MBB: University Athletic Association

[WUPHF]

Unfortunately, I think things at WU could return to their pre 2007 ways once this crew leaves. It takes a lot to generate serious interest for d3 hoops at a major research university in a city with ample professional sports options and a well supported D1 team right down the road.

The current senior class is active around campus and got a lot of non-athletes (usual fan base for the school is fellow athletes) hooked, but that might fade. Then again, I'm two years removed from campus life, so the case may be otherwise. I hope it is, but my sense is that it's faded a tad as the novelty of a national championship team has warn off.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you on this.  I do think that the novelty of the national championships did start to wear off this year, and that was especially noticeable during the non-conference games.  In particular, I noticed a drop off in a particular type of fan that I refer to as the cruiser.  This is the see and be seen fan that spends much of the game walking around, flirting and talking to other students, before moving on to an off-campus party or bar.

Other fans types have dropped off as well.  Red Alert is all but dead (I think!), though obviously the diehards from that group do make it out.  Faculty and staff may have dropped off a little as well.

The athletes are there, as are the diehards such as the Bomb Squad.  The parents, of course.  And, student attendance is relatively strong for now.

I do think you make an interesting point about how this class has helped bring in the crowds as well.  The personalities on the floor do matter, directly and indirectly.  I will be back next year, but I know it will be harder to get my wife back in the stands when she only knows of three players in the starting lineup.

[Gregory Sager]

It's all relative, though. Wash U has about 6,000 undergraduates. The typical D3 school in the Midwest Region has somewhere between 1,000 and 2,500 undergraduates (Westminster, Wash U's Friday night opponent, has fewer than 900). Percentage-wise, Wash U can draw less than half as well from its undergrads than its regional rivals and still provide what will be perceived as an overwhelming number of student fans.

[BUBeaverFan]

After this year I will have to change my moniker on D3Hoops.com.  I don't know who will be wearing #33 next year.  As a Bluffton grad and since I use a Bluffton pic someone suggested BeaverFan as my new name after this season ends.  I certainly hope it ends with another successful trip to Salem but regardless it has been a great four years watching the Bears.  Wash U will be on my ever growing list of teams that I try to maintain awareness of via coaches, student athletes, etc., in the future.  My son attends Case and he and his friends have little to any awareness of Case athletics.  Wash U students seem to care a bit more than Case students at least.

[WUPHF]

I don't know who will be wearing #33 next year. 

Maybe they will retire No. 33.  That would be perfectly fine with me.  I would bet that you will watch at least a few games next year.

[BUBeaverFan]

I don't know who will be wearing #33 next year. 

Maybe they will retire No. 33.  That would be perfectly fine with me.  I would bet that you will watch at least a few games next year.

That would be great and no doubt on the catching a few games on the internet.  I sometimes have all three of my computers with a video stream or two going with additional livestats windows open for a few other games on each.  HCAC, OAC, NCAC, UAA, Macalester, SUNY-Geneseo, Albion, some ODAC, and I'm sure I have missed some.  I keep hoping that Bluffton could play in the Lopata sometime.

[Hugenerd]

2:07 left, Thompson fouls out, Westminster within 3.

Looks like WashU will pull it out: up 6 with 24 seconds and shooting FTs.

[WUPHF]

Westminster is as good as the record would suggest.  The Blue Jays gave the Bears everything they could handle.  A team of sharp shooters.  Not the type of team that the Bears have been playing for the last several weeks.

Offensively and defensively, the Bears are more sophisticated.  But Westminster shot lights out, particularly in the first half, and ran with the Bears all night long.  One of the best offensive teams to visit the Field House this year.

In the end, the Blue Jays had the best seats in the house to the Sean Wallis Show!  Wallis has proved time and time again that he could take over the game and that happened tonight.  Great all around.  

Fouls and free throw shooting (again) were an issue.  Aaron Thompson went 0-5 from three point range and fouled out, including a foul from three point range.  May have been a first.  Or possibly second.  Spencer Gay had a good game, but was saddled with fouls early, finishing with four.  Zach Kelly with maybe his best game of the season.  Richter, sporting a Chism-style headband yet again, and Cameron Smith with great efforts.  The three pointer by Smith may have been one of the most important plays of the game.

Next up: Illinois Weslyan at 7:00 CST.

[BUBeaverFan]

AT has now fouled out of two game in his career.  Tough tourney opening win for the Bears.  IWU and Wash U will be another hard fought contest for both teams.  Go Bears!

[howardjp]

Got an e-mail from a friend today who went to St John Fisher, made a friendly bet ...kudos to the school for their video feed, still waiting for the Judges to reach the 21st century in terms of technology but rooting for them anyway!

Good luck to all tonight.

H

[deiscanton]

I'm still looking for St John Fisher to reach the 21st century in video technology, myself .

Their video stream is not working-- I've been listening to the WBRS audio to follow the game.  Jeff Pickette doing a great job on the play by play tonight.

Brandeis women's basketball team doing a great job on the cheerleading tonight for the men.  They travelled with the men's team to support them this weekend.

Go Judges!

Update:  Brandeis up 35-27 at the half. 

[deiscanton]

On to the Sweet 16--

Brandeis women's team made their presence felt tonight in support of the men as the Judges advance for the second time to the Sweet 16 under Coach Meehan-- First time that the Judges have done it by winning two road games in the Meehan era.

This is also the second time in the Meehan era that Brandeis has defeated a host team in the NCAA DIII Tournament.

Brandeis plays RI College on Friday-- Site most likely to be Chandler Gym in Williamstown, MA, as Williams also defeated UMaine-Farmington to advance.   Site will be officially announced tomorrow.

[deiscanton]

There will be a new national champion this year, as Illinois Wesleyan has just knocked Wash U out of the tournament.

Brandeis is the UAA's sole representative in the Sweet 16 on the men's side this year.

[BUBeaverFan]

Congrats to IWU on a great win.  I am so very proud of my nephew Aaron.  The Bears and their fans are the best.  Good luck to all of them in their future.  The seniors have had a great run and should not hang their heads.  God Bless! WashU33fan signing off.

[howardjp]

They had some problems with transmissions on Friday too, but at least they had something ...

Anyway, no matter, congratulations to the Judges on moving forward and congratulations to the Wash U seniors for all their successes.


=deiscanton link=topic=639.msg1187008#msg1187008 date=1267921290]
I'm still looking for St John Fisher to reach the 21st century in video technology, myself .

Their video stream is not working-- I've been listening to the WBRS audio to follow the game.  Jeff Pickette doing a great job on the play by play tonight.

Brandeis women's basketball team doing a great job on the cheerleading tonight for the men.  They travelled with the men's team to support them this weekend.

Go Judges!

Update:  Brandeis up 35-27 at the half. 
[/quote]

[WUPHF]

I have a lot of things to say about the game last night, but I think I will skip it all and just say: thanks to the team, coaching staff, support staff, parents, and everyone else involved with the team.

One of my favorite psychology professors has a simple theory that the pursuit of happiness is about making memories and for this fan, you have helped me make some memories that will truly last a lifetime. 

To the senior class, you have all done more in your basketball career than most players could ever dream of.  I have no doubt that you will all go on to do great things off the court.  To everyone else, you have got a lot to build on for next year.

Go Bears!
_____

Best of luck to the Brandeis Judges!  You know you can beat the best.  Its time to play like it.