NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

[jackmd]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

I'll admit I had doubts about the SDSU women beating the Bison last night.  Here's what I took out of the game.

1)  Shannon Schlagel missed her usual three to four 5-foot shots by the basket (maybe five or six last night,) but I think the record was a fraction on her mind no matter what anybody says.  AJ says "she hurried some of those shots tonight."  Quite frankly, since her freshman year, she always looks like she "hurries" a few shots- some go in and some go too hard off the backboard.  Still, it's hard to find someone who can consistently use those hook shots (left hand or right hand)  She puts more in left handed from that range, even though she's right handed.  kudos to her!!!!

Astute observation, she does seem to miss a lot of bunnies. That said, I wouldn't trade her for anyone else.

[SDsportsFan]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

You've HAD a lot of success and we are in the midst of having success in women's basketball. Maybe you will keep it to within 10 at Fargo, but I will be shocked if you do that in Brookings.

I knew the spread would be double digits. I owe FargoBison an apology. I really did think we were going to roll over NDSU, and I ended up eating a lot of words. I was so caught up with all the D-I teams that we beat that I didn't take the time to appreciate how hard it is to run the table against tough DII teams the way that NDSU has done. I did realize that some of the DII teams on their schedule were tougher than a number of the D-I teams on our schedule, but I still didn't appreciate how tough it is to be undefeated at this point in the season. Hopefully we pay them back in Fargo. I know one thing for sure, I won't be popping off before that game.
The game did confirm my belief though that our National Championship team was our best team so far. I didn't know what to make of all these D-I butt whippings that we've handed out since we've never played these teams in the past, I was waiting for an old rival to determine how good we are.
Hats off to NDSU for winning in Frost two years in a row, there are few things tougher in sports than that.

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

I don't know where to start????    Who cares who we beat!!!!!   Why, Why are, WE losing to teams that.....are less talented than us?????........Let the excuses begain.

Plus only 4500+ came to support the rabbits?????

WHY????????

You don't know where to start? How about by sobering up.

1) Only 4500? Only the biggest crowd to ever watch a womens bball game at Frost. Yes, even bigger than the blowout v. USD in the 2003 regional. 4500? Not bad considering the No. 1 ranked BHS girls were playing at home and the BHS boys were on the road. Not bad considering there was also a Motocross event at the Swiftel Center.
2) Bison less talented? You must have started drinking well before the game.
3) Excuses why we lost? I've got none. They outrebounded us, outplayed us and were deeper than us.

*This may be a little off topic but Isha leaving the team mid-season still bothers me. I hope she enjoyed a free semester of school. I wish her the best of luck in the future unless she's playing for USD. We could certainly use her minutes right now (with Brooke out for 3 wks).

[Jacks99]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

I was present and it was my first game this year.

Good game and I echo what was already said, missed oportunites on close shots, free throws and rebounding.

Great crowd, for the most part wasn't that loud for the most part, but the game's tempo was the biggest reason for that.

I'm curious why they had the two upper bleacher sections behind the baskets pushed back?

I understand they get more visibility and room for the ice cream and it's also more room for the fans entering the lower end bleachers from the top.

I would think those in gen. admission would like to be spread out and have more room?

It's not a big deal and as full as it was, in the future they will have to open at least one end if they anticipate a big crowd again.

[JackTwice]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

As a person that regularly sits in the upper bleachers I have asked a few people why they don't have the ends pulled out. What I was told was that when the lower ends were changed to entry from the top the code changed. They tried several options with pulling out the bleachers but they ended up not being sturdy enough to allow them to be pulled out.

I understood also that plans are underway to redo the bleachers up top this summer. I don't think the ends will be done though as I believe the long term plan is to turn those into reserved also. The long term plan seems to be to lower the total seating in Frost to around 6000+ in order to make a cosier/louder environment and I am sure to drive up season ticket sales for those that aren't sure they'll be able to get tickets for the big games.

[SDsportsFan]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

As a person that regularly sits in the upper bleachers I have asked a few people why they don't have the ends pulled out.  What I was told was that when the lower ends were changed to entry from the top the code changed.  They tried several options with pulling out the bleachers but they ended up not being sturdy enough to allow them to be pulled out.  

I understood also that plans are underway to redo the bleachers up top this summer.  I don't think the ends will be done though as I believe the long term plan is to turn those into reserved also.  The long term plan seems to be to lower the total seating in Frost to around 6000+ in order to make a cosier/louder environment and I am sure to drive up season ticket sales for those that aren't sure they'll be able to get tickets for the big games.

You can't be serious that they are talking about reducing the seating in Frost. 6,000 may be more than enough seating this year but I sure as heck hope it won't be in the years to come. If we get the crowds that I hope we do then we will be having to turn away a lot of paying customers in our home games. I felt we had a cosy/loud atmosphere before when we would pack Frost. I can understand reducing the seating this year, but I can't see why would do that after this year.

[JackTwice]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

I believe they are dead serious about it. I was asking about it to a few different people and was told more than once that Cameron Indoor (Duke) only seats just over 5000 (I haven't looked online to confirm). I believe the idea is that only 6000 seats will cause season ticket revenue to skyrocket so people will be sure to have their seat. This means games like Bellevue have guaranteed revenue rather than only getting 1300 and the same goes for the women. Realistically, we only put more than 6000 in frost for USD or maybe Augie or for a championship game.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

I agree with the philosophy. I've said it before you better get your season tickets now. You can't set up your arena for one game that might bring over 8,000. I'm sure there are those who used to sit on the ends when they were general admission who are upset when they see those empty seats and they can't sit there because they don't want to pay a reserved price. I would rather have an arena that has an intimate atmosphere with as many of the reserved chairback seating as possible. The more season tickets or packages we sell the better as that is guaranteed revenue regardless if the holders decide to come to the game or not. It will come down to supply and demand and I envision a day when the majority of the seats will be held by the season ticket holders and students.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

This seems to me that it will take away from the casual fans experience at an SDSU event. If we get to the day when we are only season ticket holders and students (realistically that is a long long way down the road) the average fan that likes to come to four maybe five games a year will be dissapointed. They will either be hard pressed to find a ticket or have a not so good seat in General Admission ( if there is GA). This could effect their thoughts to attend other athletic events (ie football) as well. Maybe this wouldn't happen, but it very well could. I would think that Frost being one of the better basketball atmospheres in the Upper Midwest, you wouldn't need or want to mess with that too much. One of the nice things about frost is that it is a great atmosphere when there are only 4000 fans (and absolutely rocking when there are 8000).

[filbert]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

I believe they are dead serious about it. I was asking about it to a few different people and was told more than once that Cameron Indoor (Duke) only seats just over 5000 (I haven't looked online to confirm). I believe the idea is that only 6000 seats will cause season ticket revenue to skyrocket so people will be sure to have their seat. This means games like Bellevue have guaranteed revenue rather than only getting 1300 and the same goes for the women. Realistically, we only put more than 6000 in frost for USD or maybe Augie or for a championship game.

Cameron Indoor seats 9,314.

Numerous SDSU games have topped 6,000, not just the U, Augie, or playoff games.

[filbert]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

I'd like to see them figure out how to make a continuous bowl in the upper level, from the east around to the south and then the west. Some "balcony" seating in the corners over the SE and SW exits would be excellent.

Keep the upper ends and corner balconies bleacher seating, and have chair backs on the lower south side with bleachers in the upper south side. Build it so that the students in the lower section can stand all game long if they want without obstructing the old fogies' view in the upper chairbacks.

Not that I've given any thought at all to it

[filbert]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

Oh, yeah, build an addition to the south side, consisting of an upper level concourse behind the seating bowl, with bathrooms and concessions.

OK, who's got $5 million laying around?

[90Jackrabbit]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

Here's my plan. Build a field house at CAS and then move the indoor track to that facility. Next remodel Frost Arena by removing the upper bowl bleachers and replacing them with a continuos bowl in the upper level. Elevate the upper bowl so you can see the court while the students are standing, also add tunnel entrances, like the north side, to cut down on people walking in front of you during the game. The area under the new permanent seating could be used for restrooms and concessions.
I understand the concept of increasing season ticket sales by reducing seating; however, I would like to increase the fan base by having more general admission tickets available to the casual fan (i.e. nonalumni from Sioux Falls or Alumni who have to travel long distances). I don't think you increase demand for your product by making it less available, only more available to the consumer. Limited seating isn't a problem for the casual Duke fan since their games are televised.

[Charger13]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

    Here's my plan. Build a field house at CAS and then move the indoor track to that facility. Next remodel Frost Arena by removing the upper bowl bleachers and replacing them with a continuos bowl in the upper level. Elevate the upper bowl so you can see the court while the students are standing, also add tunnel entrances, like the north side, to cut down on people walking in front of you during the game. The area under the new permanent seating could be used for restrooms and concessions.

I would also move wrestling and volleyball into a renovated Barn.  I've heard the Wellness center has to be approved again, so maybe they would reconsider building it next to Coughlin with an attached fieldhouse complete with an indoor track and turf, like the one at the University of Kansas http://www.bucon.com/kuanschuetz.htm.  After the wellness center moved out of Frost, it could become the athletes training center with weight rooms, video rooms, etc.  I would also like to turn Frost into a seating bowl.  Currently the court and lower level are off center to the south to accomodate the larger reserved area.  To make it into a bowl I would gut the entire building and start over.  I would model it after Bank of America Arena http://206.180.237.199/university_wa...ns_basketball/, where the University of Washington Huskies play.  I think their arena would be very similar in size a gutted out Frost, and their capacity is around 10,000.  They also have a good combination of bleacher seats and reserved seats. I would also Build an entrance on the South side that would also have the concourse on the upper level.  I would do the entire entrance in glass ala Mariucci Arena http://www.gophersports.com/Facilities/mariucci.asp.  Oh, there might even be room to throw in some luxury boxes on the North and South sides.  Throw in Stands on the East side of Coughlin and I think we would be set.  Keep buying those lotto tickets.

[Charger13]

Re: NDSU vs SDSU (Women)

Oh by the way, I would also tear the roof off Frost and replace it with an arched roof like the Barn.