MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Mr. Ypsi]

Especially since it was a spectacular performance two games in a row.  Still haven't been at a D3 game (or maybe any game) that had an atmosphere that matched that IWU game.

I was at that IWU game.  Never experienced anything like it.  Here are 90 seconds of what it was like.  As I recall, it was also a double overtime.  The 80 year old lady next to me was dancing with the rest of the crowd:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEuAYQ3q7kw
[/quote]

I, too, was at that game.  And being a Titan grad, I probably enjoyed the outcome more than most of you!

The only IWU game I've ever attended which could rival the atmosphere of that one was the final game we played against Illinois State.  IIRC they were already D2 and about to transition to D1.  They dropped the hundred-year-old series since 'we would no longer be competitive'.  That made beating them that night on their court all that much sweeter!   My classmate, Tom Gramkow, made the winning basket - he could have been elected mayor of Bloomington by acclimation!

[wiz]

Especially since it was a spectacular performance two games in a row.  Still haven't been at a D3 game (or maybe any game) that had an atmosphere that matched that IWU game.

I was at that IWU game.  Never experienced anything like it.  Here are 90 seconds of what it was like.  As I recall, it was also a double overtime.  The 80 year old lady next to me was dancing with the rest of the crowd:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEuAYQ3q7kw

Ah, that video really brings back some memories.  Coach Neil could always get the DeVos crowd going and he also got a lot out of his teams.

[Dutchfan]

Since the 2000-01 season, Hope's average home attendance has been 2,627.

The highest average home attendance was 3,259 in 2011-12.

The lowest was 2,159 in 2000-01.

This season ranks as the third lowest average home attendance (2,278) behind 2000-01 (2,159)and 2001-02 (2,205).

Year           Attendance
2016-17    2278
2015-16    2638
2014-15    2331
2013-14    2459
2012-13    2748
2011-12    3259
2010-11    2818
2009-10    2836
2008-09    2696
2007-08    3016
2006-07    2923
2005-06    2934
2004-05    2479
2003-04    2491
2002-03    2383
2001-02    2205
2000-01    2159

[sac]

Since the 2000-01 season, Hope's average home attendance has been 2,627.

The highest average home attendance was 3,259 in 2011-12.

The lowest was 2,159 in 2000-01.

This season ranks as the third lowest average home attendance (2,278) behind 2000-01 (2,159)and 2001-02 (2,205).

Year           Attendance
2016-17    2278
2015-16    2638
2014-15    2331
2013-14    2459
2012-13    2748
2011-12    3259
2010-11    2818
2009-10    2836
2008-09    2696
2007-08    3016
2006-07    2923
2005-06    2934
2004-05    2479
2003-04    2491
2002-03    2383
2001-02    2205
2000-01    2159

That makes it the lowest in the DeVos Fieldhouse era, I just find that very confusing with Hope's record, in a conference winning year. 

Maybe it needs more analysis.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

When did Hope start streaming every home game? Seems like it's been 3 or maybe 4 years.  Been a steady decline since 11-12, with last year being the anomaly.

[Winifred Durfee]

Since the 2000-01 season, Hope's average home attendance has been 2,627.

The highest average home attendance was 3,259 in 2011-12.

The lowest was 2,159 in 2000-01.

This season ranks as the third lowest average home attendance (2,278) behind 2000-01 (2,159)and 2001-02 (2,205).

Year           Attendance
2016-17    2278
2015-16    2638
2014-15    2331
2013-14    2459
2012-13    2748
2011-12    3259
2010-11    2818
2009-10    2836
2008-09    2696
2007-08    3016
2006-07    2923
2005-06    2934
2004-05    2479
2003-04    2491
2002-03    2383
2001-02    2205
2000-01    2159

That makes it the lowest in the DeVos Fieldhouse era, I just find that very confusing with Hope's record, in a conference winning year. 

Maybe it needs more analysis.

Hosting two holiday tournaments certainly didn't help this year. Subtract the five games during break periods (two over Thanksgiving and three during Christmas break with the Olivet game being on the back end of break) and the average is 2,485. Obviously, Hope has hosted holiday tournaments before, but five games with students gone and many others at home with their families will drop your attendance a bit. I merely offer that this is perhaps part of the lower number. Streaming every game (fairly well I might add) almost surely plays a factor, as well.

[Dutchfan]

Since the 2000-01 season, Hope's average home attendance has been 2,627.

The highest average home attendance was 3,259 in 2011-12.

The lowest was 2,159 in 2000-01.

This season ranks as the third lowest average home attendance (2,278) behind 2000-01 (2,159)and 2001-02 (2,205).

Year           Attendance
2016-17    2278
2015-16    2638
2014-15    2331
2013-14    2459
2012-13    2748
2011-12    3259
2010-11    2818
2009-10    2836
2008-09    2696
2007-08    3016
2006-07    2923
2005-06    2934
2004-05    2479
2003-04    2491
2002-03    2383
2001-02    2205
2000-01    2159

That makes it the lowest in the DeVos Fieldhouse era, I just find that very confusing with Hope's record, in a conference winning year. 

Maybe it needs more analysis.

Hosting two holiday tournaments certainly didn't help this year. Subtract the five games during break periods (two over Thanksgiving and three during Christmas break with the Olivet game being on the back end of break) and the average is 2,485. Obviously, Hope has hosted holiday tournaments before, but five games with students gone and many others at home with their families will drop your attendance a bit. I merely offer that this is perhaps part of the lower number. Streaming every game (fairly well I might add) almost surely plays a factor, as well.

I wonder if the changes in people's sources of news, specifically sports news, is a factor. With fewer people getting their sports news from local sources such as the Holland Sentinel and the Grand Rapids Press fewer people are exposed to these teams. Kind of like out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

[pointlem]

Two possible factors for somewhat lower--though still comparatively excellent--attendance of recent years: 

1) Hope used to do post-Christmas tournaments, which always got much better attendance (with parties and shopping over, and families and guests needing something to do) than the pre-Christmas tournaments I recall from recent years.

2) I wonder if the count now is a more precise count of actual people entering the building (not an estimate, and not counting unoccupied seats sold).

Regardless, the #1 DIII fan support in the #1 DIII BB-watching facility is something to feel grateful for.

[sac]

Easiest way to get Mr.Ypsi to post on this board is to mention the IWU game in 2012. 

Two possible factors for somewhat lower--though still comparatively excellent--attendance of recent years: 

1) Hope used to do post-Christmas tournaments, which always got much better attendance (with parties and shopping over, and families and guests needing something to do) than the pre-Christmas tournaments I recall from recent years.

2) I wonder if the count now is a more precise count of actual people entering the building (not an estimate, and not counting unoccupied seats sold).

Regardless, the #1 DIII fan support in the #1 DIII BB-watching facility is something to feel grateful for.

I'll buy #1 as affecting the modest decline in overall attendance since we stopped doing that tournament 3 or 4 years ago.

#2 I'm not so sure about, I'm sure there were some crowd #'s that were reported a bit high, but I'm seeing way more empty seats than I can remember for games that should be full.  2800 for the MIAA Championship game against Calvin?   3500 at Calvin?     Something's not right in West Michigan.


Here's Hope's NCAA Tournament attendance for games at DeVos  
06   Wis-Lutheran    3435
06   Calvin                3533
08   Capital              3583
08   Ohio Wes          3603
08   Wheaton           3611
12   Westminster      3475
12   Ill. Wesleyan      3675
14   PSU-Behrend     2077
17   UW-Oshkosh     2744
17   WashingtonU     2402

The last 3 really stand out, yes?

[Flying Dutch Fan]

And the potential for a lower than preferred turnout for Friday seems likely as well - since there is a boys district championship that night @ West Ottawa that could/should involve Holland and/or Zeeland and/or West Ottawa.

[Fifth and Putnam]

Jumping in here and looking at the matchups....Hope has a really good opportunity here to get to Salem. Having seen both Hanover and Hope on several occasions this year, I really like the Dutchman in that match up at DeVos and this is not the same Augustana team (they're the favorite for me over Wartburg) from the last couple of years. I'm almost tempted to say Hope is the favorite to get to the Final 4. Very exciting weekend ahead in Holland.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Jumping in here and looking at the matchups....Hope has a really good opportunity here to get to Salem. Having seen both Hanover and Hope on several occasions this year, I really like the Dutchman in that match up at DeVos and this is not the same Augustana team (they're the favorite for me over Wartburg) from the last couple of years. I'm almost tempted to say Hope is the favorite to get to the Final 4. Very exciting weekend ahead in Holland.

I think I said on the Whiparound, the team that got to host this one was going to have the advantage.  I think Hope is the favorite because of that, but really, any of these teams could get through.

[AppletonRocks]

Hope did a great job hosting last weekend.  Great facility, kind and polite to visiting fans, etc. 

Thought the students were a little out of bounds with their repeated effort to count down the shot clock loudly for the opposing team, using the wrong count.  While it's not the first time I've seen this, and it didn't work, it's poor sportsmanship. Probably not approved by the Grand Dutch Tulip Bishop or whoever oversees your moral code.   

[GreatScot!?]

I would think that Calvin fans would love to be able to say that they beat the national champions twice this year, rather than hold animosity towards Hope. I know I would relish the opportunity.

Or Calvin fans could do both...

[GoKnights68]

Hope did a great job hosting last weekend.  Great facility, kind and polite to visiting fans, etc. 

Thought the students were a little out of bounds with their repeated effort to count down the shot clock loudly for the opposing team, using the wrong count.  While it's not the first time I've seen this, and it didn't work, it's poor sportsmanship. Probably not approved by the Grand Dutch Tulip Bishop or whoever oversees your moral code.

Hmmm, I'll gladly take Hope's side in this and say you are probably in the large minority (not just on this board but in general)  on that opinion.    That's not disrespecting in any way, imo, and it's just them having fun and getting a bit of home-court advantage.  I bet a large majority of student sections in d1 do it too.