MBB @ Troy 4:30 pm 1/31

[Bootsy]

Troy put attendance as 3,256 on the official report. Ain't no way it was even half that.

Did anyone notice the "Inflatable bouncehouse" and "Inflatable slide" inside their arena for children? I thought it was an interesting concept to bring families in.

Didn’t seem to work.

Given their miniscule fanbase, even having an octagon onsite wouldn't help.

[APPdiesel]

Troy put attendance as 3,256 on the official report. Ain't no way it was even half that.

Yeah, capacity is 5,200. Not even close to half full.

Speaking of capacity. Are we ever going to decrease capacity for some box suite additions and standing room areas? Think this would be a great idea if funds are there. We don’t need 9k or whatever it holds.
We can shed some sections/seats and still host big events like graduations.concerts with 7000+-.

It seats 8,325. How much space/how many seats would we have to remove to make it worth our while? Remember, we do not have a big graduation ceremony outside. We had snow showers and a biting cold wind the morning of my graduation (yes, I was a May graduate). We need the increased capacity for some events that are vital to a university. That’s a drawback to a having multipurpose facility such as ours.

That said, I wouldn’t be opposed to some renovation to include some premium spaces, if there is a market to support it. I’m not sure there is. ODU has a great set up with premium seating around the top. Still, is the juice worth the squeeze? I really doubt we could recoup the cost it would take for construction.

If there was a way to make a pipe and drape system look good to close off the upper sections, push fans downward to the lower bowl, and trap some noise in I think it would help out quite a bit.

We’d also need a sophisticated dynamic ticketing system that would track sales and open sections as needed and move people who have already bought tickets around to fill in when needed. We’d also need fans to be understanding and accepting of what we’re trying to do. Some fans just like to buy tickets with open space around them.

[Bootsy]

It's hard to overestimate the amount of credit DK and his staff deserve for the results this season.

The mass exodus last spring, starting from scratch with virtually all new players, getting them to buy into "take the stairs" and his system, building chemistry, learning from mistakes as the season has progressed.

No telling what will happen in the rest of the regular season/tourney, but DK is a legit candidate for SBC COY.

[app97]

I’ve been the least complimentary person of Kerns. However, it does appear this team is playing better. I am cautiously optimistic because for decades I have been to this point many times only to see the team fall flat on their face. I will say : if they continue to play at this level , we can win the sunbelt. Sadly though, if Troy was the class of the conference, winning the conference ain’t much to crow about. Good wins during this stretch, keep it up!!!!

The Sun Belt is usually fairly balanced competition in bball, but this season seems to have more parity than any I can remember. Troy was the best team - their top 5-6 players have been very good - almost all of whom returned from last year’s tournament team, the exception being POY Conerway, who is at Indiana. Our defense had a lot to do with Troy’s misfortunes yesterday, although they missed lots of seemingly easy chip shots - especially Valdez. If our guys can continue to lock in with exceptional team defense and avoid cold shooting days we can win the league. I was impressed that Wilson wasn’t a factor at all yesterday - was being doubled every time he touched the ball - and we still blew them out by holding them to half their ppg average. They had no answer for Jennings.

[311neers]

Troy put attendance as 3,256 on the official report. Ain't no way it was even half that.

Yeah, capacity is 5,200. Not even close to half full.

Speaking of capacity. Are we ever going to decrease capacity for some box suite additions and standing room areas? Think this would be a great idea if funds are there. We don’t need 9k or whatever it holds.
We can shed some sections/seats and still host big events like graduations.concerts with 7000+-.

It seats 8,325. How much space/how many seats would we have to remove to make it worth our while? Remember, we do not have a big graduation ceremony outside. We had snow showers and a biting cold wind the morning of my graduation (yes, I was a May graduate). We need the increased capacity for some events that are vital to a university. That’s a drawback to a having multipurpose facility such as ours.

That said, I wouldn’t be opposed to some renovation to include some premium spaces, if there is a market to support it. I’m not sure there is. ODU has a great set up with premium seating around the top. Still, is the juice worth the squeeze? I really doubt we could recoup the cost it would take for construction.

Great idea! Big question: difficulty/cost of engineering and construction that would be required.

App doesn't have much venue space available for meetings and events, and the new parking deck would make any new venue spaces very attractive. And we all agree on the value of smaller capacity arena.

Not talking about gutting the whole upper deck or getting down to 4k. But look at what Clemson did.
They took out a couple sections (-1500 seats) to make premium box suites and standing room areas. would also free up room for concessions and restroom renovations/expansions.
They have same size student class and still host graduations in LittleJohn. Granted, they have the finances but in the long run, think we need to shed a few sections that probably haven’t been sat in since Curry Davidson game 20 years ago. 7k is still plenty big for graduations and concerts/events. Keep winning, and it could happen.

Oh- but first fix the roof so we don’t have a stupid tarp in the rafters.

[app97]

It's hard to overestimate the amount of credit DK and his staff deserve for the results this season.

The mass exodus last spring, starting from scratch with virtually all new players, getting them to buy into "take the stairs" and his system, building chemistry, learning from mistakes as the season has progressed.

No telling what will happen in the rest of the regular season/tourney, but DK is a legit candidate for SBC COY.

All without two players who apparently would have been in the regular rotation.

[311neers]

Troy put attendance as 3,256 on the official report. Ain't no way it was even half that.

Yeah, capacity is 5,200. Not even close to half full.

Speaking of capacity. Are we ever going to decrease capacity for some box suite additions and standing room areas? Think this would be a great idea if funds are there. We don’t need 9k or whatever it holds.
We can shed some sections/seats and still host big events like graduations.concerts with 7000+-.

It seats 8,325. How much space/how many seats would we have to remove to make it worth our while? Remember, we do not have a big graduation ceremony outside. We had snow showers and a biting cold wind the morning of my graduation (yes, I was a May graduate). We need the increased capacity for some events that are vital to a university. That’s a drawback to a having multipurpose facility such as ours.

That said, I wouldn’t be opposed to some renovation to include some premium spaces, if there is a market to support it. I’m not sure there is. ODU has a great set up with premium seating around the top. Still, is the juice worth the squeeze? I really doubt we could recoup the cost it would take for construction.

If there was a way to make a pipe and drape system look good to close off the upper sections, push fans downward to the lower bowl, and trap some noise in I think it would help out quite a bit.

We’d also need a sophisticated dynamic ticketing system that would track sales and open sections as needed and move people who have already bought tickets around to fill in when needed. We’d also need fans to be understanding and accepting of what we’re trying to do. Some fans just like to buy tickets with open space around them.

Football facilities probably shouldn’t see another dime until Basketball and baseball get renovations and softball/track are 100% completed.

[T-Dog]

All without two players who apparently would have been in the regular rotation.

Vasser and Neal? I was hearing good things about Neal preseason. What's up with him?

[T-Dog]

Football facilities probably shouldn’t see another dime until Basketball and baseball get renovations and softball/track are 100% completed.

The Holmes Center should be the next major project. The biggest upgrades in 25 years were a center-hanging scoreboard and separate offices for MBB and WBB, which is a recent project. I remember Gillin saying during a BOT meeting that they now "oversight" of the Holmes Center.

[app97]

All without two players who apparently would have been in the regular rotation.

Vasser and Neal? I was hearing good things about Neal preseason. What's up with him?

Yes, those two. No idea about Neal - he’s a mystery. Still listed on official roster, but no picture. I know he was in photos with the team at football games in the fall. So something must have happened between that time and bball season. I’m only basing my assumption about rotation based on his high school highlights. Super athletic, long wing who could have caused matchup problems.

[appfanjj]

Agree that Holmes needs work and renovations but…
Would people actually pony up for luxury suites?

We have a decent sunbelt schedule that generates some interest but who would pay club level money to see us play Carolina University among others?

[WASU 93]

Yeah, capacity is 5,200. Not even close to half full.

Speaking of capacity. Are we ever going to decrease capacity for some box suite additions and standing room areas? Think this would be a great idea if funds are there. We don’t need 9k or whatever it holds.
We can shed some sections/seats and still host big events like graduations.concerts with 7000+-.

It seats 8,325. How much space/how many seats would we have to remove to make it worth our while? Remember, we do not have a big graduation ceremony outside. We had snow showers and a biting cold wind the morning of my graduation (yes, I was a May graduate). We need the increased capacity for some events that are vital to a university. That’s a drawback to a having multipurpose facility such as ours.

That said, I wouldn’t be opposed to some renovation to include some premium spaces, if there is a market to support it. I’m not sure there is. ODU has a great set up with premium seating around the top. Still, is the juice worth the squeeze? I really doubt we could recoup the cost it would take for construction.

Great idea! Big question: difficulty/cost of engineering and construction that would be required.

App doesn't have much venue space available for meetings and events, and the new parking deck would make any new venue spaces very attractive. And we all agree on the value of smaller capacity arena.

Not talking about gutting the whole upper deck or getting down to 4k. But look at what Clemson did.
They took out a couple sections (-1500 seats) to make premium box suites and standing room areas. would also free up room for concessions and restroom renovations/expansions.
They have same size student class and still host graduations in LittleJohn. Granted, they have the finances but in the long run, think we need to shed a few sections that probably haven’t been sat in since Curry Davidson game 20 years ago. 7k is still plenty big for graduations and concerts/events. Keep winning, and it could happen.

Oh- but first fix the roof so we don’t have a stupid tarp in the rafters.

Three years ago, we were using those seats for Auburn, JMU and others. I’d rather see us recreate that setting than reduce seats.

I travel around and watch college basketball, while I travel for work. I’ve probably visited 40 arenas in the last 4 years (mostly mid-major) and Holmes currently is mid-pack to slightly ahead of the curve.
Excited Crowds and Pep Bands rank above amenities and bells and whistles in my opinion.
Our challenge is still the to get the students to attend and fill the seats.

[BambooRdApp]

For our level of basketball, a 5 to 7K seating capacity would be ideal. We do not have Auburn or other Power teams coming to Boone very often to hardly ever.. In my opinion, UNCW has the best home game experience as it relates to mid-majors in NC. The arena capacity is 5 to 5.5k if I remember correctly. It seems they have 4.5K to actual sellouts for home games.. and it is loud. The two things they needed to improve is the lighting and the sound system.. The last game I went to was the App. St. game a few years ago for Live Oak Bank event. . Fan attendence was down as students were on break. The lighting was better so it appears the improved that part of the equation.

[Stonewall]

Vassar was to be our go to scorer. I don’t know about Neal. A Trustee has been talking to legislators about money for a major renovation to Holmes. With boxes.

[fjblair]

Football facilities probably shouldn’t see another dime until Basketball and baseball get renovations and softball/track are 100% completed.

The Holmes Center should be the next major project. The biggest upgrades in 25 years were a center-hanging scoreboard and separate offices for MBB and WBB, which is a recent project. I remember Gillin saying during a BOT meeting that they now "oversight" of the Holmes Center.

I agree. It's past time to pump the brakes on the football spending spree.

[JTApps1]

I'd be happy with them bringing the walls in around the top of the end zones to be flush with the columns that support the roof. I believe it would be roughly six rows and would reduce capacity by around 1,700 to bring the total to approximately 6,600. Maybe even make them removable panels in the student section end so we could get over 7,000 for big events.