on ESPN 3 and I believe I counted 3 or 4 people in those seats last night with no sign of human life inside the glass doors. Its been similar for each game realizing this is the beginning of the schedule with PITT mostly delivering beat downs to visiting teams.
Will they be full when we get to the big games? If not they look terrible empty!

If they are full when we get to Big East games then we are probably in an alternate timeline.

A few didnt get sold, I believe. Even most of the mid-level boxes arent sold in the traditional sense as much as they are "thrown into" a package of benefits Pitt offers its partners (Sodexo, Pitt IMG Sports Network, SMC, etc). Not many actual Pgh companies buying them.

The courtside suites were a hideous mistake and if you dont believe me, just look at every other pro and college arena built since. If they were a good idea, they would have been copied.

I think Pitt needs to put in 6-8 rows of premium permanent seating there. That would cover up the eyesore that are the suites. Fans who buy those plush, wide, premium seats would have access to the suites which would be remodeled.

I think Pitt can make more money off of 500 high-priced premium donor seats than 6 suites with a few of them unsold anyway and it would be better for TV and overall atmosphere. Also, by lowering the number of boxes, it would create a bigger demand of the mid-level boxes as well.

 

[Pitt79]

Are you ever concerned about anything other than "appearances"? How things look on TV? What future recruits might think? Etc.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

If they are full when we get to Big East games then we are probably in an alternate timeline.

A few didnt get sold, I believe. Even most of the mid-level boxes arent sold in the traditional sense as much as they are "thrown into" a package of benefits Pitt offers its partners (Sodexo, Pitt IMG Sports Network, SMC, etc). Not many actual Pgh companies buying them.

The courtside suites were a hideous mistake and if you dont believe me, just look at every other pro and college arena built since. If they were a good idea, they would have been copied.

I think Pitt needs to put in 6-8 rows of premium permanent seating there. That would cover up the eyesore that are the suites. Fans who buy those plush, wide, premium seats would have access to the suites which would be remodeled.

I think Pitt can make more money off of 500 high-priced premium donor seats than 6 suites with a few of them unsold anyway and it would be better for TV and overall atmosphere. Also, by lowering the number of boxes, it would create a bigger demand of the mid-level boxes as well.

I never mentioned Big East games. I did say big games.

 

[JS School]

Occasionally I get an email offering the chance to sit in those seats for an OOC game for $ 75. I'm not sure if other season ticketholders get the same offer for the same games, or if they spread the offers out over all the OOC games. Even though I considered it briefly to try it once just to check it out, I'm really not interested. I already have two seats, I'm not going to spend an extra $ 150 to act like some corporate VIP wannabe.

If it were up to me, I would give every season ticketholder a chance to sit there once for no extra cost. It would make it look like someone is actually interested in using those seats.

 

[Zaratoughda]

If they are full when we get to Big East games then we are probably in an alternate timeline.

A few didnt get sold, I believe. Even most of the mid-level boxes arent sold in the traditional sense as much as they are "thrown into" a package of benefits Pitt offers its partners (Sodexo, Pitt IMG Sports Network, SMC, etc). Not many actual Pgh companies buying them.

The courtside suites were a hideous mistake and if you dont believe me, just look at every other pro and college arena built since. If they were a good idea, they would have been copied.

I think Pitt needs to put in 6-8 rows of premium permanent seating there. That would cover up the eyesore that are the suites. Fans who buy those plush, wide, premium seats would have access to the suites which would be remodeled.

I think Pitt can make more money off of 500 high-priced premium donor seats than 6 suites with a few of them unsold anyway and it would be better for TV and overall atmosphere. Also, by lowering the number of boxes, it would create a bigger demand of the mid-level boxes as well.

LOL SMF. You misread the op and responded to your misread and... got one GOLDIE for it.

What was REALLY STRANGE... the other day I saw a post from Goldie that was not an attack on you, me, or anyone else. Was a normal post responding to TV coverage. First normal post I have ever seen from him. What is this world coming to???

 

[JS School]

While we are on the topic of upper crust amenities, is anyone familiar with Campus View Club? I assume you must have club seats to eat there.

If the food is good, that is definitely something I would utilize several times each season if it were open to the public.

 

[Zaratoughda]

Are the what I think are box seats or suites on court level sold. I've been watching the games on ESPN 3 and I believe I counted 3 or 4 people in those seats last night with no sign of human life inside the glass doors. Its been similar for each game realizing this is the beginning of the schedule with PITT mostly delivering beat downs to visiting teams.
Will they be full when we get to the big games? If not they look terrible empty!

IMO... they do a really poor job of marketing. When they sell season tickets the people that are buying them are just paying for the conference games and the big name games in particular... and don't give a diddly squat about the OOC games.

What they should do is, for those seats where the ticket holder does not show by game time.... sell them to whomever is willing to pay 1 buck to get in. In other words, fill those seats up any ways possible. Yeah, would allow ticket holders to 'verify' that they are coming with a phone call but.... otherwise those seats go if the ticket holder is not there by game time.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

He's only going if you put your tix on stubhub and let him ride for free in the trunk of your car.

LOL SMF. You misread the op and responded to your misread and... got one GOLDIE for it.

What was REALLY STRANGE... the other day I saw a post from Goldie that was not an attack on you, me, or anyone else. Was a normal post responding to TV coverage. First normal post I have ever seen from him. What is this world coming to???

Yea, maybe 6 months ago, I saw Goldie make a real post that wasnt breaking message board policy by ridiculing me or you or somebody else. It was pretty stunning.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

IMO... they do a really poor job of marketing. When they sell season tickets the people that are buying them are just paying for the conference games and the big name games in particular... and don't give a diddly squat about the OOC games.

What they should do is, for those seats where the ticket holder does not show by game time.... sell them to whomever is willing to pay 1 buck to get in. In other words, fill those seats up any ways possible. Yeah, would allow ticket holders to 'verify' that they are coming with a phone call but.... otherwise those seats go if the ticket holder is not there by game time.

I think Barnes is going to have to make massive changes to the whole scheduling/ticketing policy. The crowds at these games are so bad. I counted 250 people in the upper deck against Morehead. And there is no way the lower level was 25% full so you are looking at crowds around 2,000 each for these last 2 home games.

Its getting really really bad and Barnes has to fix it. Adding a game or 2 that people want to see would be nice but its going to take more than that. I only have some of the answers, not all, but obviously season ticket holders are viewing these OOC games as free throw-ins. So, if they refuse to go, maybe Pitt should sell a $50 Nov/Dec pass. Sit anywhere you want to any game you want. But actually market it.

 

[NTOP]

I think Barnes is going to have to make massive changes to the whole scheduling/ticketing policy. The crowds at these games are so bad. I counted 250 people in the upper deck against Morehead. And there is no way the lower level was 25% full so you are looking at crowds around 2,000 each for these last 2 home games.

Its getting really really bad and Barnes has to fix it. Adding a game or 2 that people want to see would be nice but its going to take more than that. I only have some of the answers, not all, but obviously season ticket holders are viewing these OOC games as free throw-ins. So, if they refuse to go, maybe Pitt should sell a $50 Nov/Dec pass. Sit anywhere you want to any game you want. But actually market it.

So those who pay for season tix (some concept!) could be ousted from their seats?? You haven't come up with an answer, yet. It's sorta like HF.....40K for YSU, 68K for ND = 3K for WCU, 12K+ for Duke. Except there are FAR more BB cupcakes. It's not just Pitt, it's pretty endemic. Too much free TV. Maybe Barnes should black out ESPN3 locally??

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

So those who pay for season tix (some concept!) could be ousted from their seats?? You haven't come up with an answer, yet. It's sorta like HF.....40K for YSU, 68K for ND = 3K for WCU, 12K+ for Duke. Except there are FAR more BB cupcakes. It's not just Pitt, it's pretty endemic. Too much free TV. Maybe Barnes should black out ESPN3 locally??

He cant black out ESPN3 but that's not the problem. The way I'd do it is give the Nov/Dec $50 pass buyers seats in the worst upper deck section and then tell them they can choose any seat they want midway through the 1st half......unless we know before the game the students aren't going to show, then they get those seats.

Will there be times when somebody takes the seat of a late arriving season ticket holder? Yes. The people simply apologize and move down and the ushers give a $5 concession stand credit for the inconvenience to the season ticket holder.

Or we can just schedule games people actuly want to see. I realize you have to play some guarantee games but we are playing 9, 10 if you count the exhibition. Half our home games are games nobody cares about. Thats too many.

 

[JS School]

Will there be times when somebody takes the seat of a late arriving season ticket holder? Yes. The people simply apologize and move down and the ushers give a $5 concession stand credit for the inconvenience to the season ticket holder.


I'll be waiting on the concourse till someone takes my seat. Then I'll go get my free chicken fingers and Mountain Dew.

 

[California Panther]

When talking about football attendance, the number usually mentioned is our base HARD CORE fans, which is what, 30-35,000? Talking that way about basketball, what is the number that our basketball experts would attach to our "hard-core go-to-any game no matter who we are playing" fan? 5,000 or less?

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

He cant black out ESPN3 but that's not the problem. The way I'd do it is give the Nov/Dec $50 pass buyers seats in the worst upper deck section and then tell them they can choose any seat they want midway through the 1st half......unless we know before the game the students aren't going to show, then they get those seats.

Will there be times when somebody takes the seat of a late arriving season ticket holder? Yes. The people simply apologize and move down and the ushers give a $5 concession stand credit for the inconvenience to the season ticket holder.

Or we can just schedule games people actuly want to see. I realize you have to play some guarantee games but we are playing 9, 10 if you count the exhibition. Half our home games are games nobody cares about. Thats too many.

More than half even...

Pitt should think about doing some 2-1 deals with some teams.

Good teams that probably would do 2-1 deals (2 games at Pitt and 1 at their place).

GW, UMASS, Davidson, Rhode Island , St. Joseph's, (maybe Dayton, but would definitely do a 1-1 deal), a good team in C-USA like Old Dominion, UAB, etc...

So basically 90% or more (would probably) of the A10 would do a 2-1 deal with Pitt. By giving up 1 home a year game, Pitt could get 2 quality teams to come in and play at the Pete.

Ideally, Pitt could have 3 of these deals going on at the same time.

I.E.- For three years, each year Pitt plays two of them @ home and one away.

This would definitely get more people into the stands for the non-conference games and (most likely) get more fans overall even considering losing just one home game....

Plus, having two 1-1 deals going would be good (make sure 1 home game and one away per year)..

Go Pitt...

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

What they should do is, for those seats where the ticket holder does not show by game time.... sell them to whomever is willing to pay 1 buck to get in.

So you think that there will be some significant number of people who are going to go to these games and just hang around outside the building waiting to see if they can get a $1 ticket? Yeah, sure, that's going to happen.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

More than half even...

Pitt should think about doing some 2-1 deals with some teams.

Good teams that probably would do 2-1 deals (2 games at Pitt and 1 at their place).

GW, UMASS, Davidson, Rhode Island , St. Joseph's, (maybe Dayton, but would definitely do a 1-1 deal), a good team in C-USA like Old Dominion, UAB, etc...

So basically 90% or more (would probably) of the A10 would do a 2-1 deal with Pitt. By giving up 1 home a year game, Pitt could get 2 quality teams to come in and play at the Pete.

Ideally, Pitt could have 3 of these deals going on at the same time.

I.E.- For three years, each year Pitt plays two of them @ home and one away.

This would definitely get more people into the stands for the non-conference games and (most likely) get more fans overall even considering losing just one home game....

Plus, having two 1-1 deals going would be good (make sure 1 home game and one away per year)..

Go Pitt...

Wait. You think those teams would move the needle at all?

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

IMO... they do a really poor job of marketing.

My guess is the marketing department is just tired

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

Wait. You think those teams would move the needle at all?

-Most of the teams I listed above would be happy to host a team like Pitt. Coming to Pitt twice and Pitt going to them once is a decently fair deal for both sides...

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

-Most of the teams I listed above would be happy to host a team like Pitt. Coming to Pitt twice and Pitt going to them once is a decently fair deal for both sides...

That's not what he's asking you. What he's asking you is if you think that playing someone like Rhode Island or Old Dominion would move the needle for Pitt fans, making any significant number of them more likely to actually attend the game.

None of those A10 schools would. Heck, several of them already play in Pittsburgh every year, and no one gives a damn about them now. And teams like Old Dominion or UAB sure aren't getting your average yinzer excited. The people that know that Old Dominion and UAB are decent teams are the same ones that know that Kent State and Morehead State are decent teams.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

That's not what he's asking you. What he's asking you is if you think that playing someone like Rhode Island or Old Dominion would move the needle for Pitt fans, making any significant number of them more likely to actually attend the game.

None of those A10 schools would. Heck, several of them already play in Pittsburgh every year, and no one gives a damn about them now. And teams like Old Dominion or UAB sure aren't getting your average yinzer excited. The people that know that Old Dominion and UAB are decent teams are the same ones that know that Kent State and Morehead State are decent teams.

How would playing a home game against Davidson, UMASS, or Dayton etc.. not bring in more fans than a game vs Central Arkansas or UMES for example ?? They won't sell out, but they'll get better crowds. Not to mention much better RPI game's too.

Yea, Pitt needs to add a home and home or two to make it more exciting to go watch a OOC game at the Pete (WVU, Cincy, Xavier, Temple, etc...).

While the 2-1 deal wouldn't sell the place out, it would at least give the fans that show up a little better games to see.

Go Pitt...

 

[magadog]

How many more season tickets would any of these games add? You might add a some, but the people that purchase season tickets for a couple of better nonconference games will be the first to put their tickets on stubhub & try to make a few bucks. There aren't too many hardcore fans that will go to every game.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

How would playing a home game against Davidson, UMASS, or Dayton etc.. not bring in more fans than a game vs Central Arkansas or UMES for example ?? They won't sell out, but they'll get better crowds. Not to mention much better RPI game's too.

Yea, Pitt needs to add a home and home or two to make it more exciting to go watch a OOC game at the Pete (WVU, Cincy, Xavier, Temple, etc...).

While the 2-1 deal wouldn't sell the place out, it would at least give the fans that show up a little better games to see.

Go Pitt...

You know we've actually hosted plenty of a10 schools like uri, Dayton, etc, right?

 

[NTOP]

How would playing a home game against Davidson, UMASS, or Dayton etc.. not bring in more fans than a game vs Central Arkansas or UMES for example ?? They won't sell out, but they'll get better crowds. Not to mention much better RPI game's too.

Yea, Pitt needs to add a home and home or two to make it more exciting to go watch a OOC game at the Pete (WVU, Cincy, Xavier, Temple, etc...).

While the 2-1 deal wouldn't sell the place out, it would at least give the fans that show up a little better games to see.

Go Pitt...

Those schools wouldn't do it. They already are in demand for RPI-fillers. If they did agree, we'd be paying a lot more to them than Detroit commands. There is no secret....just schedule one strong home & away each year. The fans won't return until they realize how good THIS Pitt team is. And if Mario sells the Pens to a Vegas mobster, it'll be a big thing to go to Pitt hoops, again.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

How would playing a home game against Davidson, UMASS, or Dayton etc.. not bring in more fans than a game vs Central Arkansas or UMES for example ?? They won't sell out, but they'll get better crowds. Not to mention much better RPI game's too.

Yea, Pitt needs to add a home and home or two to make it more exciting to go watch a OOC game at the Pete (WVU, Cincy, Xavier, Temple, etc...).

While the 2-1 deal wouldn't sell the place out, it would at least give the fans that show up a little better games to see.

Go Pitt...

Playing a good A10 program doesn't move the needle enough for the average Pitt hoops fans who is completely unaware that Dayton, URI, and Davidson are every bit as good as NC State, FSU, or somebody like that. I wouldn't be opposed for a 2 for 1 against programs like that or even a 1 for 1 with VCU, who is a big enough program to warrant it, I think. But, besides VCU, those other teams don't really add much value to a season ticket package and I don't think you sell any more season tickets by subbing URI for Central Arkansas. Sure, more fans are going to come to the URI game but is it that big of a deal to get 6,000 for URI instead of 2,000 for Central Arkansas. Probably not worth going on the road there. Now, a 2 for 1 against St. Joseph's or LaSalle with their home game in the Palestra where our fans can come out and see may be a bit different.

There has been talk of the ACC going to 20 games but the coaches hate it and rightfully so. They hate losing and are saying they will have to schedule weaker in the OOC to offset it. I don't agree. This would be my ideal schedule, using next year as an example:

20 ACC games
Michigan, Marquette, or SMU at MSG
Michigan, Marquette, or SMU at MSG
@ Big Ten/ACC Challenge
High-level OOC home game (I think Barnes is going to schedule WVU)
Duquesne at the Pete (play them home and home with their home game played at CEC with us giving tickets to all our season ticket holders and splitting parking, concessions.......until they become a decent program)
RMU
2K Sports Classic home game
2K Sports Classic home game
Cupcake
Cupcake
Cupcake
Exhibition vs D2
Secret Scrimmage

The home schedule would look like:
10 ACC, WVU, Duq, RMU, 5 mid-major/minor D1 teams, and 1 exhibition. Basically, you are subbing Central Ark, Cornell, and UMES for Florida State, WVU, and RMU. That's pretty significant and still 18 home games plus the exhibition.

In this hypothetical schedule, we still have 7 guaranteed home wins (Duq, RMU, 2 2K Sports, 3 others). That's enough. This year, we had 9 plus the joint home game vs Duq. 10 easy guaranteed wins that fans don't care about is just too many.

 

[Swervin27]

Several years ago, I sat in the box behind the visitor's section for a OOC Pitt v. FSU game. Sister worked for Pepsi, got the box to take some clients so she invited me and my bro as well. Well this game is ugly, I mean we are up like 30+ in the first half. It was one of those leads that is too big, you almost root for the visiting team to play better just to keep your interest. Well anyways, my sis is doing the sales thing with her clients and of course me and my bro had some pre game beers, sitting in the blue seats about 15' behind the bench.

So Hamilton (think that is his name,was their coach at the time) calls a timeout and my brother yells "Hey coach, call a good play, you are down 30." Now this was funny in it's own right but the fact that this game was downright boring, the crowd was dead quiet, and we are literally no more than 15' behind the bench, it actually echoed thru the arena. The whole damn fsu bench including coach, stops and they all look at us. Quite amusing for us, Sis wasn't too keen on having her brothers harass the coach though, while schmoozing the clients..

 

[Bradlib Zannamaker]

It has been said on the Football board many times... "Win and they will come". We aren't ranked. It is going to be hard to get fans to come out to an Eastern Washington game given the lack of buzz around the program. We need more success that will allow the casual fan to get on-board.

These ludicrous ideas about $1 tickets that will allow the buyer to displace luxury box holders and letting people move down a level at halftime (really?) are creative but come on. We just need to get ranked and maybe dunk the ball more than once a game. Maybe throw in an Alley Oop. I'm sure sitting in Pittsburgh traffic to watch an unranked team shoot 60 jumpers a game really gets the casual fan pumped.

 

[braves2121]

I am a season ticket holder but I have zero interest in games against Central Arkansas and Eastern Washington and Morehead state. I usually skip them, there are too many (two in one weekend???)
If we were playing Old Dominion or Rhode Island I'd be much more interested in showing up. So that's not additional tickets sold but it is more fans in seats.

 

[R-M-U-h-o-o-p-s-f-a-n]

I am a season ticket holder but I have zero interest in games against Central Arkansas and Eastern Washington and Morehead state. I usually skip them, there are too many (two in one weekend???)
If we were playing Old Dominion or Rhode Island I'd be much more interested in showing up. So that's not additional tickets sold but it is more fans in seats.

Thank you for proving the point I'm trying to make.

It is very bad if People would would rather skip a game they paid for, than actually go. This Pitt has only one team (Purdue) at home in the OOC that is in one of the top 10 (or 12) basketball conferences.

It is nice to have heard of the team (or University) you're playing before you go to the game. Lol.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I am a season ticket holder but I have zero interest in games against Central Arkansas and Eastern Washington and Morehead state. I usually skip them, there are too many (two in one weekend???)
If we were playing Old Dominion or Rhode Island I'd be much more interested in showing up. So that's not additional tickets sold but it is more fans in seats.

You kind of make my point for me. Old Dominion isn't particularly any better than Morehead, certainly not significantly so. So why ODU but not Morehead? Name recognition?

Oddly enough, the last time both of them made the NCAA tournament was the same season, 2011. The difference? Morehead beat Louisville in the first round that season. ODU lost their first game that year.

 

[DT_PITT]

You kind of make my point for me. Old Dominion isn't particularly any better than Morehead, certainly not significantly so. So why ODU but not Morehead? Name recognition?

Oddly enough, the last time both of them made the NCAA tournament was the same season, 2011. The difference? Morehead beat Louisville in the first round that season. ODU lost their first game that year.

So the point that many seem to be making is that they would rather be playing some teams that they perceive to be decent teams rather than teams that are actually decent.

For example, I'd suspect that people would think that Missouri, St. John's and Minnesota would be a much better slate of teams than Hofstra, Albany and Stony Brook. But they would be wrong, of course.

 

[33pitt99]

So the point that many seem to be making is that they would rather be playing some teams that they perceive to be decent teams rather than teams that are actually decent.

For example, I'd suspect that people would think that Missouri, St. John's and Minnesota would be a much better slate of teams than Hofstra, Albany and Stony Brook. But they would be wrong, of course.

And I can guarantee they wouldn't want to see Monmouth. Just ask the Georgetown "fans" who didn't show up for that game tonight. Although given the result, they're probably glad they decided to just watch on tv.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

For example, I'd suspect that people would think that Missouri, St. John's and Minnesota would be a much better slate of teams than Hofstra, Albany and Stony Brook. But they would be wrong, of course.

Uhh. Yea. Pitt is in the process of rebuilding a fanbase so of couese fans would rather see Mizzou than Stony Brook. Not that I like home and homes with bad Power 10 conference teams but a few wouldn't kill us.

RPI manipulation is very important but we also need fans. Our NCAA hopes shouldn't hinge in whether we play SB or Mizzou.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I wouldn't rather see Pitt play Missouri than Stony Brook. But then again I'm not dumb enough to think that the name on the jersey is all you need to know to figure out if a team is good or not. The fact that there might be some number of Pitt fans that would rather see Pitt play a bad team like Missouri rather than a decent team like Stony Brook isn't an indictment of the Pitt schedule, it's a comment on the intelligence level of some Pitt fans.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I wouldn't rather see Pitt play Missouri than Stony Brook. But then again I'm not dumb enough to think that the name on the jersey is all you need to know to figure out if a team is good or not. The fact that there might be some number of Pitt fans that would rather see Pitt play a bad team like Missouri rather than a decent team like Stony Brook isn't an indictment of the Pitt schedule, it's a comment on the intelligence level of some Pitt fans.

I'd rather Pitt beat SB than Mizzou. Better for RPI. But, these schedules arent done too far in advance. For the most part, you know which P10 teams will be good and which ones wont. Mizzou should never be scheduled. More like, would you rather schedule SB or Cincy? With a decent start time, Cincy draws 10K, SB maybe 4-5K. But you are much more likely to lose to Cincy.

 

[JS School]

Uhh. Yea. Pitt is in the process of rebuilding a fanbase so of couese fans would rather see Mizzou than Stony Brook. Not that I like home and homes with bad Power 10 conference teams but a few wouldn't kill us.

RPI manipulation is very important but we also need fans. Our NCAA hopes shouldn't hinge in whether we play SB or Mizzou.

Really, how many fans would go see Missouri but refuse to see Stony Brook? Unless it is a big ACC game or a blue blood opponent, I think most people just go to see Pitt. If Pitt has done well in the previous season, they come, if not they stay home.

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

It has been said on the Football board many times... "Win and they will come". We aren't ranked. It is going to be hard to get fans to come out to an Eastern Washington game given the lack of buzz around the program. We need more success that will allow the casual fan to get on-board.

These ludicrous ideas about $1 tickets that will allow the buyer to displace luxury box holders and letting people move down a level at halftime (really?) are creative but come on. We just need to get ranked and maybe dunk the ball more than once a game. Maybe throw in an Alley Oop. I'm sure sitting in Pittsburgh traffic to watch an unranked team shoot 60 jumpers a game really gets the casual fan pumped.

Yes, more alley oops, that's the answer......great post

 

[Bradlib Zannamaker]

Yes, more alley oops, that's the answer......great post

I suppose you do make a strong point. I mean, I never really liked watching JP dunk the ball from the foul-line or seeing Blair nearly tear down the rim with a dunk. I don't even recall the fans enjoying themselves when those things happened. In fact, most fans decided that at these moments, they would never go out of their way to attend another game because they had not witnessed a layup or a jumper.

Maybe you would prefer watching youtube clips of guys doing the Mikan drill, but I'll take the entertainment, which after all, is what basketball is. Sorry I like to have fun.

Oh, and also regarding Alley-Oops:

I mean, its not like a major motion picture (hilarious and underrated BTW) dedicated an entire scene to how mind-bending and aw-inspiring they are.

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

more alley oops = better attendance...

Documented!

 

[braves2121]

Really, how many fans would go see Missouri but refuse to see Stony Brook? Unless it is a big ACC game or a blue blood opponent, I think most people just go to see Pitt. If Pitt has done well in the previous season, they come, if not they stay home.

A lot. Opponent has a huge impact, because there are 300+ teams in college basketball and the disparity is wide. Talk up all you want about how good Stony Brook or Morehead are, but it doesn't matter.. even a college basketball junkie like me isn't impressed. I want to play teams that I will be watching play throughout the season.. that means Missouri, St Johns, etc, who will be on TV all the time and playing other opponents in top conferences week in and week out. That is how sports are supposed to work. I don't want to play Stony Brook in November and then no matter how good they are not see them play on TV until March. Boring.