olddog71

And the cheerleaders can spell out Janet Jackson.

Statefan: Thanks, as always. Nice quotation from Macarchuk, who isn't always the most gracious.

And, speaking of this thread: Does anyone have a synopsis of what the Schenectady newspaper have to report on last night's game. I do not subscribe, but I was interested in its viewpoint, particularly since I have been trying to get a couple of its readers out to one of our games.

I agree with most of what everyone here has contributed to this thread. The great majority of our games should be at the RACC. Personally, I would like to see us evolve (actually within two years) where we become the Vermont of the AEast. It would be really cool if tickets to our games would become so prized that fans would have to buy them in advance and risk a sellout. This scenario would be almost impossible at the Pepsi in our current state. Great ideas of how to link the two buildings and make the space much more effective! I am very pleased so far with the athletic department's changes to accommodate a better Division I program. I am sure they will effect many of the suggestions made so far in this forum. By the way, it's nice to reach the obvious milestone reached last night with men's basketball, compared with last season. We have now duplicated the number of wins over 2003-04. I think it is possible, with a little luck, to triple our victories. Another reason to celebrate.

Statefan, Thanks for the info re the Ferocious Feast. Just wanted to let you know that I had tried the number you suggested. I did not talk with Pete but with someone else. Thanks also for the info about Jim Burr. I had inquired about him a couple weeks ago. You have a very good memory. Godanesgo, You may be correct about the student and non-student tickets for the Feast. I will just have to go to the game on an empty stomach and let the emanating noise serve as my contribution to the growl.

My wife and I foolishly tried to get tickets at this late date to the Ferocious Feast. We had never attended the feast part of the events due to other commitments, but I just tried this morning to obtain tickets. Some official at the RACC told me just now that the tickets were sold out last Friday. I agree with Statefan that 2005 might be the best Big Purple Growl so far. The weather also looks like it will cooperate with the event.

Sarge, You are absolutely correct about Wyatt. And did you notice the crowd also appreciated his contribution? One of the best ovations of the night when he was replaced in the lineup.

DaneFan2k3, Once again, I disagree. I believe the most important factor for where a game should be held is determined by how many people attend the game. When the Syracuse game was played at the Pepsi, more than 9,000 people were in attendance (or had bought tickets). That is 4,000 people who would have missed exposure to our matchup. Now that UAlbany is more than just a mere curiosity, I believe more people would attend a Syracuse game in the Albany area. Our team's recent relative successes would guarantee that attendance. If you hold the game at the RACC, people from the Albany area who would not normally attend one of our games would be denied the first chance to see us play. These are people who might come away somewhat impressed by our growth, and even diehard Siena fans might have a different, positive impression of the team. The Siena game, played under optimum conditions for the crowd, would not be able to be played at the RACC. We are entering a time where it would not be totally unexpected to sell out all 15,000 seats at the Pepsi. This game should stay where it is. The only difference with the Siena game is that UAlbany should be the alternate host.

The only games we should be playing at the Pepsi are Siena and Syracuse. Hopefully, very soon we should be the host team for Siena downtown.

I agree with many of the comments that have been posted in this thread in the last few days. I also have some areas of disagreement. First, the student-athletes are like us in many ways. That means they have comfort zones, just like us. Many times during the regular season they are asked to go long distance to strange places. I think it would be unreasonable to expect them to go up to strangers on campus and try to recruit the strangers to attend games in which the athletes participate. Why should they have to go to extraordinary means to attempt that? Second, when the teams, using win-loss records as the determining factor, improve, that factor alone will arouse student interest. I remember (Now this will date me.) when the men's basketball team had a 25-game home winning streak during the early 70's (over three seasons). The old gym was packed to capacity for the last few games. There were even some games during that last stretch when the tickets had all sold out. When we reach that level of success, and it could occur as early as next season, then the RACC will be much more crowded than it is. The only difference is that we will be playing two levels up at Division I. Hopefully, UAlbany students will recognize what a fine product we have in athletics and will come in large numbers to appreciate it. Dane96, I'm sorry that you were in the mood you found yourself at the end of yesterday's games, but I understand. There were a few games I remember from years ago where I continue to replay the last couple minutes to change the outcome. Of course, I continue to be disappointed. Yes, you are correct. I did post my response to you on a different thread. I tried to do something new, and it did not work as expected.

Dane96, Great, GREAT analysis. Those of us who could/did not listen to the game especially appreciate your view of things, particularly since you know the game inside out. I also really appreciate your view of how well the Danes are progressing. We may finish at or above .500 for the season, but we have all the ingredients for a very successful season next year. In 2005-06 we will win the tight games a lot more frequently, like the game today. Once again, thanks for all your incisive comments.

Am I seeing reality here, or did I see that Vilanova beat #2 Kansas by 21 points? Please tell me that my vision is blurry or that the score was inadvertently transposed. It kinda makes our loss to Vilanova even more impressive.

Good perceptive post, Reeder. I was not so sure losing Iati would be so important. I have always thought he was a very valuable contributor, but his loss is very critical in close games.

It's after 10 am. I'm rather surprised. Dane Pound has not provided the links to today's stories about last night's game, and we have not been treated to Statefan's usually very incisive analysis of the game. What could be the cause? Are they still celebrating?

Meanwhile, Siena plays tonight at Marist. Here is a link from the Poughkeepsie Journal on the game. http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/today/s...p010705s1.shtml I especially like the reference to UAlbany in the article. "Siena, meanwhile, has had its own problems. The 3-9 Saints have lost six games by double-digit margins, including a loss to University at Albany, an embarrassment in the eyes of the Siena faithful." Statefan's comment about the "gift that keeps giving" comes to mind.

UAlbany leads 36-18 at halftime. I think I am glad the radio broadcast is working.

Thanks, GODANESGO, I'm now on the receiving end. Thanks, again. Just clicked on after over 8 minutes of inactivity.

Is anyone receiving the broadcast through SportsJuice tonight? I have had no success in hearing anything but a hum.

Reeder, You are correct. Lillis was injured at the end of the Wagner game. His last fall reminded me of how hard he really plays. Until someone mentioned that aspect of his play earlier in this thread, I had forgotten just how much effort he invests.

I'm very wary of NH this year. They are not the same team as last year. As much as we can say our freshmen and transfers have transformed our team, I think NH can say at least their new guys have improved their team at least half to the same extent. That said, I think UA will come out on top. I think we have a score to settle from the end of last year. As someone else posted, a 1-pt win will be sufficient.

Yes, Margison goes way back. Take care.

Patch, Are you a long-time follower of UAlbany basketball? You write with such fervor, and that comes from either a quick infatuation with something or a long-term relationship. Just curious.

Dane Pound, I'm glad the whole experience brat comfort and delight to your wife, but I'm concerned when every aspect of the game did not measure up for the wife of our Board's leadership - even if it was only a teeny-weeny part.

Dane Pound, Thanks for the update on the new facilities. It was great to hear your realistic view on the changes - mostly improvements. Sorry about the hot dogs. If, however, that's the "wurst" development, we have a lot to look forward to. Hope your wife reconsiders attendance at the games this season. The hot dogs should not be the deciding factor, frankly speaking.

Dane Pound, I think you have a right to be concerned. The brand new floor, on which the team has not played much, does not exactly confer on us a huge home court advantage. I think Brown's point about our learning how to win will also be a heavier factor than with other teams. I hope, though, that community curiosity about the Capital District's newest bona fide Division I team will bring out new fan support.