Reusse: Unlike the Gophers’ coaching situation, the solution for Williams Arena is simple: Blow up The Barn

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IceBoxGopher said:
The held punches against Johnson is insane. Mentioned it before but it's unreal the difference in treatment for Johnson compared to other Gopher coaches.

As for the Barn, I think it's more of a reasonable point of discussion. I love historic college buildings, but if the aesthetic could be kept it would be alright I think. If a new arena was built with a similar framework, "barn-shaped" so to speak, similar raised floor, but with better tech, concourses, etc. I think that could work. Barn 2.0 maybe?

The Bank was built with that brick exterior, and is a mix of modern and old-school college football. Could do the same with the basketball facility.
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I used to be in the "keep the barn" camp, but since the team has become a nonfactor (I've basically switched to watching hockey the last few years), my desire to keep the barn has waned.

Maybe bigger version using this type of roof?
https://ifg.com/university-of-idaho-basketball-arena-charts-a-future-for-mass-timber/

Not sure home many years timber stays structurally sound.

Edit: I also like that idea regarding Hinkle's renovation.
 
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So Reusse really thinks it's easier to demolish williams, and secure new funding for a new arena on campus relative to hiring a new coaching staff? Brilliant coaching hire by Coyle. Now I really see it. Thank you for pushing me in the right direction @Spaulding!No!
 


Well, expect the Wolves new owners to be looking for a new arena. Much as I'd hate for the Gophers to have to share a building, it might be the only way.
 


swede2 said:
Could say the same about FB. Why only 50,000 seats? Sleeping giant, etc. The stadium is actually appropriate sized. Williams Arena is too big.
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Williams used to seat 16,000 until 1993, the last major renovation. 1981/82 average attendance 16,000+, last B10 championship. Average attendance 4 years, 1990 thru 1993 14,500 to 15,500. There are no stats between 93 and 99 due to the seasons that never happened and paper-writing scandal. 2023/24 average attendance 8,100. Williams used to be rocking on a Saturday afternoon playing Iowa with a sellout. Lots of good memories.
 


dbmn said:
Williams used to seat 16,000 until 1993, the last major renovation. 1981/82 average attendance 16,000+, last B10 championship. Average attendance 4 years, 1990 thru 1993 14,500 to 15,500. There are no stats between 93 and 99 due to the seasons that never happened and paper-writing scandal. 2023/24 average attendance 8,100. Williams used to be rocking on a Saturday afternoon playing Iowa with a sellout. Lots of good memories.
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No NBA team back then, so if you wanted to watch basketball, you watched the Gophers.
 

GopherBlood777 said:
So Reusse really thinks it's easier to demolish williams, and secure new funding for a new arena on campus relative to hiring a new coaching staff? Brilliant coaching hire by Coyle. Now I really see it. Thank you for pushing me in the right direction @Spaulding!No!
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Reusse did not suggest the part in bold.

He is advocating for a Wolves/Gophers shared arena per the article.
 









Reusse and Judd used their deep basketball knowledge today to decide that Niko Medved is disqualified for losing to Pitino. The MN job is the worst in the B1G and sucks so bad they can't get anyone better than Ben. Might as well keep Poor Ben.
 



howeda7 said:
Nah. It would kill student attendance. They need to make student tickets free. But if you don't show up more than twice, you lose them.
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For hoops, unlike football the number of students attending games currently could fit on a party bus or 2. They could also get a dedicated light rail to get 'em downtown and back.

How's it work for Marquette?

I'm all for making students tix free or at a paltry price of $5 or less. Hopefully they turn into full paying ticket holders or a sources for donations post graduation.
 

Ope3 said:
For hoops, unlike football the number of students attending games currently could fit on a party bus or 2. They could also get a dedicated light rail to get 'em downtown and back.

How's it work for Marquette?

I'm all for making students tix free or at a paltry price of $5 or less. Hopefully they turn into full paying ticket holders or a sources for donations post graduation.
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I'm not sure what is now, but a few years it was still 2-3K. I'm not sure you get that with an arena 4 miles off campus even if the tickets are free. And in general playing off campus in a 16K seat arena doesn't seem like a good plan.
 

howeda7 said:
I'm not sure what is now, but a few years it was still 2-3K. I'm not sure you get that with an arena 4 miles off campus even if the tickets are free. And in general playing off campus in a 16K seat arena doesn't seem like a good plan.
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It doesn't have to be that big for college basketball.
 


disco said:
Well, expect the Wolves new owners to be looking for a new arena. Much as I'd hate for the Gophers to have to share a building, it might be the only way.
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Show of hands who thinks the city and/or state is going to be willing to pick up half the tab on a billion dollar arena downtown? Hard to see it happening in today's environment.
 



Ope3 said:
It doesn't have to be that big for college basketball.
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Making it 16K for the Wolves and 10K for the Gophers will either look ugly as hell or increase the cost substantially. Either way, pass.
 

howeda7 said:
Making it 16K for the Wolves and 10K for the Gophers will either look ugly as hell or increase the cost substantially. Either way, pass.
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Not necessarily. I think the Austin, TX Arena looks pretty good.

Supposed to be phenomenal for concerts too.
 

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