The TipOff Crowd

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bga1

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It was great to watch what looks like a very promising team-one that could compete for the Big Ten title with some breaks and a hot start. The one thing that bothered me was the crowd. Where were all the students? It's a free on campus event on a campus that serves 35-40K students. A great evening. The only thing missing was a packed house of pumped students. I don't get it. This thing needs more promotion as a major event IMO.
 

Football game is away at Purdue. Believe it or not they have fans travel. Also, there was a hockey game going on at the same time.

To be quite honest, the whole event only took a little over an hour. It would have been nice to see a 40 minute scrimmage. Also that 3 point contest was lame. And Rodney didn't even dunk.

The barn needs a new scoreboard too, that place is a dump. I'm all about history, but you can keep a historic building and upgrade the technology inside it.
 

GopherNation said:
Football game is away at Purdue. Believe it or not they have fans travel. Also, there was a hockey game going on at the same time.

To be quite honest, the whole event only took a little over an hour. It would have been nice to see a 40 minute scrimmage. Also that 3 point contest was lame. And Rodney didn't even dunk.

The barn needs a new scoreboard too, that place is a dump. I'm all about history, but you can keep a historic building and upgrade the technology inside it.
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The hockey game was over. In fact I'm sure it was hoped that the hockey game would help bring fans in to the scrimmage and I'm sure it did. Rodney is recovering froma concussion. I'd agree that the scrimmage could be a little longer.
 

bga1 said:
It was great to watch what looks like a very promising team-one that could compete for the Big Ten title with some breaks and a hot start. The one thing that bothered me was the crowd. Where were all the students? It's a free on campus event on a campus that serves 35-40K students. A great evening. The only thing missing was a packed house of pumped students. I don't get it. This thing needs more promotion as a major event IMO.
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It's not like it's just the students that weren't there - where were the rest of the 12K or so season ticket holders? I almost feel like an idiot, every year, I expect for things to get better, for there to be more people, more action, more fun...and it's the same thing every year. That makes me the fool for expecting a different result with the same actions.

1/4 of the lower level was roped off, and the rest was 1/2 full...maybe 2/3 at most generous estimate. I just watched a video from IU, and it was loud, fun, and packed. And I know no one wants to hear this, but it has to start at the top, Tubby needs to promote the program. I know he has to coach and recruit, etc - but the flexibility and direction need to come from him.

One thing is for sure - people sure can't complain about how expensive ticket prices are (except for those of us that actually attended this) because it's a free event, and they couldn't even fill up the lower level...not even close.
 



thestl said:
HOW DARE YOU... SHUN THIS MAN.
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The place is a dump. I'm sorry but it is. The electronic boards at The Barn make the metrodome look like a King's Palace. I'm all about keeping The Barn intact, but at the same time, it wouldn't kill them to update some of the technology. The pre-tip music sounded like someone backed up their car and played music out of the subs in there trunk. And the jumbo tron, its like one of those large wood pannel tv's from the 1970's. If you can upgrade and actually lower the court, you can upgrade the electronics.
 

GopherNation said:
Football game is away at Purdue. Believe it or not they have fans travel. Also, there was a hockey game going on at the same time.

To be quite honest, the whole event only took a little over an hour. It would have been nice to see a 40 minute scrimmage. Also that 3 point contest was lame. And Rodney didn't even dunk.

The barn needs a new scoreboard too, that place is a dump. I'm all about history, but you can keep a historic building and upgrade the technology inside it.
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All of what bga said and...

I believe we got a new scoreboard a few years ago, it didn't use to have video.

I'm guessing from what we'll see at the Purdue game tomorrow, there won't be more than 3K or so Gopher fans there, it's not like it took away all of our fans.

Also, I got a text at 9:54pm that the hockey game was over. That's actually perfect timing to walk 100 feet and go to The Barn.

Weird rationale...
 

GopherLady said:
It's not like it's just the students that weren't there - where were the rest of the 12K or so season ticket holders? I almost feel like an idiot, every year, I expect for things to get better, for there to be more people, more action, more fun...and it's the same thing every year. That makes me the fool for expecting a different result with the same actions.

1/4 of the lower level was roped off, and the rest was 1/2 full...maybe 2/3 at most generous estimate. I just watched a video from IU, and it was loud, fun, and packed. And I know no one wants to hear this, but it has to start at the top, Tubby needs to promote the program. I know he has to coach and recruit, etc - but the flexibility and direction need to come from him.

One thing is for sure - people sure can't complain about how expensive ticket prices are (except for those of us that actually attended this) because it's a free event, and they couldn't even fill up the lower level...not even close.
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You are 100% right. Tubby does need to be a bigger part of promoting it. I was there in the Musselman days and Musselman promoted and made these types of events huge. The students were arriving two hours before the game to get the best seats. The other part is that the athletic department has to be willing to spend some cash on the event. I remember perhaps in the later years of Haskins where they drew perhaps 8000+ by bringing in a good band for a concert prior. This ought to be a big recruiting event and also a night to energize the players by showing fan support in a big way. I drove 20 miles plus to see it and I enjoyed it. For some reason other season ticket holders don't see it that way. Even more puzzling is the student support or lack thereof.
 

bga1 said:
You are 100% right. Tubby does need to be a bigger part of promoting it. I was there in the Musselman days and Musselman promoted and made these types of events huge. The students were arriving two hours before the game to get the best seats. The other part is that the athletic department has to be willing to spend some cash on the event. I remember perhaps in the later years of Haskins where they drew perhaps 8000+ by bringing in a good band for a concert prior. This ought to be a big recruiting event and also a night to energize the players by showing fan support in a big way. I drove 20 miles plus to see it and I enjoyed it. For some reason other season ticket holders don't see it that way. Even more puzzling is the student support or lack thereof.
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This was another thing I was thinking. I think if a recruit comes to a Big 10 game, they're impressed. The Barn isn't what it used to be, but is impressive. But if you're a recruit, and you watch these packed Midnight Madnesses all over the nation, and you come to this...how is that a recruiting tool?
 



Wow, far too much carping. We enjoyed the program and welcome the opener. The team practiced earlier in the day, so the length of the scrimmage was adequate. Trevor dunking over a motorcycle was exciting. Tubby looked like he was ready to have a heart attack and Trevor kept assuring him that the dunk was okay...lol
 

Season tickets came in the mail this week and not one mention of Tubby's Tip Off in it. The U spends a ton of money on sending out tickets (this includes football and hockey) and does a HORRIBLE job at selling and marketing itself inside these mailings. Where is the Goldy's Lockeroom catalog? This should be a standard in all the season ticket mailings.
It's the same story every year. It seems that all these different departments cannot seem to get on the same page.
 

I am a season ticket holder and don't even think about going to Tubby's Tip Off. I'm up at the cabin because the football team is on the road. Maybe when my son is older we will start going to it, but maybe find a weekend to hold these things when football AND hockey are at home. Then there wouldn't be anymore excuses.
 

GopherLady said:
This was another thing I was thinking. I think if a recruit comes to a Big 10 game, they're impressed. The Barn isn't what it used to be, but is impressive. But if you're a recruit, and you watch these packed Midnight Madnesses all over the nation, and you come to this...how is that a recruiting tool?
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I would bet the majority of Midnight Madnesses all over the nation are more similar to the Gophers. Of course the packed houses are the ones that get the attention. Now if the Gophers get to the Final 4 or something I bet you will see a spike in attendance.
 



Success starts with the fans/students. The great programs have such huge fan support that it helps them win a few games they would otherwise lose. The Golden Gophers have all the potential in the world with Coach Smith and the team. www.endofthebench.com
 

Sorry, but 10pm and later is bedtime for a many season ticket holders.
 

GoGophers2005 said:
I would bet the majority of Midnight Madnesses all over the nation are more similar to the Gophers. Of course the packed houses are the ones that get the attention. Now if the Gophers get to the Final 4 or something I bet you will see a spike in attendance.
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Yep - most events (nationwide) are like the Gophers. A small number are packed houses.
 

There's an enthusiasm ceiling here due to the location of the campus. There are recruiting advantages to being in Minneapolis, but we won't be a Madison or Bloomington.

Scary to think the situation is 200x's better than in the mid- 90's. The campus was a ghost-town, except for homecoming. Things are a lot better, but it's not a true Big Ten environment and never will be.

I wanted to go the the TC campus to be apart of the Big Ten experience, but in the mid 90's it wasn't there. So many kids ended-up living in Roseville or Richfield because of the limits of the location, unless you wanted to live in a frat house. I went elsewhere because of the commuter aspect.

Hindsight, it is what it is because it's in the city. Would be interesting to imagine what it would look like if it was in Rochester, Northfield, Duluth, St. Peter, or Winona.
 

GoGophers2005 said:
Season tickets came in the mail this week and not one mention of Tubby's Tip Off in it. The U spends a ton of money on sending out tickets (this includes football and hockey) and does a HORRIBLE job at selling and marketing itself inside these mailings. Where is the Goldy's Lockeroom catalog? This should be a standard in all the season ticket mailings.
It's the same story every year. It seems that all these different departments cannot seem to get on the same page.
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That's a huge issue then. Not having any of that info with the tickets is ridiculous.
 

10pm, friday night, hockey game. most other big basketball schools dont really have a hockey program, at least not a popular one.
 

Friend Of Tubby said:
Yep - most events (nationwide) are like the Gophers. A small number are packed houses.
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If we want to have a team that is a power in any sport then we can't be like most other places. Its way too cold here to attract players without a special coach (which we have) and a fired up fan base.
 

bga1 said:
The hockey game was over. In fact I'm sure it was hoped that the hockey game would help bring fans in to the scrimmage and I'm sure it did. Rodney is recovering froma concussion. I'd agree that the scrimmage could be a little longer.
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Apologies for getting off track(been out of town), when did the concussion occur?
 


Drove about an hr with friends who aren't Gopher fans to see the game and they all seemed to find it pretty enjoyable. Hollins really surprised me with his athleticism. I actually thought he was the best in the dunk contest but I had no problem seeing Trevor win it. He's an absolute beast. Definitely not as exciting of an event as last year, but definitely worth the drive. The late start didn't help. Tubby kind of rushed through everything since it was late. Is the scrimmage usually that short? I remember it being longer. I think 30 minutes would've been nice.
 

I just think there's a lot of things to do in the metro area that are more interesting. I mean, who gets excited about shooting contests and dunks anymore?
In places like Bloomington, Indiana, there isn't a whole lot to do, so more people show up.
The novelty of Midnight Madness wore off several years ago.
It's not a negative reflction of Tubby or his program.
 

CP Gopher said:
I just think there's a lot of things to do in the metro area that are more interesting. I mean, who gets excited about shooting contests and dunks anymore?
In places like Bloomington, Indiana, there isn't a whole lot to do, so more people show up.
The novelty of Midnight Madness wore off several years ago.
It's not a negative reflction of Tubby or his program.
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Right or wrong, good or bad, Gopher fans are not all that wrapped up in basketball by mid October. Still football going on, that grabs their attention more at this time of the year - I think.
 

Player intros

Way too fast! Could hardly see them until they got on the court. before they had big individual introductions with a spotlight on each player with home town, etc... Only Tubby on the motorcycle saved the intros!
 

Here's a good way to get students there, give something away for free...My freshman year they had stuff going on outside to win free tickets and stuff but not days you get roster
 

I enjoy the event each year, but it certainly could be improved. I see no logic in delaying the event so the Hockey crowd can attend as that won't happen. I would suggest holding it earlier in the evening (I believe that is allowed now), include the band or some music, improve the advertising and extend the scrimmage. There was no build up before the introductions Friday night at all.
 

GopherLady said:
It's not like it's just the students that weren't there - where were the rest of the 12K or so season ticket holders? I almost feel like an idiot, every year, I expect for things to get better, for there to be more people, more action, more fun...and it's the same thing every year. That makes me the fool for expecting a different result with the same actions.

1/4 of the lower level was roped off, and the rest was 1/2 full...maybe 2/3 at most generous estimate. I just watched a video from IU, and it was loud, fun, and packed. And I know no one wants to hear this, but it has to start at the top, Tubby needs to promote the program. I know he has to coach and recruit, etc - but the flexibility and direction need to come from him.

One thing is for sure - people sure can't complain about how expensive ticket prices are (except for those of us that actually attended this) because it's a free event, and they couldn't even fill up the lower level...not even close.
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GopherLady, I do respect your opinion but I think marketing the events like is not the coach's job. It is the AD's job.

Go Gophers
 

The-Real-Truth said:
GopherLady, I do respect your opinion but I think marketing the events like is not the coach's job. It is the AD's job.

Go Gophers
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Very good point. Tubby's MM events at UK were well received. I only saw the Oct 2003 MM myself.

Certainly it is the primary job of AD (athletic DEPT, not director) to organize and promote MM.
 

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