tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52333699487627968922024-03-19T12:32:38.841+09:00Sports Road TripsTrip reports, sports road trip ideas, and sports opinions from a guy who lives for one thing: sports travel!Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.comBlogger1529125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-67316763245363633542024-03-13T19:36:00.196+09:002024-03-16T21:16:52.453+09:00UTSA Roadrunners 1 at UAB Blazers 9 (6, NCAA Softball, American) - March 10, 2024<p>The final day of my quick trip through Alabama was spent at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). I had only planned to see basketball there, but a check of the composite schedule showed a softball game at noon, two hours before the hoops tip time. Would I be able to see the entire game? Unbelievably, no.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1ktfgrydlwuYIBXWMIEIeYs4eOxqlekLCiWoJbHB2mS3NLs7hpxKOk8hm29pxiGDrKAFAxGsLKfHzutPZKFPRTUF97BUeteoe-3IMdsrgcX1OPpyw0-3WytWQGnjwo5aaOzj26VCm8BB70WYgb_UQ2Y12LzPEC-hVhbmauKIdS9BIUYTwQ3an0ZyWWk/s4080/20240310_114002.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1ktfgrydlwuYIBXWMIEIeYs4eOxqlekLCiWoJbHB2mS3NLs7hpxKOk8hm29pxiGDrKAFAxGsLKfHzutPZKFPRTUF97BUeteoe-3IMdsrgcX1OPpyw0-3WytWQGnjwo5aaOzj26VCm8BB70WYgb_UQ2Y12LzPEC-hVhbmauKIdS9BIUYTwQ3an0ZyWWk/w400-h300/20240310_114002.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Blazers play at Mary Bowers Field, located in the school's sports complex on the southwest quadrant of campus, which spans several city blocks. On Sundays, street parking is free, so I left the car near Bartow Arena as I had to make a quick escape from the basketball game to get to Huntsville for my flight home.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQZbfrwez_xWIU2VQoAoWr9KKT217M_KsEJm2z93Hb-E7dUjAJqVxD3jFB0AJ6FVoGS6y6ktFTZj__eK-2NFa-0MRFUDvkvMHlEihxKsha7ohHqAiPKW0lK9oeqXj5hIoerNrjbHZdxK749cHf9iwM48EgZxCPdhWDeXTdG4NcC4aqi-wNWTByEMfliY/s4080/20240310_114503.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQZbfrwez_xWIU2VQoAoWr9KKT217M_KsEJm2z93Hb-E7dUjAJqVxD3jFB0AJ6FVoGS6y6ktFTZj__eK-2NFa-0MRFUDvkvMHlEihxKsha7ohHqAiPKW0lK9oeqXj5hIoerNrjbHZdxK749cHf9iwM48EgZxCPdhWDeXTdG4NcC4aqi-wNWTByEMfliY/w400-h300/20240310_114503.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Tickets were $7 for general admission, which consists of the benches on the second level; if you wanted to sit down below it cost an extra $5. Just inside the gate is a plaque describing Mary Bowers' contributions to the softball program here.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dcN1i0gEltbQ_gl9JRRU-M1gw2Gt1U6IGeC4MOCp6jjlwuIZdmzkpAN28EZzRzEJzTU1nn66aGN5T10exhQTqPxhyf2HjFTcaPZZeA3kVTbCNTwjfh605zETss1evxtQI_oWmQubRjLuwgc_pE58AfkGestOKQDWZk8aqyoeeoECXAaw-ZUc2VL4_8k/s4080/20240310_114601.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dcN1i0gEltbQ_gl9JRRU-M1gw2Gt1U6IGeC4MOCp6jjlwuIZdmzkpAN28EZzRzEJzTU1nn66aGN5T10exhQTqPxhyf2HjFTcaPZZeA3kVTbCNTwjfh605zETss1evxtQI_oWmQubRjLuwgc_pE58AfkGestOKQDWZk8aqyoeeoECXAaw-ZUc2VL4_8k/w400-h300/20240310_114601.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The view from the lower level directly behind the plate is below. The venue opened in 2010 and holds 1,010 fans, while measurements are 200 feet down the lines and 215 to center. The fence includes the team's five appearances in the tournament (2010-14) and their 2013 Conference USA title. UAB moved to the American this past year, and that conference logo is also on the fence. The scoreboard is quite impressive for this level.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3EKnsnqQub4aDo04XxQxhEx26bN-dFNoDx4HMmkK72C4LDu4u0DbsJrc8o8wGSRqWtKOTeU6O1AAgZ5kpa-XYFgVDCfpwzwz22LyQTVBpugLWkLTdmM-zuxsnU_xtyxBH0N96eoLNzB1TBgnu_G4p9wuFUjV-fRHj8S45ONh07gYqj46Pd8nEodPa9k/s4080/20240310_114515.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3EKnsnqQub4aDo04XxQxhEx26bN-dFNoDx4HMmkK72C4LDu4u0DbsJrc8o8wGSRqWtKOTeU6O1AAgZ5kpa-XYFgVDCfpwzwz22LyQTVBpugLWkLTdmM-zuxsnU_xtyxBH0N96eoLNzB1TBgnu_G4p9wuFUjV-fRHj8S45ONh07gYqj46Pd8nEodPa9k/w400-h300/20240310_114515.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Jerry D. Young Memorial Baseball Field is next door and I did step in to take a picture (below). I doubt I will ever see a game here, though I expect to return to Birmingham for Samford hoops, so maybe the schedule will work out. The concession stand was operating out of the baseball field, but with very limited options.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9IjVCAM6biZQLIlzMiqvGjy_xtbTM0N9OcQBUkTbLoNeCbzGHHrbKUkSP4SuYKlsqV124fy1D2D8LByjsPrzQSP2Q-p6MReWcOIgAN9xoJfpWFIPgBEn6cCe1YbAtxbj9cT8vEe0_3ouLEivqQOkBNctpJHgNL4-YSALnkpPbjdnnEBNPwW_sGvwQgs/s4080/20240310_114203.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9IjVCAM6biZQLIlzMiqvGjy_xtbTM0N9OcQBUkTbLoNeCbzGHHrbKUkSP4SuYKlsqV124fy1D2D8LByjsPrzQSP2Q-p6MReWcOIgAN9xoJfpWFIPgBEn6cCe1YbAtxbj9cT8vEe0_3ouLEivqQOkBNctpJHgNL4-YSALnkpPbjdnnEBNPwW_sGvwQgs/w400-h300/20240310_114203.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Although this was the third of a three-game weekend series, the starting lineups were introduced and the players all stood along the baselines for the anthem, something I had not seen before. It was a beautiful afternoon and I was glad to be outside for part of it.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ3N5Fpnkez5HRxcmmTqNkb_VKb5qnUJYDb9Zyq1kVvVzD65By7qQB6pwhmsaVbPRDWsaImYXItGVw-bGBzDZa6llcdxk54wta_w0eiGLdykN_I2YlE2jjbi7Uwyi4YqUYAIDHOE83eqwGuVM7WLUkaGILLTi3FuCKXjSIFECoarwQLlvL593jYO-amY/s4080/20240310_120028.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ3N5Fpnkez5HRxcmmTqNkb_VKb5qnUJYDb9Zyq1kVvVzD65By7qQB6pwhmsaVbPRDWsaImYXItGVw-bGBzDZa6llcdxk54wta_w0eiGLdykN_I2YlE2jjbi7Uwyi4YqUYAIDHOE83eqwGuVM7WLUkaGILLTi3FuCKXjSIFECoarwQLlvL593jYO-amY/w400-h300/20240310_120028.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>That's all there is to say about Mary Bowers Field. Even the largest softball programs in the country have basic facilities and this is no different. I'd like to add more softball venues to my count, but this game made me question that desire.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>UAB had defeated UTSA in the first two games of the series, their first in the AAC, by scores of 3-1 and 8-3. The Roadrunners may not be winning, but they have some of the best batting helmets out there.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGQeeVz6KVVjBoHgo7cJRRRH1TbwgWZbiMHaoQVeu_VxSHJJu2ahxU6A-jCHsGuC4E7cUayowK7AVCS-fGZlMdyQnb0t0VB2VeALXL0I0X4oNLwWD5Y10EO8K_V2euvwa_Oj2LLVJoOznM5GeGcZl9r8sYju3uOStTdC0paHIO5Cig1AeWo60iTwATyI/s4080/20240310_130657.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGQeeVz6KVVjBoHgo7cJRRRH1TbwgWZbiMHaoQVeu_VxSHJJu2ahxU6A-jCHsGuC4E7cUayowK7AVCS-fGZlMdyQnb0t0VB2VeALXL0I0X4oNLwWD5Y10EO8K_V2euvwa_Oj2LLVJoOznM5GeGcZl9r8sYju3uOStTdC0paHIO5Cig1AeWo60iTwATyI/w400-h300/20240310_130657.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>A bunch of Blazer booboos allowed UTSA to plate an unearned run in the first, while Roadrunner starter Jamie Gilbert kept UAB hitless through three. In the bottom of the fourth, an infield single broke up the no-no, and a sacrifice, infield single, and sacrifice fly followed to allow the Blazers to tie it up. The game had taken about an hour through 4, and I hoped that it would continue apace so I could see the whole thing, but the Roadrunners were anything but speedy after that.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1c6RJNAiiWyEmki-7MGbtptFeceWZnPPM_HRAuJBjUYv_Bl5qdJ7i50oH8bKHmaL5Z0Y2WkcP4Iv100JsyDIbFlm5kDKTWO2VGQspcfiLJ7-0ZN_ebN8zQhzXuevU3ypasETHQG69LrsIhURAZzFIbb4tvFdtfNksu0H_qV9dqrUxW-F4WiBX6yZQfk/s4080/20240310_130727.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1c6RJNAiiWyEmki-7MGbtptFeceWZnPPM_HRAuJBjUYv_Bl5qdJ7i50oH8bKHmaL5Z0Y2WkcP4Iv100JsyDIbFlm5kDKTWO2VGQspcfiLJ7-0ZN_ebN8zQhzXuevU3ypasETHQG69LrsIhURAZzFIbb4tvFdtfNksu0H_qV9dqrUxW-F4WiBX6yZQfk/w400-h300/20240310_130727.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Blazers led off the fifth with two bunts for base hits, leading to a mound visit. UTSA coach Vann Stuedeman, a Birmingham native who was the pitching coach at Alabama from 2000-11, trundled out and spent about two minutes discussing dinner plans with the team. It was unbelievable to watch as the umpire just let them chatter without breaking it up. Whatever they discussed, it didn't matter because Gilbert walked the next batter and then hit the following one, allowing UAB to take a 2-1 lead. Cue another mound visit to make a pitching change, which also included another ridiculously long discussion. After two pitches, Stuedeman realized she had forgotten something and out she came again, taking another couple of minutes to pass along some nuggets of sage softball advice. The 143 on hand were treated to the scene below on three separate occasions in the frustrating fifth frame. Well, it was all for naught as a UTSA error let another runner score and then Olivia Valbak doubled home a pair. At this point, the entire inning had taken nearly 30 minutes and I left for the basketball, exasperated. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcL2S52BbWMf_1M9hYHpDuRrpqloslN-bxSzh6CKnKBwYd_tc-tQsWUmC6_ZXHTnpee1vnDHmySmzicScDNXQXy5C_LGLAMUGWeavXlC1MprhauGowxNOqZJhFFu9ZZ6YudhSqPHa5QsRNt5B7dxt8b8OWKk5fPjHzVJfN9EsQNWalCnURxiV_xcdPT4/s4080/20240310_131932.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcL2S52BbWMf_1M9hYHpDuRrpqloslN-bxSzh6CKnKBwYd_tc-tQsWUmC6_ZXHTnpee1vnDHmySmzicScDNXQXy5C_LGLAMUGWeavXlC1MprhauGowxNOqZJhFFu9ZZ6YudhSqPHa5QsRNt5B7dxt8b8OWKk5fPjHzVJfN9EsQNWalCnURxiV_xcdPT4/w400-h300/20240310_131932.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>UAB added two more in that inning and ended things via the mercy rule in the 6th with another two-run double. The contest took 2:04. ending just as the basketball was tipping off. After this, I am not sure that I will bother with softball again, but my quest for new venues will probably win out again.</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>I used to think that it might be fun to have a kid playing college sports, but with all this conference movement, it seems like you would be spending more on travel than ever. There were a few moms and dads supporting UTSA (based in San Antonio) and I wonder how much they enjoyed the weekend, traveling all the way to Birmingham to watch their team get shellacked. There was one vocal visiting supporter who was irate that the umpire missed a call that led to the first Blazer run. It was quite amusing listening to him berate the ump for a couple of innings, until the game was out of hand and that run didn't matter much anymore.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-88316292253626494302024-03-12T19:30:00.252+09:002024-03-16T01:16:27.494+09:00Fayetteville Marksmen 3 at Birmingham Bulls 4 (OT, SPHL) - March 9, 2024<p>The third event of my Alabama tripleheader was an SPHL hockey game. SPHL used to stand for Southern Professional Hockey League, but with teams as far north as Peoria, they recently changed their branding so that it now stands for nothing, similar to how the ECHL no longer references the East Coast. I think Semi-Pro Hockey League fits well, but that's why I'm not in marketing. Anyway, the Birmingham Bulls were at home at 7:05 and with the Alabama baseball game ending at 5:30, I did not have time to go to my hotel, driving straight to the Pelham Civic Complex. Pelham is a suburb of Birmingham, about 20 miles south of downtown.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z50JAyme_wKeYSHutCMvoCBculEY92OCskhBaak1HhpBWZB99iSFChd4mAaavbBkLqWJHpCMwnnf1LOWDkvaVcXq1YcMc-id7gFMKKjE0oTpdkgLY-VYY_CVUYbgne9Unw_c58Z5P2VDvscluh-K2Amm0MNJXVpaX-Lx5T6L0aWEbBDfxSudYGC6QfI/s4080/20240309_185000.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z50JAyme_wKeYSHutCMvoCBculEY92OCskhBaak1HhpBWZB99iSFChd4mAaavbBkLqWJHpCMwnnf1LOWDkvaVcXq1YcMc-id7gFMKKjE0oTpdkgLY-VYY_CVUYbgne9Unw_c58Z5P2VDvscluh-K2Amm0MNJXVpaX-Lx5T6L0aWEbBDfxSudYGC6QfI/w400-h300/20240309_185000.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I arrived around 6:30 and was surprised at the lineup of cars to enter the parking lot, where you had to pay $6 for the privilege. It was very well organized, however, and I followed the car in front of me to a spot that was a good distance from the rink. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R15ILkKwzONo61fDATbY2jH23zb2gh-O0_M9-bKCoMDtnLesIwTvUTjdB82Qow9rdqUw0S41kNnm2VwG0tMbv6Gk-72AodciPSvMQ4k1HgGLLDrTv3RGxz-NBkQSccinHOsc_M1deYzpatCQcpd8cUB2xBHQUnQjwJ5jIujUhT7C_U6keJcW6bVov5I/s4080/20240309_185008.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R15ILkKwzONo61fDATbY2jH23zb2gh-O0_M9-bKCoMDtnLesIwTvUTjdB82Qow9rdqUw0S41kNnm2VwG0tMbv6Gk-72AodciPSvMQ4k1HgGLLDrTv3RGxz-NBkQSccinHOsc_M1deYzpatCQcpd8cUB2xBHQUnQjwJ5jIujUhT7C_U6keJcW6bVov5I/w400-h300/20240309_185008.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Bulls play in the Ice Arena that is part of the complex, which includes a smaller rink that is usually open for public skating. It wasn't on this night, disappointing at least one family that I saw. The team joined the league in 2017 and have had up-and-down results since then, with two losses in the finals and three years out of the playoffs. Long-time hockey fans will recall that the Birmingham Bulls were part of the World Hockey Association back in the 1970s; that team began in Ottawa in 1972, moved to Toronto after one season to become the Toros, and then came to Birmingham, where they played three years in the WHA until it folded, followed by a couple of campaigns in the Central Hockey League. There was also a Bulls franchise in the East Coast Hockey League; it moved to Atlantic City, then Stockton, and is now the Adirondack Thunder. Both those old hockey squads played at the Legacy Arena which is now home to the G League's Birmingham Squadron. Minor league franchise movement is fascinating.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JGvwXonWZYIEK9Vkz0y_eGarH-Rij8HRBNGIrV3AgSCOZ_RwmhUp5jEGtQdYHe496jW0Ez6BQCsWHbTOxH9muoh8X8XFYfmEptKypJPrscddvPFT92A9IYYQn0AHSS1ppJsM0o_KauVBN17MKmoRFt1bOX8x8541DB5L6lVNq33jMEIV5EB7xGjbCkc/s4080/20240309_185813.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JGvwXonWZYIEK9Vkz0y_eGarH-Rij8HRBNGIrV3AgSCOZ_RwmhUp5jEGtQdYHe496jW0Ez6BQCsWHbTOxH9muoh8X8XFYfmEptKypJPrscddvPFT92A9IYYQn0AHSS1ppJsM0o_KauVBN17MKmoRFt1bOX8x8541DB5L6lVNq33jMEIV5EB7xGjbCkc/w400-h300/20240309_185813.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Ice Arena holds 4,100, fewest in the SPHL, but the Bulls are doing well this year, drawing about 3,400 per game or 83% of capacity. Tickets are $16 for those in the end and $22 along the side, regardless of the row. There is a single luxury suite, where tickets start at $60 though you need a minimum of 25 fans (unless you want to spend $1,500 to sit by yourself).</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_QyshdBMH6uhh_JJa3t0q4E6KFhyAivb3v-qwdGJxmh3vN85AsM32piEzX5iu71qKO6J6BP-j64YKPD1_Su-WodWjEVpZpu0dZMrsRwCo5Z2fBwddQ-2ny6FdErWmUX8MvueTbTOG9oBx16w36JJD8zXxoZDaccjCfKw82Yo7OdVnX3e15XJigHhfD0/s4080/20240309_185316.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_QyshdBMH6uhh_JJa3t0q4E6KFhyAivb3v-qwdGJxmh3vN85AsM32piEzX5iu71qKO6J6BP-j64YKPD1_Su-WodWjEVpZpu0dZMrsRwCo5Z2fBwddQ-2ny6FdErWmUX8MvueTbTOG9oBx16w36JJD8zXxoZDaccjCfKw82Yo7OdVnX3e15XJigHhfD0/w400-h300/20240309_185316.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>For a small venue, the menu is fantastic and reasonably priced. Fried bologna sandwiches are not uncommon in this area, though I opted for the grilled cheese, which was pretty good. Lineups are long during the intermission, so get there just before the horn sounds.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZm7FJiH4g76bvyurxr1xHUeFVSeo3D2pO0lOXVgZfBB4BkoluaulYl8-5XOdV0zxK4ypJHVNIcytuBkCKizV_AZi6HZrSb6wqyrTZcNC5MVq6GFCdB9oACZ6yBElEyHajAxPJmIiR9UFrSTSX1WCdo_1XKNEv4VQtR7Qm0rjbyrxwxOcjBwHjEPsxVE/s3264/20240309_190013.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZm7FJiH4g76bvyurxr1xHUeFVSeo3D2pO0lOXVgZfBB4BkoluaulYl8-5XOdV0zxK4ypJHVNIcytuBkCKizV_AZi6HZrSb6wqyrTZcNC5MVq6GFCdB9oACZ6yBElEyHajAxPJmIiR9UFrSTSX1WCdo_1XKNEv4VQtR7Qm0rjbyrxwxOcjBwHjEPsxVE/w400-h300/20240309_190013.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Although all seats are on the same level, the sections are numbered as if it is a multi-level arena. On one side you have Sections 101-108 where you enter your section from down below and walk up; the other side consists of Sections 201-208 where you walk up a set of stairs to reach an upper walkway and then stroll down to your seat. The picture below is from 205 Row R, which should help you understand. There are also a few boxes above 207 that are sold out, presumably to season-ticket holders. The roof is very low here, and the scoreboard is flattened as a result.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs6oH_lbFN34f0EJxAo1mISb3mnNQAAyEajvi9kiC8h-RV4Xkz6t-O-Ljkhu-63fL0gRIeG4fKpM2YDPKHfTflEfWKxac_Hc6uYoK2gByikY0Zpcza5JYE8GPg4lmCBJRRBrmX330O2teX-RxWI4uTdCwd06YND7OkvZuyxPohSCAUvrFL_LJms-kQBY/s3264/20240309_190453.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs6oH_lbFN34f0EJxAo1mISb3mnNQAAyEajvi9kiC8h-RV4Xkz6t-O-Ljkhu-63fL0gRIeG4fKpM2YDPKHfTflEfWKxac_Hc6uYoK2gByikY0Zpcza5JYE8GPg4lmCBJRRBrmX330O2teX-RxWI4uTdCwd06YND7OkvZuyxPohSCAUvrFL_LJms-kQBY/w400-h300/20240309_190453.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, the PCCIA is a simple, compact venue that draws a good crowd for low-level hockey. This was only my third game in the SPHL, but I was surprised at how it has changed since I first <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2010/01/pensacola-ice-flyers-5-at-knoxville-ice.html" target="_blank">saw a game back in 2010</a>.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1yGZ9Q0DlrxWNTHTNZNsHQK_EuXIrP7neuJWhusu5PsTiOQl8yKh9VpRxSG6CADT1YF4yOH7l4uxGdJfU9pJO1_mcoI1uvoqhI8JwbUa_aBUrmhMaRzL-o5V8WvNJP_loimZUuE8twRLW4znfBVn7bd9SgiLNwjW09eFrE4rkWSfqkdw4FCCAyqMBNY/s4080/20240309_200231.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1yGZ9Q0DlrxWNTHTNZNsHQK_EuXIrP7neuJWhusu5PsTiOQl8yKh9VpRxSG6CADT1YF4yOH7l4uxGdJfU9pJO1_mcoI1uvoqhI8JwbUa_aBUrmhMaRzL-o5V8WvNJP_loimZUuE8twRLW4znfBVn7bd9SgiLNwjW09eFrE4rkWSfqkdw4FCCAyqMBNY/w400-h300/20240309_200231.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The league-leading Bulls were playing as the Cahaba Valley Vipers and wearing special green uniforms for the occasion (above is netminder Hayden Stewart). Even the visiting Fayetteville Marksmen, fourth in the standings, got in on the act, dressing as the Carolina Reapers (below is keeper Ryan Kenny). It should go without saying that none of these players have been drafted; most played some sort of lower-level college hockey and there is a spattering of ECHL experience but nothing above that. The skating is not as fast and the players not as big, but what shocked me was the complete lack of physicality; in the past these games had more fights and scuffles but there were none on this night. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfEN9WYBkYJ_quT6K2EwAEaatKi4jp1Lep6q_7YXOUo-EqxVd_-UDFXpqX_0hL1BrupLyzEtG0WX43vM5l7K1coUaykSNo31FUU0sYHTMR4e-gkDYBnK5WZYJHBS8BE0_0w57Sy_wTYpPy-dSfJN0TWEtbnB8LUILqFBb_7Kc5HXeNunmY1ePCpzywcw/s4080/20240309_192442.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfEN9WYBkYJ_quT6K2EwAEaatKi4jp1Lep6q_7YXOUo-EqxVd_-UDFXpqX_0hL1BrupLyzEtG0WX43vM5l7K1coUaykSNo31FUU0sYHTMR4e-gkDYBnK5WZYJHBS8BE0_0w57Sy_wTYpPy-dSfJN0TWEtbnB8LUILqFBb_7Kc5HXeNunmY1ePCpzywcw/w400-h300/20240309_192442.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The first period saw Fayetteville take the lead on a Tyler Barrow goal against the run of play, but Birmingham got that back when Drake Glover potted his 31st, tops in the circuit. Shortly thereafter, CJ Walker gave the Bulls the lead, and that lasted into the third period.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipATt4hePZ8Qb-bU1tx5sas9ZeUKHjvaqsEwCwi1f-wmIUW9Nm30Oic6uQiuNgEnkPZwat8z7wC71f_GaNWe33KvfWejYXeZZzhlQbQe7wae5PIk3a5QZqn3cCH-HTG3BCZLPLio0fkSA4eYR0oIIX5T5Gx74hHZUOq3CLJ7IwapibKlfP9xH-mG92Z5s/s4080/20240309_192451.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipATt4hePZ8Qb-bU1tx5sas9ZeUKHjvaqsEwCwi1f-wmIUW9Nm30Oic6uQiuNgEnkPZwat8z7wC71f_GaNWe33KvfWejYXeZZzhlQbQe7wae5PIk3a5QZqn3cCH-HTG3BCZLPLio0fkSA4eYR0oIIX5T5Gx74hHZUOq3CLJ7IwapibKlfP9xH-mG92Z5s/w400-h300/20240309_192451.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Early on, Birmingham's Nikita Kozyrev notched a power-play marker to extend the lead, but the Bulls were soon penalized themselves and it took just 5 seconds for Barrow to score as he beat Stewart with a sharp wrister. A couple of minutes later and another Bulls penalty was called, this time it took Barrow 13 seconds to score an almost identical goal, garnering him the hat trick in the process. With 1:20 to go, Carson Rose was given the Bulls third penalty of the period, but this time Fayetteville could not score and we went to overtime. The Marksmen could not take advantage of those 40 seconds on the man advantage and the teams went to 4-on-4 when Rose left the box. There were no whistles and after a couple of minutes, Rose picked up the puck and skated in on Kenny, beating him high glove side with a nifty backhand to give the Bulls the win. The timekeeper was so excited he forgot to stop the clock as the goal was scored with 1:42 remaining.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoVBak8SZoj-khIbbQL1f8fimq2LSaX5hnLsdAs0t6PZi00EPIHYB-A3YvWdfdUjMhpVqpYZpo5El05jmS-WG0fY7d2FyGav906-xq8AVSMk9hDL5kHnsRixcpZpLz9iIQY3_7aBOcjaQlCgaZaY1nogIzIhTE16Bxx1pt7IEwaeh6UzYAQh4A8ivVjk/s4080/20240309_213026.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoVBak8SZoj-khIbbQL1f8fimq2LSaX5hnLsdAs0t6PZi00EPIHYB-A3YvWdfdUjMhpVqpYZpo5El05jmS-WG0fY7d2FyGav906-xq8AVSMk9hDL5kHnsRixcpZpLz9iIQY3_7aBOcjaQlCgaZaY1nogIzIhTE16Bxx1pt7IEwaeh6UzYAQh4A8ivVjk/w400-h300/20240309_213026.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>This was a nice way to end the day, which saw two overtime games and a football score on the baseball diamond, all won by the home team, doubtless because of my presence.</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>A true tripleheader is one where you see three games from start to finish in three different buildings. I had one in Chicago a few years back with college hoops at <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/search/label/2020%20Chicago%20Trip" target="_blank">Chicago State, UIC, and DePaul</a>, but this was the first time to get one that involved three different sports. It will be increasingly difficult to find these where all are new venues, but college sports help a lot, as they did on this day.</p><p>If you wonder how players end up in the SPHL, t<a href="https://www.cbs42.com/sports/the-birmingham-bulls-constant-recruiting-battle/" target="_blank">his article</a> describes the difficulties in recruiting at this level.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-65910226998707949042024-03-11T19:12:00.240+09:002024-03-15T00:13:55.129+09:00Lipscomb Bisons 13 at Alabama Crimson Tide 20 (NCAA Baseball) - March 9, 2024<p>When Friday's baseball game at Alabama was rained out, they set a Saturday doubleheader at 2 p.m., perfect for those who were going to the basketball at 11. I decided to skip the two-hour drive to Montgomery for Alabama State hoops and stayed in Tuscaloosa just a bit longer, enjoying a beautiful afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, home of Crimson Tide baseball.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0k8cpSbP8LE3KrCO5FWMId4ZnaQi7j8i2MZmCnkPoeLdFX5FhvNtGvt9yg0ebE-_tbEfZMbIHhBRSMpiOKFktsMpuE0FXPLPPVlbkOZqY5eJ8jVr42xN3ftJUQ4g7HKqNLpY8VjdV6-pbN5M-344FPbl3NekAYezoa4q1c6U0aW-jSCwLEyq5D4LDdI/s4080/20240309_095355.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0k8cpSbP8LE3KrCO5FWMId4ZnaQi7j8i2MZmCnkPoeLdFX5FhvNtGvt9yg0ebE-_tbEfZMbIHhBRSMpiOKFktsMpuE0FXPLPPVlbkOZqY5eJ8jVr42xN3ftJUQ4g7HKqNLpY8VjdV6-pbN5M-344FPbl3NekAYezoa4q1c6U0aW-jSCwLEyq5D4LDdI/w400-h300/20240309_095355.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The ballpark is right next to Coleman Coliseum, in fact, you can take a picture of the gym from the right field terrace.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ClKhAPC4v5AAs3PIlaArytLyKx7MzfM-OmWVVH4RfDrIkaZobLx9-6J3jYX-VN8l-NvqoVi2OyU_HB7LJc7J92L05XlNLZDgpuTVj7ZchSw1BAHK-7IVVzkYvN_g4-6RzVSahjSDUuDi_9Rq9nNL3rgjCWtDq06dy-oXRvYwMJE2vjwxiZL9PlleuMM/s4080/20240309_142716.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ClKhAPC4v5AAs3PIlaArytLyKx7MzfM-OmWVVH4RfDrIkaZobLx9-6J3jYX-VN8l-NvqoVi2OyU_HB7LJc7J92L05XlNLZDgpuTVj7ZchSw1BAHK-7IVVzkYvN_g4-6RzVSahjSDUuDi_9Rq9nNL3rgjCWtDq06dy-oXRvYwMJE2vjwxiZL9PlleuMM/w400-h300/20240309_142716.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Between the two is Champions Plaza, a beautiful display that shows each sport sponsored by the university, its first year, and championships won. A very impressive sight that you should stop at before entering the stadium.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCWcMv8VtdYE4lbqpvK4VDZEsfgxfv7IB4P_61BbkJdUcBspEwXGNTIPA4C_aUV0oRBsFK4apgWytfJu0HCYRvaK9IPHpzIdU8m3ngqzKrPYjdK0GP164NkCDNP756QnX1eXGG1v7k8bDTj2tOrOTrVrq_X5hKJDEcQeM8K9KJInrwymStwose6nlA1g/s4080/20240309_133633.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCWcMv8VtdYE4lbqpvK4VDZEsfgxfv7IB4P_61BbkJdUcBspEwXGNTIPA4C_aUV0oRBsFK4apgWytfJu0HCYRvaK9IPHpzIdU8m3ngqzKrPYjdK0GP164NkCDNP756QnX1eXGG1v7k8bDTj2tOrOTrVrq_X5hKJDEcQeM8K9KJInrwymStwose6nlA1g/w400-h300/20240309_133633.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I went to the box office and saw the people in front of me show their basketball ticket in order to get a baseball ticket for nothing. Yay, more free sports! I received a freebie for all three Alabama events I attended.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9URZuBaWXiKw7PcGEDaE6TFTNqgI_hvvOrWjQfscoh9Jm8P5QVmp4DT2LPpLpZKzxuAFkQlzljonf4ovjujxS5CyYX_Tf5phyKKLSZjX3NKbxGxVNuZMLhD_rh74QN98YDIwL860U5Ab9c1R-xhTwlMaU1AA_D-1J8r0iEqRavQ16I0QxRgMKwI0vNuY/s4080/20240309_134206.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9URZuBaWXiKw7PcGEDaE6TFTNqgI_hvvOrWjQfscoh9Jm8P5QVmp4DT2LPpLpZKzxuAFkQlzljonf4ovjujxS5CyYX_Tf5phyKKLSZjX3NKbxGxVNuZMLhD_rh74QN98YDIwL860U5Ab9c1R-xhTwlMaU1AA_D-1J8r0iEqRavQ16I0QxRgMKwI0vNuY/w300-h400/20240309_134206.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>The stadium is named for two famous members of the Crimson Tide family: Joe Sewell and Frank Thomas (not The Big Hurt, but the<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Thomas_(American_football)" target="_blank"> man who coached football here from 1931-46</a>. Sewell is an Alabama native and baseball Hall of Famer who played here before going on to a 14-year MLB career, during which he won two World Series. Sewell also coached here for seven seasons and there is a statue of him just inside the entrance. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lfsD8hKvpc0Y-WcSmaolCLvqzO-3W8Zrn7GTvDrdFKfS57Ko1eH3IR34OAwbo0HedQteqyXEn8O-Ah4FcupQ8Ik-f0FrUOFtyvTsrPRv2nlqfn5VpITPajOEHWvpO-DEkxx6TJFDOEnbhTmp2acr91BM30W0aHfeukpdd3DE7vsbmLSj7iz9EXek8rU/s4080/20240309_152109.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lfsD8hKvpc0Y-WcSmaolCLvqzO-3W8Zrn7GTvDrdFKfS57Ko1eH3IR34OAwbo0HedQteqyXEn8O-Ah4FcupQ8Ik-f0FrUOFtyvTsrPRv2nlqfn5VpITPajOEHWvpO-DEkxx6TJFDOEnbhTmp2acr91BM30W0aHfeukpdd3DE7vsbmLSj7iz9EXek8rU/w400-h300/20240309_152109.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Sewell holds the record for the lowest strikeout rate in MLB history, with 1 every 73 at-bats. He used only one bat in his entire career, a 40-ouncer dubbed Black Betsy, and the display above alludes to that fact. It is after him that the ballpark is nicknamed 'The Joe'.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeolduwE39pBIyqkvyoaNl3xGzxcQUE-zw48goMNdKZ_-BGV6QUm4GeuiSv2dUG79R5Ce1-dYEsJF3VjVcRQZ3yi3iFHjDc0VT5s8hQIMJU9x2ulqj-4lg-9r3fTPY9SZ43p-skMpPBQ18AeIavyqzYpc5vpB5WKKYfmrAQDZIYBBcvpE7BP1jbpWkmwc/s4080/20240309_134935.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeolduwE39pBIyqkvyoaNl3xGzxcQUE-zw48goMNdKZ_-BGV6QUm4GeuiSv2dUG79R5Ce1-dYEsJF3VjVcRQZ3yi3iFHjDc0VT5s8hQIMJU9x2ulqj-4lg-9r3fTPY9SZ43p-skMpPBQ18AeIavyqzYpc5vpB5WKKYfmrAQDZIYBBcvpE7BP1jbpWkmwc/w400-h300/20240309_134935.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Thomas is also honoured with a display along the exterior concourse behind first base, though more about him can be found at the Bryant Museum across the street. I should say that the entire sports complex here is among the best in the nation and I didn't even get to see the football stadium.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxCi11qkbTvPhvK2dwu3UgNyuHvUSY9eVO-xlWMAFFnX5VhUsBcAS7qYAKsaBbb8s1mSZ2TKjrQ23BfntmGnVSF-sZDtCyMaKoCfvVwFPTGb7z50vcqOTiYlhslvUrpJO2-6NPvZpRbvbWgrcxP_kzFmWeR7bHB8HRLWJ1_0KkxXIKOhmHyofRmQdTYk/s4080/20240309_134145.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxCi11qkbTvPhvK2dwu3UgNyuHvUSY9eVO-xlWMAFFnX5VhUsBcAS7qYAKsaBbb8s1mSZ2TKjrQ23BfntmGnVSF-sZDtCyMaKoCfvVwFPTGb7z50vcqOTiYlhslvUrpJO2-6NPvZpRbvbWgrcxP_kzFmWeR7bHB8HRLWJ1_0KkxXIKOhmHyofRmQdTYk/w400-h300/20240309_134145.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>An impressive Hall of Fame is found along the concourse; inside you can find highlights of Alabama's baseball success over the years. They have made the College World Series five times, finishing second in 1983 and 1997 and have had many major leaguers come through, including Dave Magadan, who won the Golden Spikes Award in 1983.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0RP0u0Y4Jlt_gEZMhKMUijkRFlncg8PUxsWMAIAh8830t8l9VwspuuRqk2Fz8hnWnjDrFM70F-f7PJipBv_49kZKJPx1lnMr7QL8zr46dUj1synX3uT5jolCoY0JfDnXPY5Lv-QCY7obRdkXbVI2oj8487XHpSmRKwPnAz_T3OPR1RI8wrm-KsHs0uQ/s4080/20240309_134237.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0RP0u0Y4Jlt_gEZMhKMUijkRFlncg8PUxsWMAIAh8830t8l9VwspuuRqk2Fz8hnWnjDrFM70F-f7PJipBv_49kZKJPx1lnMr7QL8zr46dUj1synX3uT5jolCoY0JfDnXPY5Lv-QCY7obRdkXbVI2oj8487XHpSmRKwPnAz_T3OPR1RI8wrm-KsHs0uQ/w400-h300/20240309_134237.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>A trophy I particularly like is the one awarded to the SEC Champion, which shows all the schools who were in the conference that year. This is very helpful for someone like me, who did not grow up with a good understanding of college sports.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmH6r9pgqaPuPJLARUxnqJQ-uQv-cce9yeXw2WOgrA9-HYyJrmd1TZTUnj9dTffNjvh8s-9eigfeTbVeblPpYibc-4bI4hTl5y3MbT4PywuSUE0f7mJGkCB0Ro_71kXvOkVxuHiAXuYsMh5TEpbUQsDlF06ywcAj90pjK9NfCFcst6vpfyYYkhRtR0Ho/s4080/20240309_134319.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmH6r9pgqaPuPJLARUxnqJQ-uQv-cce9yeXw2WOgrA9-HYyJrmd1TZTUnj9dTffNjvh8s-9eigfeTbVeblPpYibc-4bI4hTl5y3MbT4PywuSUE0f7mJGkCB0Ro_71kXvOkVxuHiAXuYsMh5TEpbUQsDlF06ywcAj90pjK9NfCFcst6vpfyYYkhRtR0Ho/w400-h300/20240309_134319.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>After touring the Hall of Fame, return to the concourse, where you will find the starting lineups and a couple of concession stands. A hot dog and a bottle of soda will cost $10, though you can get a fountain soda instead for a couple of bucks less.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZ7yu8xZzlCOooKS0eGYpu4DQSnk4JJGjuVcNby-I4gk7syDZKHkEVM0-Az-s58gVT-KndypHFM3OM_eqA4PcHYZ06qlgS8VPapnqbMmd-V6Coj-obUDVFTRso7duJ_oVXoWHNMCupCb-_bP16AUys2IGIU9mJDm2jrJNFJMTOmJn44gTOvZepiYJDZw/s4080/20240309_135354.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZ7yu8xZzlCOooKS0eGYpu4DQSnk4JJGjuVcNby-I4gk7syDZKHkEVM0-Az-s58gVT-KndypHFM3OM_eqA4PcHYZ06qlgS8VPapnqbMmd-V6Coj-obUDVFTRso7duJ_oVXoWHNMCupCb-_bP16AUys2IGIU9mJDm2jrJNFJMTOmJn44gTOvZepiYJDZw/w400-h300/20240309_135354.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Inside the seating bowl is the most impressive college ballpark I have seen so far, though I have only been to 37. It could easily be used as a minor-league venue.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoQ_hFB5HnSvvutTUOxgNBzq7FEn-_63KIH-Sxlja62lq-4urB7fSUb7BljiJyDQPYVy5J6hqNzC6VaulLECG9Ks5gEN1O2RLYijLoaNbnyBzVx5WUbSkjdSEin99HAcQFbDZsXN6hfBRKOP8tAoidioTUXqyaZq-JqoXAiokJDnUSL4b29ZUOTUZqV0/s4080/20240309_134045.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoQ_hFB5HnSvvutTUOxgNBzq7FEn-_63KIH-Sxlja62lq-4urB7fSUb7BljiJyDQPYVy5J6hqNzC6VaulLECG9Ks5gEN1O2RLYijLoaNbnyBzVx5WUbSkjdSEin99HAcQFbDZsXN6hfBRKOP8tAoidioTUXqyaZq-JqoXAiokJDnUSL4b29ZUOTUZqV0/w400-h300/20240309_134045.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Amazingly, the stadium first opened in 1948, though obviously it has undergone significant renovations in that time. I would guess that the most recent renovations in 2016 were extensive as the place looks brand new.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBWiSbR1anUek192AtJUEnWLOqvZZobL0MW41Zm4nB89t7-yQ7fuWuLdTy1V6ERFznJgzHiUNvkoNcwGhsduVXyboY0bvRAzh1veRAXqPsdxo59Q_UBkahVKeh6J9Mvs2pSCTSIsofYQVYCOux8HvDPIJQ88jFeOOsMZ4MkLRJpSBnfaDNQM40WQr3GI/s4080/20240309_134042.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBWiSbR1anUek192AtJUEnWLOqvZZobL0MW41Zm4nB89t7-yQ7fuWuLdTy1V6ERFznJgzHiUNvkoNcwGhsduVXyboY0bvRAzh1veRAXqPsdxo59Q_UBkahVKeh6J9Mvs2pSCTSIsofYQVYCOux8HvDPIJQ88jFeOOsMZ4MkLRJpSBnfaDNQM40WQr3GI/w400-h300/20240309_134042.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Unlike most college ballparks, you can walk all the way into the outfield; there is a terrace in right field that was open to all fans for this early-season series. Many fans bring their own chairs and just relax for the game out here. And home run balls do arrive, with foul lines just 320 feet away from home plate. There are also small berms in both corners where kids can play catch.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYaJSOZQOINzSm2cDTV2uYiuqX7RXckNqVjxYaRkr5we18wgPRX_-f1yt5j69r04IFs1NmNEy5Ri1_ZjZATpHzWY7IvC7vLKjPUI9PuzEM04_RI95jLhBmSni9Y3lh2Ttlmo71-HDtBWXL6e3rel37_vsvAU4xrnroidTAig4BZi5ohAGrUgyPfsPrDI/s4080/20240309_135137.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYaJSOZQOINzSm2cDTV2uYiuqX7RXckNqVjxYaRkr5we18wgPRX_-f1yt5j69r04IFs1NmNEy5Ri1_ZjZATpHzWY7IvC7vLKjPUI9PuzEM04_RI95jLhBmSni9Y3lh2Ttlmo71-HDtBWXL6e3rel37_vsvAU4xrnroidTAig4BZi5ohAGrUgyPfsPrDI/w400-h300/20240309_135137.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Down the left field line, you can stand behind the fence and watch the game from there, something I have not seen at too many other ballparks, college or otherwise.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0zBTILEnt2tTGMckFpx-zfbHQGpXPmUeKkn69oZd4pVjNEA8brUnQzPKN6xsu3XIdYMCxVGyNZiU3GFbxZq9u7_iNX6tGwV82xmxSZc39Qj6Sa1o1KhZV_eDTtHrUZnmtpCU499ogsiQvU0FM6VPcLTrSMQ8ElRkyO1mk3r8Y1O1Vr4eAtlb9BT4l28/s4080/20240309_154647.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0zBTILEnt2tTGMckFpx-zfbHQGpXPmUeKkn69oZd4pVjNEA8brUnQzPKN6xsu3XIdYMCxVGyNZiU3GFbxZq9u7_iNX6tGwV82xmxSZc39Qj6Sa1o1KhZV_eDTtHrUZnmtpCU499ogsiQvU0FM6VPcLTrSMQ8ElRkyO1mk3r8Y1O1Vr4eAtlb9BT4l28/w400-h300/20240309_154647.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The scoreboard is above the left field fence and contains quite a bit of information, including the player's previous at-bats and the pitch speed. One thing that surprised me is an ad on the outfield fence; I thought NCAA stadiums prohibited advertising on the fences, but I guess that isn't quite true.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpSiuR7_l7GbqqoZr4uHzGfY6idnBopshXdvFn0cEAkKcSSJ_1l9GI4THu2WcwL1tkqVUK4PZP3zNNmc7XQrK8p6Sj3XKcHhQQFu7gPCgUmnjtzXBp3CT3tWr8f6QrPel7Ll5QSMsBPjmcEhuG7rc6Syv2VmU97lFFEQJy6RgfRntWFIBqNPk3uO1d1I/s4080/20240309_135635.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpSiuR7_l7GbqqoZr4uHzGfY6idnBopshXdvFn0cEAkKcSSJ_1l9GI4THu2WcwL1tkqVUK4PZP3zNNmc7XQrK8p6Sj3XKcHhQQFu7gPCgUmnjtzXBp3CT3tWr8f6QrPel7Ll5QSMsBPjmcEhuG7rc6Syv2VmU97lFFEQJy6RgfRntWFIBqNPk3uO1d1I/w400-h300/20240309_135635.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, Sewell-Thomas Stadium is a fantastic ballpark and I was very happy to get a chance to see it, as I will probably not return to Tuscaloosa during ball season. But if you are fortunate enough to be there when the Crimson Tide have a home game, do yourself a favour and enjoy a game at The Joe.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The Lipscomb Bisons were the visitors at 3-8 while Alabama was 12-1. After a quick top of the first (one of only two 3-up-3-down innings), Gage Miller led off the Tide with a solo shot off Alex Brewer (sadly not a Milwaukee draft pick), but the Bisons got that one back with a Trace Wilhoite dinger off Alabama starter Ben Hess in the second. Mason Lundgren then added a 2-run shot for Lipscomb in the third and when Wilhoite mashed his second of the game in the fifth, a 3-run blast that made it 6-1 for the visitors, an upset was looming.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dL0i8yDGf5H_-pwW0yQyEQSSJB6yjx99sQZd7M3MIMN-APz3Z_V5ZO8Hwa8PSg6483MZp1LFlVhyQbir0SyUVj0dZXXksm4BxgOFf033yqBR8qLroNb2D_AGyC8iSmiLXa8ytXvwdTVy16D2uOmuUMFrqln-DJetUluZjqShDnVK_6cNBXy2Zo_-N2Y/s4080/20240309_140940.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dL0i8yDGf5H_-pwW0yQyEQSSJB6yjx99sQZd7M3MIMN-APz3Z_V5ZO8Hwa8PSg6483MZp1LFlVhyQbir0SyUVj0dZXXksm4BxgOFf033yqBR8qLroNb2D_AGyC8iSmiLXa8ytXvwdTVy16D2uOmuUMFrqln-DJetUluZjqShDnVK_6cNBXy2Zo_-N2Y/w400-h300/20240309_140940.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Scenes like the one below were getting far too common for the home fans, but fortunately, the Tide was just getting into the flow. Miller led off the bottom of the fifth with his second of the game and his teammates followed with three walks, four singles and a sacrifice fly that resulted in six runs and an 8-6 lead. Unfazed, Lipscomb had an almost identical inning, with two walks, a HBP, and four singles to plate five and regain the lead 11-8.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_VmJY9Tlf3_r_KCJrDiU_9OIesMxQDvyX0Sc9MyaxfY-yFbNU-q7m_B7Vj7sIWgSCxQP32SFmQvLNKr_e6qkyI6n_5x7gVhe6udXrCQ3Hgzt-Bo8iMMZLwQ6S_R94TOxwpPJ21MfTrPUWuJYyVDMjHTU_miC9ScX_bKulLHKnVp9BLLuMMvTXFEPgUU/s4080/20240309_151851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_VmJY9Tlf3_r_KCJrDiU_9OIesMxQDvyX0Sc9MyaxfY-yFbNU-q7m_B7Vj7sIWgSCxQP32SFmQvLNKr_e6qkyI6n_5x7gVhe6udXrCQ3Hgzt-Bo8iMMZLwQ6S_R94TOxwpPJ21MfTrPUWuJYyVDMjHTU_miC9ScX_bKulLHKnVp9BLLuMMvTXFEPgUU/w400-h300/20240309_151851.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Bah, if you can score five, we can score six, and that is what Alabama did, with a Will Hodo grand slam the highlight. That's 21 runs in just two innings, suggesting both clubs need help with middle relief. The Bisons got within a pair in the 8th before Alton Davis II came in to shut down the rally. Hodo then crushed a 3-run shot in the bottom half to end the upset bid as Alabama won 20-13, a perfect football score for a football school.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x7cY-3_lA-22Sgv-sRsC70wV_wM0onh9vJZ8Im94iJn5VOBWkvajgXRU5fBW0dSkRbPJNXCcVvi7KEeyx3MmSjSCFbIuCDSvLk6Rodab8XjUhxrwaNHZl0c7AAffWyAd1NhyphenhyphenpVmR7IXPXsC_YrZk1FaDIl9z18TpaZa68RwLsAWbUlbPRGUQ26M8gfo/s4080/20240309_173031.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x7cY-3_lA-22Sgv-sRsC70wV_wM0onh9vJZ8Im94iJn5VOBWkvajgXRU5fBW0dSkRbPJNXCcVvi7KEeyx3MmSjSCFbIuCDSvLk6Rodab8XjUhxrwaNHZl0c7AAffWyAd1NhyphenhyphenpVmR7IXPXsC_YrZk1FaDIl9z18TpaZa68RwLsAWbUlbPRGUQ26M8gfo/w400-h300/20240309_173031.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Both teams had more runs than hits as there were 20 total walks and 7 hit batsmen, although no pitcher hit more than one. Hodo finished with a 2-3-2-7 boxline, while Davis II earned the save in a 7-run win, not something you see every day. In fact, I'm pretty sure that linescore has never before been seen in baseball. Anyway, the game took 3:30, which was frustrating as I still had a hockey game to get to. Still, with a couple of hours of buffer, I was able to stay until the end, keeping the true tripleheader intact.</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>The Crimson Tide won the second game of the DH 10-1 and swept the series the following day with a 10-5 victory in a game that saw 8 more HBPs. I feel sorry for the scouts who have to sit through these games.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-72291021973082830832024-03-10T19:18:00.369+09:002024-03-14T01:56:06.171+09:00Arkansas Razorbacks 88 at Alabama Crimson Tide 92 (OT, NCAA Basketball, SEC) - March 9, 2024<div>What attracted me to this trip to Alabama in the first place was a Saturday hoops doubleheader, with the Crimson Tide starting at 11 a.m. for an ESPN game, while Alabama State, nearly two hours away in Montgomery, had a 4 p.m. tip. Further analysis showed a 7 p.m. SPHL game in Pelham, a Birmingham suburb, about an hour from Montgomery, and a possible tripleheader was on the cards. In the end, the baseball rainout Friday allowed me to save two hours of driving and stay in Tuscaloosa, but regardless, the first game of the day was the highlight.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuNLS0cagvgY6JWFyc9lQ1Ki6PcVv775nwwRGF-uZ3E00j-tgEY2Xg5EFSxZxHlRWMEUo0B8t6fmSWFGXsyyn4BrO-gEleQpuPyRQw0yLhZjaK8EKXXkZ2D01ckhIlG0gXiuPfaXzjUeis-tBitKo0DYJ4p3FjQvlBB5oYMAsRcsO7Z5ZKdgTKADZCJU/s4080/20240309_103512.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuNLS0cagvgY6JWFyc9lQ1Ki6PcVv775nwwRGF-uZ3E00j-tgEY2Xg5EFSxZxHlRWMEUo0B8t6fmSWFGXsyyn4BrO-gEleQpuPyRQw0yLhZjaK8EKXXkZ2D01ckhIlG0gXiuPfaXzjUeis-tBitKo0DYJ4p3FjQvlBB5oYMAsRcsO7Z5ZKdgTKADZCJU/w400-h300/20240309_103512.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I drove over to Coleman Coliseum, hoping to park in the lot in front as I had the night before, but that was reserved for season ticket holders. I had to drive a bit farther and parked in Lot A off 4th Street, where a shuttle bus can take you to the venue. It is a short walk, however, and I stopped in at the Paul W. Bryant Museum, a beautiful celebration of Alabama sports, mostly football of course.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiDv6MOwm-gJsKM2ky4CzdxthBjT3PNTG7jzZ97jSg4dCq3Q8Ik_etPM9YHY7O6OgWgUfYvx2dmVruht5J8yr447pbvtL2J56ubqxhqwAGicSIGewAImEQWVPP_uZeQCXFXgopEwiA_A7y_CdvTPvZnIJVEOJ6L91T-WpinkMfU1LhnujVENoo7r1TJs/s4080/20240309_095545.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiDv6MOwm-gJsKM2ky4CzdxthBjT3PNTG7jzZ97jSg4dCq3Q8Ik_etPM9YHY7O6OgWgUfYvx2dmVruht5J8yr447pbvtL2J56ubqxhqwAGicSIGewAImEQWVPP_uZeQCXFXgopEwiA_A7y_CdvTPvZnIJVEOJ6L91T-WpinkMfU1LhnujVENoo7r1TJs/w400-h300/20240309_095545.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It is a mere $5 to enter and well worth at least 30 minutes of your time. There are a lot of trophies there and any sports pilgrimage to Tuscaloosa should include this on the itinerary.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWPi1t9iudOlHoHovKuX5tqu6ByXhRkcMcL8-B6jgrZkFrZtPfymUNiuRK31BaGeYbf2cUT8E50qlR63dzWDXa2z06cR1RCWGrNZ_jjyaDkZPNy-tMA6bhrcrZiV9fJHJP1l5ifomQkapptp6IHUGyRBOYRqvbrb1o4KO105Dz-isimFFyRjBXebYQ1g/s4080/20240309_100023.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWPi1t9iudOlHoHovKuX5tqu6ByXhRkcMcL8-B6jgrZkFrZtPfymUNiuRK31BaGeYbf2cUT8E50qlR63dzWDXa2z06cR1RCWGrNZ_jjyaDkZPNy-tMA6bhrcrZiV9fJHJP1l5ifomQkapptp6IHUGyRBOYRqvbrb1o4KO105Dz-isimFFyRjBXebYQ1g/w400-h300/20240309_100023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With that completed, I headed over to the Coliseum. I went to the box office and found the cheapest seat was $30. There were much better options on the secondary market, then I noticed a gentleman who worked there had some tickets in his hand. I asked if he had extras and he said yes, handing me a single ticket. Coincidentally, the ticket originally belonged to the same person whose gymnastics ticket I received for free the night before. I scanned in and had my second free event in less than 24 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iM4yzfk8bwz8Xt3aAo_SVlDg_mxO8SmLh8vrbdQRLqKRRd2CNSJFz1wKtlSRMQaLUCg6l0Q5qT3cichzGjkSiIlWLnsxxIu5NPLWGBXjrWxP676QXKekhC7rrQCqBjNeKJNP_p93ZPP5mfBqwiRoGzdov8cZVB4w9w9srKoPMKP4qIG2VLI3Cq7uuzI/s3264/20240309_133347.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iM4yzfk8bwz8Xt3aAo_SVlDg_mxO8SmLh8vrbdQRLqKRRd2CNSJFz1wKtlSRMQaLUCg6l0Q5qT3cichzGjkSiIlWLnsxxIu5NPLWGBXjrWxP676QXKekhC7rrQCqBjNeKJNP_p93ZPP5mfBqwiRoGzdov8cZVB4w9w9srKoPMKP4qIG2VLI3Cq7uuzI/w400-h300/20240309_133347.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is a small room just to the left in the main lobby that is known as the C.M. Newton Recruiting Suite, named in honour of the man who coached hoops here between 1968-80. I stepped in here after the game to have a look and found some interesting memorabilia and trophies (above).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzmKEmthrCGkx3cBFqAzyTOW8NErbi5cP0byR9btNAGf8KMC88OdxzBFVLOL61c7Dkg0ddzN-ip2uZsfw4IemCe6m2-JcTxGGU1I0X6KgrqJ3e8JZQ2RJihIx3AGlIA7gwatGt8ymF6mEpsrjNHznUb-CIRK6iQCz2b7FleyyInUXwcWRLOBnGy6BjeI/s4080/20240309_105510.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzmKEmthrCGkx3cBFqAzyTOW8NErbi5cP0byR9btNAGf8KMC88OdxzBFVLOL61c7Dkg0ddzN-ip2uZsfw4IemCe6m2-JcTxGGU1I0X6KgrqJ3e8JZQ2RJihIx3AGlIA7gwatGt8ymF6mEpsrjNHznUb-CIRK6iQCz2b7FleyyInUXwcWRLOBnGy6BjeI/w300-h400/20240309_105510.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Just next to it along the wall is a plaque honouring Wendell Hudson, the first African-American scholarship athlete in any sport at the school. His #20 was retired four years ago and is the only jersey to hang from the rafters at Coleman.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG7aWQ-huov9bdgSasKFuzZdde5q5eO_AwEuR_F52qRv0foLoGGz9CqbrQdg-nE3oGrXXwnljj49TodsfOnbfLfXQfphmL_mqT6cW_BLTmeuPmFsaqjVvqnFAwzkwZCyxR7VFibJHxdzOsfu3rSqAe2H_CFjEAZq1P5HhlfgHl2OvZz5GmyMeWjVMBBU/s4080/20240308_184436.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG7aWQ-huov9bdgSasKFuzZdde5q5eO_AwEuR_F52qRv0foLoGGz9CqbrQdg-nE3oGrXXwnljj49TodsfOnbfLfXQfphmL_mqT6cW_BLTmeuPmFsaqjVvqnFAwzkwZCyxR7VFibJHxdzOsfu3rSqAe2H_CFjEAZq1P5HhlfgHl2OvZz5GmyMeWjVMBBU/w400-h300/20240308_184436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The venue has a single concourse that can get a bit busy before the game, but things move well. There are plenty of concessions stands serving mostly typical fare.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fJXU_TdBNqb1F9YpaJPSdbmRh4sgND0f7PZ6pfJ702AbYwOY6QIWt7i5lnJYowtJ0aFe8DQO7vrfOWtTBhrhzB_9EFEsyCvjdH67_yr3PQ-h9fWmLAz9lIUI61fjkgcupfjvBkhhrzox8Nocww-qLwIRX3QvinYRlpCo1a4J7GzJ14Xqqd_mHXPBJ3g/s4080/20240308_184230.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fJXU_TdBNqb1F9YpaJPSdbmRh4sgND0f7PZ6pfJ702AbYwOY6QIWt7i5lnJYowtJ0aFe8DQO7vrfOWtTBhrhzB_9EFEsyCvjdH67_yr3PQ-h9fWmLAz9lIUI61fjkgcupfjvBkhhrzox8Nocww-qLwIRX3QvinYRlpCo1a4J7GzJ14Xqqd_mHXPBJ3g/w400-h300/20240308_184230.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As you walk around, you will find photos of past stars such as Latrell Sprewell, who became best known for choking his coach P.J. Carlesimo.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a7wXSQYwUo4R2FCA4hnF6TewYoIeTA-7J9tczhV4L_9irLPM4hLdx4HtN64kMN4-QxB6S-ox-SzZTCqAXestyKO_Mjdl5f9RhNaF3k53QGj6EzBr2GFNknhVR9RnmRqwMSGaOsXayUdi6X7JQiT0UXLh128MuTYyUYkHf4y-Vmvwk_hPIXA0oS2C7m8/s4080/20240308_184609.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a7wXSQYwUo4R2FCA4hnF6TewYoIeTA-7J9tczhV4L_9irLPM4hLdx4HtN64kMN4-QxB6S-ox-SzZTCqAXestyKO_Mjdl5f9RhNaF3k53QGj6EzBr2GFNknhVR9RnmRqwMSGaOsXayUdi6X7JQiT0UXLh128MuTYyUYkHf4y-Vmvwk_hPIXA0oS2C7m8/w400-h300/20240308_184609.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Past coaches are honoured on the walls, and even current boss Nate Oats has a picture up there. Alabama hoops will never compare to football, but they have made great strides lately and have a chance to do something in the tournament.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7W_Ct_hqXIPBtKZaNVrNWJLQVsg06daFdEtxnEcfvZlcutzIXbrv-_WsUikJ195Pheif2Lg5ht60NJ11XPlyoqHy8uLvK0tv-QP7YGhNby6mNW14Wlv29GZPif_8UCRxxryw0nWfMPoZkTnXPCE5UxtwD-VlJ1nmEYUNVMUvYtv2ST2EZo3njiK4vA_I/s4080/20240308_191603.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7W_Ct_hqXIPBtKZaNVrNWJLQVsg06daFdEtxnEcfvZlcutzIXbrv-_WsUikJ195Pheif2Lg5ht60NJ11XPlyoqHy8uLvK0tv-QP7YGhNby6mNW14Wlv29GZPif_8UCRxxryw0nWfMPoZkTnXPCE5UxtwD-VlJ1nmEYUNVMUvYtv2ST2EZo3njiK4vA_I/w400-h300/20240308_191603.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The current roster is displayed on the wall as well, a good way to get a look at some of the players without having to resort to picking up a roster card (which costs a buck and has a few game notes).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReOOVCDvVfO1X-uWlAy_HK2r-ADsgpNtvJ-OoJoT5j51vBAJDMBm9l4w8z3oeC0_INzPbMu82be3Cghw887VaoYEM_HBT7oiFnorf6oBuWgoLFF0_LqZ18-ZFd91OtXLbuVJs67PCF9xWY-BdYrEUWmdK4hWLYekhrL4fg8ODQcKan5FJkJgFYbrfXtQ/s4080/20240308_184721.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReOOVCDvVfO1X-uWlAy_HK2r-ADsgpNtvJ-OoJoT5j51vBAJDMBm9l4w8z3oeC0_INzPbMu82be3Cghw887VaoYEM_HBT7oiFnorf6oBuWgoLFF0_LqZ18-ZFd91OtXLbuVJs67PCF9xWY-BdYrEUWmdK4hWLYekhrL4fg8ODQcKan5FJkJgFYbrfXtQ/w400-h300/20240308_184721.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Inside, the crimson seats dominate, while the curved roof at either ends makes for a unique look. Coleman Coliseum opened in 1968 and holds 15,383 for basketball. It was originally dubbed Memorial Coliseum, but in 1988, the school renamed it in honour of Jefferson Jackson Coleman, a prominent alumnus. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDooBEGHBPud5_nOHgIhAIHGoDvcYcGf-x09pCZ9Dpry4LNAC1UUJeFF58cM6gNwpNi9aGMvP3TC_7jwfcL97sTQEO7FP5msw4i5XBwx3EW_1jdrcd2GgfC1pumAHoafepcidt1eh7oXT0289ohdRGwIbiaG7YYs47bb-Wj2krbenPbm8KSpAppOFijI/s4080/20240309_110058.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDooBEGHBPud5_nOHgIhAIHGoDvcYcGf-x09pCZ9Dpry4LNAC1UUJeFF58cM6gNwpNi9aGMvP3TC_7jwfcL97sTQEO7FP5msw4i5XBwx3EW_1jdrcd2GgfC1pumAHoafepcidt1eh7oXT0289ohdRGwIbiaG7YYs47bb-Wj2krbenPbm8KSpAppOFijI/w400-h300/20240309_110058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One thing to note is that there are only 26 sections (A-Z), with rows going from 1 all the way up to 47 in some cases. The view above is from the seat I was given (Section B, Row 37).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzILcJ5wKhuiZrfFoVLRmefZW6x1UAxx9peXLsfAd63_jLH3ZUws5BmFsqSniDXLPkPEJRLNhB3dDCsHfHMUSfFu29lb2yhIwTVInPuKxrNa-3IyuJOPXwODUGTkAUH6PL-VAxRx4W8xNDTsPpxowJpnZKPALa6ZAmHzakNx6EQ_CDdBrRc7LOvx-tIo/s4080/20240308_184059.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzILcJ5wKhuiZrfFoVLRmefZW6x1UAxx9peXLsfAd63_jLH3ZUws5BmFsqSniDXLPkPEJRLNhB3dDCsHfHMUSfFu29lb2yhIwTVInPuKxrNa-3IyuJOPXwODUGTkAUH6PL-VAxRx4W8xNDTsPpxowJpnZKPALa6ZAmHzakNx6EQ_CDdBrRc7LOvx-tIo/w400-h300/20240308_184059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Sections V-Y behind one basket are much smaller and the rows at the back can be a little dark.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq3nKwlak4Q7UNDdytBTkdpVjg_6eChyccpyZyhzq7uM_4MIuPFMqzzNUoiWw4kAz_oCP6eeQQgp7xRRvKkxt71Y1ExuhAcER6MQ4YaodLk-pS2wWWIeEjcJdNhYj8ltxy2thM-ptu65OprQiEsLB-GRt-aM2vAWt3_YUQX5cg0fiQImh_ZureqsrC88/s4080/20240309_112850.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq3nKwlak4Q7UNDdytBTkdpVjg_6eChyccpyZyhzq7uM_4MIuPFMqzzNUoiWw4kAz_oCP6eeQQgp7xRRvKkxt71Y1ExuhAcER6MQ4YaodLk-pS2wWWIeEjcJdNhYj8ltxy2thM-ptu65OprQiEsLB-GRt-aM2vAWt3_YUQX5cg0fiQImh_ZureqsrC88/w400-h300/20240309_112850.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At the top of the other end is a small club and I was able to walk through to take the picture below.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vMBkm1iPYV7mVKxx0p51lJ6_H5g22fAnpqZ1PoevZU5kpEOYRySSiALRTwDvoVGd6algfKXps2ZlgscLFV8fUJW6yIIvy5iEtw0TbxkGWUWwj5Rm_GEV70upduMpzeCdiYKg49Jd59Tb2aGs90Xj0BCBfENIyd4HRXlEG8os1OEm35u1REbryJXVCEs/s4080/20240309_112011.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vMBkm1iPYV7mVKxx0p51lJ6_H5g22fAnpqZ1PoevZU5kpEOYRySSiALRTwDvoVGd6algfKXps2ZlgscLFV8fUJW6yIIvy5iEtw0TbxkGWUWwj5Rm_GEV70upduMpzeCdiYKg49Jd59Tb2aGs90Xj0BCBfENIyd4HRXlEG8os1OEm35u1REbryJXVCEs/w400-h300/20240309_112011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The mascot is Big Al, an elephant, shown below performing with Grace Good, who I have now seen at five different basketball games (four SEC and High Point). How did Alabama end up with an elephant mascot? As is often the case, it came from a sportswriter, Everett Strupper of the Atlanta Journal, who <a href="https://rolltide.com/sports/2016/6/10/big-al" target="_blank">quoted a fan</a> as yelling "Hold your horses, the elephants are coming" and the team was referred to as the Red Elephants after that. The Crimson Tide nickname was similarly introduced by a reporter: Hugh Roberts of the Birmingham Age-Herald, who said the team played like a 'Crimson Tide' after a 6-6 tie with Auburn in 1907, during which their white jerseys were stained red with the soil of the Birmingham Fairgrounds gridiron.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniCbPLq9cUJPtWvljBLtJRmYqB1FDGdozoGDo7phlMnoHnIXy_2qxIwoiLZsh7qEA2jRBi81q4nHHEgr9hteszX0KLjLBJvrNyYGV1Tpevl7XhSWAjtsBLDjFPlPCiXiq00nr_3z1tFPsucqlMCQQjeDzvYvTAX4qWHaSTxkgqr3j75YrtrY7igUzh24/s4080/20240309_120051.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniCbPLq9cUJPtWvljBLtJRmYqB1FDGdozoGDo7phlMnoHnIXy_2qxIwoiLZsh7qEA2jRBi81q4nHHEgr9hteszX0KLjLBJvrNyYGV1Tpevl7XhSWAjtsBLDjFPlPCiXiq00nr_3z1tFPsucqlMCQQjeDzvYvTAX4qWHaSTxkgqr3j75YrtrY7igUzh24/w400-h300/20240309_120051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At the first media timeout, the PA announcer told people to move down. The game was on ESPN after all, and they wanted those lower seats filled. As the game progressed, I moved closer and closer, settling in an aisle seat in the first row of Section E at midcourt, from where I captured the above picture. I would have been on TV for the second half, but unfortunately, a latecomer showed up a minute into the half to oust me. I moved one section over and stood on the aisle in about the fourth row. Of course, I had to stand because this happened to be the student section. I received a few bemused looks, but nobody said anything and I stayed there, bringing the team some luck. They also had a shirt giveaway, and I picked one up so I would fit in at the baseball game.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxyBEyYIQpxgfR7hvhjjNKX-hOexkfw7_dL4R2r2c6zXlw1PcXlKRIp069Ipi5RzyllQHiGCWIOxjXmFfW6D7xBoZz3gRo9sGUz17Y_3MKoAM_RMgqpTrl_5quAM-prESjrMFS_XcdFmt9p4g7KaxyYfNiti_HBRqa1-eCVHUtQQt9qUI2FdXOSGeRC8/s3408/20240312_101413.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3408" data-original-width="1937" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxyBEyYIQpxgfR7hvhjjNKX-hOexkfw7_dL4R2r2c6zXlw1PcXlKRIp069Ipi5RzyllQHiGCWIOxjXmFfW6D7xBoZz3gRo9sGUz17Y_3MKoAM_RMgqpTrl_5quAM-prESjrMFS_XcdFmt9p4g7KaxyYfNiti_HBRqa1-eCVHUtQQt9qUI2FdXOSGeRC8/w228-h400/20240312_101413.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The atmosphere was electric despite the early start and the team responded, after a while at least. It was incredible to be standing so close to the action in such a big game, and all for free! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DqruymN7ggNQs4RJQHm6czRWq-oMB-mULHH78bgrHFvGxyh-5L0crRbRTG5e_-w8I_-4AHUtOeGPCLW0OuIt0aWbDG_t8ERiPOw2kzpH1p4z5N4r52MXpqx-jHeucbQt_cgtB9xFG5FCpVrnQcrREexVm2y0jNY-s-tb5ub-ZEqVWpj3Uct4XFzlnP8/s4080/20240309_112155.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DqruymN7ggNQs4RJQHm6czRWq-oMB-mULHH78bgrHFvGxyh-5L0crRbRTG5e_-w8I_-4AHUtOeGPCLW0OuIt0aWbDG_t8ERiPOw2kzpH1p4z5N4r52MXpqx-jHeucbQt_cgtB9xFG5FCpVrnQcrREexVm2y0jNY-s-tb5ub-ZEqVWpj3Uct4XFzlnP8/w400-h300/20240309_112155.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, Coleman Coliseum is a fantastic college basketball gym and compares favourably with the other SEC gyms I have been to (only 6 of 15 so far). Of course, a football-basketball hoops weekend in November would be ideal, but whatever the case, wear crimson and look for freebies outside.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Arkansas was visiting with a 6-11 SEC record, while the Tide were 12-5 and ranked 16th, although a loss to Tennessee a few days prior would drop them to 19th after the day was over. Both teams have the same colours but on this Senior Day, Alabama was wearing the dark uniforms, which confused me initially.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6kRODpti_Hi82DWDLjNHLotBg0JJytcgR30AyEIFkdRRzFIPGarD7Tra31AhZP9vkzWh45IjcRaODtAEujuRsQ_3ug5NnNh3PUjn_RUmCJsBlLFCCTdDNcSiqT_7xIXnwZOOXxs3-CvbB1m3Ja8qLf9MxT_yw8WxSOGst27B2tI139dCMJxspP1QthQ/s4080/20240309_110137.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6kRODpti_Hi82DWDLjNHLotBg0JJytcgR30AyEIFkdRRzFIPGarD7Tra31AhZP9vkzWh45IjcRaODtAEujuRsQ_3ug5NnNh3PUjn_RUmCJsBlLFCCTdDNcSiqT_7xIXnwZOOXxs3-CvbB1m3Ja8qLf9MxT_yw8WxSOGst27B2tI139dCMJxspP1QthQ/w400-h300/20240309_110137.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Alabama was terrible to start, missing shot after shot as the Razorbacks built a 26-14 lead midway through the first half, later extending that to 36-21 after an El Ellis layup. But Arkansas went cold the rest of the half, making just 2 of 10 shots while Mark Sears potted 10 for the Tide as they were only down 42-36 at the break.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9tgf6QUsYLB5hDXoB7CVYZKn17mITiPE0U8vFkweDB4bxJFSR02IQ4gwc73Lrs-LJv-XVEy2awuSlVhD2Kq2FiqNptU7I3FBjfR2Jz95tURwbnMzoTyKSOs7gJ6nTCp6qp4RvJr3JyG4omvqFspjnu90T1fQKBXPO6_XilFrJvjIgwOgIpZRFGJzxOM/s4080/20240309_115040.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9tgf6QUsYLB5hDXoB7CVYZKn17mITiPE0U8vFkweDB4bxJFSR02IQ4gwc73Lrs-LJv-XVEy2awuSlVhD2Kq2FiqNptU7I3FBjfR2Jz95tURwbnMzoTyKSOs7gJ6nTCp6qp4RvJr3JyG4omvqFspjnu90T1fQKBXPO6_XilFrJvjIgwOgIpZRFGJzxOM/w400-h300/20240309_115040.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The second half was characterized by fouls, including a period where Alabama was called for 7 straight, leading to some very unhappy fans. Still, the Tide twice got within a pair, only for Arkansas to go on a small run. Down 64-57, Alabama scored six quick points, with Aaron Estrada contributing a couple of layups, but they still could not take the lead, as the Hogs responded with an 8-2 spurt. Alabama's Latrell Wrightsell Jr. hit a trey but Trevon Bazile quickly drained a jumper and it was 74-68 Arkansas with 2 minutes remaining. Alabama missed three shots on their next possession, with Brazile blocking Sears, but Arkansas could not take advantage, and Grant Nelson then popped a three with a minute to go, sending the crowd into delirium. A Makhi Mitchell dunk attempt was blocked by Nick Pringle and Whitesell Jr. calmly knocked down a three to tie it with 21 seconds left. The place went wild. Arkansas held the ball for the last shot, but it was a poor one from Khalif Battle and we had overtime! Unbelievable.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdbcI78MOI4jz-SFDV58T5hwbSD8UWoolnTdsUAqebOoI9RNSvO1PLgEerRTQfmcjMbpI-ZtPChKtda5ZzE6Yz1AI3IT21iTrw419ohpRu4NMCbhZpkPU64KOySv2JhRCvGKT7o70q4fwvwR5x1mjeqvUInYtb7jsMOHOkwEuaXICT41AMc1qAPdPPEU/s4080/20240309_121140.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdbcI78MOI4jz-SFDV58T5hwbSD8UWoolnTdsUAqebOoI9RNSvO1PLgEerRTQfmcjMbpI-ZtPChKtda5ZzE6Yz1AI3IT21iTrw419ohpRu4NMCbhZpkPU64KOySv2JhRCvGKT7o70q4fwvwR5x1mjeqvUInYtb7jsMOHOkwEuaXICT41AMc1qAPdPPEU/w400-h300/20240309_121140.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tied at 80 midway through the bonus basketball, Estrada made a layup and then Tramon Mark turned it over for the Razorbacks, leading Sears (#1 above) to add another easy layup to make it a 4-point lead with 1:40 to go. The teams then traded points and it was 88-84 after a Wrightsell Jr. jumper and 28 ticks remaining. After a couple of fouls made it 90-85, a late three-pointer from Mark got the Hogs close, but Sam Walters ended things with a dunk and Alabama escaped with a thrilling 92-88 win.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg0LUz73tkE5Hx6Gw8ZNTQ7lKevaMnpveFkQQPnsjKZoV3sH4me5IOmp7WvEHv9mNFEBkMAyrQXDa195gfz8DOu-l7UFxtmKapNalRzNFFqxWXqqVfvjhTLGSmD6bIWIeIhsAhzr-6__KLwSln-AyTCrMkzhmrMhwHUJIof03etoW7FVrM4W8sFXB_3w/s4080/20240309_132811.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg0LUz73tkE5Hx6Gw8ZNTQ7lKevaMnpveFkQQPnsjKZoV3sH4me5IOmp7WvEHv9mNFEBkMAyrQXDa195gfz8DOu-l7UFxtmKapNalRzNFFqxWXqqVfvjhTLGSmD6bIWIeIhsAhzr-6__KLwSln-AyTCrMkzhmrMhwHUJIof03etoW7FVrM4W8sFXB_3w/w400-h300/20240309_132811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In such a close game, you can point to anything as the difference statistically; for me it was the Hogs horrendous shooting in the second half (9/27 overall, 1/11 from downtown) that cost them. Sears and Battle both finished with 22 points to lead their respective teams. This was a fantastic game and I was happy to be so close for most of it, though Alabama will not go far with this sort of performance come tournament time.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Alabama's 13-5 conference record tied them with Auburn, Kentucky, and South Carolina with the Tide getting the #3 seed in the SEC tournament after tiebreakers. Tennessee won the conference at 14-4. All of these teams will be in March Madness regardless of what happens next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game took about 2.5 hours, so I would have been just in time for the Alabama State game, but that one was delayed because the women's game before it went long. Then Alabama State beat Grambling in 2OT, going well past 7:00, so I would have missed the SPHL game. In the end, staying in Tuscaloosa was the more relaxing choice and I did get a true tripleheader in (three games in three venues, all from start to finish) so I can't complain. I still have six basketball gyms to visit in Alabama, so I will be back.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sean</div><div><br /></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-11925078004128286142024-03-09T21:30:00.154+09:002024-03-12T01:50:50.074+09:00Alabama Quad Meet (NCAA Gymnastics) - March 8, 2024<p>When I <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2023/12/colgate-raiders-57-at-illinois-fighting.html" target="_blank">visited Illinois basketball</a> last December, I noticed that their gymnastics team would participate in a meet at Alabama the weekend I would be there. At the time, the scheduled start was still TBD, so I hoped it would not conflict with a Crimson Tide baseball game I planned to see that night at 6. But gymnastics is very popular in Tuscaloosa, so the meet would be an evening affair, starting at 7. Oh well, I would have to miss it. Unless of course, the baseball game got rained out. Which it did. So I made my way over to Coleman Coliseum, parking in the large lot out front and scurrying through the rain to get to the North Entrance, where the box office can be found. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDosRoizayLWxjirBbeyrUKqRx7XmNFXphNw5hzqfb-1tiiAs-aIT0vdWl3sRGbLnL2fyHk5ks03HzHP4ccWnmDp1Be2flSk0lNxv3TQo9S22y_qGMEAs_zUnsDMKD2zn6naB4n6iHUV-LlF7nQhW549ZCin1QTfDg1WU7AyjS9MtIFU3RnbVrHN41GLo/s4080/20240308_184055.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDosRoizayLWxjirBbeyrUKqRx7XmNFXphNw5hzqfb-1tiiAs-aIT0vdWl3sRGbLnL2fyHk5ks03HzHP4ccWnmDp1Be2flSk0lNxv3TQo9S22y_qGMEAs_zUnsDMKD2zn6naB4n6iHUV-LlF7nQhW549ZCin1QTfDg1WU7AyjS9MtIFU3RnbVrHN41GLo/w400-h300/20240308_184055.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>It seemed like the ticket window was blocked off, and I asked an usher how to get a ducat, and she asked me how many I needed. I told her just one and she handed me a freebie, saving me $10, which I spent on food. I entered the stadium and immediately went to the seating bowl. Coleman is also the home for basketball, but it sets up well for gymnastics. I'll talk about the venue more in the basketball post following. I should note that this was my first gymnastics event.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XWoKka8JTFl_X2923yZmkv4n6HWyvXNB82lE-FYi2TTUOxYDkOFWZudjyaAUY9Bod3neBft3aEPDPzvkV79BnwAgQYMt62L1loRFLRpbZpWXOJZEhKKmVEqCXXX3gzcl-XuWgGY4u8SlQcI3GxRmgm-CBbubOkQ8MhoF0YUr34FDfnntfg9oZv8hzDw/s4080/20240308_184627.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XWoKka8JTFl_X2923yZmkv4n6HWyvXNB82lE-FYi2TTUOxYDkOFWZudjyaAUY9Bod3neBft3aEPDPzvkV79BnwAgQYMt62L1loRFLRpbZpWXOJZEhKKmVEqCXXX3gzcl-XuWgGY4u8SlQcI3GxRmgm-CBbubOkQ8MhoF0YUr34FDfnntfg9oZv8hzDw/w400-h300/20240308_184627.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Alabama gymnastics has had a lot of success, winning six national titles. Only <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_women%27s_gymnastics_tournament" target="_blank">seven schools have won a national championship</a> (62 schools sponsor Division I gymnastic programs) with Georgia leading the pack at 10. There are pictures of the national championship teams around the concourse and banners hanging from the rafters.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi5Omqe6NT6AQbZf21hDAgul_7EhNGKAz_uBp2oIHdqT3sRHJaJoIpGFjP41i3yRrQT9wDWjsXA8moRLkEI_ncyX4BCrmfR8Qv3OhlJtAUHaPrt-wrclKqZLZCE-FjOBw886U5MxyycRTKi-wcC5wrn-bIENW8XocBTgDjok9irs89mgN0n0qUplDGU8/s4080/20240308_185119.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi5Omqe6NT6AQbZf21hDAgul_7EhNGKAz_uBp2oIHdqT3sRHJaJoIpGFjP41i3yRrQT9wDWjsXA8moRLkEI_ncyX4BCrmfR8Qv3OhlJtAUHaPrt-wrclKqZLZCE-FjOBw886U5MxyycRTKi-wcC5wrn-bIENW8XocBTgDjok9irs89mgN0n0qUplDGU8/w400-h300/20240308_185119.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Attendance was announced at 9,216, but the rain kept many away. Still, it was a good crowd, with a lot of families with young girls. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoq34vcSQwrJ9CVFzVUzdBGcLdV-VNPTp8TG4ClWMwXcGg1_JxRS-9vNLdCY_hhx45aWclcqlLj-g8cFP3x7yEaKiZrO1_mKg9ZXwMAF34qC9j-3OoeYTjAcnJLrTmagwvB34gDexdyWLMcQVdwLzxSZCMbQE4PMpTgSO1uJkqAaCxbOXFtT4VYwIyGM/s4080/20240308_185126.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoq34vcSQwrJ9CVFzVUzdBGcLdV-VNPTp8TG4ClWMwXcGg1_JxRS-9vNLdCY_hhx45aWclcqlLj-g8cFP3x7yEaKiZrO1_mKg9ZXwMAF34qC9j-3OoeYTjAcnJLrTmagwvB34gDexdyWLMcQVdwLzxSZCMbQE4PMpTgSO1uJkqAaCxbOXFtT4VYwIyGM/w400-h300/20240308_185126.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>This was a quad meet with Minnesota and Talladega College the other two participants. There are four events: vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor exercise. Each school does one event during each rotation, with the top five gymnasts' scores counting. Each turn in the rotation takes about 30 minutes, so the whole meet lasted about two hours. It is rather chaotic as all four events are taking place simultaneously, so you really have to focus on one at a time. If you want to get good pictures, you need to move around to get as close as possible. After each gymnast finishes, her teammates rush to congratulate her, which means lots of hugging.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D_MyfYtmosq0Mo98rgn5XZURnC999WJG1aeCLUQwhoCONT7dIs3yalL1TqR9xf_aE4GkW4uzH9pCkwlI4egjpD16tmo4dlkg1g59yN0BrIGMUo1jf92DjaBzCf8AElGns6yVpO-WrLDseYOFgtBUIViL1lA8nTaQd2b9CSgbXzC9_waCnuhisAhff78/s4080/20240308_190648.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D_MyfYtmosq0Mo98rgn5XZURnC999WJG1aeCLUQwhoCONT7dIs3yalL1TqR9xf_aE4GkW4uzH9pCkwlI4egjpD16tmo4dlkg1g59yN0BrIGMUo1jf92DjaBzCf8AElGns6yVpO-WrLDseYOFgtBUIViL1lA8nTaQd2b9CSgbXzC9_waCnuhisAhff78/w400-h300/20240308_190648.jpg" width="400" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Most fans were following Alabama obviously, and when they finished a routine or a vault, the cheers erupted, which must have been distracting for the other participants. As well, the floor exercise is done to loud music, which forces the other athletes to concentrate even harder. It was really tough to follow everything and understand how the teams were doing in comparison to each other.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fKAFrb79xj5tGfdxqD77X9loLOQ7AQcBmJMb_EdUSxPGQ0m4UP0YijGOFuO-fjVtOkYzWjnU4Gb8uU1clSwnkaolTwQ4hvHRXo_umxYDfi25XjfBmwih_S9lZmDX-k0GtCKEWtKVQmSR0AA1s6bP4RtQDuYx6p1Hcmd5eeov93SR5qNrFRRTUpuutF8/s4080/20240308_191835.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fKAFrb79xj5tGfdxqD77X9loLOQ7AQcBmJMb_EdUSxPGQ0m4UP0YijGOFuO-fjVtOkYzWjnU4Gb8uU1clSwnkaolTwQ4hvHRXo_umxYDfi25XjfBmwih_S9lZmDX-k0GtCKEWtKVQmSR0AA1s6bP4RtQDuYx6p1Hcmd5eeov93SR5qNrFRRTUpuutF8/w400-h300/20240308_191835.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The scoreboard rotates between the four teams; below you can see six Alabama gymnasts on the uneven bars, with the 9.625 ignored in the 49.250 total for the event. The 98.75 is the total for the day as the Tide started the evening with the vault, where Luisa Blanco earned a perfect 10. Blanco will represent Colombia in the upcoming Paris Olympics.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmsHfG10glBLZbC90WKTOOyeAJRJa4mjiD3YewpDVX81SupMXD9WchEd39VjoCFxZW4iVDK7NGIlDU8vBlzVxEKwvkgJbDLnRMapwEwv_0AFjn-rFYFvDT5EayBzgNEm84G7VNWJEothhT71Mm03P0sIaR-G3jJf8UQ0PjJ9fipe814cvl6znW4CtKLs/s4080/20240308_195236.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmsHfG10glBLZbC90WKTOOyeAJRJa4mjiD3YewpDVX81SupMXD9WchEd39VjoCFxZW4iVDK7NGIlDU8vBlzVxEKwvkgJbDLnRMapwEwv_0AFjn-rFYFvDT5EayBzgNEm84G7VNWJEothhT71Mm03P0sIaR-G3jJf8UQ0PjJ9fipe814cvl6znW4CtKLs/w400-h300/20240308_195236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I tried to get pictures of the other events, but my new phone camera is not the best from distance. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwX5kBp3qXrbCpi_gAtewyLECp-eCep4YL8RyoyfOChrbJURm37InrLoQg2nbPS-BcJwIDdot894ZJFGosHfvjugD-m0bqVQQGBrufnp0aJJ_NmtjmGr7AG9to6tYSYdakiJJ6xYKstR6AoJ7fMthyphenhyphenHo0rb-kJhIo4quPILv-e1hyh4xVVv2qoC66dQI/s4080/20240308_192545.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwX5kBp3qXrbCpi_gAtewyLECp-eCep4YL8RyoyfOChrbJURm37InrLoQg2nbPS-BcJwIDdot894ZJFGosHfvjugD-m0bqVQQGBrufnp0aJJ_NmtjmGr7AG9to6tYSYdakiJJ6xYKstR6AoJ7fMthyphenhyphenHo0rb-kJhIo4quPILv-e1hyh4xVVv2qoC66dQI/w400-h300/20240308_192545.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Alabama won the meet, finishing with 198.000 points, while Minnesota came second at 197.400. Seems like a close finish, but when this is averaged over 20 gymnasts, the score comes out to 9.9 vs 9.87, which is a big difference. Illinois was third at 197.065, while Talladega College, an NAIA school that just started a gymnastics program this year, was fourth with 191.000 points.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipthiQxAAtMvgeGLuElRcpQmQ_TZuZynFVJAtO9UICjnC044ztPTswdD-Kh0vRvnaoV9_hVsUiygwSpez-IPbQtL3LjRnt8A4K3CyinecvlpPjWhk8JpDogIN051LgPecf6do4-t2JptgApR3fDIJGlGOesfp2fC_9PIe3r-oLmlJCuRWBy1xmBe3gNw0/s4080/20240308_200440.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipthiQxAAtMvgeGLuElRcpQmQ_TZuZynFVJAtO9UICjnC044ztPTswdD-Kh0vRvnaoV9_hVsUiygwSpez-IPbQtL3LjRnt8A4K3CyinecvlpPjWhk8JpDogIN051LgPecf6do4-t2JptgApR3fDIJGlGOesfp2fC_9PIe3r-oLmlJCuRWBy1xmBe3gNw0/w400-h300/20240308_200440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The Crimson Tide swept the event titles with Blanco's 10.000 on the vault matched by another on the floor; when combined with her top mark of 9.95 on the uneven bars, she won the all-around title with 39.850, tied for the highest in Alabama history. For me, it was nice to get an event in on this otherwise gloomy day and I'm glad I added gymnastics to my list of sports attended.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards, I went to <a href="http://druidcitybrewing.com/" target="_blank">Druid City Brewing Company</a> and joined a gentleman who was playing trivia solo, acquitting myself with a couple of sports questions. It is a short drive from the Coliseum and well worth stopping in before or after a game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sean</div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-33045439485423285852024-03-08T20:06:00.273+09:002024-03-10T22:31:15.985+09:00Grambling State Tigers 74 at Alabama A&M Bulldogs 73 (NCAA Basketball, SWAC) - March 7, 2024<p>Although some conferences finish their regular season on the first Sunday in March, others play until the week before Selection Sunday, including the SWAC, SEC, and the American. All three conferences have schools in Alabama, which made for a nice weekend trip to finish up the season. I flew to Huntsville, rented a car and drove to Normal, home of Alabama A&M University, the largest HBCU in the Heart of Dixie.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfnheY0_NSvZQCyAXtUimA_4sbqvVDgKg-VND6i5kZGX7Br70hrfg7wgHZ-INmn1UOPeXzcpjd8pWvrgZP4IKF1lBKp4GPGhKiYThor_t3NFR36NtbApqoLoWHSXF7xdxu9nUsHFsfv6x31OQDpt1BTyij1WKtlsiQyOpvkO4RCTVWuqZPEYiJuY2-Qc/s4080/20240307_190147.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="4080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfnheY0_NSvZQCyAXtUimA_4sbqvVDgKg-VND6i5kZGX7Br70hrfg7wgHZ-INmn1UOPeXzcpjd8pWvrgZP4IKF1lBKp4GPGhKiYThor_t3NFR36NtbApqoLoWHSXF7xdxu9nUsHFsfv6x31OQDpt1BTyij1WKtlsiQyOpvkO4RCTVWuqZPEYiJuY2-Qc/w640-h296/20240307_190147.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>The Bulldogs play out of the Event Center, a beautiful new facility that just opened in 2022. Parking is free in a lot just down the street; as you walk back to the venue you will pass Louis Crews Stadium, the AAMU gridiron.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGL5GoH98zqHx8GFoD45n9V507mjmOYC0fD6tgkEJvjOOEkJJ2RYFfzMKJthlKdHdRKoCS6stFTarmj4GYCoN5UR6yV43c_QbGvbTqcVueWm2HskfCgw0Xemel9hzT5DnUeGxljg8V09DWQoQk1ZZkpdH7PGCHzFdGxJFr5YKlV_LcMDrkQaPnayfsck/s4080/20240307_190526.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="4080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGL5GoH98zqHx8GFoD45n9V507mjmOYC0fD6tgkEJvjOOEkJJ2RYFfzMKJthlKdHdRKoCS6stFTarmj4GYCoN5UR6yV43c_QbGvbTqcVueWm2HskfCgw0Xemel9hzT5DnUeGxljg8V09DWQoQk1ZZkpdH7PGCHzFdGxJFr5YKlV_LcMDrkQaPnayfsck/w640-h296/20240307_190526.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>General admission tickets were $20 for a doubleheader, but there were no hard stubs whatsoever. This inconvenience is becoming all too common, but there were lineup cards which can be used as a souvenir instead.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczDkNNiRaadFFy4Jj5YzVu_LRk3Rbl2HMd_muSLea3s9wfyYPOJzXEUwDwys7se2t7kRx9QFjO6z2ZydiFETf90E3kfLMgRvaJbOSHwrxi_Gsib33B7vd7mWBTcl-bh70R-aV_2wC6aF6ucMLjesmN-_b4mmAKg3crS1JNf2Is4j_V8sQoUXZKg4o9Gw/s4080/20240307_190544.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="4080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczDkNNiRaadFFy4Jj5YzVu_LRk3Rbl2HMd_muSLea3s9wfyYPOJzXEUwDwys7se2t7kRx9QFjO6z2ZydiFETf90E3kfLMgRvaJbOSHwrxi_Gsib33B7vd7mWBTcl-bh70R-aV_2wC6aF6ucMLjesmN-_b4mmAKg3crS1JNf2Is4j_V8sQoUXZKg4o9Gw/w640-h296/20240307_190544.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>There are reserved seats in the middle section on either sideline, but that isn't worth the extra $5. As regular readers might have noticed, the picture quality and size on this post is somewhat different, as I got a new phone and was experimenting a bit. I like how the wide-angle lens gives a good overview of the entire court and seating bowl.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwY-TEUp66pQSWLVQSt6ldwUVT0i9jLR3CBh_P_Ih2pELDbTR_EfaO7Hr_2gsM9HSOXykjMcnxAlM9X69sDgvgNM9vLnccLo5lbH0n5EliIRAXS2JrM15iyFYdpvqKl4x3Of9KiTOaKSwIYdzEpYZh38R6u5UHzhKKwW8ZTfvFuEx6-O4wq1Ur1QN3Akc/s3264/20240307_191111.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwY-TEUp66pQSWLVQSt6ldwUVT0i9jLR3CBh_P_Ih2pELDbTR_EfaO7Hr_2gsM9HSOXykjMcnxAlM9X69sDgvgNM9vLnccLo5lbH0n5EliIRAXS2JrM15iyFYdpvqKl4x3Of9KiTOaKSwIYdzEpYZh38R6u5UHzhKKwW8ZTfvFuEx6-O4wq1Ur1QN3Akc/w640-h294/20240307_191111.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>This is a very attractive venue but there is no history here yet, not even a banner for their 2005 trip to March Madness. I guess that the assorted trophies from their time in Division II are in Elmore Gymnasium, the school's previous hoops home.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytHrRydF4tlYrelW987S3uOYGan-_jGMRPgqbtNKou04mefAYYY8PwDBNWcl2i4dVja9O0WcRKETQxbSv0ZfFIveMu17frWy9cEwG8E4RbfLYZRz2iH7kwfjJcnwzQ1jmkA3seiNWEp36meyNMQE1Wj-yn2J20Albin_D1r4xvzrqmsKITUFSGUr3L6k/s3264/20240307_191034.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytHrRydF4tlYrelW987S3uOYGan-_jGMRPgqbtNKou04mefAYYY8PwDBNWcl2i4dVja9O0WcRKETQxbSv0ZfFIveMu17frWy9cEwG8E4RbfLYZRz2iH7kwfjJcnwzQ1jmkA3seiNWEp36meyNMQE1Wj-yn2J20Albin_D1r4xvzrqmsKITUFSGUr3L6k/w640-h294/20240307_191034.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>A large concourse is above the seating bowl and you can find concessions here with the stands named The Doghouse. There are a couple of comfortable seats along here in case you get tired of watching the game and still need to sit down.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC2c8VS_O8s4KElR-GO8v3N7gvs6Hi8jfSbE01HFUyRhvKsZOszstixy5JLyubRMXjv0qXZZp0XWM-QIgE4Bf-HeIhKpzeFzQFqIl8k0utJs7bfpIidJaPSKKB8iUFt9aVEuyEeg8Qpgg_3MlVugThev-2SO8iQC1qZZ4hVl8w5sMzWsg2f1FuhjHjHg/s4080/20240307_213140.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC2c8VS_O8s4KElR-GO8v3N7gvs6Hi8jfSbE01HFUyRhvKsZOszstixy5JLyubRMXjv0qXZZp0XWM-QIgE4Bf-HeIhKpzeFzQFqIl8k0utJs7bfpIidJaPSKKB8iUFt9aVEuyEeg8Qpgg_3MlVugThev-2SO8iQC1qZZ4hVl8w5sMzWsg2f1FuhjHjHg/w640-h360/20240307_213140.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>There is also an Athletics Hall of Fame but it was locked on this night, another disappointment.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJ9pDFiQM7lCSjkh8iUhwmSSUj_PVGKX1-qySlm9CyA0-N9GRrLT6LJda8BGzzb7ylbMib2oFUAGNDYI9Pp_1PWxNztL6rknbA5ZhebUGc0K1ZF9I3dGQH4-QyfVSE8U1-QrODlhqLGiZIaK5-HGmZno-CRcRH1YQW2i8bTzquQBVvIKUog64N4bOL8o/s4080/20240307_191523.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="4080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJ9pDFiQM7lCSjkh8iUhwmSSUj_PVGKX1-qySlm9CyA0-N9GRrLT6LJda8BGzzb7ylbMib2oFUAGNDYI9Pp_1PWxNztL6rknbA5ZhebUGc0K1ZF9I3dGQH4-QyfVSE8U1-QrODlhqLGiZIaK5-HGmZno-CRcRH1YQW2i8bTzquQBVvIKUog64N4bOL8o/w640-h296/20240307_191523.jpg" width="640" /></a><div><br /></div><div>The AAMU logo is excellent and can be seen just inside the main entrance.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKj1ymrZNPVea2hg4brm-RqGGfhNZUV821R4ko9wbQ1rk7f52wKmA-EG7VSBUWJnpXb7bOZa6gUcvV8IUjKW8GYqhV8cVYBkvLcI86p4pXgTxgCL8JaX8LBZ8RzyOfNFuq-o25K9RXOYCa9Gii4Mi6822pbry2wmQGWxeZQo-_HtnpRB_WE_WQSucoUQ/s4080/20240307_210657.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="1884" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKj1ymrZNPVea2hg4brm-RqGGfhNZUV821R4ko9wbQ1rk7f52wKmA-EG7VSBUWJnpXb7bOZa6gUcvV8IUjKW8GYqhV8cVYBkvLcI86p4pXgTxgCL8JaX8LBZ8RzyOfNFuq-o25K9RXOYCa9Gii4Mi6822pbry2wmQGWxeZQo-_HtnpRB_WE_WQSucoUQ/w296-h640/20240307_210657.jpg" width="296" /></a><div><br /></div><div>The floor is also unique, with pulsars in the area surrounding the key. The bulldog logo at center court is also one of the best around.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv7AvZHM-EgDdhvdZZ4we62XXkhlmLekQN81Jc88dI47mYYZWVgxG3iLR7KVRf4LeQUIe_ccQJInObsD10H7cjGC_6_tIBa3SB8NwigVipeeLYPVOYWeC57kr61MHv85lMu09iYKZ2_c65Jfy-wyw2x_POl0oJMU1IfdHutVx0OiSjbUG7r53SxPfx4c/s4080/20240307_191517.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="4080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv7AvZHM-EgDdhvdZZ4we62XXkhlmLekQN81Jc88dI47mYYZWVgxG3iLR7KVRf4LeQUIe_ccQJInObsD10H7cjGC_6_tIBa3SB8NwigVipeeLYPVOYWeC57kr61MHv85lMu09iYKZ2_c65Jfy-wyw2x_POl0oJMU1IfdHutVx0OiSjbUG7r53SxPfx4c/w640-h296/20240307_191517.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The pep band gets its own section in one of the corners, while the cheerleaders were on the floor at the baseline as is the norm.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK5LhnNA1Y2eXL7c9bYuZ_aRUxmB8aPcs6zBpzjjaus3Ni4LhBA4A6PDWe7dk5rGiq4BQBkrylszK2qt09kgd7pygX3FJlaOOnzc5Cy1hK3RpsqYDocbrOvVP_tfK3CcrFO5dK63LKkP2-IfrhQVY3pLDAC8OaW3d1WQqD1E_WeUv3Q570EDsR0DXFUY/s4080/20240307_221841.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK5LhnNA1Y2eXL7c9bYuZ_aRUxmB8aPcs6zBpzjjaus3Ni4LhBA4A6PDWe7dk5rGiq4BQBkrylszK2qt09kgd7pygX3FJlaOOnzc5Cy1hK3RpsqYDocbrOvVP_tfK3CcrFO5dK63LKkP2-IfrhQVY3pLDAC8OaW3d1WQqD1E_WeUv3Q570EDsR0DXFUY/w640-h360/20240307_221841.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At a recent game against rival Alabama State, attendance was nearly 6,400, more than capacity, which is listed at 6,000 even. On this night, there were about half that number on hand, so it was a lot easier to get a good seat in the GA section.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzioZghiGF1ynXU0fZRe-4eLRCdj-2tSHuja4jA18FfZ6HgXgJQwM2RATA0YilAnXD9v5Sn2zsPwTfYN943_40C_x5O0BaNM36QwN3dfhzBsQASPPSyXX9IDr6gaUnsHItJYshQdhCTE8eA7aH44vnIHk-JpZguieJtErRjIDOrzzZ1UQTqO6ePO7FOI/s3264/20240307_191157.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="3264" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzioZghiGF1ynXU0fZRe-4eLRCdj-2tSHuja4jA18FfZ6HgXgJQwM2RATA0YilAnXD9v5Sn2zsPwTfYN943_40C_x5O0BaNM36QwN3dfhzBsQASPPSyXX9IDr6gaUnsHItJYshQdhCTE8eA7aH44vnIHk-JpZguieJtErRjIDOrzzZ1UQTqO6ePO7FOI/w640-h294/20240307_191157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, AAMU's Event Center is as nice as they come, though it would be good to have a bit of history in the rafters, and of course, to have the Hall of Fame open. Still, the atmosphere during the game was incredible and made up for these minor inconveniences.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Grambling State, leaders of the SWAC at 13-3, were visiting the Bulldogs, who were 8-8 and tied for 7th. The conference only invites the top 8 teams to the tournament, so AAMU needed a win to clinch a spot. They play well at home and were only 2.5-point underdogs.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEzhoybA_aK6vhnXbQmz4K0g-dSkjEX30QwGbD4tJL_WUhZsUc9xCnmdsmxYdUIqUR3_JQd4RdF8cdsn3KI1tvjRvpkO7uAInUbyOqhWHD8dAZCe_AvmnwX6XnhoC-F5udMnHITkRH7Xe5Csc-m3PT0UcHS74xkrVCDT_mmDE6lSt89YYwUdHGfMjWbc/s4080/20240307_195926.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="4080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEzhoybA_aK6vhnXbQmz4K0g-dSkjEX30QwGbD4tJL_WUhZsUc9xCnmdsmxYdUIqUR3_JQd4RdF8cdsn3KI1tvjRvpkO7uAInUbyOqhWHD8dAZCe_AvmnwX6XnhoC-F5udMnHITkRH7Xe5Csc-m3PT0UcHS74xkrVCDT_mmDE6lSt89YYwUdHGfMjWbc/w640-h296/20240307_195926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first half saw the teams tied at 4 early before the Tigers went on a 13-2 run, capped by a thunderous dunk from Jourdan Smith. It looked like the rout was on, but AAMU slowly chipped away, helped by some good free throw shooting, and got back within two, and they ended the period down 33-28. It was a slog of a half with 24 fouls, including three technicals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8stBSkHVVjC8n4hJOvfY4kKxIyYh83WKmq9iBemFIduwmIRDKxHrmUbRZ5ggPaN6qasf9LucjPJqK_bE4r-LLCaGfZE4GbR95wl7ZkkDjFDLsF6iZeQL9CRhItsjIoRhtnKdYHMF_gVgNyMbUzRqYVScSB2PVRDsmL1XTS-JY-4Ojba1w7S56F8GiCgI/s4080/20240307_213408.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8stBSkHVVjC8n4hJOvfY4kKxIyYh83WKmq9iBemFIduwmIRDKxHrmUbRZ5ggPaN6qasf9LucjPJqK_bE4r-LLCaGfZE4GbR95wl7ZkkDjFDLsF6iZeQL9CRhItsjIoRhtnKdYHMF_gVgNyMbUzRqYVScSB2PVRDsmL1XTS-JY-4Ojba1w7S56F8GiCgI/w640-h360/20240307_213408.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Early in the second half, A&M scored six straight to take their first lead since being up 2-0. After that, the teams went back and forth, with the game tied on six occasions. It was knotted at 67 after Chad Moodie scored for the Bulldogs, and on their next possession, Moodie finished with a spectacular dunk with 2:02 remaining.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOSKa_Gc8d6NEaa61Wg0Tfz5fyTo1OQIDJLExiB7-toZT__hXxc2hBC5zGXYA9vm_QLx9jB1zab37YeGSJXVtoWKdyneLY_p_CqmZL8hqnQQwnVGJxgD7vxRyLqns3p0KehV6TZT-TfHLKLp-tJ8_sl1r_isM2b7N0wq8FkbSSMikWvxZPnCIsLPvHOo/s4080/20240307_213410.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">t<img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOSKa_Gc8d6NEaa61Wg0Tfz5fyTo1OQIDJLExiB7-toZT__hXxc2hBC5zGXYA9vm_QLx9jB1zab37YeGSJXVtoWKdyneLY_p_CqmZL8hqnQQwnVGJxgD7vxRyLqns3p0KehV6TZT-TfHLKLp-tJ8_sl1r_isM2b7N0wq8FkbSSMikWvxZPnCIsLPvHOo/w640-h360/20240307_213410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The teams traded baskets. meaning the Bulldogs were up 71-69 with a minute to go, then AAMU's London Riley was whistled for a stupid three-point foul with 34 seconds left. Tra'Michael Moton missed two of the three freebies, but A&M were careless and Moton stole the ball from Jayland Randall and was fouled again, this time flagrantly. He made both to put Grambling into the lead by a point and they retained possession. Another foul led to two more free throws and it was 74-71 Tigers with just 14 ticks left.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVG_fv4ExWmYpk2Mldg3N2_ZnAq21sx9vV-sOubK_z0_n2qGQOfrVrtDjEwW89QKQNiNnVHV6VOynLn_FbP-KMrdoid9XTo-3dqp-BD4neS8yqMQzOrE-IBObnhGuSOYTIhXP3NF6qrjE6vgTiSTAXGZxngR2Mx-RcCYfrsL8HFMlfCCNW9Ocn6z5J_g/s4080/20240307_195951.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="4080" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVG_fv4ExWmYpk2Mldg3N2_ZnAq21sx9vV-sOubK_z0_n2qGQOfrVrtDjEwW89QKQNiNnVHV6VOynLn_FbP-KMrdoid9XTo-3dqp-BD4neS8yqMQzOrE-IBObnhGuSOYTIhXP3NF6qrjE6vgTiSTAXGZxngR2Mx-RcCYfrsL8HFMlfCCNW9Ocn6z5J_g/w640-h296/20240307_195951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Up three, the best strategy is to foul as long as the shooter is not trying for a three. Sadly, Grambling missed the memo and fouled Dylan McLean as he shot from beyond the arc. McLean made the first two but missed the third, leaving the Bulldogs down 74-73. They should have fouled but managed a steal and called timeout with four seconds left. Coming out of the discussion, AAMU ran a very strange play that had Omari Peek on the baseline trying for an improbable shot. It was blocked and Peek got the rebound but could not get another shot off in time and Grambling escaped with a tense win.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2cGQXN5y47RM1YtYqT-K43u4G9h2FtNjkzk28A8tbGGeqrMQgwqqlxVHwXJd5bgxis-Ymp_maMyxRGHxasXU8NMvOEim58mIH9nsNT-QRNuyOdSUCw4TO3ASv0j4Qaj7jlr6NvMvi1fJYnW3w7kfkeK_mepkQwN5HTG-lQSxQT2hjyQ6J1h2MYL6Sc4/s4080/20240307_221621.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2cGQXN5y47RM1YtYqT-K43u4G9h2FtNjkzk28A8tbGGeqrMQgwqqlxVHwXJd5bgxis-Ymp_maMyxRGHxasXU8NMvOEim58mIH9nsNT-QRNuyOdSUCw4TO3ASv0j4Qaj7jlr6NvMvi1fJYnW3w7kfkeK_mepkQwN5HTG-lQSxQT2hjyQ6J1h2MYL6Sc4/w640-h360/20240307_221621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was an exciting game despite 47 fouls being called, almost all of them being earned. Of course, down the stretch there were a few video reviews that made the game longer than it should have been, but it was still fun to watch. Peek led all scorers with 22 while Moton's 17 points and 6 steals were key in the Tigers triumph.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Notes</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alabama State lost so AAMU clinched a spot in the tournament anyway, where they will face Alcorn State in the first round.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Best,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sean</div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-91019440791634369552024-03-02T20:12:00.475+09:002024-03-06T10:57:13.658+09:00James Madison Dukes 86 at Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 76 (NCAA Basketball, Sun Belt) - March 1, 2024<div>The closest university to Myrtle Beach is Coastal Carolina, about 10 miles away in Conway. The school made national news when its baseball team won the <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2016/06/college-world-series-june-24-25-2016.html" target="_blank">College World Series I attended</a> back in 2016, but sadly, I would not be able to see a game at their ballpark on this day. But I did see three other events, with the final one being the Chanticleers last home hoops game of the season. Before I continue, you are probably wondering what a Chanticleer is. According to the school's <a href="https://goccusports.com/sports/2018/5/24/trads-WhatisaChanticleer-html" target="_blank">website</a>, it is a proud and fierce rooster, with the name derived from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, specifically <a href="https://chaucer.fas.harvard.edu/pages/nuns-priests-tale" target="_blank">The Nun's Priest Tale</a>. The name was chosen in the early 1960s when the school was part of the University of South Carolina system. USC's nickname is the Gamecocks, so a similar bird was chosen, and the sobriquet has remained despite CCU becoming independent in 1993. It uses a soft C, so the correct pronunciation is SHON-ti-cleer (SEAN-ti-cleer?). You may also hear Coastal's athletic teams referred to as Chants (SHONTS), so the phrase 'Chants Chant' can be a bit of a tongue twister. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTOtbL5fHv11fgR3WMy6khCEuTb-nJJWCOEsCadX22RlppVfTRFvTcFb3jTDnD6yr0iD-wudivLTfUqOXzJdls6wPviKIGqM2_s0BNZ940Dp6CmkdxDx_WdIW-UWAF7tTca2npjD5A2kl-Xrn6rvFrtIf7l6l1gcKxQMaAxs2fxNEPJgyYZvn90WpGck/s4032/PXL_20240301_165711615.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTOtbL5fHv11fgR3WMy6khCEuTb-nJJWCOEsCadX22RlppVfTRFvTcFb3jTDnD6yr0iD-wudivLTfUqOXzJdls6wPviKIGqM2_s0BNZ940Dp6CmkdxDx_WdIW-UWAF7tTca2npjD5A2kl-Xrn6rvFrtIf7l6l1gcKxQMaAxs2fxNEPJgyYZvn90WpGck/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_165711615.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Chanticleers play out of the HTC Center, which is a short walk from the TD Sports Complex, where the football, baseball, and softball venues are found. It opened in 2012 and Horry Telephone Cooperative, a local telecom concern, purchased the naming rights.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcFsSailayc8xA17zp6OTHh4LXeHBaYlgURJnoWRilLba-B595rz1cTnbWiT_rMcP27SOjckh8aOgYbCopAAhrqSNKZxY1K9odTgj6FklfvWKlQ3EKx7Ixr_9pNx4aFzX5w3WZ2W2wXNaBkoI9o1Ym4UCQZXBp02pJ6xWSSKuU5nCZGeprxx6QusMHEc/s4032/PXL_20240301_232052380.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcFsSailayc8xA17zp6OTHh4LXeHBaYlgURJnoWRilLba-B595rz1cTnbWiT_rMcP27SOjckh8aOgYbCopAAhrqSNKZxY1K9odTgj6FklfvWKlQ3EKx7Ixr_9pNx4aFzX5w3WZ2W2wXNaBkoI9o1Ym4UCQZXBp02pJ6xWSSKuU5nCZGeprxx6QusMHEc/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_232052380.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are two choices for free parking: the first is the R lot across the street, which is open to the public though it was signed as "Accessible Parking" as I drove by, making me think that it was an ADA lot. It actually was open to anyone and after driving around in the rain, I asked someone who told me it was OK to park there. The second option is to park in the YY lot on Route 544 (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/CCU+Parking+Lot/@33.785929,-79.022599,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8900132d47ff5c75:0xa6767619a2e1fee9!8m2!3d33.7859246!4d-79.0200241!16s%2Fg%2F11f3vp0dhd?entry=ttu" target="_blank">CCU Parking Lot</a> on Google Maps) and take a shuttle over; most fans did this, which is a better option when it rains. Lines do form to board the shuttle back after the game, but it didn't look like too much of a wait.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hh_i0X1OiH2UQgdH-f2VkWV7X48g-Kq6dHnAwxK-ogHJUe6uxjTvgyhEU-99LGUuymc9e-3uGTe_vOKkE6QyQ8r0QMD1hrM2F1SeKeyu8mYOqAfTy8HMNRnmzuWP8pO0-pJWHHK34Zvi-U2kdiklV7jYQHUvu0llYr2jdUJu56DWTtL_V_75zmN7Bo4/s4032/PXL_20240301_232023206.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hh_i0X1OiH2UQgdH-f2VkWV7X48g-Kq6dHnAwxK-ogHJUe6uxjTvgyhEU-99LGUuymc9e-3uGTe_vOKkE6QyQ8r0QMD1hrM2F1SeKeyu8mYOqAfTy8HMNRnmzuWP8pO0-pJWHHK34Zvi-U2kdiklV7jYQHUvu0llYr2jdUJu56DWTtL_V_75zmN7Bo4/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_232023206.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The ticket window is next to Gate 1 and all tickets were $15. There was a women's game going on beforehand and you could have gotten a ticket for that for $8 and stayed for the men's game in the GA section behind one of the nets, which I found interesting. Usually when there is a women's and men's doubleheader, the same seat would be sold for both game, but that was not the case here. Either way, I was not in the mood for four hours of hoops. only catching the last quarter of the women, with CCU beating Georgia State 74-62 on the strength of a 17-5 run to end the contest.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zgIF8z-Q6waXs1lj1rbIWeSiviq5nUi6Ve34a1-3Bl7Ak_GvlKB4WZ62OYUhPfKlHXmaRH1GoRbQRLXzQEzEf20HfWUzqx-y0_k9MxdaTbs501ML9Po6RfHahlJObU_2kKbSx78B8YZNXs0vnqUlEeH0SV-zB6LG6FD49sBW0CFCkgATud6H3WQDIhY/s4032/PXL_20240301_232431372.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zgIF8z-Q6waXs1lj1rbIWeSiviq5nUi6Ve34a1-3Bl7Ak_GvlKB4WZ62OYUhPfKlHXmaRH1GoRbQRLXzQEzEf20HfWUzqx-y0_k9MxdaTbs501ML9Po6RfHahlJObU_2kKbSx78B8YZNXs0vnqUlEeH0SV-zB6LG6FD49sBW0CFCkgATud6H3WQDIhY/w300-h400/PXL_20240301_232431372.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Before I went in the gym, I walked around the building, which is also a recreation and convocation center that includes a weight room and one of the largest team stores I have seen at the college level, mostly because it also doubles as the student supply store. You can buy snacks here should you not want to partake in any of the typical concessions.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUdX9N8yMoZzrdjzwto7UndWf5itThqiPZfSlf1LjKAwOsm5XiZf8GOjjsRS7AvBjXVDp5O0aJ-GccPVEtLg25WIuf-xEXt7yChPj2_R7lLnPB17CzlmV82N1LvOELwBVNNsaix-0NwzxeF-cUauSOgDho7vdBznEh7agrcj5ax-ngsZSMXU1-qRi1F8/s4032/PXL_20240301_232919128.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUdX9N8yMoZzrdjzwto7UndWf5itThqiPZfSlf1LjKAwOsm5XiZf8GOjjsRS7AvBjXVDp5O0aJ-GccPVEtLg25WIuf-xEXt7yChPj2_R7lLnPB17CzlmV82N1LvOELwBVNNsaix-0NwzxeF-cUauSOgDho7vdBznEh7agrcj5ax-ngsZSMXU1-qRi1F8/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_232919128.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The main corridor after entering via Gate 1 has a large Athletic Hall of Fame, named after Buddy Sasser, who was an AD here as well as the Commissioner of the Big South back in the late 1980s.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnLGtHzyIgg6OMraq8gd31pf91AoEEW47vmKGQ_F2-8OpZBV_YWLP1wR7SSrSEvSY_spMU_lBSk6_-QpxBoURY1b6jJMqabgXH1SUW3fWFAwkv19UuKnX-5Jg3TBrbwyZJg8mFkVEFI1742Hf2aNehslbmgbIIaGJ_XoCd_wgAg4gE4d4O4s92KPIOuQ/s4032/PXL_20240301_232632563.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnLGtHzyIgg6OMraq8gd31pf91AoEEW47vmKGQ_F2-8OpZBV_YWLP1wR7SSrSEvSY_spMU_lBSk6_-QpxBoURY1b6jJMqabgXH1SUW3fWFAwkv19UuKnX-5Jg3TBrbwyZJg8mFkVEFI1742Hf2aNehslbmgbIIaGJ_XoCd_wgAg4gE4d4O4s92KPIOuQ/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_232632563.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The most intriguing name I saw was Tony Dunkin, a perfect moniker for a basketball star, especially if he likes donuts. Dunkin is the only four-time men's Conference Player of the Year in NCAA history, a bit of trivia that I expect few would know.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMZQBDsVEtn23-qBASrF1Deb72eud27fSwwUMj10tZrWvmdglMB8MRGZnd4BBzxeezkwf_7axRn8cpuXiL5QF9gm-mMTREjdbudTvu6_uDQ_R1oJPRGYS_CFH8bS8dZCRRome4OZcGlhn1oz6sfA5iqbGI87qrrxhpXuEA9MMIJ3q8iDxzEvNFfLvzqg/s4032/PXL_20240301_232623943.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMZQBDsVEtn23-qBASrF1Deb72eud27fSwwUMj10tZrWvmdglMB8MRGZnd4BBzxeezkwf_7axRn8cpuXiL5QF9gm-mMTREjdbudTvu6_uDQ_R1oJPRGYS_CFH8bS8dZCRRome4OZcGlhn1oz6sfA5iqbGI87qrrxhpXuEA9MMIJ3q8iDxzEvNFfLvzqg/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_232623943.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Along the other corridors are posters highlighting Chanticleer legends, and I include Dunkin here to highlight the difference between his Hall of Fame plaque and photo.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL9blmtpmOESMoaC6SopHVtNpsM9Xqjkr2fk-YUeFw6dLCDZn_iBSQ8VxDUeOyD3ACMXQb0lcH6lPYCLlvQjjkJG2UkSB8VSOf6Ol6Qj8CtilQKzH-b9yrNlvSoD8_AZnZ7QItZBgZ1qW7QoUzKHOpnl7JixKUw_wpKPxSXV9ryDOmboHWcUBV55ccq4/s4032/PXL_20240301_232834006.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL9blmtpmOESMoaC6SopHVtNpsM9Xqjkr2fk-YUeFw6dLCDZn_iBSQ8VxDUeOyD3ACMXQb0lcH6lPYCLlvQjjkJG2UkSB8VSOf6Ol6Qj8CtilQKzH-b9yrNlvSoD8_AZnZ7QItZBgZ1qW7QoUzKHOpnl7JixKUw_wpKPxSXV9ryDOmboHWcUBV55ccq4/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_232834006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Inside, there are 3,212 seats with chairbacks behind the team benches, benchbacks (where the back of the seat is collapsible) on the other side, and plain old benches on either end. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLkgxsNLeZTWyWT9nvbOsaJwfGjlONC8adnDXWUn-KdDCSfYcx7xhfK9Neu-Q6cg6QODiNmKXdU2xIQ85-l0DGvbImpekWQVtl2WUlLvbWwVnJDyAYWEduSrdbmKqguM31DukB66ZTeIMlcq9HaCq2ztUu_i7Rlq-UpsSIisMjXxC1ZHsDh0MQ5GszhY/s4032/PXL_20240302_023115194.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLkgxsNLeZTWyWT9nvbOsaJwfGjlONC8adnDXWUn-KdDCSfYcx7xhfK9Neu-Q6cg6QODiNmKXdU2xIQ85-l0DGvbImpekWQVtl2WUlLvbWwVnJDyAYWEduSrdbmKqguM31DukB66ZTeIMlcq9HaCq2ztUu_i7Rlq-UpsSIisMjXxC1ZHsDh0MQ5GszhY/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_023115194.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All seats are a light teal, with the exception of some black chairbacks that spell out CCU. In fact, teal dominates the setting, with the key, the HTC logo, and many of the banners and other accoutrements using the same shade. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStUIQOm6ioxiFvKZlQQ6b9qK7L_jrYhSHfC-LgXdJqOISXyYMx8sIpjnT0am7ArTzulPmD71vUlYSWlSIzTnbh9we6v4b6lW7ehL_6iMTfWcu3n71kn0kMNzP_wacEey1oiIdbjSuxKS0vDr7uv0rGenUh2H1P7Z8v0gTg5SaQJ7aS1aHhXskrA9r5o8/s4032/PXL_20240301_235532804.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStUIQOm6ioxiFvKZlQQ6b9qK7L_jrYhSHfC-LgXdJqOISXyYMx8sIpjnT0am7ArTzulPmD71vUlYSWlSIzTnbh9we6v4b6lW7ehL_6iMTfWcu3n71kn0kMNzP_wacEey1oiIdbjSuxKS0vDr7uv0rGenUh2H1P7Z8v0gTg5SaQJ7aS1aHhXskrA9r5o8/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_235532804.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The men's team has four NCAA appearances, all as members of the Big South (they moved to the Sun Belt in 2016). They lost by double digits each time, the same result as their two NIT trips. But they did win three games at the 2016 CIT, losing to UC Irvine in the semifinals (Irvine lost the final at Columbia <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2016/03/uc-irvine-anteaters-67-at-columbia.html" target="_blank">where I stormed the court</a>) and reached the finals of the 2017 and 2021 CBI, losing to Wyoming and Pepperdine respectively. They were also the runner-up in the only edition of The Basketball Classic in 2022. It is an interesting postseason resume and to their credit, they don't include any banners for these tertiary tournaments, even with four losses in the championship games.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y-2y70ScHqnw0C1OMTn4IIgNUi0GGjPZS-pwQavQ_e-x1aPTsM41j3dmTTEfjRtE_MUHkjEujW5JGODr3_D5El0reebbFJbtk663y_xFnp1RTP6_3aisUARxpge_Y7abZwh2kQo4Y8O_kgVullvP3GDRZYFvscnqob0WUyNb3j__oeD4hrdgGwUtJvw/s4032/PXL_20240301_235620546.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y-2y70ScHqnw0C1OMTn4IIgNUi0GGjPZS-pwQavQ_e-x1aPTsM41j3dmTTEfjRtE_MUHkjEujW5JGODr3_D5El0reebbFJbtk663y_xFnp1RTP6_3aisUARxpge_Y7abZwh2kQo4Y8O_kgVullvP3GDRZYFvscnqob0WUyNb3j__oeD4hrdgGwUtJvw/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_235620546.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The small scoreboard above midcourt is a simple dot-matrix, but there are more detailed boards at either end with one showing team stats (below, taken early in the game) and the other showing player stats. The background on both is also teal.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2yZa83Zcwu3hcLt5l_xtYnCUzda-u-B92k-5bkTJl3fwxUe4DwuUnTrkGM_mIY90ybfMvy8P8cSYiQ-gzmzgEUVAjUcNAicQkKz-_YABLFF8_Fv8ERSb6uuBeOUie7ojWZiXWlCCnItmfPMwDrj10DDG_nky_Nxn_ZQ4kWo32P_Heg845gKibSXlpfU/s4032/PXL_20240302_013456007.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2yZa83Zcwu3hcLt5l_xtYnCUzda-u-B92k-5bkTJl3fwxUe4DwuUnTrkGM_mIY90ybfMvy8P8cSYiQ-gzmzgEUVAjUcNAicQkKz-_YABLFF8_Fv8ERSb6uuBeOUie7ojWZiXWlCCnItmfPMwDrj10DDG_nky_Nxn_ZQ4kWo32P_Heg845gKibSXlpfU/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_013456007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The mascot is Chauncey, presumably pronounced with the soft C as well, like Sean-see, though I could not confirm this either way. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D8DDn63gPSrxaynonroHkkISlgfA6rMO-SRkNT8N8zjtkT3n9BulT_wOlq71WMBcsODdVApT6QI6l0-eG15fKB8G1OdJqnsQZbJDkahdcUaoCbYSd834d3Ul9kxvSV6iyB315cFM2vjUp5EJrU0gMumB753kqBLAik4xmdFlMVkjACv-lhwZpsnEUsc/s4032/PXL_20240302_002052231.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D8DDn63gPSrxaynonroHkkISlgfA6rMO-SRkNT8N8zjtkT3n9BulT_wOlq71WMBcsODdVApT6QI6l0-eG15fKB8G1OdJqnsQZbJDkahdcUaoCbYSd834d3Ul9kxvSV6iyB315cFM2vjUp5EJrU0gMumB753kqBLAik4xmdFlMVkjACv-lhwZpsnEUsc/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_002052231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are 14 teams in the Sun Belt Conference, which stretches from Virginia to Texas. Each school's banner is above the benchback seats, though they lack logos.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Fh7wZUbTKCmUNTHocHRVqyiyEevsjDGekUYjqp0FiFDiznIBKf3tglw6QM1h59R-gws5B14P6JEr2FALCDTBqBui7voVcsCgAukCqUgvejMIFR6kKi7d8qMMz7XdrHI8cvAlSteJviVhwOPqYwgxyiS9gxOISZ4lpW-zUdi7oFElgQOwQ6cjsl7aabo/s4032/PXL_20240302_020226112.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Fh7wZUbTKCmUNTHocHRVqyiyEevsjDGekUYjqp0FiFDiznIBKf3tglw6QM1h59R-gws5B14P6JEr2FALCDTBqBui7voVcsCgAukCqUgvejMIFR6kKi7d8qMMz7XdrHI8cvAlSteJviVhwOPqYwgxyiS9gxOISZ4lpW-zUdi7oFElgQOwQ6cjsl7aabo/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_020226112.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Attendance for this was 1,513 (the women drew 461 in comparison), which meant lots of space. I had a good seat in the benchbacks (not that there are any bad ones) and then moved to the other side near the end of the game (view above). </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFi1_p7YLMAo3jA5UNfHgo8cxeoP7lZl67w9XLL1y0Z63C9eIH0i2-orsyD6btRUNA1sHMBEDTfJGS9zqiiN5gAhrEOld03z4-SEXbhiA7OC_IEkpfrbiLgmFRcy6zyziHgOZsEQa5ReGwCukDhedrRTickU4f18lkEChZOOQNpUSHY0bxIb8F8OJFD4/s4032/PXL_20240301_235558051.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFi1_p7YLMAo3jA5UNfHgo8cxeoP7lZl67w9XLL1y0Z63C9eIH0i2-orsyD6btRUNA1sHMBEDTfJGS9zqiiN5gAhrEOld03z4-SEXbhiA7OC_IEkpfrbiLgmFRcy6zyziHgOZsEQa5ReGwCukDhedrRTickU4f18lkEChZOOQNpUSHY0bxIb8F8OJFD4/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_235558051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, HTC Center is an enjoyable and relaxing place to see a basketball game. The CCU campus is quite attractive and well worth visiting if you have time, and if you are lucky, you might get multiple events as I did on this day. Always remember to check the composite schedule before traveling!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The James Madison Dukes, who had spent part of the season in the Top 25 and <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/james-madisons-magical-run-fueled-by-family-and-belief" target="_blank">beat Michigan State in overtime at East Lansing</a> to open the campaign, were visiting for the final game of the regular season. Their 14-3 record in the Sun Belt was a full nine games better than the Chants and they were favoured by 14.5.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzz6El4XF1UT7-9Cc3-O-hnQqiT65zd46GffXBySdaxL92dkiPI9xUxyUCdgfBFmZ8Mdv9-2cKiiEFTSCGYDVvw_JjaT41WsGWKUsI367-tzz5MP8Y9s15_x8upcKdjbDu99hXc4nrJJUpwq55uV2UenQJiNRyBDt9YAobE3LD2JoICqJVdKr-0i4ia0/s4032/PXL_20240302_003335780.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzz6El4XF1UT7-9Cc3-O-hnQqiT65zd46GffXBySdaxL92dkiPI9xUxyUCdgfBFmZ8Mdv9-2cKiiEFTSCGYDVvw_JjaT41WsGWKUsI367-tzz5MP8Y9s15_x8upcKdjbDu99hXc4nrJJUpwq55uV2UenQJiNRyBDt9YAobE3LD2JoICqJVdKr-0i4ia0/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_003335780.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>But CCU started with a couple of quick baskets and then the teams went back and forth in a fast-paced half that saw six ties and five lead changes. Of particular note was JMU's Michael Green III (#13 below), who came in off the bench and scored 8 points and added a steal in just 53 seconds. The Dukes were down 26-24 when Raekwon Horton hit a three to give them the lead. Horton added a jumper and Green III followed with another trey as JMU went on a 14-0 romp. Green ended the half with yet another three and the rout was seemingly on as the Dukes were dominating 43-28.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskWst0O6JipEPc6UjTt9b6HOiL4n7WY0ax3VE25pUOZDwbs-AQNO08pasgaONwyFbh_lExwUdPGaJdjhqG4sM8vtC0JvJ4CSxy6McSbCtOmy1slsJt8hh_DczKYV-Bk743bGcKz22PvUW-AATkY-lSNPIrcWTxmV9wNNPGJFGEsc-zBwgN5tHnWBpc_w/s4032/PXL_20240302_005045046.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskWst0O6JipEPc6UjTt9b6HOiL4n7WY0ax3VE25pUOZDwbs-AQNO08pasgaONwyFbh_lExwUdPGaJdjhqG4sM8vtC0JvJ4CSxy6McSbCtOmy1slsJt8hh_DczKYV-Bk743bGcKz22PvUW-AATkY-lSNPIrcWTxmV9wNNPGJFGEsc-zBwgN5tHnWBpc_w/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_005045046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>James Madison extended the lead to 64-43 when Green III hit a layup, but as often happens, the team with the big lead gets a bit complacent. Up 71-52 with 8:29 to go, the Dukes started fouling and CCU took advantage, sinking 7 of 8 from the line and adding a three-pointer and five baskets from in close that got them within 75-72 with just over three minutes to go.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc2CcXYd6VwoR0S6MggSmjuIhL_l2Okd0f7zeV2NzHCrZIgA3XobLgkGoKUuySF9RkF36_awUR6lpi0ODauElimFrWHU0Iuk7X4xqZ7U-CPzFB5oqN6yis9y099P4U47yGicRJ6k9tbu1plE635tX6eXPCgiZuLqZqiF9SnfEeuTB9f8KoA3CcW49KX8/s4032/PXL_20240302_013518610.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc2CcXYd6VwoR0S6MggSmjuIhL_l2Okd0f7zeV2NzHCrZIgA3XobLgkGoKUuySF9RkF36_awUR6lpi0ODauElimFrWHU0Iuk7X4xqZ7U-CPzFB5oqN6yis9y099P4U47yGicRJ6k9tbu1plE635tX6eXPCgiZuLqZqiF9SnfEeuTB9f8KoA3CcW49KX8/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_013518610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The crowd, sensing an upset, was really into it, but James Madison is a bubble team and desperately needed this game, and they responded accordingly. Horton hit a trey to extend the lead to 6 and after both teams added a pair of free throws, JMU's Terrence Edwards Jr. completed a hoop-and-harm play to make it a nine-point bulge with 85 seconds left. That meant fouls, and the Chanticleers never got closer than 7, losing 86-76, but at least covering the spread.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQ1GhNKGjwF2F408B9wMWgv8ouOQ-x3tytleO43uxGyXskd8muH6bMfx9zHX1kGJ_Lp9YXq8nAxYlYxnadJj66olSXg7W2O24I4eExc-91VZ7FZGkBMKnGWlStuW6oX0pa6WG-SmNZQs-0_cB2PgCEzTQdcMsOCw4ewzPg62UXxG86dnN9LA9gJUjGyI/s4032/PXL_20240302_003400358.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQ1GhNKGjwF2F408B9wMWgv8ouOQ-x3tytleO43uxGyXskd8muH6bMfx9zHX1kGJ_Lp9YXq8nAxYlYxnadJj66olSXg7W2O24I4eExc-91VZ7FZGkBMKnGWlStuW6oX0pa6WG-SmNZQs-0_cB2PgCEzTQdcMsOCw4ewzPg62UXxG86dnN9LA9gJUjGyI/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_003400358.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>James Madison scored 43 points in both halves, while Coastal managed 48 in the second after just 28 in the first. It was a better game than expected and a good way to end the two-state tripleheader.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVQX_AXdG4hE8KP1ybJBstX8tvrBWaldKvhXggcp0_X4xTzECFZPit1rqnHJbYAp51bWDwziV92hoeLhW46ItEqt1kwzXDQpWrR2Edouis9W6ZcjTfo1iTtn1cmePGNdBRp-YJdu6EG9wHbD52TSERCfTyvNtbYYR8tYKq09fLu6kt86aaE0hhuOKNs4/s4032/PXL_20240302_023122768.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVQX_AXdG4hE8KP1ybJBstX8tvrBWaldKvhXggcp0_X4xTzECFZPit1rqnHJbYAp51bWDwziV92hoeLhW46ItEqt1kwzXDQpWrR2Edouis9W6ZcjTfo1iTtn1cmePGNdBRp-YJdu6EG9wHbD52TSERCfTyvNtbYYR8tYKq09fLu6kt86aaE0hhuOKNs4/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_023122768.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Coastal actually edged JMU in shooting (by 0.3% from inside and 0.7% from long range), but their 16 turnovers led to 20 Duke points, while the Chants could only manage 9 points off 11 Madison miscues. John Ojiako led CCU with 19, while Edwards Jr. potted 18 for the winners. Green III scored 16 in just 20 minutes off the bench and should be interesting to watch if the Dukes make March Madness. And if they don't win the conference tournament, their chances at an at-large bid are still quite low.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>It was senior night, so the four seniors were honoured before the game. As well, Cliff Ellis (left, below), who was the coach here for 17 years when he unexpectedly retired in December, was given a tribute at the same time. Ellis was the winningest active head coach when he stepped down, with his 831 victories putting him 9th on the all-time list.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBIliv7y_k2M-CTagxY3IuXaHnzYm3aEqoSygzAI9uEUzow81pr5caXG9t5FigqLfIsZfGfAmZ3VWzEidsaxyhoTTVdvqUNRxTRuIaOqaTEfnNb6XyIfqM45BSgY8jIIoUGefUQ6ytX-OgBn7Vu0xHtwFJWLNeopP2iZkOO-nZqvL89l4yFeRTGhuCfY/s4032/PXL_20240302_002805785.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBIliv7y_k2M-CTagxY3IuXaHnzYm3aEqoSygzAI9uEUzow81pr5caXG9t5FigqLfIsZfGfAmZ3VWzEidsaxyhoTTVdvqUNRxTRuIaOqaTEfnNb6XyIfqM45BSgY8jIIoUGefUQ6ytX-OgBn7Vu0xHtwFJWLNeopP2iZkOO-nZqvL89l4yFeRTGhuCfY/w400-h300/PXL_20240302_002805785.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned, this was supposed to be the final game in a quadruple header, with a track event at 9 a.m. in Wilmington, then a drive to Conway for a noon softball game and 4:00 baseball game. I got the first two in, but rain forced the postponement of the baseball, so I only added three new venues on the day. The other two are not worth posting about separately, but I saw the women's hammer throw at the Seahawk Invitational... </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54eFidHR-vVpXfq2kKR32q60ClLuQKtvcCCn9ht1LxoPLZaHq7zBr2htPJlIQeaQ6UkVt1hGgtXoszzOXovCAJTts42ENIllJs9qI8GDv-DL-ZYxR0MbEkHbWPtrAsS-sZ-gYLhX1cZbRAQTG4eJupHzMpERL-O527nc2UcuDO_-97zLzCt_Toy5djos/s4032/PXL_20240301_140518503.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54eFidHR-vVpXfq2kKR32q60ClLuQKtvcCCn9ht1LxoPLZaHq7zBr2htPJlIQeaQ6UkVt1hGgtXoszzOXovCAJTts42ENIllJs9qI8GDv-DL-ZYxR0MbEkHbWPtrAsS-sZ-gYLhX1cZbRAQTG4eJupHzMpERL-O527nc2UcuDO_-97zLzCt_Toy5djos/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_140518503.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>and then Michigan State beat Iona 7-0 at the Chanticleer Showdown, a five-team tournament that also included Yale and Oakland. Myrtle Beach has cheap flights for much of the spring, so I'll come back for baseball at some point.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8YEfJeBCHU5KGitSGoUsUdBvjcnQbizuuWnge5MxZ_bDNjLClp4TBcZlgLZZLtxIW3Ve-1180wUmUzfL25lKOLbSGBGJZPBUyeaYCTdRSEKmjOyArXsVcOQ3dy03M-LAjZHjoLgiV1O33cnBcxzI5xQ1Pt8rL9ckZn6UxY8KZE0-BlU0SUMRljdklDM/s4032/PXL_20240301_170029926.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8YEfJeBCHU5KGitSGoUsUdBvjcnQbizuuWnge5MxZ_bDNjLClp4TBcZlgLZZLtxIW3Ve-1180wUmUzfL25lKOLbSGBGJZPBUyeaYCTdRSEKmjOyArXsVcOQ3dy03M-LAjZHjoLgiV1O33cnBcxzI5xQ1Pt8rL9ckZn6UxY8KZE0-BlU0SUMRljdklDM/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_170029926.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>With a couple of hours suddenly opening up, I relaxed at the <a href="https://www.coastalale.com/" target="_blank">Coastal Ale House</a> right next to my hotel and highly recommend it if you are visiting CCU.</div><div><br /></div><div>Coastal won their opening match of the Sun Belt tourney, beating Louisiana-Monroe 75-71 in Pensacola.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Next Up</b></div><div><br /></div><div>A trip to Alabama to finish the regular season in college hoops, with four games over four days, plus at least three other venues, if the weather holds up. Check back next week for recaps.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sean</div><div><br /></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-65052238344260302312024-03-01T20:24:00.409+09:002024-03-06T01:00:52.544+09:00Hofstra Pride 69 at UNCW Seahawks 58 (NCAA Basketball, CAA) - February 29, 2024<p>Yesterday was Leap Day, so I celebrated by adding another college basketball venue to the list. I had found a cheap flight to Myrtle Beach and rented a car, driving 85 miles back north to Wilmington, home of the UNC Wilmington Seahawks. As we zoomed by at 24,000 feet I had a good view of the entire city, which is the urban area to the left of Eagle Island, though there are no recognizable stadiums from such a distance. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNeixThlrAm1pdjMEWJaiDTxDYgrKBiZdrqdfOFSnH_O4MC-gtw-8Sqec3SemH8vw64G6lP-VaHmJvyzrYV0h72_Aido4pjeZmuVlNce9J-85Ms__ljcoYaQ_CAk75H6XUFO0oaZyzwY8UtraBooghW9fTPe34w46BEb9hYELU_RbFJmY03oNzaKUfuM/s4032/PXL_20240229_162234070.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNeixThlrAm1pdjMEWJaiDTxDYgrKBiZdrqdfOFSnH_O4MC-gtw-8Sqec3SemH8vw64G6lP-VaHmJvyzrYV0h72_Aido4pjeZmuVlNce9J-85Ms__ljcoYaQ_CAk75H6XUFO0oaZyzwY8UtraBooghW9fTPe34w46BEb9hYELU_RbFJmY03oNzaKUfuM/w640-h480/PXL_20240229_162234070.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>The Seahawks play out of Trask Coliseum, a large, brick building on campus. Free parking can be found in the K extension lot on the other side of Hurst Drive. It was easy getting in, but getting out was a different story as cars did not move for close to 15 minutes. I'm not sure what happened but there is only a single exit from the lot onto Hamilton Drive and perhaps it was blocked. Eventually they opened up another exit and that allowed people to get onto Hurst. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNnTIsPbwnW3b6gW5Yv5mYs6iHFknNMAIl5O5TwviPrfieUu2H9wS2UdhIMloqfIQQC3DdcVMvFzSfxY9GqX8ANeBR9zPh0l8Q2A8Y473r5dEkGDxkgBGIYJdhOWuk4FtrCN02sjoEkA4_WR0WGcW-fC6KgcgKcP6B1O9LKEBk3skjEk6UpCjAXRo6eo/s360/uncw1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="360" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNnTIsPbwnW3b6gW5Yv5mYs6iHFknNMAIl5O5TwviPrfieUu2H9wS2UdhIMloqfIQQC3DdcVMvFzSfxY9GqX8ANeBR9zPh0l8Q2A8Y473r5dEkGDxkgBGIYJdhOWuk4FtrCN02sjoEkA4_WR0WGcW-fC6KgcgKcP6B1O9LKEBk3skjEk6UpCjAXRo6eo/w400-h300/uncw1.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Anyway, Trask was opened in 1977 and named for Raiford Graham Trask, a key benefactor in the establishment of the UNCW athletic program. It holds 5,200 in two distinct levels of seating. The box office is at Gate A around the front of the building, which is quite attractive when not marred by the food truck. I asked for the cheapest ticket and got a bit of sticker shock when I was told it was $28. Oh well, at least I got a hard stub.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FjPItE67I-8mIihGw00SGPoWKBilLWVA27xokKLNPIucIzuopQGD6RlF9mNKCYcHaEz75vgNBqTlWmcjuA_w4XWs7U9xvow2yPKAyLNdcZrOmyC4P7OBMbMJ1w8DpTzfCpYeXnXDiPwa2cj9RCOsPICQ_pr8cUsLJFwXjqni1KUwWHZ4fqiOmGjRhXI/s4032/PXL_20240229_233358448.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FjPItE67I-8mIihGw00SGPoWKBilLWVA27xokKLNPIucIzuopQGD6RlF9mNKCYcHaEz75vgNBqTlWmcjuA_w4XWs7U9xvow2yPKAyLNdcZrOmyC4P7OBMbMJ1w8DpTzfCpYeXnXDiPwa2cj9RCOsPICQ_pr8cUsLJFwXjqni1KUwWHZ4fqiOmGjRhXI/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_233358448.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Inside, there are four long corridors and there are entry points at each corner for those with lower level seats. If you have a ticket for the upper level, you need to go up the stairs to get to your section. Before doing that, take a look at some of the trophies and other memorabilia along the hallways of the first floor.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDNusl6qISuMt3iqmtrsPY8kMRKKphf0yrMOMT2NbxFWxqxxqbXLRAn8HyA_s5DO0LeecAL2RHykRuvBkE5r02NHGHM6Y_nrBqHUIE5DkOhoy90iBeSbbkMm6xQ8wbVe21hp8jXpAt8sWQmOiIyQSdvyGXWjGKcfvXghtse_OtQY-njTkd2wf7u7xuBE/s4032/PXL_20240229_232252670.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDNusl6qISuMt3iqmtrsPY8kMRKKphf0yrMOMT2NbxFWxqxxqbXLRAn8HyA_s5DO0LeecAL2RHykRuvBkE5r02NHGHM6Y_nrBqHUIE5DkOhoy90iBeSbbkMm6xQ8wbVe21hp8jXpAt8sWQmOiIyQSdvyGXWjGKcfvXghtse_OtQY-njTkd2wf7u7xuBE/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_232252670.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The school has been a member of the CAA since 1984 and has won nine regular season titles and six conference tournaments in that time.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0L4UCHWuPyV2nxGleAZIBx7lVs6LO0Wf0id79y6Dl-iH9ESo4BweQ0OWSKZA-UtIfQD6awwUYnRMrteo6pYqNw3ZOHWhZ5SRV4S67xNWOsOeD1qcTQCV7QPYUNOIZ6KWy25A6ccfHD1Xalg4v-tLZRcWIaw8ZX3IS1pxHxlXaaJIVuvYM1vuvAnpuTI/s360/uncw2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="360" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0L4UCHWuPyV2nxGleAZIBx7lVs6LO0Wf0id79y6Dl-iH9ESo4BweQ0OWSKZA-UtIfQD6awwUYnRMrteo6pYqNw3ZOHWhZ5SRV4S67xNWOsOeD1qcTQCV7QPYUNOIZ6KWy25A6ccfHD1Xalg4v-tLZRcWIaw8ZX3IS1pxHxlXaaJIVuvYM1vuvAnpuTI/w400-h300/uncw2.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>One player who made the NBA is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Rowsom" target="_blank">Brian Rowsom</a>, who had a brief NBA stint, finishing with Charlotte. He later enjoyed a peripatetic coaching career, including a year with the Oita Heat Devils, where I actually <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2009/12/oita-heat-devils-74-at-kyoto-hannaryz.html" target="_blank">saw him coach in Kyoto</a> in 2009.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb3KIqZFNMKRevm2jnVwE73Rx-DaIvyVSnoxDWWAibMkxvLDqAJranOzrt8LHKHcuX5a9Kysg4Jn1KEhkf86hx3sm566knHU3MMEnIObx0Qcz7Inu4zZXvDfORt_RhVfgfZqjCcvkENhyphenhyphenmTobAVWlNlYLUKqugCC3-uOvEMEqC5pdMsE8rDSK4anQS-c/s4032/PXL_20240229_232330444.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb3KIqZFNMKRevm2jnVwE73Rx-DaIvyVSnoxDWWAibMkxvLDqAJranOzrt8LHKHcuX5a9Kysg4Jn1KEhkf86hx3sm566knHU3MMEnIObx0Qcz7Inu4zZXvDfORt_RhVfgfZqjCcvkENhyphenhyphenmTobAVWlNlYLUKqugCC3-uOvEMEqC5pdMsE8rDSK4anQS-c/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_232330444.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I did walk in the lower level to take a picture, but you will need to show your ticket and as the team draws very well, sitting elsewhere than your assigned seat isn't recommended.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3_rGcFJ_p_sB-GOmKrv89pgkkyDsgpdqZ9H8ZngxcCy1Z4QqTeKw_HgIogOh7XtP3gvXzUGXWAPn9Rqy3wtdpIegUJ8oEu2IFWi7W33MRaWysjmM2Cxw7eSlDLs6vFNJTkyOvQgmq_LSjcsS_EziB3yAQ3awb2HmyfXzQC5wUjZ3L7QofK2a9Y6sSIo/s360/uncw3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="360" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3_rGcFJ_p_sB-GOmKrv89pgkkyDsgpdqZ9H8ZngxcCy1Z4QqTeKw_HgIogOh7XtP3gvXzUGXWAPn9Rqy3wtdpIegUJ8oEu2IFWi7W33MRaWysjmM2Cxw7eSlDLs6vFNJTkyOvQgmq_LSjcsS_EziB3yAQ3awb2HmyfXzQC5wUjZ3L7QofK2a9Y6sSIo/w400-h300/uncw3.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>However, if you do manage to sneak in, the student section on one side is general admission and you could try to sit there without being noticed, as long as you get there early.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyvXhSoKEQH0r89WkG7HE5eIonwkSW7Z8tY9u44Lr-FqavLKR9aqzx4N6PfuZRlcQXc9S7RAY-1KvP2uUwljNQpHTYTHdDT6qvOev-qMnMtsH3C4whQm7Aqeqb2UX00cUkBXitcK9VxDPSU_bt1u-o5PYOXvowgpf3TYZJaaBEFfKBAFS-8CvWSiRIZc/s4032/PXL_20240229_233041295.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyvXhSoKEQH0r89WkG7HE5eIonwkSW7Z8tY9u44Lr-FqavLKR9aqzx4N6PfuZRlcQXc9S7RAY-1KvP2uUwljNQpHTYTHdDT6qvOev-qMnMtsH3C4whQm7Aqeqb2UX00cUkBXitcK9VxDPSU_bt1u-o5PYOXvowgpf3TYZJaaBEFfKBAFS-8CvWSiRIZc/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_233041295.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There are 1,200 student tickets given away for every game, and it seemed like most of them were taken on this night, as you can see below. The students stand and are quite active during the game, so trying to blend in could be difficult for anyone over 30. Note that the cheerleaders and dance team stand on the floor in front of the student section rather than at the baselines as you would usually see.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzOgeu6A1eyQQqo3GC9gM243CrShFogIF5JucNiY3WHAM55-d5fXwCK81j_VhYmuxPTbVvN_9Fk49k_hi2MM2MgAw0Nj0Fo6WRqkjjg9EQFt6681s-jLu8tvFdVcUiaJXAdumZ5o4d9BPynAlnJ1lUXcYFwK-T_tou2s6ISLp1pdIJ7ufZKSDlngvptA/s4032/PXL_20240301_000745589.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzOgeu6A1eyQQqo3GC9gM243CrShFogIF5JucNiY3WHAM55-d5fXwCK81j_VhYmuxPTbVvN_9Fk49k_hi2MM2MgAw0Nj0Fo6WRqkjjg9EQFt6681s-jLu8tvFdVcUiaJXAdumZ5o4d9BPynAlnJ1lUXcYFwK-T_tou2s6ISLp1pdIJ7ufZKSDlngvptA/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_000745589.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I headed upstairs, where the long corridors are rather plain, though there are concessions around that had very good deals, such as $2 for a hot dog or popcorn.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9h3-2RpTvu46o-kxLpV_a6_-IdYQECwICYZSIlkGqJNZDTDmcfxXksRNeJVXf8jk4Bq2I8rlYfI37nX0Dy0vMoO-HGmPX6pv6PdHVq4Dok_sfwZDJbQ45kfm-DFeolvSFDJeQXOOSFOzzDLAY9t1Pz-z1rVY15tEV2VoIcvOO2g3pKk0gJaUziSDgIc/s4032/PXL_20240229_233158391.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9h3-2RpTvu46o-kxLpV_a6_-IdYQECwICYZSIlkGqJNZDTDmcfxXksRNeJVXf8jk4Bq2I8rlYfI37nX0Dy0vMoO-HGmPX6pv6PdHVq4Dok_sfwZDJbQ45kfm-DFeolvSFDJeQXOOSFOzzDLAY9t1Pz-z1rVY15tEV2VoIcvOO2g3pKk0gJaUziSDgIc/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_233158391.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The teal seats really stand out and make the venue very attractive. The upper sections are steep, which I appreciate as you feel as if you are almost on top of the floor. You can see the other CAA school logos on the walls above the baseline seats.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0axPRs1i-qYP8qO62Vm4VseHJWQm5u3ImiZZTc2ae1AN1DAu5_dkkO_MGe22vp6RW3sHwrj1j5l-nQQFz6YIyueaZVsaBvSnooc1mUNFoCsza4NLdVf1c3fM8-5UfhZYhHx0yqWlZsw7_JO2K8xEBD5vRVbF5gtVJO6y8vl-SP2k-vTDwYNJEFWfbSA/s4032/PXL_20240229_232757869.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0axPRs1i-qYP8qO62Vm4VseHJWQm5u3ImiZZTc2ae1AN1DAu5_dkkO_MGe22vp6RW3sHwrj1j5l-nQQFz6YIyueaZVsaBvSnooc1mUNFoCsza4NLdVf1c3fM8-5UfhZYhHx0yqWlZsw7_JO2K8xEBD5vRVbF5gtVJO6y8vl-SP2k-vTDwYNJEFWfbSA/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_232757869.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There are no suites here, so the view from the upper deck is great from all four sides of the court. It really is a compact venue and there are no bad seats. Well, maybe the one below, where the opposite basket is hidden by the shot clock.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKdAnOSafxswpT7EA1tUAndseEM9lw4qmztv0edzym3tOrQOAzM84rjtakfxQsvzOd2C3ze9UYhqj6V6JXOTXy13aU56dEQaGY3Ljzx5cNKpN1YBgXnMz8Q5n2WT_XdP6_7irf88e3NGdum39vflXSlFl1_qFQN5i0DPF1sqldMKXiqK1qlicr6b95Jg/s4032/PXL_20240229_233029979.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKdAnOSafxswpT7EA1tUAndseEM9lw4qmztv0edzym3tOrQOAzM84rjtakfxQsvzOd2C3ze9UYhqj6V6JXOTXy13aU56dEQaGY3Ljzx5cNKpN1YBgXnMz8Q5n2WT_XdP6_7irf88e3NGdum39vflXSlFl1_qFQN5i0DPF1sqldMKXiqK1qlicr6b95Jg/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_233029979.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>As mentioned, the team has had some success and has made six appearances in March Madness, with a single win over USC in 2002. But just two years ago, they stormed through the College Basketball Invitational bracket, defeating Middle Tennessee in double overtime in front of 624 die-hard fans. I'd love to know how many students made the 8-hour trip to Daytona for those games. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjK8OghhDLJ9vBsaNEsuO-nsPzboLpCyNC5T9FiUbks7vjDaTi6IIYmSTwWEZrODUa73qa5g3YxoxWcnKDbkpyJDiBCKawfAoALaTQYJ3QdnhnSZ4-mzC9NnzenQDV6QAcLR4Pto2BuzMlOrcsge6m-P5npiD7HdqktpQGx3DROztMXUpCfVVdXHQsLI/s4032/PXL_20240229_232842433.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjK8OghhDLJ9vBsaNEsuO-nsPzboLpCyNC5T9FiUbks7vjDaTi6IIYmSTwWEZrODUa73qa5g3YxoxWcnKDbkpyJDiBCKawfAoALaTQYJ3QdnhnSZ4-mzC9NnzenQDV6QAcLR4Pto2BuzMlOrcsge6m-P5npiD7HdqktpQGx3DROztMXUpCfVVdXHQsLI/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_232842433.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Retired numbers are along one wall, with Rowsom joined by Bill Mayew, Brett Blizzard, John Goldsberry, and Devontae Cacok, whose honorary jersey is around the corner and can be spotted in some photos above.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMiOdBzOhUWUmyfV7gs2T5PF3l8nxC5zeVXXghgOeWxVddi87SEi7GcqS4qix4SMNRa-yh47sWCfHj5Ewbxnt4S8Lew5gAMmBxxXUjHVcXEhXfOz9mc5OATQgZN5-5thCrt6uIDtJ1ttb0wTV3giqdJT-YcF7OY_n18DEK6nG04NBk05coE1c48Xlzho/s4032/PXL_20240229_234757626.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMiOdBzOhUWUmyfV7gs2T5PF3l8nxC5zeVXXghgOeWxVddi87SEi7GcqS4qix4SMNRa-yh47sWCfHj5Ewbxnt4S8Lew5gAMmBxxXUjHVcXEhXfOz9mc5OATQgZN5-5thCrt6uIDtJ1ttb0wTV3giqdJT-YcF7OY_n18DEK6nG04NBk05coE1c48Xlzho/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_234757626.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The four-sided scoreboard with the ribbon board underneath is typical for this level, and there are dot matrix boards at either end that include player stats.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLzVr3i-IhCdScjN49eYmcF2W5Dq_y3qUnQ95bfYNIIUEVG27ekIHYOnVAPYtXzBf7T8_LjFceqE_fYWLCqJchAnExes1WlQsdlydD2lZj75DXAAO8Y5MgzLmgHzt4bOGEmMhsMrvvPsMaJycPsYBdZ71DJpZ7HWnwA-VR5Fiz6RZpHj_W6bZkWLxKOY/s4032/PXL_20240229_233223334.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLzVr3i-IhCdScjN49eYmcF2W5Dq_y3qUnQ95bfYNIIUEVG27ekIHYOnVAPYtXzBf7T8_LjFceqE_fYWLCqJchAnExes1WlQsdlydD2lZj75DXAAO8Y5MgzLmgHzt4bOGEmMhsMrvvPsMaJycPsYBdZ71DJpZ7HWnwA-VR5Fiz6RZpHj_W6bZkWLxKOY/w400-h300/PXL_20240229_233223334.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The mascot is Sammy C. Hawk, who was active from well before the game started, making his way around the seats to high five fans. I actually think this is one of the better mascot costumes out there as it really matches the school logo.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbsYwGdVWL7sg2ZVSU9ol1Q9KMoTTNGriay67Iy1Hf1iOynbA-VY3FtZ0iWWMp6jvYZjIQTE83GyMVBZCIVOCP6BHef8PQzSLo-8IFrXquhUc4NL1zO8San1ax3KWJ_oUJ5gUhhF3NFZMEkFqd8uDiZmj0pGRXpNiD3RgOo0UnzjvVT212zrQQqP1DoM/s4032/PXL_20240229_234245838.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbsYwGdVWL7sg2ZVSU9ol1Q9KMoTTNGriay67Iy1Hf1iOynbA-VY3FtZ0iWWMp6jvYZjIQTE83GyMVBZCIVOCP6BHef8PQzSLo-8IFrXquhUc4NL1zO8San1ax3KWJ_oUJ5gUhhF3NFZMEkFqd8uDiZmj0pGRXpNiD3RgOo0UnzjvVT212zrQQqP1DoM/w300-h400/PXL_20240229_234245838.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>Each of the upper bowl seating sections is separate, so you can't get from one to the other without leaving your section. There is a walkway in front of the first row of seats, but it is easier to go out to the concourse and move around that way.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoeNVZhWfl8ed8WB-LCqp318w_c83GGsZIKImUiG2mz_3cNBOf5-n-va0aGhC8fXuPGo44Pu57CBDwWCA1pM3D05X7D1gFxS-FoXDbhJS92vHgmHgQMFLoT-wtfT0i91sdJ1zUYfFpMggy0k7-sWbycTSJQ_00TJsiNO8j8TuxT-eCUpeL7r7MkiF6N4/s360/uncw4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="360" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoeNVZhWfl8ed8WB-LCqp318w_c83GGsZIKImUiG2mz_3cNBOf5-n-va0aGhC8fXuPGo44Pu57CBDwWCA1pM3D05X7D1gFxS-FoXDbhJS92vHgmHgQMFLoT-wtfT0i91sdJ1zUYfFpMggy0k7-sWbycTSJQ_00TJsiNO8j8TuxT-eCUpeL7r7MkiF6N4/w400-h300/uncw4.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, Trask Coliseum has a bit of everything for fans like me, though tickets could be a bit less expensive. Still, fans bring a lot of energy and it helped make for an exciting game. </p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>Like me, Hofstra was visiting from Long Island and my flight actually had several fans sporting their merchandise. Both teams were 11-5 in CAA play, so the game was important in terms of seeding for the upcoming tournament. My seat was directly behind the basket, not a bad place normally, but the shot clock blocked the view of the tip.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdVNMjjpQNqA_9lSfp2jEoBucbvAJFNAlPk_mRfhjr-5Qe5U9UEIAe1oKJfc8Jd27IkIhMotc9EvE8Ij2zRfopXIl7QDSkM9mOoX3MlRwS7zQ7Hh-8dQFWI0J1CQrI9iH-8ZqNC8rezCWauS5KbZ9yFC05aTWSSp7jwvges00xlxDP7QVWUOEfkzUVq0/s4032/PXL_20240301_000716554.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdVNMjjpQNqA_9lSfp2jEoBucbvAJFNAlPk_mRfhjr-5Qe5U9UEIAe1oKJfc8Jd27IkIhMotc9EvE8Ij2zRfopXIl7QDSkM9mOoX3MlRwS7zQ7Hh-8dQFWI0J1CQrI9iH-8ZqNC8rezCWauS5KbZ9yFC05aTWSSp7jwvges00xlxDP7QVWUOEfkzUVq0/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_000716554.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Early in the first half, the Pride used a mini 7-0 run to take a 13-5 lead and that held up for the rest of the period, with UNCW getting no closer than 3 and finishing the frame down 32-25.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyddMCTB97XqSw9JROLRcFHOmAR_vHZzHW2X8yT5yuRXyBUT1x9U41wayyp1v6pdVoU4aGbRdevVRa-RAN-wyFwaqdOVVeNaZCFKfzTTvV6ERThIhTfeF3c9WBTNZir8TU1AZ1CI9A18jkHKacwB4QMKDSrHK9MgQd4ur7bINHvYRMn9LiELXe92NOfEc/s4032/PXL_20240301_000757030.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyddMCTB97XqSw9JROLRcFHOmAR_vHZzHW2X8yT5yuRXyBUT1x9U41wayyp1v6pdVoU4aGbRdevVRa-RAN-wyFwaqdOVVeNaZCFKfzTTvV6ERThIhTfeF3c9WBTNZir8TU1AZ1CI9A18jkHKacwB4QMKDSrHK9MgQd4ur7bINHvYRMn9LiELXe92NOfEc/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_000757030.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The lead was pushed to 13 after a Darlinstone Dubar (shooting below) dunk followed by a couple of freebies on the next Pride possession. But the Seahawks went on a 14-0 surge over 5:20 and were up 47-45 with 10 minutes to go, at which time, I moved to a sideline seat.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw-n_oDdG_HFh4FV_Y3WC0qN56Yk33pHY85GxCOiy_CdgOzYWLAgfKsWRfFMd83jn4oi4CW_Hs53MJ7Msivb7qO6D0-JzHn1UyMbrUCMdcE7Hlxwl2KAYw33gGj5_HIv8Wa4viuLGsZmSzejvvsQQysXwRTaetNMeUWg8ISRSJDZX6uwgrzbJsdSnrQc/s4032/PXL_20240301_013757122.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw-n_oDdG_HFh4FV_Y3WC0qN56Yk33pHY85GxCOiy_CdgOzYWLAgfKsWRfFMd83jn4oi4CW_Hs53MJ7Msivb7qO6D0-JzHn1UyMbrUCMdcE7Hlxwl2KAYw33gGj5_HIv8Wa4viuLGsZmSzejvvsQQysXwRTaetNMeUWg8ISRSJDZX6uwgrzbJsdSnrQc/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_013757122.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The place was rocking but amazingly, the Seahawks went cold while Hofstra got hot, going on a 16-1 spurt over 4:30, with Dubar contributing nine points. Another Dubar dunk made it 63-50 and UNCW seemed to give up, taking time off the clock and not fouling, allowing the game to end relatively quickly, with the Pride prevailing 69-58.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkpVtu5k9tcxmvWESlQdhtZJElzbB5ArRk3qZ-fwDm4ltFVV0Io82KCezn5Eni6esVX8PTNQdhwlNLlnqgi19NI3PNlEm_aztDeW25HReAxkRqkoNKSOhS_OgSwPF9pLN0u4Bh8KqcFgnJCGp3eHpw7DR4wa8ikGy8BshFxpHlZJ9JKi19c68VUzrC4w/s4032/PXL_20240301_013820238.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkpVtu5k9tcxmvWESlQdhtZJElzbB5ArRk3qZ-fwDm4ltFVV0Io82KCezn5Eni6esVX8PTNQdhwlNLlnqgi19NI3PNlEm_aztDeW25HReAxkRqkoNKSOhS_OgSwPF9pLN0u4Bh8KqcFgnJCGp3eHpw7DR4wa8ikGy8BshFxpHlZJ9JKi19c68VUzrC4w/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_013820238.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Hofstra was much more efficient shooting, going 27-48 (56%) from the field, while UNCW was only 23-55 (42%) and that was the difference. In particular, the Seahawks had 11 offensive rebounds but only 7 second-chance points. Dubar finished with 28, sinking 11 of 13 from the field, while Jaquan Carlos (with the ball above) added 18 as Hofstra rode their starters, with only 21 minutes played by their bench, who contributed nary a point. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN55Xhz-r7HglqkHNONNVHgDnopSvP4pM1E-q1AAsZjTb41bkTENtqLaVgTbYczhFD4ERbEXyjWk_r-Z7MwpYNOc9XwvLjuwdfQe_-yexjR0dOo4k9habKvpVEijHHX-RFNHCywsfiAl3DGI_c9Uq1phocH1tMrD23-ZTKsr11mt1wpE8TkcErwV1N8T0/s4032/PXL_20240301_015311108.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN55Xhz-r7HglqkHNONNVHgDnopSvP4pM1E-q1AAsZjTb41bkTENtqLaVgTbYczhFD4ERbEXyjWk_r-Z7MwpYNOc9XwvLjuwdfQe_-yexjR0dOo4k9habKvpVEijHHX-RFNHCywsfiAl3DGI_c9Uq1phocH1tMrD23-ZTKsr11mt1wpE8TkcErwV1N8T0/w400-h300/PXL_20240301_015311108.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The game was well officiated, with only 24 fouls, and we were out of there quite quickly, only to be stuck in the parking lot for a quarter of an hour. The entire game is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SYK-mjxc20" target="_blank">available on YouTube</a>.</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>UNCW won their final game of the season over Towson while Hofstra lost to league leaders Charleston as both finished 12-6, but Hofstra took the 3rd seed in the tournament due to this victory.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-52608786088935252532024-02-26T20:18:00.401+09:002024-02-28T10:59:00.043+09:00LSU Tigers 75 at Tennessee Lady Volunteers 60 (NCAA Women's Basketball, SEC) - February 25, 2024<p>The whole reason for this trip was to see Grace Good at the halftime of two Tennessee basketball games. My daughter had watched Good on America's Got Talent and was excited to see her act live, so we spent the winter school break touring the Volunteer State, finishing in Knoxville. As things turned out, my daughter's enthusiasm waned over the week and we skipped the Saturday night game, but we did make the drive into town on Sunday morning, leaving the car in a free spot about a 15-minute walk from the venue.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ1S9xPtEq-iipF-Di5BxG6AAZFsvX0tV_gqLCt6twHWKAOTwwLtPeU5qylyKIeMws1I9hbaO8fcp9W2vv826q-etjtuXyhUvxTD4fxj1AweYY24YX2dTPaWVF0_YwG03JuKK3Nm0PvKaTqH57zA-2BnXm9QIttw8yuywQI68MMWw5ZtBkWz_enENE7Y/s4032/PXL_20240225_164846354.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ1S9xPtEq-iipF-Di5BxG6AAZFsvX0tV_gqLCt6twHWKAOTwwLtPeU5qylyKIeMws1I9hbaO8fcp9W2vv826q-etjtuXyhUvxTD4fxj1AweYY24YX2dTPaWVF0_YwG03JuKK3Nm0PvKaTqH57zA-2BnXm9QIttw8yuywQI68MMWw5ZtBkWz_enENE7Y/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_164846354.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The stroll took us through the picturesque campus of the University of Tennessee and we arrived at Thompson-Boling Arena from above, looking down over a parking lot at the octagonal structure. The arena opened in 1987 and is named for B. Ray Thompson, a benefactor of many academic programs at the school who donated $5 million towards construction of the arena and agreed to have it named after him only if Edward J. Boling, then the university's president, would also do so.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItkL7B00zjgMJTHo-ezsoIIwdsTn3FXiXGy8MH_tuw46_D5rBVyt2CGM9xTd8tT-lb-MeBWBcwk_pm1w1N7hz1OdTfhcbTzYHX69L8Ug2ubvxGR_xHJ9VYyPfXNNF8Qxu9aEu1cZlaPdULrgXlHKSROfKK0ZK23mX0VvLluIFqAUbbEIHlWzZCopuO-M/s4032/PXL_20240225_191346159.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItkL7B00zjgMJTHo-ezsoIIwdsTn3FXiXGy8MH_tuw46_D5rBVyt2CGM9xTd8tT-lb-MeBWBcwk_pm1w1N7hz1OdTfhcbTzYHX69L8Ug2ubvxGR_xHJ9VYyPfXNNF8Qxu9aEu1cZlaPdULrgXlHKSROfKK0ZK23mX0VvLluIFqAUbbEIHlWzZCopuO-M/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_191346159.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The arena backs onto the Tennessee River and you can walk around the outside to enjoy the view above before entering.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHYCn8WuMezAFJIbkzSDgmLJHkDcGdS8wblvN0eXJlHbHLaVevX-EtJZW4yDlzI1Kcq0M6BJBVJ1O8kxfBqc9H1murBaPOJL8FtC1OAR_x5xARbWZ3Xu4j_2Jt43hT16BtfXhyDa4afM43BphkCKPBOBQO_-4Epn1LoY6c0o9LV2f9DHibvAjb8nB7gM/s4032/PXL_20240225_165013946.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHYCn8WuMezAFJIbkzSDgmLJHkDcGdS8wblvN0eXJlHbHLaVevX-EtJZW4yDlzI1Kcq0M6BJBVJ1O8kxfBqc9H1murBaPOJL8FtC1OAR_x5xARbWZ3Xu4j_2Jt43hT16BtfXhyDa4afM43BphkCKPBOBQO_-4Epn1LoY6c0o9LV2f9DHibvAjb8nB7gM/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_165013946.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The official name is Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, with the stylized F the grocery's logo, though backed by the traditional <a href="https://brand.utk.edu/standards/colors/" target="_blank">Tennessee Orange</a>. Security is handled well away from the doors, with the new walkthrough scanners which allow for easy access and no lines. The box office is just inside one door and there were only two windows, quite small for a venue that holds 21,678. I asked for a pair and was told there was only one left, quite odd as I had checked before I left and there were dozens of seats up top. But this was an upsell to fill the lower bowl, and I was happy to pay the premium to sit there for the halftime performance. The view from our seats is below.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEL2Mdyc5pUY71rvRL2SpcI1gIBU0eYoUXzIzSQ8fEpRh2n4Sw8axJqnEacFFtreZ5iCKnooOsmY8bBDa7QNLHEYNB_bUGxhrVj6CfpgKzFUf2ReKD_4yRzI5fE9yO8RK5_JFcvIzRMuxn4J59rQBMnBZd4_Vu5Wi9ZODIU1neXS5lNFWwin7DBQ_gBw/s4032/PXL_20240225_174810009.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEL2Mdyc5pUY71rvRL2SpcI1gIBU0eYoUXzIzSQ8fEpRh2n4Sw8axJqnEacFFtreZ5iCKnooOsmY8bBDa7QNLHEYNB_bUGxhrVj6CfpgKzFUf2ReKD_4yRzI5fE9yO8RK5_JFcvIzRMuxn4J59rQBMnBZd4_Vu5Wi9ZODIU1neXS5lNFWwin7DBQ_gBw/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_174810009.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>We arrived at our seats as the Lady Vols were being introduced and didn't tour the arena until after the game. Given the size of the crowd (15,261), this was a better option than doing so beforehand as there is a lot to see around the concourse.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOT4u28QA5o3y1P8MAaohyphenhyphenV_-hqiwcdlo-cKfAG_JdYzXXnhyphenhyphenjmlFsei4MlL03fQg5JIOnnAQ-6vouY3ph2CPnQNbG64Gy_fy7cdlx-Y_xlnEPb7NiQMOmgf0pYZNTEvQwTTPo0vf70hxl2inL67jktaLAlPRXE0x8EMri19lRcmoKhBU-uMMWrio7fA/s4032/PXL_20240225_190804956.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOT4u28QA5o3y1P8MAaohyphenhyphenV_-hqiwcdlo-cKfAG_JdYzXXnhyphenhyphenjmlFsei4MlL03fQg5JIOnnAQ-6vouY3ph2CPnQNbG64Gy_fy7cdlx-Y_xlnEPb7NiQMOmgf0pYZNTEvQwTTPo0vf70hxl2inL67jktaLAlPRXE0x8EMri19lRcmoKhBU-uMMWrio7fA/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_190804956.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Lady Vols won eight national titles under legendary head coach Pat Summit, after whom the arena is nicknamed 'The Summit'. Thus, there are several displays honouring these teams and Summit herself. The trophies are not on display here, and I couldn't find out if they were somewhere else on campus.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j5EOPEy3XyLyJaV724sa6ASSJl3s1i8Zk3O0HAL4Kq3Xpru_TLmq0nAKWjkDxQDPF-t2HMvB7qbXh_TKq05PB5t_LILtyThAO7bS8uA47veTdPETrqdk7YLV7QmpH-c-xjeoctBlzBzjEkVT6_k4Ytrn207lmBIQc59Qx3Lv3Jsnv7igzEpskfrlkLA/s4032/PXL_20240225_190501137.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j5EOPEy3XyLyJaV724sa6ASSJl3s1i8Zk3O0HAL4Kq3Xpru_TLmq0nAKWjkDxQDPF-t2HMvB7qbXh_TKq05PB5t_LILtyThAO7bS8uA47veTdPETrqdk7YLV7QmpH-c-xjeoctBlzBzjEkVT6_k4Ytrn207lmBIQc59Qx3Lv3Jsnv7igzEpskfrlkLA/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_190501137.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Several players have gone on to the WNBA and some of them are pictured along the walls. It is tough to get good photos given the location of the displays.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd5pN74LJMQAZxlXFLC9dA0BDiIRGUOqSpOy0qlwAflx_ODkizFIJ7c-au-TjlbDcHUIJ8gUgyFsguod1EtrkfjWfbbzfIi6Eq1J3AK1QwUFGGHI5jyrC_kGbbji3sfxDINlhEEWIcC8cCe0iXuQXLZFF-JVPu7zWsx9kPiy5W-xXkxz2q3M-y4121FM/s4032/PXL_20240225_191149762.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd5pN74LJMQAZxlXFLC9dA0BDiIRGUOqSpOy0qlwAflx_ODkizFIJ7c-au-TjlbDcHUIJ8gUgyFsguod1EtrkfjWfbbzfIi6Eq1J3AK1QwUFGGHI5jyrC_kGbbji3sfxDINlhEEWIcC8cCe0iXuQXLZFF-JVPu7zWsx9kPiy5W-xXkxz2q3M-y4121FM/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_191149762.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The men have never gone further than the Elite Eight; they made the Sweet Sixteen a year ago, where they lost to Florida Atlantic. It so happens that I skipped FAU while in Miami last year and they went to the Final Four, so I am predicting the Tennessee men to go to the Final Four this year, since I missed their game on Saturday night. Anyway, for completeness, I'm including some legends from the men's team.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWc8M0v5cPIQIAwhpmcNTX7CrwBNHhVg9KktEfytwaSdgaWdKsEcInnShxbL4qwG_vn2Lkb3Da3E4vK_Dtq5Jsi3NriczIIFpVdUd4q_VS1dinmj9XyStTrJJhcMVxs-6chHE9osZ3K0vZ5AyT9xU3W-NNjmjSS1fmt__BIMmWO7wQ9tW9ROMxUZAWvc/s4032/PXL_20240225_190741015.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWc8M0v5cPIQIAwhpmcNTX7CrwBNHhVg9KktEfytwaSdgaWdKsEcInnShxbL4qwG_vn2Lkb3Da3E4vK_Dtq5Jsi3NriczIIFpVdUd4q_VS1dinmj9XyStTrJJhcMVxs-6chHE9osZ3K0vZ5AyT9xU3W-NNjmjSS1fmt__BIMmWO7wQ9tW9ROMxUZAWvc/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_190741015.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Inside, the lower bowl encircles the courts with sections going from 100-131. Upstairs, one sideline was switched to suites in 2007, reducing capacity by nearly 3,000. The sections were not renumbered, so sections 302-308 are missing. There is also a small loge level (200 level, visible in the photo below) with just three rows. Seats in the lower bowl are padded and comfortable, while those upstairs are of the plastic variety. I did not get a chance to look in the suites.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCuaRId0K4LgcfoX22pQ6WnySFPkhfD5fRgQXJZ-Q85x4-AYkPQ6yxpQD66XCaWR7RTRctj81gbZgB0wCq3-ijPODJQy_rhv5cbGVy3sJg-77DHIe-WgZsS7kVN_LOXcbTJRPh0jqEEO2PudQtumzqvJ8yPdHm-Xg3Hu-Orfab4PYIK1AC6wP6rZs0ug/s4032/PXL_20240225_170253965.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCuaRId0K4LgcfoX22pQ6WnySFPkhfD5fRgQXJZ-Q85x4-AYkPQ6yxpQD66XCaWR7RTRctj81gbZgB0wCq3-ijPODJQy_rhv5cbGVy3sJg-77DHIe-WgZsS7kVN_LOXcbTJRPh0jqEEO2PudQtumzqvJ8yPdHm-Xg3Hu-Orfab4PYIK1AC6wP6rZs0ug/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_170253965.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Tennessee Orange combined with checkerboard pattern makes the court instantly recognizable. The venue is clearly designed for basketball, with the corner sections divided into smaller slivers so the seats face the court.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m2l5U0kYw3JUeU2Bnw_eG5F9QHtWNuyKSefmcOlOtKT3dxwk4tr-0pQhWiFkC6WSiqDTrWK_6TmGTynpxgyyCRgRx5_RnPFbZoNRWtkG7rZKV4veMvdVQHbyFcwYYfES_xZxm3vYt-Ozb2-IpQlabg5qLB5ldCSx_-CiQT1yKIcaEo79fPtIv1osOk8/s4032/PXL_20240225_190538998.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m2l5U0kYw3JUeU2Bnw_eG5F9QHtWNuyKSefmcOlOtKT3dxwk4tr-0pQhWiFkC6WSiqDTrWK_6TmGTynpxgyyCRgRx5_RnPFbZoNRWtkG7rZKV4veMvdVQHbyFcwYYfES_xZxm3vYt-Ozb2-IpQlabg5qLB5ldCSx_-CiQT1yKIcaEo79fPtIv1osOk8/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_190538998.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The photo below is from the upper deck and shows how close you are when sitting in the loge. The scoreboard is four sided with video above and player stats below, though the stats were not updated during the first half.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-cNf_d984QzQUeX5HCPVZk7lGU_Io7O9APyddlrTlImwXMOc6NWZPdHHkLoT-hxsPzkAImlg_Y-UImnq4FfRA9EGYGXl2FAapiQV3PZNpsKnI802TLpO2LCoYnKYaG3Aqq-1S4dcy10622XpWtPG_QdPaEZzOsV5EnbGS1A5Qpz7azrrNMERDBMEB58/s4032/PXL_20240225_190647569.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-cNf_d984QzQUeX5HCPVZk7lGU_Io7O9APyddlrTlImwXMOc6NWZPdHHkLoT-hxsPzkAImlg_Y-UImnq4FfRA9EGYGXl2FAapiQV3PZNpsKnI802TLpO2LCoYnKYaG3Aqq-1S4dcy10622XpWtPG_QdPaEZzOsV5EnbGS1A5Qpz7azrrNMERDBMEB58/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_190647569.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The same stats are in the upper corners, along with the hustle stats. There were no team statistics that I could see; I personally appreciate these as you can see how each team is shooting throughout the game.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSenCDmR8FVK7KLWPxbCRFVIT3VnFFHnNBCVXlSltPS2CVnZOJ-x42XTrpGuTSgexV2iE2c7qWhgcrBuIkmtbguQT9IQXAbESm9CYZzNhwiafI-_PO2OV4JX_lnT9WHTLhOIF_643LNK5NEqooc8uds3Nxk_Vnso18HHD5zGvtu2TvZCHQnbjLa8SDQk/s4032/PXL_20240225_190030618.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSenCDmR8FVK7KLWPxbCRFVIT3VnFFHnNBCVXlSltPS2CVnZOJ-x42XTrpGuTSgexV2iE2c7qWhgcrBuIkmtbguQT9IQXAbESm9CYZzNhwiafI-_PO2OV4JX_lnT9WHTLhOIF_643LNK5NEqooc8uds3Nxk_Vnso18HHD5zGvtu2TvZCHQnbjLa8SDQk/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_190030618.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Of course, there are dozens of banners, including those 8 national titles, which are quite stunning in that omnipresent orange.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-_6IboXDiQ06a4Id8OOI9LgEsQ6aLg0Zmp3qVKhRlGUMiw360JGUNewcqfDmJEwgmdRQphy0JfObm3viwvTxU9V-xlOISW-m_TOGkm8lWNtBJdD0QT6QrlaebCk3dSpu2gdo6x-BsZsU2BuJuNPAzgtrM9k7507dsZG0k97_XtcRAm3-PzGvBUZDFEI/s4032/PXL_20240225_191011376.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-_6IboXDiQ06a4Id8OOI9LgEsQ6aLg0Zmp3qVKhRlGUMiw360JGUNewcqfDmJEwgmdRQphy0JfObm3viwvTxU9V-xlOISW-m_TOGkm8lWNtBJdD0QT6QrlaebCk3dSpu2gdo6x-BsZsU2BuJuNPAzgtrM9k7507dsZG0k97_XtcRAm3-PzGvBUZDFEI/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_191011376.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Retired numbers abound as well. Each side of the rafters is filled with banners as both men's and women's programs, along with volleyball, have had a long and storied history.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPdr3rOm0fmHpnekJhbCv5c2LcFH9p2dJrVTQjv7hZ5nYp83eCUB02MIW7L7zmkbX2TDZmkGxmGWLthnqflQb1T3nH05QzljJ2LIssascVOmaqIeJIBCRb4KjmmpUXYbwj5bmPJgZdVX9HFi69zUUW1YVLv77iaWtWtwTL3MfNDMwVmeYmegMp7NLdIA/s4032/PXL_20240225_190656269.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPdr3rOm0fmHpnekJhbCv5c2LcFH9p2dJrVTQjv7hZ5nYp83eCUB02MIW7L7zmkbX2TDZmkGxmGWLthnqflQb1T3nH05QzljJ2LIssascVOmaqIeJIBCRb4KjmmpUXYbwj5bmPJgZdVX9HFi69zUUW1YVLv77iaWtWtwTL3MfNDMwVmeYmegMp7NLdIA/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_190656269.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>You are probably familiar with the Tennessee logo, which is a giant orange T, but the Lady Vols have their own logo, which is visible at the bottom of the banner to the left below.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OhtC3knK36JmPiDx4efHF-tRQ7XtkRqccXuoxIPRVj_EhNLfyLSfqtCzoowyU9FEGyCTA4fB466vSyOcS3B7vsjaMZHWUgWjENcryUjR-PqXaTnOlRxMi_0ltvXWuBTlbvNIKuInLE8SbY86owLjWK6PQH3KkeMKt_9S0Aohb3e0merSrIe3OQWkpK4/s4032/PXL_20240225_191021459.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OhtC3knK36JmPiDx4efHF-tRQ7XtkRqccXuoxIPRVj_EhNLfyLSfqtCzoowyU9FEGyCTA4fB466vSyOcS3B7vsjaMZHWUgWjENcryUjR-PqXaTnOlRxMi_0ltvXWuBTlbvNIKuInLE8SbY86owLjWK6PQH3KkeMKt_9S0Aohb3e0merSrIe3OQWkpK4/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_191021459.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>As such, center court is adorned with the secondary logo that simply spells out Tennessee, while the two 'T' logos are along the sideline in front of the media table. In white, you can see 'The Summit'. This is one of the most attractive basketball courts in the country.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxiArot2wEZLGRQFeCSPJTNEAJ6bzaHGzv3hddTQGb_ufYDZutiuavF8v74jrgDxwdf1o5MyS_zyITXrKqBm5_ZKonWkkcMs3pH06A93rZFtDypY1bCD9U6kyNL7sf7ZMry2d3K-YoOhjKu85BkEVVs3SaoNEibKZnT6uFZh5b_ieZb8YuxoY07AKJ5s/s4032/PXL_20240225_191007149.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxiArot2wEZLGRQFeCSPJTNEAJ6bzaHGzv3hddTQGb_ufYDZutiuavF8v74jrgDxwdf1o5MyS_zyITXrKqBm5_ZKonWkkcMs3pH06A93rZFtDypY1bCD9U6kyNL7sf7ZMry2d3K-YoOhjKu85BkEVVs3SaoNEibKZnT6uFZh5b_ieZb8YuxoY07AKJ5s/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_191007149.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, Thompson-Boling Arena lives up to its billing. It is a fantastic place to see a game and I might come back sometime to see the men too. Hopefully, they can do a bit better than the women did on this afternoon.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The defending champion and 13th-ranked LSU Tigers were visiting, making this the third time for us to see Tigers on the trip. They were 10-3 in SEC play, a game better than the Lady Vols. Angel Reese (#10 below) is their star after making a name for herself during the run to the title.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l7NYsEUowEQFfkoMygF3U94bYQIRuOlGZhrUzK85X4koiY0ZE0-K-ZhcXQkFtviYT7NK3S0sH2cgWAqBGe5gw8wzbiNn0hgTw67UFIZxVFgOzeH-NRdNiaLtzxIsgYgtaCYTsMPhzHEXlqbSjdZ702xtPjFb-DJgiday4WsyhCW6kaiDJ_6b8mY0DAE/s4032/PXL_20240225_170427817.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8l7NYsEUowEQFfkoMygF3U94bYQIRuOlGZhrUzK85X4koiY0ZE0-K-ZhcXQkFtviYT7NK3S0sH2cgWAqBGe5gw8wzbiNn0hgTw67UFIZxVFgOzeH-NRdNiaLtzxIsgYgtaCYTsMPhzHEXlqbSjdZ702xtPjFb-DJgiday4WsyhCW6kaiDJ_6b8mY0DAE/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_170427817.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The first half of this noon start was very fast-paced with both sides often shooting without setting a play; there were 48 field goal attempts in the period, one every 12.5 seconds. The game was tight and only a last-second three from LSU's Hailey Van Lith (#11 below) gave them a 19-16 lead after 10 minutes. Van Lith opened the second with another trey and LSU used an 8-0 spurt to take a 38-26 lead into halftime.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIO4Rz9P-5W5Eblt6lZDSmdFHQQh9qfQsV1huVPVgpgPQRDnVpGJb2JOcPhIElCHi9mzz8Cd7a3zn_9JIHttAzKbWh1hCkn6k7PjEiQd_2uEJ3h7PvUC-4axwcYWcu8bF91__iTo68KUJQ8fkR6p9LMpYdZVNjlZSBfwoRtRD8OvoseYXQLew32qbNUE/s4032/PXL_20240225_183613969.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIO4Rz9P-5W5Eblt6lZDSmdFHQQh9qfQsV1huVPVgpgPQRDnVpGJb2JOcPhIElCHi9mzz8Cd7a3zn_9JIHttAzKbWh1hCkn6k7PjEiQd_2uEJ3h7PvUC-4axwcYWcu8bF91__iTo68KUJQ8fkR6p9LMpYdZVNjlZSBfwoRtRD8OvoseYXQLew32qbNUE/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_183613969.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The third quarter was the mirror image of the second, with Tennessee outscoring the Tigers 19-10 to get within three points entering the final frame. The Lady Vols quickly got within a point but could not tie it. They were down 57-55 with 6:07 to go when their shooting went sour, making just 1 of 8 over 3:20 of play, while LSU netted 6 of their 8 shots, helped by a couple of offensive boards. That made the score 73-57 and the final minutes saw very little of note as the Tigers took it 75-60.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GN3ZMozHrz_x6fdypVEwo0p9p5AFD9kQyVhqwijryBKfQWj35ooBvoJf_3P9l6t-Br8YeIt2p0FRc9soe5dC7zmuke0aHg1qPw4tieQ4l30Ras9wz5UY2hbQlD8RTLZIW36fdOnK_il5pGlv27lhMbk6UUT4ThVlrtV8HrPXxfubhWW98t2_VZAM2Vk/s4032/PXL_20240225_190023817.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GN3ZMozHrz_x6fdypVEwo0p9p5AFD9kQyVhqwijryBKfQWj35ooBvoJf_3P9l6t-Br8YeIt2p0FRc9soe5dC7zmuke0aHg1qPw4tieQ4l30Ras9wz5UY2hbQlD8RTLZIW36fdOnK_il5pGlv27lhMbk6UUT4ThVlrtV8HrPXxfubhWW98t2_VZAM2Vk/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_190023817.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Statistically, the teams weren't that different, with LSU hitting 33.3% of their shots (29/87) compared to 31.1% (23/74) for the Lady Vols, however the advantage was more pronounced from long range, where the Tigers were 6/15 (40%) compared to just 3/18 (16.7%) for the home team. It was a run-and-gun game with 159 field goal attempts, or one every 15 seconds, more than most men's games. Van Lith led all scorers with 26 points, while Reese had a double-double with 15 boards and 11 points; Rickea Jackson was Tennessee's top scorer with 16. </p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>Grace Good is a Tennessee native and put on a good show at halftime, wearing Tennessee Orange. The crowd was certainly appreciative and my daughter enjoyed it, although it was a bit short as halftime shows usually are. If you are interested in seeing her at a sporting event, her <a href="https://www.gracegoodcirque.com/events" target="_blank">event schedule</a> is on her website.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6WNTFIw2RO7UhMM0Zp3Om4MChCozS3VLJB_-zjlDwRHA_SMJaa9mxvTuN036WKi-MIRBEENtKWUkLx3t5st58LjFAcmDbM4HkSzS8ixx-JhvWhvMEHFCHkQNja6QeBH_b5VJVGV50oXrBLej52Ue-f1fzsHy3kRX35GTMjNwS_bksJvnZ9aa0KDKa5k/s4032/PXL_20240225_175307571.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6WNTFIw2RO7UhMM0Zp3Om4MChCozS3VLJB_-zjlDwRHA_SMJaa9mxvTuN036WKi-MIRBEENtKWUkLx3t5st58LjFAcmDbM4HkSzS8ixx-JhvWhvMEHFCHkQNja6QeBH_b5VJVGV50oXrBLej52Ue-f1fzsHy3kRX35GTMjNwS_bksJvnZ9aa0KDKa5k/w400-h300/PXL_20240225_175307571.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Don't park on Lake Avenue as you will have a long wait getting out onto the highway. The intersection of Cumberland Avenue and Volunteer Boulevard has a short green light and traffic piles up down the Boulevard, with drivers failing to leave room for cars from Lake to turn right (so much for Southern hospitality). It took us 20 minutes to go about five blocks, and this was over half an hour after the game.</p><p>In the end, we saw 6 games in 6 days in 6 new venues and had a devil of a time. My daughter was a star on the trip, and we found plenty for her to do as well. And the trip turned out to be free, sort of! We were on an oversold flight out of Nashville Sunday night, and the compensation to volunteer to give up our seats and fly the next morning was substantial. So we volunteered and stayed at the brand new <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bnahhhh-hilton-bna-nashville-airport-terminal/" target="_blank">Hilton BNA Terminal</a>, which had opened just five days prior. It was a great way to end the trip.</p><p><b>Next Up</b></p><p>I'm heading back to the Carolinas for a couple of basketball games later this week in Wilmington and Conway, and possibly a true quadrupleheader if the weather holds. Check back to see what transpired.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-69118483288888223252024-02-25T20:06:00.358+09:002024-02-26T13:54:57.602+09:00Eastern Illinois Panthers 73 at Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 75 (NCAA Women's Basketball, OVC) - February 24, 2024<p>When I first checked the college basketball schedule for Saturday, I saw that the Tennessee Tech men had a game at 3:00 in Cookeville and the Tennessee Volunteers had a game at 8:00 in Knoxville. The two schools are about 100 minutes apart, so a doubleheader was an easy get. Except I forgot one thing: Knoxville is on Eastern Time, while most of the rest of Tennessee is on Central Time. So there was no buffer for overtime or any other problem that might occur in the first game. Then I checked the TTU composite schedule and saw that the men's game was part of a doubleheader with the women playing at 1:00. Well, there was little chance that they would finish at 2:30, so I decided to see that game instead, which gave us plenty of time to get to Knoxville. Not that it mattered in the end.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86s_RPQv1snqfzsnycqmaGJyxHoca6gwv_tLF3kjaTin_-q51IY4OdJyw4eZl1hoQXXs5wBQlcnfvvk773GpjGFGC1KcBolC1Ny0hgKvRIx-3CKESYgdYuBh1QjGKqb2CjinGWbs3vAznTZbCQRNG3RAsshjEUSIrF4HVU2WuKU4fRvVEU6Wt3kRJUSw/s4032/PXL_20240224_183640323.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86s_RPQv1snqfzsnycqmaGJyxHoca6gwv_tLF3kjaTin_-q51IY4OdJyw4eZl1hoQXXs5wBQlcnfvvk773GpjGFGC1KcBolC1Ny0hgKvRIx-3CKESYgdYuBh1QjGKqb2CjinGWbs3vAznTZbCQRNG3RAsshjEUSIrF4HVU2WuKU4fRvVEU6Wt3kRJUSw/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_183640323.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Golden Eagles play out of the Hooper Eblen Center on campus. This compact venue is named for Robert "Hooper" Eblen, who briefly coached football and basketball here in the 1940s before becoming athletics director in 1962, a position he held for 12 years. His nickname is appropriate for a basketball facility, which in itself is nicknamed "The Hoop" by students. It opened in 1977 and holds 9,280.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-kdeUF2x23r5X5fyol-qed5fnNNHFi6D5_H87HXG0yvSzNKZRtIlkmfCSvZ2HIaKgPmExZrntCodcA4wfXbJIt1URyQPsPQ-uJkOc7bjzByd5UQ-xzx24ubpJFKx9SgC39wbVbGIeygkJunc9e80K8XoyTluPf31q0DFHjXxQhFpkJb9EqS-UhO55cU/s4032/PXL_20240224_183732466.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-kdeUF2x23r5X5fyol-qed5fnNNHFi6D5_H87HXG0yvSzNKZRtIlkmfCSvZ2HIaKgPmExZrntCodcA4wfXbJIt1URyQPsPQ-uJkOc7bjzByd5UQ-xzx24ubpJFKx9SgC39wbVbGIeygkJunc9e80K8XoyTluPf31q0DFHjXxQhFpkJb9EqS-UhO55cU/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_183732466.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Parking is free in the lot next to the arena, and all tickets were $10 for the game. I assumed that meant general admission, and we moved around, but there were seats printed on the ticket. In fact, there was a sign saying that specific seats could not be requested at the box office, so I guess they just hand out whatever.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2vGc5WCyMmRLNudeGbookrVMJ4VRb6Ysjz4SeJSg1kdwIeBUYqwJ7t-H7TidC9D8Wy1fkGc_y36e3umnH3IK-ruidwNls_z7k8KbFWXTaeK2UnJjvS4A_mae2K0eHoMpyLNHfch3xj_xLP1Hu7MMTEPsufPsTGZeT8xrhhjslC1YMH-b6bL2GutYwy4/s4032/PXL_20240224_184117669.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2vGc5WCyMmRLNudeGbookrVMJ4VRb6Ysjz4SeJSg1kdwIeBUYqwJ7t-H7TidC9D8Wy1fkGc_y36e3umnH3IK-ruidwNls_z7k8KbFWXTaeK2UnJjvS4A_mae2K0eHoMpyLNHfch3xj_xLP1Hu7MMTEPsufPsTGZeT8xrhhjslC1YMH-b6bL2GutYwy4/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_184117669.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Immediately after getting your ticket scanned, you will see a trophy case with many Ohio Valley awards, including a couple for the all-sports championship. The school has been a member of the OVC since 1949, a refreshing bit of consistency in this age of constant conference changes.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdnhhug2kqu5acwWg9_Tz5uugZ1rUo7i5mjKSlZ5dBAm3DpDKAxnpd2BGdmM_ffKI7-fktOlKtaFD_lDMNBGwpCs-LygHknRb8BJX1eO5VFdGQCanwITkCltyANgj7tR0SDfOuAnpDRCxoXdSve7WUNr7K0-NfTyn2sXhvfbDi8PN8TZD5HM4_upmStU/s4032/PXL_20240224_194028555.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdnhhug2kqu5acwWg9_Tz5uugZ1rUo7i5mjKSlZ5dBAm3DpDKAxnpd2BGdmM_ffKI7-fktOlKtaFD_lDMNBGwpCs-LygHknRb8BJX1eO5VFdGQCanwITkCltyANgj7tR0SDfOuAnpDRCxoXdSve7WUNr7K0-NfTyn2sXhvfbDi8PN8TZD5HM4_upmStU/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_194028555.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>From here you can wander the narrow concourse, which has quite a few displays that are worth checking out. The university's Sports Hall of Fame is very simply presented.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoomn_9psUCKKkuaG623prVWdBeeU8ZCaOgP_Pq257EwVWuadzRtdZGn0WSKLPjligbsqXAgJuVP4n8LMcvI2Q4XfWjldM3qLIJUk7xYe4DdQslfGrZEImQkTfWTUT0Tc7NGcfbkNAyCf1YhcqxVT9Ednb1C4tyxg6qYwRkBaw5ixm10CO-7c3Z3ndx4k/s4032/PXL_20240224_194626686.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoomn_9psUCKKkuaG623prVWdBeeU8ZCaOgP_Pq257EwVWuadzRtdZGn0WSKLPjligbsqXAgJuVP4n8LMcvI2Q4XfWjldM3qLIJUk7xYe4DdQslfGrZEImQkTfWTUT0Tc7NGcfbkNAyCf1YhcqxVT9Ednb1C4tyxg6qYwRkBaw5ixm10CO-7c3Z3ndx4k/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_194626686.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There are more trophies found along here, and an interesting collection of championship rings, which I have not seen at other institutions. I'm not sure if these are given to all the players or just created as one-offs for this hoard, but they are a good addition to the assortment of awards.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzaB3hNFLvzIoXHdYzjUsF5VhKI2wwD6dAykuquoiMga3kjJHp6SHNBNZPZdOL_IvAD5IJ2yM_7QnrKN0xR8Fk9r897jHpfhab_3qKjtPucTtoBDR1q2bU-gqy_qQ8A8yst8qBxw6KxPZ66WDUTgcj1N-zLLHuU9uY7h-QaKASsjGs1KB93zflITrzAA/s4032/PXL_20240224_200405287.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzaB3hNFLvzIoXHdYzjUsF5VhKI2wwD6dAykuquoiMga3kjJHp6SHNBNZPZdOL_IvAD5IJ2yM_7QnrKN0xR8Fk9r897jHpfhab_3qKjtPucTtoBDR1q2bU-gqy_qQ8A8yst8qBxw6KxPZ66WDUTgcj1N-zLLHuU9uY7h-QaKASsjGs1KB93zflITrzAA/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_200405287.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>A portrait of Eblen can be seen, along with a brief description of his contributions to the facility.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GlrNfFUDGKVsOx2aze5mBcjnp9xGkhwC7F9G9I69h-OvU_0dR3ZV7EGYfIMucHbhOjCtRwepXmCni2I451tNOa4HfDuoFfG-NQD-hpgExWT1bxjZl3HhCPl7umnZnZvLnpvLGCcjocV6bFRnihnzDmCKDVFdXB0PJ7YFkHUDJoKxqXxBqvplOXiuaYY/s4032/PXL_20240224_194400890.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GlrNfFUDGKVsOx2aze5mBcjnp9xGkhwC7F9G9I69h-OvU_0dR3ZV7EGYfIMucHbhOjCtRwepXmCni2I451tNOa4HfDuoFfG-NQD-hpgExWT1bxjZl3HhCPl7umnZnZvLnpvLGCcjocV6bFRnihnzDmCKDVFdXB0PJ7YFkHUDJoKxqXxBqvplOXiuaYY/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_194400890.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_E._Wilmore" target="_blank">Barry Wilmore</a>, a NASA astronaut who has two space flights to his name, once captained the TTU football team and is honoured with a display case.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QeIDuoXTNyVqxRYlYCkK-PaxL8FfCVBPLix5f46MiTqMH3tuSy1Ol8NhcgQuFJeRK6ON2difTGUnj02nOxA9_fjWIgrmP8F1mY2ISUQWhQIcbKxQDgkmUCVoBCp93OASiPD7zZzu7PVmz5ugDmJg7YD6mMixG-sV1bOi_3o3zCIKcq05sY2uMOObDEo/s4032/PXL_20240224_200543780.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QeIDuoXTNyVqxRYlYCkK-PaxL8FfCVBPLix5f46MiTqMH3tuSy1Ol8NhcgQuFJeRK6ON2difTGUnj02nOxA9_fjWIgrmP8F1mY2ISUQWhQIcbKxQDgkmUCVoBCp93OASiPD7zZzu7PVmz5ugDmJg7YD6mMixG-sV1bOi_3o3zCIKcq05sY2uMOObDEo/w300-h400/PXL_20240224_200543780.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>Once you have completed a circuit of the outer concourse, enter the seating bowl and wander around the inner concourse that is above the lower level of seats. Some sections have temporary signage; lower sections go from A to N, while those upstairs go from UA to UY, though nobody sat there.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfdIXaYEMTS6BQrP60GsWGHoH98hVnd6AG7UDmbZy1y2z7RBen_1dymy3rm9gjl2f2pGBwoKCpHLZicU5Yq3LNfJuxnTbmbHBTkfmw5bh5LjZD5287bM4eJvDwjhszDLw6G0BivMsQTMTqLNRojUzRIGskjaOSbur7qbt06FObJeY4n-goASyupyc3Nc/s4032/PXL_20240224_184318650.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfdIXaYEMTS6BQrP60GsWGHoH98hVnd6AG7UDmbZy1y2z7RBen_1dymy3rm9gjl2f2pGBwoKCpHLZicU5Yq3LNfJuxnTbmbHBTkfmw5bh5LjZD5287bM4eJvDwjhszDLw6G0BivMsQTMTqLNRojUzRIGskjaOSbur7qbt06FObJeY4n-goASyupyc3Nc/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_184318650.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Right next to the main camera is a stuffed golden eagle, again something I have not seen at other venues. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has given their permission for the bird to be displayed. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycMLPRy_wGNYE57TpM0g_3OwQaGJWGq5_7UiOLcaFon3UlryA694S4DIvl1UDzwKex_Me0ymKLs-T4KWJyNiDZ0PollOk4WWLYn2SYA8V2rXl2HOo9fwnqs7mfA8fXlKd0P_NwHl3mQPxRSveXCYcwrzcDf8oJjO8SdIzRX6l59tuNJzpvfQdPJ2qNjk/s4032/PXL_20240224_184357086.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycMLPRy_wGNYE57TpM0g_3OwQaGJWGq5_7UiOLcaFon3UlryA694S4DIvl1UDzwKex_Me0ymKLs-T4KWJyNiDZ0PollOk4WWLYn2SYA8V2rXl2HOo9fwnqs7mfA8fXlKd0P_NwHl3mQPxRSveXCYcwrzcDf8oJjO8SdIzRX6l59tuNJzpvfQdPJ2qNjk/w300-h400/PXL_20240224_184357086.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>There are dozens of banners all around, with these old OVC basketball championship ones looking so cool with the vintage font.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oKLL9zZURAyL3YonXYaQY2mI-7T48pf_dDB6cUcxD4js2weaPSFKWGtNVx64Oed9rWW6Kk72lAUJcg4XCZGcoEYaSUtBPuH-LAdCCfFCck_7pdSd-Tq4ZFaohhlCU8wUs12mxcBksu1F0GK3QkSpNtgQxcboNV-p8-iW839uiG8oRPki10UVzYVqjUo/s4032/PXL_20240224_184659343.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oKLL9zZURAyL3YonXYaQY2mI-7T48pf_dDB6cUcxD4js2weaPSFKWGtNVx64Oed9rWW6Kk72lAUJcg4XCZGcoEYaSUtBPuH-LAdCCfFCck_7pdSd-Tq4ZFaohhlCU8wUs12mxcBksu1F0GK3QkSpNtgQxcboNV-p8-iW839uiG8oRPki10UVzYVqjUo/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_184659343.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The women won the OVC title last year and went to the tournament as a 16-seed, losing to Indiana in the first round. Retired numbers for both the men and women can also be spied up in the rafters.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCA0czTe769X-tyd519uhHWkDUg9OUUW3j5p6lloevFPH6ADljD8n4zG7P40GTP5eGp8T4iLECMamxSAe0o0aY4enKrN1yQ_me6nR4oUb4PwlSWVLDWGbxhK3TqnJROqyWJnHE7JCx3AfNBkDhftLmFI6LUkVF_5tuaWv2jUst8huMOoBZRsTWn5SQfLo/s4032/PXL_20240224_184649732.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCA0czTe769X-tyd519uhHWkDUg9OUUW3j5p6lloevFPH6ADljD8n4zG7P40GTP5eGp8T4iLECMamxSAe0o0aY4enKrN1yQ_me6nR4oUb4PwlSWVLDWGbxhK3TqnJROqyWJnHE7JCx3AfNBkDhftLmFI6LUkVF_5tuaWv2jUst8huMOoBZRsTWn5SQfLo/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_184649732.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>All of the conference schools are on the facade between the two levels. Southern Indiana moved to D-I and joined the conference in 2022.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFVw7BW58QFf_VvpiRDcydC-hlA0lW_DuR0a6mgWpUfpLKpZCzREtNr7oLYTCS7zszDVbw0VA-enEz-TF2ytPvPM6bgf24NKHwOOpc6MZdo0M1XJJaTcvAj1Hl-esCLIifdTMT6zPJ_YJPGGftLQQzgjlh1xsH4bxKRhhj2oTqxSvOXXsBRewkFpcGk8/s4032/PXL_20240224_184618791.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFVw7BW58QFf_VvpiRDcydC-hlA0lW_DuR0a6mgWpUfpLKpZCzREtNr7oLYTCS7zszDVbw0VA-enEz-TF2ytPvPM6bgf24NKHwOOpc6MZdo0M1XJJaTcvAj1Hl-esCLIifdTMT6zPJ_YJPGGftLQQzgjlh1xsH4bxKRhhj2oTqxSvOXXsBRewkFpcGk8/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_184618791.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The seating bowl is designed for basketball, although there are boards in front of the first row of seats that resemble those used in hockey rinks. But the footprint is too small for hockey, so I don't know what the purpose of those boards is. The alcove in the photo below is where the band sits.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIwjUgXVMVru2QnwBYD8LbpYkJc2Qbdq2Lgd_bFfMI1Zzki0sep04aWoE5ubSgowBuHxhyphenhyphen1LFvdZMLvG-K4nwTJbAM3C07DM8M7mtPE0sE2Xw0aKT_byeoUE5hssv07sxa-RAKFAJClvEic5TTEtrhqv1JdBDbnPcXN4n3OtVAqatut4TtAaW_YkpRsc/s4032/PXL_20240224_184422797.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIwjUgXVMVru2QnwBYD8LbpYkJc2Qbdq2Lgd_bFfMI1Zzki0sep04aWoE5ubSgowBuHxhyphenhyphen1LFvdZMLvG-K4nwTJbAM3C07DM8M7mtPE0sE2Xw0aKT_byeoUE5hssv07sxa-RAKFAJClvEic5TTEtrhqv1JdBDbnPcXN4n3OtVAqatut4TtAaW_YkpRsc/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_184422797.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The padded seats were installed in 2016 and are some of the most comfortable I have experienced in any venue, let alone a smaller school. I felt as if I could nap here without a problem, if only my daughter wasn't crawling all over me. The scoreboard is typical, with four sides showing video, while team stats are on the small triangles at each corner.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kt0NIi-3p9_xMASKg6M7LIaag6wziFn4ifM0gNGv2hSDIr-xc-s23aCyrMj4euQhberFrTvZjClDmMc8CVNXhzQJ290EI3RSd2IepgmPRBG16ZBHejqwmQExFhsBUvmgDVtfgMzMYVUmShQoDQ4V1j250dWAlAoggRtOgqMWrwhFSxD_BfHyENwCwnI/s4032/PXL_20240224_184148465.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kt0NIi-3p9_xMASKg6M7LIaag6wziFn4ifM0gNGv2hSDIr-xc-s23aCyrMj4euQhberFrTvZjClDmMc8CVNXhzQJ290EI3RSd2IepgmPRBG16ZBHejqwmQExFhsBUvmgDVtfgMzMYVUmShQoDQ4V1j250dWAlAoggRtOgqMWrwhFSxD_BfHyENwCwnI/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_184148465.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There are several concession stands, including one on the interior concourse so you don't have to miss any of the action. A few of them were closed on a day when only 1,278 were on hand (the men's game saw 1,544, though we were not the only fans to have left at the break).</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CgVwGwuN7__qQ_HB1eOaHSCIPEzW-lhabsWvBEnOwuhCYMTmrBsNt-N4aYbmSGb7043Al7onn4su1fonE3TQ6rM4R1VcIo12lP5ifunvgmtyZfjjxClyRHzWbrVbLMK7yuAGDTcvDzEyz-PMmq5ZRrn0V3UlbUi6GpwKDE6a9_FITJuiwDJD2FUhmdw/s4032/PXL_20240224_184420420.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CgVwGwuN7__qQ_HB1eOaHSCIPEzW-lhabsWvBEnOwuhCYMTmrBsNt-N4aYbmSGb7043Al7onn4su1fonE3TQ6rM4R1VcIo12lP5ifunvgmtyZfjjxClyRHzWbrVbLMK7yuAGDTcvDzEyz-PMmq5ZRrn0V3UlbUi6GpwKDE6a9_FITJuiwDJD2FUhmdw/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_184420420.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, Eblen Center is a superb mid-major venue, with some unique displays, a lot of history, and very comfortable seating. Cookeville may not be on many sports traveler itineraries, but it should be and you can try seeing hoops at The Hoop.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The Eastern Illinois Panthers were visiting with a 10-5 record in conference, a game better than the hosts. The first quarter saw TTU go up 9-4 on a three from Regan Hurst, and they matched that run to make it 18-8. Peyton Carter then drained a three and it appeared as if the rout was on. Now, with the men's game scheduled at 3, I expected some urgency but nope. With 5.9 seconds left in the quarter, TTU was inbounding the ball with a second left on the shot clock. The inbounds pass was immediately tipped out of bounds by a Panther, but the operator started the clock, leading to a shot clock violation. That was incorrect, the clock should not have started, so the refs had to spend 3 minutes going over the replay to figure out what was right. Finally, they put 5.9 seconds back on the clock and 1 second on the shot clock, and Tech inbounded, chucked a useless shot that came nowhere close to the rim leading to the violation anyway. The Panthers then couldn't even get a half court heave off as the quarter ended 21-10.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkaEgF28_YuR5cqIatVg51mm1FARs4Hh5yfNB6U1u9FMFSGXMsjdrQwtYVQ-YmGcJbKiFklPGeVlhez3bcSI8pL1INr9E5yfz5WNKd4w_0XMBXbnGJ9U51bjnwTS7lFdNf1mpYXxnI1l-RAiUoU5bm8KFWV5baVp5XjiO5uSb8I_VZB9sZr_KxYy7eS4/s4032/PXL_20240224_190240639.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkaEgF28_YuR5cqIatVg51mm1FARs4Hh5yfNB6U1u9FMFSGXMsjdrQwtYVQ-YmGcJbKiFklPGeVlhez3bcSI8pL1INr9E5yfz5WNKd4w_0XMBXbnGJ9U51bjnwTS7lFdNf1mpYXxnI1l-RAiUoU5bm8KFWV5baVp5XjiO5uSb8I_VZB9sZr_KxYy7eS4/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_190240639.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Golden Eagles were up 29-18 when they started to foul and that let EIU back into the game. The Panthers made 7 freebies and added a trey to get within a point and then finished the half with two jumpers. During that time, Tech missed four shots and turned the ball over four times as the visitors ended the half on a 14-0 run for a 32-29 advantage.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3jo_4gVbodhbOb1FIOiAWo7NXO9A3O1nHygluU4TKQC93JBKk7ri8evS0uXnBSDuMW2QNC4bzgGEOTTse2wz625SPRvL-oQnehgBKMO0nS0lAkJK8Fx7m7aza-084xldzR503iOTzWMVBcp6K9mPkPoDKBKnA4WnCThNsQUrvqx84elQILCGVty42WM/s4032/PXL_20240224_190314155.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3jo_4gVbodhbOb1FIOiAWo7NXO9A3O1nHygluU4TKQC93JBKk7ri8evS0uXnBSDuMW2QNC4bzgGEOTTse2wz625SPRvL-oQnehgBKMO0nS0lAkJK8Fx7m7aza-084xldzR503iOTzWMVBcp6K9mPkPoDKBKnA4WnCThNsQUrvqx84elQILCGVty42WM/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_190314155.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>TTU coach Kim Rosamond must have read her team the riot act at halftime, as they came out on fire, scoring the first 13 points of the period on their way to taking it 27-17.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDpGlO364_uycWqkUWah_gdV5rosN8jfOW8I977T03dNqaJa4_oQwgQHnR9DRv3lr11DkXQAymIGQ2RZtNoNpSMJe-mR4AEDDL7buXAGlt222YAc7-y8tKkRFNlXJKoFAp0_Twu5wNU0VUMQ111xSRSbDQKbIWrANcLSzdoKgZ9yaXWCOc_NXRWJhFcU/s4032/PXL_20240224_200923021.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDpGlO364_uycWqkUWah_gdV5rosN8jfOW8I977T03dNqaJa4_oQwgQHnR9DRv3lr11DkXQAymIGQ2RZtNoNpSMJe-mR4AEDDL7buXAGlt222YAc7-y8tKkRFNlXJKoFAp0_Twu5wNU0VUMQ111xSRSbDQKbIWrANcLSzdoKgZ9yaXWCOc_NXRWJhFcU/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_200923021.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Unbelievably, the home team hit another cold spell in the final frame, and when EIU's Ellie Buzzelle hit a three, the Panthers had a 68-67 lead with 2:15 to go. Carter then got an offensive rebound and putback to regain the lead for TTU. Eastern Illinois missed a couple of shots and Anna Walker potted a three for Tech, but Charita Lewis immediately sank a jumper for the Panthers to get them back within a pair at 72-70 with 54 seconds left.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHOC8LWoS0eCi-cTIYloHp5o8azOR81Cm7NhN0cKjbBNXOajgFo0Ckh680IiRfFxMHdzWeyozNPI6wwyywa4JidAnF4cU9BvGyYuS2C1s8OyB0gEghLAafq7t8KaRCNcjbaRsEWe-7pmZMCvyuKmiNW4HnevvoH2Jn0ylO8xNKtcWCYqENlIWFZ9uY7c/s4032/PXL_20240224_201016607.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHOC8LWoS0eCi-cTIYloHp5o8azOR81Cm7NhN0cKjbBNXOajgFo0Ckh680IiRfFxMHdzWeyozNPI6wwyywa4JidAnF4cU9BvGyYuS2C1s8OyB0gEghLAafq7t8KaRCNcjbaRsEWe-7pmZMCvyuKmiNW4HnevvoH2Jn0ylO8xNKtcWCYqENlIWFZ9uY7c/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_201016607.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Golden Eagles ran 25 seconds off the clock and then Lewis committed a non-shooting foul, which meant that TTU got the ball out of bounds with 20 on the shot clock. After another 15 seconds were wasted, Buzzelle fouled Reghan Grimes, who made the first but missed the second, only for Walker to come down with the offensive board. She passed to Maaliya Owens, who was fouled with just six ticks to go. Owens calmly netted her two free throws, and although Buzzelle sank a three just before the buzzer, it was not enough as Tech won 75-73.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3S75pvIfqa5S8ScW79VWV-bVoOAJSktypuuKZOmXkedDJ6yK6j68gDPz53w-UINGPOYY8A0MWKneOdWNI_mVl4fs1cognEthHyXviBC-0ZJUQ4JN-TdmM7sqeWe4XRibaOSFzA4uadsq9UnfHGwXnfEGHQxwK5wSV_y2sQaoic2Kv7Vbb-Moz-VkB54/s4032/PXL_20240224_205841818.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3S75pvIfqa5S8ScW79VWV-bVoOAJSktypuuKZOmXkedDJ6yK6j68gDPz53w-UINGPOYY8A0MWKneOdWNI_mVl4fs1cognEthHyXviBC-0ZJUQ4JN-TdmM7sqeWe4XRibaOSFzA4uadsq9UnfHGwXnfEGHQxwK5wSV_y2sQaoic2Kv7Vbb-Moz-VkB54/w400-h300/PXL_20240224_205841818.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>This was a bizarre game with both clubs going into long funks that made for an interesting endgame. Both teams had 64 field goal attempts, with Tennessee Tech hitting 29 compared to 27 for the Panthers and that was really the difference. Macy McGlone was the star for EIU with 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Owens led the Eagles with 21. </p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>Between the two games, they had a senior night ceremony, so the men's game did not tip off until nearly 4:00, making a DH with Tennessee impossible. We left immediately after the women's game and arrived in Knoxville before 6. Unfortunately, I made a fatal error and went to our hotel first. As we entered the lobby, a family with a couple of girls about my daughter's age came out of the elevator wearing swimwear. My daughter, who loves swimming, asked if the hotel had a pool (obviously it does) and once she learned that, going to the game was out of the question. This despite the fact that the purpose of the game was to see Grace Good, the halftime performer. To be fair, one game a day is enough for my daughter, and as she rightly pointed out, the trip was a shared experience and since she saw the game in the afternoon, she should choose the evening's activity. Which was swimming. In the end, skipping the game was the right decision, as it was an expensive ticket and Tennessee walloped Texas A&M by 35 points, while Good performed at Sunday's women's game that we attended.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-34362782725964316212024-02-24T20:06:00.194+09:002024-02-24T23:51:02.839+09:00Sacred Heart Pioneers 1 at Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 4 (NCAA Baseball) - February 23, 2024<p>NCAA baseball gets started around the same time that pitchers and catchers report to spring training, which means actual games in mid-February. Of course, these contests are played in the south, where the weather is warm enough. So, when I planned this trip and found that Friday had no basketball games in the area, I looked to baseball. Both Vanderbilt and Tennessee Tech had games, and I decided on the latter in order to get the driving to Cookeville done during daylight. As well, <a href="https://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/bush-stadium-at-averitt-express-baseball-complex-s1600" target="_blank">Stadium Journey's review</a> of Tech's ballpark was phenomenal, although that was from 2018, when the team finished 12th in the national ranking with a 53-12 record. Well, times have changed.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViM_ZytxX1m5oBFBdzLLfxfyS4UZsCUTCwwE44pe2ibY7IH11vVotzaiuh-72nsNCe0wKgKvRKPFKOwuSlV4q4n8jBOZMdp7nod26Tq_kmG2-VuIClwO2mpLoF_fvCBUfcwga2L3sHuXrUqlZZaaa1fXejXZmy0vyTfx5W7LXktfkesfv7Tt-xsv_6VA/s4032/PXL_20240223_210151143.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViM_ZytxX1m5oBFBdzLLfxfyS4UZsCUTCwwE44pe2ibY7IH11vVotzaiuh-72nsNCe0wKgKvRKPFKOwuSlV4q4n8jBOZMdp7nod26Tq_kmG2-VuIClwO2mpLoF_fvCBUfcwga2L3sHuXrUqlZZaaa1fXejXZmy0vyTfx5W7LXktfkesfv7Tt-xsv_6VA/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_210151143.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Golden Eagles play out of Bush Stadium, named for Howell W. Bush, who was a supporter of the university's athletic teams and provided a gift that allowed for lighting to be installed at the ballpark. There is a plaque honouring Bush just inside the gate (below). The entire complex is named Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex; Averitt is a local logistics concern and by sponsoring the complex, they get to put their name on the ballpark, the only advertising at the venue.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF62dv5l-Wfybcfigsd5PWagLrz0UTDXR9CmGhfxz6eTPxWknsKLS6f8Az7fe5jHqzXPfFHmYRjJ05l-mZvZdpBmEp6e9K3PPa4qajrnff8XPSQew4Sv3qfveOoTgUXx8TTgZq7z3gUutdHkF4v4yJMYA2QiPteOK8bt6wwhSdf_spv6gVJ4R_cMsiqA/s4032/PXL_20240223_221038111.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF62dv5l-Wfybcfigsd5PWagLrz0UTDXR9CmGhfxz6eTPxWknsKLS6f8Az7fe5jHqzXPfFHmYRjJ05l-mZvZdpBmEp6e9K3PPa4qajrnff8XPSQew4Sv3qfveOoTgUXx8TTgZq7z3gUutdHkF4v4yJMYA2QiPteOK8bt6wwhSdf_spv6gVJ4R_cMsiqA/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_221038111.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The stadium is located just off Willow Avenue, which is an exit off I-40 and the main thoroughfare through town. It is just over three miles from the highway to the ballpark, but it took about 15 minutes to get there on a Friday afternoon, when traffic was quite heavy. Parking is free in the lot right next to the stadium, but make sure to park far away as foul ball damage is a possibility.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOoRJ5ZkByoFFrEznuP6HyBimKY_ZYhkxPAdZjM2TVhtYQfFMShzUp5tSi1ZhIeQmTppXclg1q624XvXnc-oTlZTCQSUNCjXAwaANIe0DSinKblZ6ZiSNYHq3HuQozM8S0qIEqYC9QFudz23MsEaXP1I_GJBF2DRHtp-BzzynAYr3rxwbBh7uc-nB5yY/s4032/PXL_20240223_210320192.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOoRJ5ZkByoFFrEznuP6HyBimKY_ZYhkxPAdZjM2TVhtYQfFMShzUp5tSi1ZhIeQmTppXclg1q624XvXnc-oTlZTCQSUNCjXAwaANIe0DSinKblZ6ZiSNYHq3HuQozM8S0qIEqYC9QFudz23MsEaXP1I_GJBF2DRHtp-BzzynAYr3rxwbBh7uc-nB5yY/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_210320192.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Entry is also free and there are five distinct sections surrounding home plate. Interestingly, the section directly behind the plate is benches, while the others have plastic chairs. Capacity is 1,100 and on this day, there were only 188 on hand so you had your choice of seat.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd5aRxMRtLwWP8Dmi9vg6lctaU4i8kr1CKysLfoku67PG6QGbPL9hFea6QGaQfYdB_8mLPzRljf731EdDOJMbZZZ25Psck9Je1mDtwDQEsmeYQ-SlDJcMkZKHARtQqMz5-76sOWGgnaQvCbG6VCR0WjAe7irueXbhVZwz0AxzlKCqCJeUuErRC3wjbpA/s4032/PXL_20240223_210849046.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd5aRxMRtLwWP8Dmi9vg6lctaU4i8kr1CKysLfoku67PG6QGbPL9hFea6QGaQfYdB_8mLPzRljf731EdDOJMbZZZ25Psck9Je1mDtwDQEsmeYQ-SlDJcMkZKHARtQqMz5-76sOWGgnaQvCbG6VCR0WjAe7irueXbhVZwz0AxzlKCqCJeUuErRC3wjbpA/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_210849046.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The team has had a lot of success in terms of OVC championships and there are pennants along the top of the seating bowl commemorating this. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoStKKmFaJ62HRnEJGMVq9YkbTvDPydv_gYtprnSgAInFnFnEH0D9TETy4EX0kWm1PeT4bB1_9lnzaOqJxxWlZqArPadTwdMKzzu_gfvH7uLMt2buJkAN5hXg14etUcNaqm2mbeE6-m_QLKRFEq22a7pfdzk8_xcLsHNSMeQnRXJMaIO9iQc2JV8JDyhA/s4032/PXL_20240223_221025608.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoStKKmFaJ62HRnEJGMVq9YkbTvDPydv_gYtprnSgAInFnFnEH0D9TETy4EX0kWm1PeT4bB1_9lnzaOqJxxWlZqArPadTwdMKzzu_gfvH7uLMt2buJkAN5hXg14etUcNaqm2mbeE6-m_QLKRFEq22a7pfdzk8_xcLsHNSMeQnRXJMaIO9iQc2JV8JDyhA/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_221025608.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>At one point, my daughter and I took a quick walk around the outside of the stadium and snuck into the office area, which was connected to the clubhouse. Along the narrow hallway are more detailed displays in the form of a ticket the 2018 team was very impressive indeed (below). Of those 10 MLB signees, only Ethan Roberts has made The Show from what I can tell, appearing in 9 games for the Cubs in 2022. While we were wandering, a foul ball hit a fence and rolled right to us, making my daughter very happy indeed. The ball had been used many times as the NCAA and OVC logos were barely legible.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hYhBRk1Ofn4ZsKCR0yVMqFPb8i0kY9RMi7LE_4HC0i6X_dU83j4oJjyFcM7YLLQdvjxjSfLwmg44lOXDgbXb8vRnBDTqhaJmx2Hzil12f3KeFWf1e3M3fKaSdZ6jfVR57Gi-tiFVi_4KP2guOe9ejsPoJMfxYC1rxyaLafMSz4RJUBp5qXghnlRviNM/s4032/PXL_20240223_224457613.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hYhBRk1Ofn4ZsKCR0yVMqFPb8i0kY9RMi7LE_4HC0i6X_dU83j4oJjyFcM7YLLQdvjxjSfLwmg44lOXDgbXb8vRnBDTqhaJmx2Hzil12f3KeFWf1e3M3fKaSdZ6jfVR57Gi-tiFVi_4KP2guOe9ejsPoJMfxYC1rxyaLafMSz4RJUBp5qXghnlRviNM/w300-h400/PXL_20240223_224457613.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>There is a food truck down the first base line that serves a good variety at very affordable prices, with hot dogs costing just $3. My daughter seems to enjoy hot dogs with ketchup, but not the bun (Atkins diet I guess). As you might expect, a hot dog bun with ketchup is rather disgusting, but I can't throw food out, so that is my new ballpark staple.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDwzLSJYLUMUvnsJpEl4oJiDL_1M3RLCTiR4S57m6AVzVsWhvxR569h4ZlCbfZy2WMWKfaL-VR_Jt81dXGmr3I8q1CKKRk9q0s3w51turYSaWrkBPW3LsmeQ0exi1Fn8zUx-3eaL-eTk_e0uHDBVmH-Ov4nPbD5oNAqTxtDPhL8xj9_b2uLuzif04fQ4/s4032/PXL_20240223_225337218.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDwzLSJYLUMUvnsJpEl4oJiDL_1M3RLCTiR4S57m6AVzVsWhvxR569h4ZlCbfZy2WMWKfaL-VR_Jt81dXGmr3I8q1CKKRk9q0s3w51turYSaWrkBPW3LsmeQ0exi1Fn8zUx-3eaL-eTk_e0uHDBVmH-Ov4nPbD5oNAqTxtDPhL8xj9_b2uLuzif04fQ4/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_225337218.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The game started at 3:00 and it was a beautiful afternoon, although a bit windy. We sat on the third base side, which is where the TTU fans sit, for the first part of the game, but when it became a bit chilly, we moved to the first base side, where the sun kept us warm. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmSImIZjQjZU4kG_Lw8lNWFAvjnkSmdKJLovPkcrkbrZSSdfX8y5sVtZdTSej5X_yr-dSrkcG4DtCW35vDZJTnvHmm5EJSUwrP3MuKDH2eFcM3GTapkJL2_2bZVLHAU0s_SnqG2v_cMZDV-KEQWB8zaYAG0OkV0CyLrxa2chpnTzVJuRVj8AjD0WDUNA/s4032/PXL_20240223_221426491.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmSImIZjQjZU4kG_Lw8lNWFAvjnkSmdKJLovPkcrkbrZSSdfX8y5sVtZdTSej5X_yr-dSrkcG4DtCW35vDZJTnvHmm5EJSUwrP3MuKDH2eFcM3GTapkJL2_2bZVLHAU0s_SnqG2v_cMZDV-KEQWB8zaYAG0OkV0CyLrxa2chpnTzVJuRVj8AjD0WDUNA/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_221426491.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, Bush Stadium is a nice little spot to see college ball, but it doesn't quite live up to its billing on Stadium Journey, where it ranked 4th in the country. Of course, an early season game against a first-time foe will have a different atmosphere than a conference game in May. Still, you can see quality baseball for free and there aren't many things better than that.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwErxaUU3cagr_rwlOOH5Syji3PKgnV6zdoSMZC2LIu3Hqpuyp2D_S8TPyxXnjfEa76Q6qlRTdRzbzqPcXpU_Q5MFtctNWXhAhmBx4o1t0_7mSj3ydJiVi0mUoxVqyv6tu1dPLm2Ab1epSwu1Uz_6iITn7I_Id73MJaGWA194o_XziBeTsC-HOQyOVwQ/s4032/PXL_20240223_210846475.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwErxaUU3cagr_rwlOOH5Syji3PKgnV6zdoSMZC2LIu3Hqpuyp2D_S8TPyxXnjfEa76Q6qlRTdRzbzqPcXpU_Q5MFtctNWXhAhmBx4o1t0_7mSj3ydJiVi0mUoxVqyv6tu1dPLm2Ab1epSwu1Uz_6iITn7I_Id73MJaGWA194o_XziBeTsC-HOQyOVwQ/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_210846475.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The Sacred Heart Pioneers were visiting after being swept in a weekend set at Nicholls State, while the Golden Eagles were 3-1 including a midweek thrashing of Alabama A&M. It would be my third time seeing Pioneers baseball on the road after <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2016/03/sacred-heart-pioneers-8-at-liu-brooklyn.html" target="_blank">LIU in 2016</a> and <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2022/03/sacred-heart-pioneers-4-at-st-johns-red.html" target="_blank">St. John's in 2022</a>. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGde3wPF16NL-OIJBfAwCWQJ5sD492ojIMrK4dHcsPpcvMrGdz1B767Q85pJCuFfTLhBfL_VhfAcsddrUEsYgrqvHNMMQ3ZPQAF9-BYn7gBuozuv1yHcv3g1lhAu9yNrR7R5kzm051xz0BO0Co4coLpND-pXzG0OACZEENyezC36T7Xnql1Nw_7NJPc8/s4032/PXL_20240223_210256367.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGde3wPF16NL-OIJBfAwCWQJ5sD492ojIMrK4dHcsPpcvMrGdz1B767Q85pJCuFfTLhBfL_VhfAcsddrUEsYgrqvHNMMQ3ZPQAF9-BYn7gBuozuv1yHcv3g1lhAu9yNrR7R5kzm051xz0BO0Co4coLpND-pXzG0OACZEENyezC36T7Xnql1Nw_7NJPc8/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_210256367.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>TTU opened the scoring in the first after a walk, hit batsmen, and another walk brought Nicho Jordan to the plate. He promptly singled home a pair, but they could not add on more. In the Sacred Heart second, Joey Skarad doubled off Landon Smiddy (throwing above to start the game), moved to third on a passed ball, and scored an unearned run on a sac fly. But Tech got that back in the bottom half despite a baserunning blunder. Tanner Shiver led off with a single but was doubled up when he failed to see the ball on a hit-and-run play. But Austin Turner doubled and then Theo Bryant IV singled to second base, and Turner noticed the catcher not in position and scored all the way from second. The Golden Eagles added another in the third on a homer from Hayden Gilliland. And that was it. The next six innings went very quickly with each team mustering just two hits in that time. The game finished in 2:08 and had 250 pitches thrown for an incredible PPM of 1.95. What a great start to my baseball season!</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>This was my 358th ballpark at which to watch a game.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-45448369515223651022024-02-23T20:12:00.416+09:002024-02-24T11:42:09.832+09:00Eastern Illinois Panthers 73 at Tennessee State Tigers 78 (NCAA Basketball, Ohio Valley) - February 22, 2024One of the best things about this quest to see every D-I basketball gym is that I learn a whole lot about the institutions I visit. Tennessee State is a school that I had heard nothing about until I started following the sport seriously as part of the pursuit. Located in Nashville not far from Vanderbilt, it is the only historically black college and university in Tennessee that plays D-I basketball. The campus is just north of I-40 as it curves west of downtown and is accessed via Dr. Walter S. Davis Blvd from where you turn left to reach Gentry Center, home of the TSU Tigers.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCLo1dafpsCT0W3X9TniQKrT3AomSpyfMfGSgwr5zek6JbOtiyN6MAerP3vawEXBI6e3tOc_xAB8m0F5Wbv0jbkuKLSqzxcn0-ENiPKH9mWI-XjgkmjPzl_aC4em_Fbokn7maxRg2AvCUh1UcToi22tskcuN2cPLdLZbMFE32_ooQd-wL_aLd_M1FP14/s4032/PXL_20240223_010822114.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCLo1dafpsCT0W3X9TniQKrT3AomSpyfMfGSgwr5zek6JbOtiyN6MAerP3vawEXBI6e3tOc_xAB8m0F5Wbv0jbkuKLSqzxcn0-ENiPKH9mWI-XjgkmjPzl_aC4em_Fbokn7maxRg2AvCUh1UcToi22tskcuN2cPLdLZbMFE32_ooQd-wL_aLd_M1FP14/w300-h400/PXL_20240223_010822114.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Parking is free in the lot or on the street, where many fans leave their cars to beat the traffic, which isn't really necessary when attendance is just over 1,000. Before going to the arena, have a look at the TSU Olympian, a 46-foot high statue that was created by TSU professor Jane McKinney and erected in 2010. TSU has had an incredible number of Olympic medal winners train here and this unique work honours them. On a dark night, it is tough to get a good photo, so view the <a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=209506" target="_blank">Historical Marker Database page</a> if you want better shots and more detailed information.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhLVgDflFrN32Yca4xxdLg1M-NWpBGacgUitPH_7ZtBkDF29svQGSiripORKbUsrmkG8IOoAH5VBf8NMJSgcnCoLg7eGXQmynWb54gWYaxWe6vsPpamzVn_r1_ba4S-OOhOspBnJ9r_OFsHSxdmRckOOmOE4u1ExDGHJ7W7LPZFjBpqHoqHrZZBi3Fec/s4032/PXL_20240223_011021956.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhLVgDflFrN32Yca4xxdLg1M-NWpBGacgUitPH_7ZtBkDF29svQGSiripORKbUsrmkG8IOoAH5VBf8NMJSgcnCoLg7eGXQmynWb54gWYaxWe6vsPpamzVn_r1_ba4S-OOhOspBnJ9r_OFsHSxdmRckOOmOE4u1ExDGHJ7W7LPZFjBpqHoqHrZZBi3Fec/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_011021956.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>From there, it is a short walk to the main entrance of the Gentry Center. Opened in 1980, it was named for Howard C. Gentry, Sr., who served as a coach and athletic director at TSU. Capacity is 9,100, which meant about 8,000 empty seats on this night. You can see the box office to the left of the entrance in the photo above; tickets were a surprisingly expensive $20 apiece, perhaps because the game was part of a doubleheader with the women. I had read that tickets were $10, and when the box office lady said $40, I thought she said $14, guessing $10 for me and $4 for my daughter. Nope. $20 each. Oh well, food is very cheap here ($3 hot dogs), so in the end, I did not break the bank.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWQD8E8UxsoEm3hrPAVzB-_f03UWIJuLjdKlWgygr8IWqDqhMLO5kmWTgEi7-h7Q2wIV0lUBUiMbNA3W4f8Wf6Kj_sAmf7zPte2IDZQbFVCibG0F0wI4ANkB-Gc1DOy0fkVoPxkQfC2QzyW_3wgPxyMRaZRQTFiomPRSTGSzWR_J1TRwoj3T7iU-asQk/s4032/PXL_20240223_011402580.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWQD8E8UxsoEm3hrPAVzB-_f03UWIJuLjdKlWgygr8IWqDqhMLO5kmWTgEi7-h7Q2wIV0lUBUiMbNA3W4f8Wf6Kj_sAmf7zPte2IDZQbFVCibG0F0wI4ANkB-Gc1DOy0fkVoPxkQfC2QzyW_3wgPxyMRaZRQTFiomPRSTGSzWR_J1TRwoj3T7iU-asQk/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_011402580.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Inside the first set of doors is a small trophy case, but it is right next to the security apparatus and difficult to take a good picture. Continue on inside and don't enter the gym yet, instead turn to the left and you will see the start of a corridor that contains a lot of interesting photos and other historic displays. First is the impressive list of Olympic medal winners (above), with Wilma Rudolph the most recognizable name.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIqO6Kp-LYwD0YHWDhTpUIN87WTS1fubCMiEHw-5kJxe8xSzGrjtDLe-QGf_r6683bVBFJgqVQGcVixtovGqXFojU2u1UlLytbNKN-hgFaNriEUnYhH02ObZZVFqHlKoXw8wLHDihkeCk2-pVJla7Wo3Ojmku559Mk1nm19bYMBiHeT8cwj94-VfNs-k/s4032/PXL_20240223_011626115.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIqO6Kp-LYwD0YHWDhTpUIN87WTS1fubCMiEHw-5kJxe8xSzGrjtDLe-QGf_r6683bVBFJgqVQGcVixtovGqXFojU2u1UlLytbNKN-hgFaNriEUnYhH02ObZZVFqHlKoXw8wLHDihkeCk2-pVJla7Wo3Ojmku559Mk1nm19bYMBiHeT8cwj94-VfNs-k/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_011626115.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, there are many other talented athletes that brought home gold, such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyomia_Tyus" target="_blank">Wyomia Tyus</a>, who was the first repeat winner in the 100m, taking gold in 1964 and 1968. It is amazing that all of these runners went here, but that is because the TSU track program was helmed by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Temple" target="_blank">Ed Temple</a>, who also coached the Olympic team in 1960 and 1964. I could fill this whole post with their accomplishments, but I need to talk about basketball. Although the Tigers have not had much success in Division I with just two tournament appearances back in 1993 and 1994, they have had many players make the NBA and there are pictures of them along the hallway, with Anthony Mason one example.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNj1sTLK9JVYKW89Oh3DQAl8MC4FacQGWhzlILLKtwBJrHtMnMbu3wP28CcUnUnLDan9dis-k0m9tCaiZwrirNBkRcco8zpZKS51yzRBepQO22xCP7TfPBDittYjij0SReNoyzjDH5XkdbzGK-VUe3q-TWZiEfSxTiKDCAFy4MS63TGr-Vvzx2h_Bsig/s4032/PXL_20240223_011704590.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNj1sTLK9JVYKW89Oh3DQAl8MC4FacQGWhzlILLKtwBJrHtMnMbu3wP28CcUnUnLDan9dis-k0m9tCaiZwrirNBkRcco8zpZKS51yzRBepQO22xCP7TfPBDittYjij0SReNoyzjDH5XkdbzGK-VUe3q-TWZiEfSxTiKDCAFy4MS63TGr-Vvzx2h_Bsig/w300-h400/PXL_20240223_011704590.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>TSU changed their logo in 2021, much like Memphis did in removing the orange from the tiger. I really like the lower case lettering and appreciate seeing the logo on the wall, which allows for a clearer picture than that on center court. Did you know that Tigers is the most common nickname in D-I hoops? Yep, there are 14 schools so dubbed and it is a fun bit of trivia to try to come up with them all.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoMU3y33bXWycquk00h4mB3gQlHjcVwISJQekl7Zkpxi87TgkyjZMelbB0sl38JfFgv2Kipkz23Z2gIZiMLmyLhKZacPyn8byHgpkoetktgnz0oMY1G5sKA6BS-DpmGYjl_SbFoCr02kvsrwYKLiE_vlgiG0K1xvo7NKcvzqwkY1vyI4uwFdlM2cpmaw/s4032/PXL_20240223_011725983.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoMU3y33bXWycquk00h4mB3gQlHjcVwISJQekl7Zkpxi87TgkyjZMelbB0sl38JfFgv2Kipkz23Z2gIZiMLmyLhKZacPyn8byHgpkoetktgnz0oMY1G5sKA6BS-DpmGYjl_SbFoCr02kvsrwYKLiE_vlgiG0K1xvo7NKcvzqwkY1vyI4uwFdlM2cpmaw/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_011725983.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>When you enter the gym from this hallway, you will find yourself at floor level in one corner, looking back over McLendon Court. It was named in honor of TSU head coach John B. McLendon, who coached here between 1955-59, when the school (known as Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State) won three straight NAIA championships, the first school to go back-to-back-to-back any level. In 1962, McLendon was hired by the Cleveland Pipers, the American Basketball League team that was owned by George Steinbrenner. making him the first African American head coach in professional sports. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1p-QxEDfDPJHGqhA9iA9BcW0vTPnyHYT601ncFSK65peyT2NrUTZiZ46-OwoA4MC0M2tpSIe1rzmdneorbTf8a327nZWMkiW_AYnbXaTrxsMmQhKfriUUINTaW-9COgzoi-0mhpEZPj6d1Bx03rQdYxpIOgLGHqZjiJ1MPFhO5xH2pzXYABNsxP_c_Xc/s4032/PXL_20240223_011813610.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1p-QxEDfDPJHGqhA9iA9BcW0vTPnyHYT601ncFSK65peyT2NrUTZiZ46-OwoA4MC0M2tpSIe1rzmdneorbTf8a327nZWMkiW_AYnbXaTrxsMmQhKfriUUINTaW-9COgzoi-0mhpEZPj6d1Bx03rQdYxpIOgLGHqZjiJ1MPFhO5xH2pzXYABNsxP_c_Xc/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_011813610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A closer examination of the setup reveals a running track between the lower chairbacks and the upper benches; on one side is the Wall of Legends which displays the names of past stars from all sports.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFy5yBPnQQGf5n-JPxLJQeGa0h_M7xpg4saCu7H2A0I8Qk14KG8E0mq5iWThOfK40KBdgznLmTqYLQHBcv-W1cLjCd4vGcQYcoStUne0awOWRFcU-Bmb92irUGWIsjo73YvuVv1_ujG2V2P4wrLoahUtAtj3xEqN2_Yf4o9O35eaHOwYxUP-a5uTTu-8g/s4032/PXL_20240223_013117244.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFy5yBPnQQGf5n-JPxLJQeGa0h_M7xpg4saCu7H2A0I8Qk14KG8E0mq5iWThOfK40KBdgznLmTqYLQHBcv-W1cLjCd4vGcQYcoStUne0awOWRFcU-Bmb92irUGWIsjo73YvuVv1_ujG2V2P4wrLoahUtAtj3xEqN2_Yf4o9O35eaHOwYxUP-a5uTTu-8g/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_013117244.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the other side, the benches are actually set up on top of the running track and provide a good spot to sit if you want some space. Above this is another deck of chairbacks, but many of them are in a state of disrepair and thus nobody sits there. Even some of the seats in the lower sections have signs on them stating "Do Not Use" as they are cracked or otherwise broken. New seats should be ordered since these ones are probably 45 years old.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXivMxR2cSr2Q7Kr9ihqONPIT79co-wmxZUE5r4-_vfyIeVfjEj-V1Dgga7lbwtLypRckCAEwE6lawyoUOygXWN0H34k5DrIs0VFxhkBxXQIki8AogdLGAJtQD9WojsSbsYlK9UU0Ew6ow9zZuBu4JZST7E4VJmwtq4YqYnktyiyTC2WEmcq-EybDY1ZQ/s4032/PXL_20240223_012831466.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXivMxR2cSr2Q7Kr9ihqONPIT79co-wmxZUE5r4-_vfyIeVfjEj-V1Dgga7lbwtLypRckCAEwE6lawyoUOygXWN0H34k5DrIs0VFxhkBxXQIki8AogdLGAJtQD9WojsSbsYlK9UU0Ew6ow9zZuBu4JZST7E4VJmwtq4YqYnktyiyTC2WEmcq-EybDY1ZQ/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_012831466.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The student section is a series of bleachers at one end, though few bothered to make it out for the doubleheader (attendance for the women's game was 443).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPQBWcDsDIX3HMs04hl5ziIijdPRjeDgRmHtF6KF5s1D7MhwCsIfRhe-jB3HWKIwyEbxWpeJAZNZLhyPZZw7ruXBUvPjAItY8hx9UVJnCUi0QyS3Qyiq5DTX8eI4673s-Yynn_RqnE4r21NwNTaFHFVcB1Uunr-hggsUpWX0MZWLTq4tgj4piVukppRE/s4032/PXL_20240223_012833659.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPQBWcDsDIX3HMs04hl5ziIijdPRjeDgRmHtF6KF5s1D7MhwCsIfRhe-jB3HWKIwyEbxWpeJAZNZLhyPZZw7ruXBUvPjAItY8hx9UVJnCUi0QyS3Qyiq5DTX8eI4673s-Yynn_RqnE4r21NwNTaFHFVcB1Uunr-hggsUpWX0MZWLTq4tgj4piVukppRE/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_012833659.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At the other end of the court sits the band, which is one of the largest I have seen at a mid-major. They are loud and very active during the game, dancing while they play. There are 15 tubas, which has to be a record of some sort I would think. Make sure to sit at the far end of the court if booming music bothers you.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vUpYMuirQlhRXWGFzCN77pFeAAh73w_XFw4vDYErMPXcjhf8iDumvcGQgB7TCQUdzyZ4UnszvvCcFyEP_Vbjs0iWZFdbuG4Lhejy-5IdBZPtmLRYeT0PiVdu_goTJGi603VUg4QBrAwFZhlGFhsfVoBw_RjIAK7DVgJVbU7cjoKCpLmaO4E1SNQfqPI/s4032/PXL_20240223_012915594.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vUpYMuirQlhRXWGFzCN77pFeAAh73w_XFw4vDYErMPXcjhf8iDumvcGQgB7TCQUdzyZ4UnszvvCcFyEP_Vbjs0iWZFdbuG4Lhejy-5IdBZPtmLRYeT0PiVdu_goTJGi603VUg4QBrAwFZhlGFhsfVoBw_RjIAK7DVgJVbU7cjoKCpLmaO4E1SNQfqPI/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_012915594.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Along the running track behind the student section is a very large trophy case that contains dozens of awards acquired over the years.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kM9Qo-TXaJlhWO5wp9_ksPU66yhlsYNK1jx6pvwwlyGIbWeR_FYx_TA8CUEUvIW0QsfTNZ3bi20HRd2dA5ClT47YdtoBAAJg9gDfqxhhXLw_NM-lzz5f8sXDQlZcpVMzKb-ARWo2GF_cDGteHh_m_PmTbehVXOSGPO6aaBgwiErKs77bty4tr3SqQ9A/s4032/PXL_20240223_013543417.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kM9Qo-TXaJlhWO5wp9_ksPU66yhlsYNK1jx6pvwwlyGIbWeR_FYx_TA8CUEUvIW0QsfTNZ3bi20HRd2dA5ClT47YdtoBAAJg9gDfqxhhXLw_NM-lzz5f8sXDQlZcpVMzKb-ARWo2GF_cDGteHh_m_PmTbehVXOSGPO6aaBgwiErKs77bty4tr3SqQ9A/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_013543417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Most are conference championships (the Tigers have been members of the OVC since they jumped to D-I in 1986) but there is some national recognition, as the school was strong when they played in D-II, making 4 appearances in the Final Four.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhydVTO1UuNz0GA8sWaRykO12aFVL1DVayANBDBsHg47TGpKQXudnWID2c-6tlacHhsBjAWMTfyde2lM7z43dSYnFcDyEfydVQ3zmqKTKzZ5dhl74yo6oEm8dc-QBpXdEPOZsc48EJ8MCS5Gd9slgO5yfz2_bmjWyQbZ68-qeIgbm2aE483t7A1rWS9M/s4032/PXL_20240223_013530644.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhydVTO1UuNz0GA8sWaRykO12aFVL1DVayANBDBsHg47TGpKQXudnWID2c-6tlacHhsBjAWMTfyde2lM7z43dSYnFcDyEfydVQ3zmqKTKzZ5dhl74yo6oEm8dc-QBpXdEPOZsc48EJ8MCS5Gd9slgO5yfz2_bmjWyQbZ68-qeIgbm2aE483t7A1rWS9M/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_013530644.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It is up here that you will also see an elevator with Oprah Winfrey's picture on it. She graduated from TSU in 1986, by which time she was already famous, having starred in 'The Color Purple' the year before. She gave the <a href="https://www.essence.com/news/oprah-tennessee-state/" target="_blank">commencement speech here in 2023</a>, where she mentioned that it took her a decade to get her degree, though of course she was well on her way to being Oprah! by then.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtbXEH7IaKe9ZXGBiz2cqpoVKgkUK_e7hNCMmLAZWcZTUSoHvX8jBhENRxrvJUX3VG3WOYnv9tlUaqxIjq2y070bjLQpczHpX5n4v7lTr4S_OAjapJJ6ZH978ZW-5sUtTtNXaBTY_E9Pitx81JVWr-7NoXmC7NlYoEPaF800oM3uFC8wYE0ui2XLE_aY/s4032/PXL_20240223_013602477.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtbXEH7IaKe9ZXGBiz2cqpoVKgkUK_e7hNCMmLAZWcZTUSoHvX8jBhENRxrvJUX3VG3WOYnv9tlUaqxIjq2y070bjLQpczHpX5n4v7lTr4S_OAjapJJ6ZH978ZW-5sUtTtNXaBTY_E9Pitx81JVWr-7NoXmC7NlYoEPaF800oM3uFC8wYE0ui2XLE_aY/w300-h400/PXL_20240223_013602477.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The OVC banners are affixed to the railings in front of the third level. There are several cats in the conference (Panthers, Lions, Cougars, and Tigers) and a flock of birds (Redhawks, Skyhawks, and three types of Eagles). Only the Western Illinois Leathernecks and Little Rock Trojans buck the trend.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivgij_eMT_-NE5UfWOLQU6-DB4y9fgnyS4ZI43Eb4KlSRg8CGFnSLJbcw0vCn8y1b0edGoiCR2469VXiKQtEL2wsRYSVoblwqu-QFDwIXmNOTeoECSige6dZKU3QchjOnDKIzkPNt1V1tcLS12i52hCzSuaVRbK58ICtr7mcsxWFecUbnx_JhrEfYMwg/s4032/PXL_20240223_014037245.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivgij_eMT_-NE5UfWOLQU6-DB4y9fgnyS4ZI43Eb4KlSRg8CGFnSLJbcw0vCn8y1b0edGoiCR2469VXiKQtEL2wsRYSVoblwqu-QFDwIXmNOTeoECSige6dZKU3QchjOnDKIzkPNt1V1tcLS12i52hCzSuaVRbK58ICtr7mcsxWFecUbnx_JhrEfYMwg/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_014037245.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Those NAIA banners are still here and have the old logo on them, a great touch. There are several other banners for all of the OVC accomplishments.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmPlcTqCSOgZ9lh9e0R6sRHCyMvNdWWcisrNX4JwLjKzm-g_-itaGXKAsUlGR04Gw23Ykh6_Cy_nCL1GxDBqggofXSSNT-zvqx64VlznOINLz4_rkZO2LgqYzUh9_adI8P2DgJC_ZoqCzG8ver4S__wHlM8Iz_kqiJ-_c4j1GIvM-WwDPWeET8ZVg3UY/s4032/PXL_20240223_032723814.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmPlcTqCSOgZ9lh9e0R6sRHCyMvNdWWcisrNX4JwLjKzm-g_-itaGXKAsUlGR04Gw23Ykh6_Cy_nCL1GxDBqggofXSSNT-zvqx64VlznOINLz4_rkZO2LgqYzUh9_adI8P2DgJC_ZoqCzG8ver4S__wHlM8Iz_kqiJ-_c4j1GIvM-WwDPWeET8ZVg3UY/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_032723814.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, Gentry Center is a venue that I enjoyed very much, with the band and cheer teams bringing a level of energy to an otherwise mostly empty stadium. The college has had a lot of athletics history and that is well presented too. If you are in Nashville during the winter and the Tigers are home, consider a visit to this historic gymnasium.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Eastern Illinois were the visitors at 7-7 in OVC play, a game behind the Tigers. The first half saw TSU up 18-12 but a 9-0 run by the Panthers gave them the lead. Tied at 25, EIU regained the advantage on four separate occasions, only for Tennessee State to tie it back up and the half ended all even at 35. There were 18 fouls called in the half, which was quite slow as a result.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtuaLqvjsVDz9DRk0JBWu86VVuDkkrbYIZ5aWfJX-yeViCL8qN5uxTeYMJN1c3zJt_9Kb7ZJkvBdjJ-MYtk0CSqBxiZptDesMne9BsZP8fpU4uD7KLqml18EzyXh1OIwGfVVijmmir0hsyh4fgCCabwOS8X7_VzvMZwW_aDPZMKJMcLJTt-M1tbStEDo/s4032/PXL_20240223_013721806.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtuaLqvjsVDz9DRk0JBWu86VVuDkkrbYIZ5aWfJX-yeViCL8qN5uxTeYMJN1c3zJt_9Kb7ZJkvBdjJ-MYtk0CSqBxiZptDesMne9BsZP8fpU4uD7KLqml18EzyXh1OIwGfVVijmmir0hsyh4fgCCabwOS8X7_VzvMZwW_aDPZMKJMcLJTt-M1tbStEDo/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_013721806.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The second half saw the teams tied at 37, 42, and 45 and neither could get a significant lead. The Tigers were down 47-46 when Justin Williams hit a three to give them the upper hand. A couple of possessions later and EJ Bellinger completed a hoop and harm for TSU and it was 54-48 with 11 minutes to go.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4x36rUvHZKqTJC_2FGJANZYBR849Cpun6Y5LqkEJonbh-E2GxWEjs0LlOYCHOUCwd_8XzcbpEO16y76dk_F3stXHVUw1Yq1cat2r3Bq9wNX7OuaVV84dz2clYIctScDTGdQ9kASYyyFauJ39x6b3XAw-rV19-0Rx95BnK360fEZ-39jaYUFPBeRyrUE/s4032/PXL_20240223_024649047.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4x36rUvHZKqTJC_2FGJANZYBR849Cpun6Y5LqkEJonbh-E2GxWEjs0LlOYCHOUCwd_8XzcbpEO16y76dk_F3stXHVUw1Yq1cat2r3Bq9wNX7OuaVV84dz2clYIctScDTGdQ9kASYyyFauJ39x6b3XAw-rV19-0Rx95BnK360fEZ-39jaYUFPBeRyrUE/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_024649047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Over the next six minutes, EIU would score and TSU would match them, maintaining the two-possession advantage. Fouls were being called regularly and free throw shooting was critical down the stretch. The Panthers had closed to within 3 at 64-61, but then committed a series of fouls that sent the Tigers to the line 8 times, where they made 7. Tiger Booker (who confusingly plays for the Panthers) sank a 3 with 1:11 to go to get it to 73-66 and that was the last meaningful field goal as the final minute took forever to play, with pointless timeouts and tons of free throws.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYklYALz8bcWZqjG575YyNdKshrcm7vnWhL5fdlzFZkvs0qmvLSqGRfthZmxjy5-KntxO-oycLSOy0YHBRVB0Ld8pUzqOf_1_D0YshhNhUZJN0W4RZWDTWks0GRHKMco_fvoJhBpQ7pBzdJczNk6gmH4fabAW11-6hmHLk3uydE9xv-AmkIDoHsfG7KE/s4032/PXL_20240223_033508486.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYklYALz8bcWZqjG575YyNdKshrcm7vnWhL5fdlzFZkvs0qmvLSqGRfthZmxjy5-KntxO-oycLSOy0YHBRVB0Ld8pUzqOf_1_D0YshhNhUZJN0W4RZWDTWks0GRHKMco_fvoJhBpQ7pBzdJczNk6gmH4fabAW11-6hmHLk3uydE9xv-AmkIDoHsfG7KE/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_033508486.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After Corey Sawyer Jr. drained a trey with 17 seconds left to get EIU back within 5, the Panthers called timeout. Although unlikely, they had a chance to win, but needed to foul immediately. But the Tigers managed to get the ball away and the Panthers failed to foul, unbelievable considering they just called a timeout. The clock ran out and Tennessee State took it 78-73. An anti-climactic ending to a pretty good game, as is often the case in basketball.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZffWvUpdn4D7cMSEeNbni5DsubMXonmMusxwlAJgGgIAr7vSjSEx3eKDX0EYNShihJokX3fK5sY5zcTg1VLK9gn9QvxsQZo8vzQSJUu1DwGI3Kb3r7NtIYCvnD82BcEiNNeVw4P_UtOYI7NFqocYWlWqpwLeXEgc1p1noG3qYdWIeXWZrTkI8ZjX-DBY/s4032/PXL_20240223_035113146.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZffWvUpdn4D7cMSEeNbni5DsubMXonmMusxwlAJgGgIAr7vSjSEx3eKDX0EYNShihJokX3fK5sY5zcTg1VLK9gn9QvxsQZo8vzQSJUu1DwGI3Kb3r7NtIYCvnD82BcEiNNeVw4P_UtOYI7NFqocYWlWqpwLeXEgc1p1noG3qYdWIeXWZrTkI8ZjX-DBY/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_035113146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This would have been a great game except for the heavy-handed officiating. Too many lame fouls were called down the stretch, and it just kills the flow. I understand the rules of basketball, but I cannot fathom why fouls are called when there is no impact to the ball handler or the play. In a game with so many whistles, why are they adding more when they are unnecessary? Anyway, the Tigers went 20/33 from inside the arc, leading to many fouls and offsetting the Panthers 9/17 mark from downtown.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY49nMGdIRIaYjB_gK0vQsWf2Yx-7i-Vrrmsfr52qjC32qqGzwXZVbDmHTgEXCjMJndWIQSDSFTVYYDD8AksvrIQ5EJ2J7DkkBiKybQ59qfYu-3vV0JMHZXK41qHQqxHeZBvgXSULn5QOu83hMF_TEaDX6huHGXjBCkxh-VmUyUEx5JiesG5J_mvHDezA/s4032/PXL_20240223_035229740.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY49nMGdIRIaYjB_gK0vQsWf2Yx-7i-Vrrmsfr52qjC32qqGzwXZVbDmHTgEXCjMJndWIQSDSFTVYYDD8AksvrIQ5EJ2J7DkkBiKybQ59qfYu-3vV0JMHZXK41qHQqxHeZBvgXSULn5QOu83hMF_TEaDX6huHGXjBCkxh-VmUyUEx5JiesG5J_mvHDezA/w400-h300/PXL_20240223_035229740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After the game, the players, cheerleaders, and dance team (wearing very skimpy outfits to the right in the above photo) stood for the alma mater played by the band, a nice way to end things.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This was my 1,050th venue lifetime. It has been exactly six months to the day since <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2023/08/tohoku-rakuten-golden-eagles-2-at.html" target="_blank">I saw venue 1,000 in Japan</a>, so I am averaging nearly 2 per week, a pace that will certainly slow once college basketball season ends.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was also the first active Ohio Valley school for me. I had <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2021/02/siue-cougars-60-at-jacksonville-state.html?q=jacksonville+state" target="_blank">seen Jacksonville State</a> when they were members of the OVC in 2021, since then they have moved conferences twice. </div><div><br /></div><div>The OVC is testing a new timeout rule in the second half of conference games. Rather than the usual five media timeouts (under 16, 12, 8, and 4 plus a floater when the first team timeout is called), there are now five scheduled timeouts (under 17, 14, 11, 8, 4) and all team timeouts are of the regular variety. I love these stadiums, but the games are more often than not a slog, and having timeouts after just 3 minutes of action just adds to the pain. There should be three media timeouts (under 15, 10, 5) per half; when added to the 3 timeouts per team in the second half you get 9 total timeouts, more than enough for 20 minutes of action. But I guess the powers that be like college basketball just the way it is.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tennessee State plans to start <a href="https://tsutigers.com/news/2023/6/28/mens-club-hockey-tsu-achieves-historic-milestone-as-first-hbcu-to-introduce-collegiate-ice-hockey.aspx" target="_blank">hockey in the 2024-25 season</a>, making it the first HBCU to do so. This will be something worth watching and perhaps checking out should you be in Nashville at that time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sean</div></div></div><div><br /></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-82454425832788986652024-02-22T20:42:00.379+09:002024-03-15T04:16:01.365+09:00Georgia Bulldogs 76 at Vanderbilt Commodores 64 (NCAA Basketball, SEC) - February 21, 2024<p>The second stop on our Tennessee trek was Nashville, which has four D-I colleges. I had <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2023/01/bellarmine-knights-49-at-lipscomb.html" target="_blank">taken my daughter to Lipscomb</a> just last year, but that left Vanderbilt, Tennessee State, and Belmont. As luck would have it, the first two had back-to-back games midweek, making for a perfect stop between Memphis and Knoxville. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvA-hQPsucvHGP_DUU7QnUX1a3KyZq1VMWXbGQH7rtcVgcuWvCYbbxuKnLj9hkGKCyWmNFviLljCA0iAWbf5Ena9heYm4ZBjB_saWlcPSCAq8fd9nflNr0Nk6xomcjW1hOhZheN29Q1A-YZu37IiEWIipk7S9gPZKAxyHeopKWGWjbrFFVeGGRHv8oUY/s3784/PXL_20240222_004919915.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="3784" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvA-hQPsucvHGP_DUU7QnUX1a3KyZq1VMWXbGQH7rtcVgcuWvCYbbxuKnLj9hkGKCyWmNFviLljCA0iAWbf5Ena9heYm4ZBjB_saWlcPSCAq8fd9nflNr0Nk6xomcjW1hOhZheN29Q1A-YZu37IiEWIipk7S9gPZKAxyHeopKWGWjbrFFVeGGRHv8oUY/w640-h442/PXL_20240222_004919915.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Wednesday saw Vanderbilt hosting Georgia in a battle of SEC also-rans. I had booked a hotel that was about 20 minutes from campus, so we walked over, saving the $30 parking charge for the garage next to Memorial Gymnasium, home of the Commodores ($15 if purchased in advance, and the price is cheaper for non-conference games). The venue is located on 25th Avenue, which is a narrow road that passes through campus. Get there early if you are driving, or look for parking a few blocks away, because traffic can be a problem getting in and out.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTv3l4HFEzOJpcfUKc3593OuVZk01D4cg0DnW4dl3jS5q8FsFeIPAEbFrSLnxQ0w-J22-iZhT3qsMdIbPTnF6tWyCGhgFNypQ8GZX5ZQMXdwHyhU2l4V4asw-_V4LsgnALyM5QeXbsiW87oDOsTOnTFQxzqrGn3MXNlaha6lAHVFTGSaWwOOHa59nMBc/s4032/PXL_20240222_005224383.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTv3l4HFEzOJpcfUKc3593OuVZk01D4cg0DnW4dl3jS5q8FsFeIPAEbFrSLnxQ0w-J22-iZhT3qsMdIbPTnF6tWyCGhgFNypQ8GZX5ZQMXdwHyhU2l4V4asw-_V4LsgnALyM5QeXbsiW87oDOsTOnTFQxzqrGn3MXNlaha6lAHVFTGSaWwOOHa59nMBc/w640-h480/PXL_20240222_005224383.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Tickets are sold at Gate 1, and as you walk around to that area, you will pass by the historical marker above. The gym opened in 1952, making it the oldest for SEC men's hoops, and second-oldest overall in the conference behind Memorial Coliseum, the home of Kentucky women that opened in 1950. It actually <a href="https://vucommodores.com/facilities/historic-memorial-gymnasium/" target="_blank">opened on the same day as Welsh-Ryan Arena at Northwestern</a>, making them both the 25th oldest arena in college basketball. Capacity has fluctuated over the years and the gym currently holds 14, 316 fans when full. Which it rarely is, because Vanderbilt is terrible these days. Still, a lot of history has happened here, including many events that are not related to sports. I know it is hard to believe, but sport is not the most important thing in the world.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23VnoW3fl9fj7ZxJnjfOz-5hIwxww7E5IAwZUMbFtBTvoCQ8J7S6w13jE4Fbc1xrO9P5jTUtjLJ5aOuP5lHeN4kJfHHrRh7ff_HYuno05NJ2upP-Rnz20xJDqFP6rVj8KGTQ5gDQTbOyjXq1oRUCvOWlYtW4z8r2_W6byKPs77vv04IiokvGVUShL1KE/s4032/PXL_20240222_005703064.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23VnoW3fl9fj7ZxJnjfOz-5hIwxww7E5IAwZUMbFtBTvoCQ8J7S6w13jE4Fbc1xrO9P5jTUtjLJ5aOuP5lHeN4kJfHHrRh7ff_HYuno05NJ2upP-Rnz20xJDqFP6rVj8KGTQ5gDQTbOyjXq1oRUCvOWlYtW4z8r2_W6byKPs77vv04IiokvGVUShL1KE/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_005703064.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Above is the entrance at Gate 1 with the box office next to it. Tickets started at $20 for the upper baseline seats and went to $40 for the second deck sideline seats. Yikes! You could get tickets for $4 on the secondary market, though I went a bit higher to secure a spot at center court in the mezzanine. As you can see below, I probably should have just picked the cheapest option as you could pretty much sit anywhere outside of the lower rows.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzX0Gj4j5Yg0KZGbnfee4aA4dopTfpQK1FGf4wZKmrO1qmJq64eYBfS8essMxzWFecWCpRc7wLiSqmiExusFt55WicOIAKsfW1D9vKYtXZBcMdhaWuS4wK8Lz6mESj5otf9LuwitQ0rET665hLzzxIrCDx4ukObk12bE-qHTfExhg8CmX0SnDwFKIX8E/s4032/PXL_20240222_010323477.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzX0Gj4j5Yg0KZGbnfee4aA4dopTfpQK1FGf4wZKmrO1qmJq64eYBfS8essMxzWFecWCpRc7wLiSqmiExusFt55WicOIAKsfW1D9vKYtXZBcMdhaWuS4wK8Lz6mESj5otf9LuwitQ0rET665hLzzxIrCDx4ukObk12bE-qHTfExhg8CmX0SnDwFKIX8E/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010323477.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Before entering the seating bowl, make sure to walk around the lower level, which is not a concourse in the traditional sense, but a series of hallways. In fact, the entire building is completely different than any venue I have visited before. I'll get to that shortly, but the first thing to note is the long hall of accomplishments for both men's and women's basketball over the years.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDmdLYngMBcztsid8XeaHuhMK-32Ubt0kqxWOK0AxCc9BzSe8FGVjqVFyAVG_HVVgoHHcSXGXi1uvxIuQaSouW0XVnSRp5fr3ZFOymhILiBZdYq2Cer3Wd07cGr9UTAUTa2xjzsHsy-H5orO6MjVmK-ASukDWDJUhOCdJBLaDk8wkLRT2gflfm-ixXu8/s4032/PXL_20240222_010142557.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDmdLYngMBcztsid8XeaHuhMK-32Ubt0kqxWOK0AxCc9BzSe8FGVjqVFyAVG_HVVgoHHcSXGXi1uvxIuQaSouW0XVnSRp5fr3ZFOymhILiBZdYq2Cer3Wd07cGr9UTAUTa2xjzsHsy-H5orO6MjVmK-ASukDWDJUhOCdJBLaDk8wkLRT2gflfm-ixXu8/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010142557.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Although the team may be on the bottom of the SEC standings this year, they have had several players go pro; Will Perdue leads them with 792 games played in the Association.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4neJGc1c-VXX7KBuz0sHfH5kUWFQeDKULpvEKdxObt443UAlo1TcVnAckbNiY_NSoedKtCPE-i6CESzH62lNkwoEVQaPpVT5mXlAbDtKzmmAA85tl4jbanJnnlby66lLgWQy1gTi50HxfoOv0v2-lyB8-iiUX59VIZeg02PyEUqVNS9swDzvs8WytXGQ/s4032/PXL_20240222_010139480.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4neJGc1c-VXX7KBuz0sHfH5kUWFQeDKULpvEKdxObt443UAlo1TcVnAckbNiY_NSoedKtCPE-i6CESzH62lNkwoEVQaPpVT5mXlAbDtKzmmAA85tl4jbanJnnlby66lLgWQy1gTi50HxfoOv0v2-lyB8-iiUX59VIZeg02PyEUqVNS9swDzvs8WytXGQ/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010139480.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There is more to see around the lower level, with poles being used to highlight former stars and interesting bits of trivia. The first NCAA women's game to sell out in advance was here in 1993 when #2 Tennessee visited the #1 Commodores with the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1993/01/31/no-2-tennessee-women-topple-no-1-vanderbilt/fc293aab-c6c0-4a03-a4a5-b5c1891094f1/" target="_blank">Vols victorious 73-68</a>.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWhD-udbuX9MzDLhDnZyqrPKznN6rGmbF7E2NFMY9fXfKQqCsbiiiiIJfLZrg3PWpmFpREOKlqwyHEq_VwAOkxVNxVgFsGne1kKZmDwdX65hSp3nMsnkPNrXAf3X7voWg-oHblxfR6xGwMyOYhcFUuGr63Wf9rdcGkMgJdgcZBPV3Rk7Ldn01Gi8yp6o/s4032/PXL_20240222_010612732.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWhD-udbuX9MzDLhDnZyqrPKznN6rGmbF7E2NFMY9fXfKQqCsbiiiiIJfLZrg3PWpmFpREOKlqwyHEq_VwAOkxVNxVgFsGne1kKZmDwdX65hSp3nMsnkPNrXAf3X7voWg-oHblxfR6xGwMyOYhcFUuGr63Wf9rdcGkMgJdgcZBPV3Rk7Ldn01Gi8yp6o/w300-h400/PXL_20240222_010612732.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>Now let's talk about the seating bowl. There are three levels of seating on the four sides (court, mezzanine, and balcony), but no corner seats at all. The shot below was taken from the walkway between the first two levels along the baseline. On the sidelines, you need to take stairs to reach the mezzanine and balcony levels. Sections are lettered from A to L, with F taking up one baseline and L the other. The sidelines have five sections (A->E and G->K). Those sections without a number are closest to the court, the mezzanine has a 2 prefix (2I for example), and the balcony has a 3 prefix.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pb5UrQu36QdAxTm83GjJDNZ9ukbPoSKfs2mywDmRsVu3aVs4yZjtdKm81rN446Yaht8sDhqNRE6PrPvR4eTAwZ3g0qUq5oBzHE1GtnNtjIELKjuG4_w8ZlirEnTa459CCx-z0O4nddje_v_HD4mE3qHtjCRSMJx9r3jrFy2TNtlquwW92Xwyydzb5aM/s4032/PXL_20240222_010320954.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pb5UrQu36QdAxTm83GjJDNZ9ukbPoSKfs2mywDmRsVu3aVs4yZjtdKm81rN446Yaht8sDhqNRE6PrPvR4eTAwZ3g0qUq5oBzHE1GtnNtjIELKjuG4_w8ZlirEnTa459CCx-z0O4nddje_v_HD4mE3qHtjCRSMJx9r3jrFy2TNtlquwW92Xwyydzb5aM/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010320954.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Many of the seats are benches; the shot below was taken from more or less the same spot as the picture above, just looking the other way. Note the cowboy hat on the fan; this was a giveaway that made my daughter very happy. As you can see on the triangular section signs on the back wall, this is 2F.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnt2n-lCrGAvdGCBJl9SGtNA2tsvwNjl3xvK83B44s7U2-idWiweoXlS8-aixTK1QYAEdUK_IrddPG6EAvGSmRHOcwVZqxd7tyer6iHLMVeJqEX0BEcmLzhbX73sZ_8WWu_8RsrUxEQZmzXdsroFp0OoFm-8ZfXTVb3i3-F93R4VcRuyRsNNNBgVes_I0/s4032/PXL_20240222_010332719.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnt2n-lCrGAvdGCBJl9SGtNA2tsvwNjl3xvK83B44s7U2-idWiweoXlS8-aixTK1QYAEdUK_IrddPG6EAvGSmRHOcwVZqxd7tyer6iHLMVeJqEX0BEcmLzhbX73sZ_8WWu_8RsrUxEQZmzXdsroFp0OoFm-8ZfXTVb3i3-F93R4VcRuyRsNNNBgVes_I0/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010332719.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The shot below shows the G->K sections on the lowest level. The band sits in the first few rows of Sections G and H here, with the back rows having obstructed views due to the overhang</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf9A2tgSjnAe_qPMz0S3-Zne3s771-95xoarBLvzofu_3GPTBhoavX8TlE-OiwmgDmlrGpq4yHw2COHKYY9jm_-60VpMI_ZgVz7U5GCZrMkpzZwNVGnEpC9NGpH3_BaXQkW3k4g_XHMbLXKLidWvBbrNA3U8Xl1vR-qW7P04qZWbFxZ71w2ddSZvX9Jg/s4032/PXL_20240222_010941929.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf9A2tgSjnAe_qPMz0S3-Zne3s771-95xoarBLvzofu_3GPTBhoavX8TlE-OiwmgDmlrGpq4yHw2COHKYY9jm_-60VpMI_ZgVz7U5GCZrMkpzZwNVGnEpC9NGpH3_BaXQkW3k4g_XHMbLXKLidWvBbrNA3U8Xl1vR-qW7P04qZWbFxZ71w2ddSZvX9Jg/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010941929.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The most interesting aspect of the seating area is that the first row is actually below floor level, since the floor is raised. Because of this, the benches sit along the baseline (you can see the chairs in the photo below). This also means there are no courtside seats, or any seats on the floor for that matter. I love the fact that this venue is over 70 years old and has resisted the temptation to conform.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwIYM2qeZNZoyVBjEnCXKej5846Zwnvf6fagPxVeQSyJ-KLk9jaLc968XmqPqGNEBF6RMEHUjuPrdd2OQtN5PNCatn5UwtchGGh_nZXj_o8oKDz4BCr_kFBHdj7lx2vGo9U8l7vYQa3TS4XLM-lP3FWBq3U8rbxrmJPday44vsRiV_DCvwdRdDd6E0RU/s4032/PXL_20240222_010437768.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwIYM2qeZNZoyVBjEnCXKej5846Zwnvf6fagPxVeQSyJ-KLk9jaLc968XmqPqGNEBF6RMEHUjuPrdd2OQtN5PNCatn5UwtchGGh_nZXj_o8oKDz4BCr_kFBHdj7lx2vGo9U8l7vYQa3TS4XLM-lP3FWBq3U8rbxrmJPday44vsRiV_DCvwdRdDd6E0RU/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010437768.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>When players check in, they just sit on the sideline with no media table. I really like the picture below because it contains Jeffrey Anderson, my favourite referee, and Jabri Abdur-Rahim (#1), son of Shareef, who starred for the Grizzlies when I lived in Vancouver. I recall being shocked at a game when they showed Shareef was born in 1976 and I thought "I'm watching guys who are 10 years younger than I am, how much longer can I do this?" Turns out, a long time indeed. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCmbTU4wgf6bhropd2nwd4lsKll0cXkMVUXMNjHInT40G_iymWuoWrU0zzodRMJmOPmYnBQXEBoCw2E2CgUjEqXaUeboZdzYg7bj0cHI6IWjSIUxnKKHYW5btl3I0L0drh7JNAc7ld6Lzvqnoi199zwzOgkcjFc05_2p4ChZkuo3RA-XcdjWwjKxcpVk/s4032/PXL_20240222_025206087.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCmbTU4wgf6bhropd2nwd4lsKll0cXkMVUXMNjHInT40G_iymWuoWrU0zzodRMJmOPmYnBQXEBoCw2E2CgUjEqXaUeboZdzYg7bj0cHI6IWjSIUxnKKHYW5btl3I0L0drh7JNAc7ld6Lzvqnoi199zwzOgkcjFc05_2p4ChZkuo3RA-XcdjWwjKxcpVk/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_025206087.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>After the game, I went down to take a picture from the first row of seats. It must be weird to sit here as you are looking up all the time.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKgSAmABmI9J0qyrVeuFhVQ5yXwiq9cakAkzEtRtajLSlhDOciAk120VuhTXa6eDPuZ9vT40WKKqT42nES9xihVnVx8rosdwmMDHF6blZJmfM0zmTYJNey4MEcQMlTtyCMQ4tE84pEsAp6ZHKrFvHtfoK6STxNkux94HuI2UuPvF21fam1_Mgr-yeilQ/s4032/PXL_20240222_032546423.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKgSAmABmI9J0qyrVeuFhVQ5yXwiq9cakAkzEtRtajLSlhDOciAk120VuhTXa6eDPuZ9vT40WKKqT42nES9xihVnVx8rosdwmMDHF6blZJmfM0zmTYJNey4MEcQMlTtyCMQ4tE84pEsAp6ZHKrFvHtfoK6STxNkux94HuI2UuPvF21fam1_Mgr-yeilQ/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_032546423.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>These seats are level with the media table and I found a media pass, a great souvenir in lieu of a hard ticket. I'll use this to sneak in the next time Georgia plays here on February. 21.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRjnQPz3Htxp_MX1o8NnQK4JxD1ZcLNLXSx2LtUfWn3vL97esiN4ByXXOurvOqxqBtolohc7-l0-5ZOnf3s2CWDWqEBQkNlelQ9QdN8qF982EE-XcyxxrLFm8RAumYyrVF3z6zIfuWyTuQSNqNITYwYdqm3q-NmNFUpVvS3c7MeHjEvB7gZmZ1vwFZ10/s4032/PXL_20240222_043519293.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRjnQPz3Htxp_MX1o8NnQK4JxD1ZcLNLXSx2LtUfWn3vL97esiN4ByXXOurvOqxqBtolohc7-l0-5ZOnf3s2CWDWqEBQkNlelQ9QdN8qF982EE-XcyxxrLFm8RAumYyrVF3z6zIfuWyTuQSNqNITYwYdqm3q-NmNFUpVvS3c7MeHjEvB7gZmZ1vwFZ10/w300-h400/PXL_20240222_043519293.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>We also went into a couple of the suites and I appreciated the program cover from 60 years ago. The Commodores won that game 66-64.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTShy1Jxw3aNJxXNsyv6Kyu9cN7AK1FYtTC9yWt4p4FCm4PbGXEut-mZDN0VUxTkRu_JC3Yv9TJG1RjykWfK7zzViOvQEsqerVYQBXgM33ca_Y-1fMDroiEquI_T8uGPeiGZjXp7d3bXl_MJdlSzH567iPXVQIxSzkVN3mF3d9u9jxlMyChmp-sNGNNxc/s4032/PXL_20240222_032755939.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTShy1Jxw3aNJxXNsyv6Kyu9cN7AK1FYtTC9yWt4p4FCm4PbGXEut-mZDN0VUxTkRu_JC3Yv9TJG1RjykWfK7zzViOvQEsqerVYQBXgM33ca_Y-1fMDroiEquI_T8uGPeiGZjXp7d3bXl_MJdlSzH567iPXVQIxSzkVN3mF3d9u9jxlMyChmp-sNGNNxc/w300-h400/PXL_20240222_032755939.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>The photo below shows the entire G->K sideline. The men's basketball banners hang on this side.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnE3Wp9btL6ikVmF-s5hfiX3wuz49FWaODHkXpiSpR2-SyJIxAWU2nm7pQuOnFq9LqnMAIefPj89bFdEAMkbyJIMgO17AdCNfEWY7DNRRXltZnIIPPABq8lOoN7mfQAG7gtqycyKvQyoEZJENopCQ4lIqsDtifZkFvcksxPqthwNcYWy5Ad4f2n0T51A/s4032/PXL_20240222_010416987.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnE3Wp9btL6ikVmF-s5hfiX3wuz49FWaODHkXpiSpR2-SyJIxAWU2nm7pQuOnFq9LqnMAIefPj89bFdEAMkbyJIMgO17AdCNfEWY7DNRRXltZnIIPPABq8lOoN7mfQAG7gtqycyKvQyoEZJENopCQ4lIqsDtifZkFvcksxPqthwNcYWy5Ad4f2n0T51A/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010416987.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Our seats were in 2I and the view from them is below, with the overhang not presenting much of an obstruction. There are only benches in the 2G-2K sections; across the way are more comfortable seats.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoRO5wv1dyhuH0CwnNxcUzpdLPWfQ7_AIZLECzZyBDQXvS8JYI6fSxM7y6xzG3nVPud65FAYFTwgSaeSZd2m-DbA-ZI0AhQL6Mlnqawb13Fpu54Dub0Tk3xzZW4NsY4KkdF5zMhioVIMbWqbx68MxcWD1lSzcInL0rA57soL85N_Mo8D1w-9NuEIfE7U/s4032/PXL_20240222_011620998.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoRO5wv1dyhuH0CwnNxcUzpdLPWfQ7_AIZLECzZyBDQXvS8JYI6fSxM7y6xzG3nVPud65FAYFTwgSaeSZd2m-DbA-ZI0AhQL6Mlnqawb13Fpu54Dub0Tk3xzZW4NsY4KkdF5zMhioVIMbWqbx68MxcWD1lSzcInL0rA57soL85N_Mo8D1w-9NuEIfE7U/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_011620998.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>At halftime, we moved up to the balcony for a bit of space, and the view really isn't that bad. The seats up here are really comfortable too, and I would recommend buying them if you want to stretch out as we had the entire section 3A to ourselves.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9r-4Ecbmde_Tj-JRAGKCtG1IlYFZnmybBalSJwf1On3UqWf1TTb-V3rS9BUvNQbuQaU4WHPgAaI4EBY2gmGOtzvVuP9MuJxTQ9URfLeAZPXYvTs6fI_jDwNydSpEPJp566yb8tYhguJVKyHG4daGxoUl_QVAswWtvq1llgwb3I9zm5u9B29eABShxShU/s4032/PXL_20240222_023113014.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9r-4Ecbmde_Tj-JRAGKCtG1IlYFZnmybBalSJwf1On3UqWf1TTb-V3rS9BUvNQbuQaU4WHPgAaI4EBY2gmGOtzvVuP9MuJxTQ9URfLeAZPXYvTs6fI_jDwNydSpEPJp566yb8tYhguJVKyHG4daGxoUl_QVAswWtvq1llgwb3I9zm5u9B29eABShxShU/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_023113014.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>At each corner are stat boards, one with team stats...</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7u4FMEzzZctEd6mJXZxADrA3uL20y0AZcEO3fOo-tkNhT14tUmIfTUdCp0tl2R86Dbg7xLJtwmqs0jUGymA1AKs5dxGEv6dUwvUc0eV-dqCgZA6f1hyp6FGNu3_EW_dBK5nop5BYa__poumWIaQvgelzKDN2_cirQI8ag1DefT_KLUEpMoPSyN24jeI/s4032/PXL_20240222_022235816.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7u4FMEzzZctEd6mJXZxADrA3uL20y0AZcEO3fOo-tkNhT14tUmIfTUdCp0tl2R86Dbg7xLJtwmqs0jUGymA1AKs5dxGEv6dUwvUc0eV-dqCgZA6f1hyp6FGNu3_EW_dBK5nop5BYa__poumWIaQvgelzKDN2_cirQI8ag1DefT_KLUEpMoPSyN24jeI/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_022235816.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>...and the other with detailed player stats. The only problem is that these are not totally visible from many of the seats. The pictures were taken from section 2L.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqJX2Q1CIkTEflfjCP1VToHyp6HJZ_Xvg8g3qte_6hmopAjT6qGLixc6kq2nttDO6cmoulaK8glNeSytsLMn4ZBPav-v8y_I6lxpRM6TuazIIZaKNe4Bdm6WrXVvVy6eFI50QgSyVUeyuMmRkk-jQoh-Hm-GjaccJPDp-PAfkDXROC52L4G3oXVC-QDc/s4032/PXL_20240222_022232071.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqJX2Q1CIkTEflfjCP1VToHyp6HJZ_Xvg8g3qte_6hmopAjT6qGLixc6kq2nttDO6cmoulaK8glNeSytsLMn4ZBPav-v8y_I6lxpRM6TuazIIZaKNe4Bdm6WrXVvVy6eFI50QgSyVUeyuMmRkk-jQoh-Hm-GjaccJPDp-PAfkDXROC52L4G3oXVC-QDc/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_022232071.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The picture below shows the corner boards in the distance and the main scoreboard above center court. Behind the scoreboard, you can see banners for some of the SEC schools.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXxBH6b43gvdXeXe2sEOId1tycvvU-2G30PBuulHHpWvaIVkv22s8n0DCiLXIfJMe9QJpAuQCM1xRbPgG1VIjndVYJEem_yB95zksEV-KryS-ZuzFp8z9Knt9u6oDXNuhKkg21lBtKQ7G2KdifSzWTgz8OtteG1lKC_sfG2kvEkLywj9LgjIVormWrpQ/s4032/PXL_20240222_010405806.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXxBH6b43gvdXeXe2sEOId1tycvvU-2G30PBuulHHpWvaIVkv22s8n0DCiLXIfJMe9QJpAuQCM1xRbPgG1VIjndVYJEem_yB95zksEV-KryS-ZuzFp8z9Knt9u6oDXNuhKkg21lBtKQ7G2KdifSzWTgz8OtteG1lKC_sfG2kvEkLywj9LgjIVormWrpQ/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010405806.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Interestingly, stat boards are also located in the lobby, so you can follow along while getting some food. The venue is cashless, which means they ask for a tip for every purchase and add tax to the items. Prices are typical for a large college venue, with hot dogs going for $5.50 and popcorn for $5. There is a value meal that includes a soft drink with those other two items for $11.50, a $3 savings.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzQ0aGSw7QyvsVMlEfKpHhzxKnZVXk3k7vo_thNo2RxG3Xq1Vq-qC5KJ_t23BBga9_Cysi7JR1NMnu6I9VTTSoiFkDPdBn8u7BF8pYIwAMMk7fe0OM7cp35w3akFrd27W_tvY5JUhdBz-9iBOOjEez7-99ysuG1tbPzwxRJ9ztTMDtSDKBAFmWJM5NaY/s4032/PXL_20240222_032321680.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzQ0aGSw7QyvsVMlEfKpHhzxKnZVXk3k7vo_thNo2RxG3Xq1Vq-qC5KJ_t23BBga9_Cysi7JR1NMnu6I9VTTSoiFkDPdBn8u7BF8pYIwAMMk7fe0OM7cp35w3akFrd27W_tvY5JUhdBz-9iBOOjEez7-99ysuG1tbPzwxRJ9ztTMDtSDKBAFmWJM5NaY/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_032321680.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Right next door is Hawkins Field, home of Vanderbilt baseball. They had a game against East Carolina that started at 4:30, but I did not want to subject my daughter to 5 hours of sports. At least not until Saturday. The game was still going on as we entered and Vanderbilt was victorious 5-3. Note that the Commodores claimed the national championship in 2019.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTYJBi32d3q5Z3-27W58GK7-KR5ESgKYtw5Coc3qXBVaYF2nvbnnHTjUjcNQBEgtZDZuSdNRyzVN4JxF-VOgAA4WjVXew-1rNKIdERsq-7inY5GDTOLxwEBs8UFKfFSGiqPlVAiOaeTh_gMWeelKpfFYb4qdyNtqyOfjd5rfRYBA8rbiEsKPIwk3KDZs/s4032/PXL_20240222_021501315.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTYJBi32d3q5Z3-27W58GK7-KR5ESgKYtw5Coc3qXBVaYF2nvbnnHTjUjcNQBEgtZDZuSdNRyzVN4JxF-VOgAA4WjVXew-1rNKIdERsq-7inY5GDTOLxwEBs8UFKfFSGiqPlVAiOaeTh_gMWeelKpfFYb4qdyNtqyOfjd5rfRYBA8rbiEsKPIwk3KDZs/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_021501315.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Both sidelines are filled with banners, you need to head to the balcony to get a good view of them. The men last made the tournament in 2017 with a 19-15 mark, setting the record for most losses for an at-large squad. Seeded 9th, they lost their first-round matchup to Northwestern, who were making their first tournament appearance.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9UJy7dnXYdNFC9rIjK8vH0cJvszF-oZzl1VVYY50qD5NG2dApDmlvdHIhL1NgS7bThr9AdNZMjp4QmaGJakKBN23qx6gwV9j3CCtZ7O4cPXzr0lzmtz4SG_mA0S2JZXOkiptICzw9IxcwXO6w7Nu6s-vN033d8gzqljMuES6bpmAJhj0CfZJmwv6_mU/s4032/PXL_20240222_010422653.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9UJy7dnXYdNFC9rIjK8vH0cJvszF-oZzl1VVYY50qD5NG2dApDmlvdHIhL1NgS7bThr9AdNZMjp4QmaGJakKBN23qx6gwV9j3CCtZ7O4cPXzr0lzmtz4SG_mA0S2JZXOkiptICzw9IxcwXO6w7Nu6s-vN033d8gzqljMuES6bpmAJhj0CfZJmwv6_mU/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_010422653.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Retired numbers include the 25 belonging to Perry Wallace, who was the first African-American athlete to receive a basketball scholarship in the SEC.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8dcV0VcHNSBDIVdQJeUK9CROE3_kA309ozEodi1QNapGYR5UU6PRRB4EtE3r5sk4am7thqIVVIr-8XJubuOLSgnXQnhWni50OAcILPURJlsReTmXcPy4jrEnqut5IHBQJZGi0ZWpYMYf0ED6Y1mUlGirCpA-d70-8py6sadXfx0Z68tQQPamyGxbETk/s4032/PXL_20240222_021542757.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8dcV0VcHNSBDIVdQJeUK9CROE3_kA309ozEodi1QNapGYR5UU6PRRB4EtE3r5sk4am7thqIVVIr-8XJubuOLSgnXQnhWni50OAcILPURJlsReTmXcPy4jrEnqut5IHBQJZGi0ZWpYMYf0ED6Y1mUlGirCpA-d70-8py6sadXfx0Z68tQQPamyGxbETk/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_021542757.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The women have had more success, making a Final Four back in 1993. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDla8yA_KYlGMEmPkF1ua-5MQ_C10nGNLoM6ZRmRSde41RvXhfBPVbhxX-qjzCwB8ikqa3cOBIgq81vzCt-XTPGZ-bHLP0qnYE9zKkhAEt_36eaCL_WDJcf9tlWp8ygRXBZwAOrr8k0HF6S8vDOH8VKH4umGqLNJGc2pbZioks-5aY63cOvWZfoTzGSGc/s4032/PXL_20240222_023117394.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDla8yA_KYlGMEmPkF1ua-5MQ_C10nGNLoM6ZRmRSde41RvXhfBPVbhxX-qjzCwB8ikqa3cOBIgq81vzCt-XTPGZ-bHLP0qnYE9zKkhAEt_36eaCL_WDJcf9tlWp8ygRXBZwAOrr8k0HF6S8vDOH8VKH4umGqLNJGc2pbZioks-5aY63cOvWZfoTzGSGc/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_023117394.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, Memorial Gymnasium has quickly become one of my favourite NCAA basketball venues. The unique setup makes for a fantastic atmosphere, even when the building is less than half-full (5,821 on this evening). Add on the historic displays and the great location close to Centennial Park and you have a perfect combination for a sports road trip destination.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The Georgia Bulldogs were in town at 4-8 in the SEC, while Vanderbilt, coached by Jerry Stackhouse, were 2-10, despite finishing last year at 11-7. With the transfer portal, team fortunes can turn around very quickly. Update: Stackhouse was fired after the season.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgIvMTCDcwke9QRyfRoj7rXtzZ_jd0XbFIzdB8k8ofyZR9mqaA9E7GY1-YbLGMq7VHbYqs8weER8gdpP4D1GoaLWLZ18Qw0U4DLC93c8p-R99wejUb8zFgm9Oo55NaPXXYHKELmtexT0yDZa53DAL21wX_mI18029GRPj9Mm7pw3wl7GCbP2sk91mF0U/s4032/PXL_20240222_013138898.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgIvMTCDcwke9QRyfRoj7rXtzZ_jd0XbFIzdB8k8ofyZR9mqaA9E7GY1-YbLGMq7VHbYqs8weER8gdpP4D1GoaLWLZ18Qw0U4DLC93c8p-R99wejUb8zFgm9Oo55NaPXXYHKELmtexT0yDZa53DAL21wX_mI18029GRPj9Mm7pw3wl7GCbP2sk91mF0U/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_013138898.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Unfortunately, that would not happen on this night. Vandy was woeful to start as Georgia built a quick 7-0 lead and pushed that to 32-16 behind five bombs from Noah Thomasson (#3 below). That 16-point advantage was maintained at halftime after an Abdur-Rahim trey made it 44-28. There were only 8 fouls called, making for a very fast half that took about 35 minutes of real timse.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v5S8U_LjyO2S5O_F6b0qNKn9AHqLdetKbeoSV3ZHIESSRlIf_9HoRjAbT6u_DVZWTfrObZeW1ll3Wttzfe6NtdvLPcbY5O0SlH3SJJ-XaRHyOOvv6N4HCBlNDlsbAmkpAFwkCO0ov1IRWVXjNPUyXbsx0pqRCvk8FIQqynNNnL65i_ZbP781_mY2eyw/s4032/PXL_20240222_013200290.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v5S8U_LjyO2S5O_F6b0qNKn9AHqLdetKbeoSV3ZHIESSRlIf_9HoRjAbT6u_DVZWTfrObZeW1ll3Wttzfe6NtdvLPcbY5O0SlH3SJJ-XaRHyOOvv6N4HCBlNDlsbAmkpAFwkCO0ov1IRWVXjNPUyXbsx0pqRCvk8FIQqynNNnL65i_ZbP781_mY2eyw/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_013200290.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The second half started with another Abdur-Rahim trey, but Vanderbilt fought back and a Paul Lewis three got them within 11 at 51-40. The Bulldogs were not fazed and went on a 12-0 run, capped by a dagger three from Blue Cain, who should be in the best name contest. Also, can you say dagger three when the score is 63-40?</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XNDtsKDMezafBHLKhBlTLGR_hFflS5tNpGsUMZQDcZ3yrzcHb86fJ-THRkfwQ-UEfGN7hTs_imBdC-F8WX4vtkCZoy3uJm_PybWwB5IYDWYgmF0oDfWkV6aXdzqL5EWdzsmYdN_m9ioSeCsG9H-aa4LSAeNobfyGgLm_GdIu09OL6HDLQPCNMFpFbZA/s4032/PXL_20240222_013305850.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XNDtsKDMezafBHLKhBlTLGR_hFflS5tNpGsUMZQDcZ3yrzcHb86fJ-THRkfwQ-UEfGN7hTs_imBdC-F8WX4vtkCZoy3uJm_PybWwB5IYDWYgmF0oDfWkV6aXdzqL5EWdzsmYdN_m9ioSeCsG9H-aa4LSAeNobfyGgLm_GdIu09OL6HDLQPCNMFpFbZA/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_013305850.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The rest of the half was mostly fouls and Georgia let up, scoring just 2 points over the final 3:57 as Vanderbilt made the score somewhat respectable, losing 76-64.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9P0VRQEmVEwLK2kijOVU2k2dqxZnh6p1lJOqf0FXFnksVvhbI_beQuZV4qQ3nJowQBScO5NBsq0J6JJ1kz_7XMRAa3aYcaZ4FQ7nZLIdzyqZP3M5ETpQgx96ymiSu2wPjDGGdnmvENOdR2kh3o9epDjfnNA8IqBU3Ovjuo49YxisIDoi1d3J8bex8JI/s4032/PXL_20240222_023121520.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9P0VRQEmVEwLK2kijOVU2k2dqxZnh6p1lJOqf0FXFnksVvhbI_beQuZV4qQ3nJowQBScO5NBsq0J6JJ1kz_7XMRAa3aYcaZ4FQ7nZLIdzyqZP3M5ETpQgx96ymiSu2wPjDGGdnmvENOdR2kh3o9epDjfnNA8IqBU3Ovjuo49YxisIDoi1d3J8bex8JI/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_023121520.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The teams combined for 111 field goal attempts, with 60 of those coming from beyond the arc. Georgia shot 80% from inside in the first half and finished 18/25 (72%), more than double their 35.7% from long range, suggesting maybe they should play closer to the basket. Lewis led all scorers with 18, while Thomasson netted 17 points for the winners. The game took about 1:45 and finished at 9:15, three minutes earlier than the night before at Memphis, which had started a half hour earlier (and had overtime),</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07fDpJJA_t3rkb2zcBKnGT3XKvJVxPR2OnFkK_4IZBWeKJ8NLM8vitEFrFQYyVngtPDhyphenhyphenTGQFxL4NcedHQsj1gFIGb9UNdHtanavGCxBWx-74l0pwz4mRdmC6llqd9M3Nnit7Pz9_TxareEThFjFSs-OWai3eugh6WA0zaD1NJoEwAt-0xQIu2MFd80A/s4032/PXL_20240222_031535157.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07fDpJJA_t3rkb2zcBKnGT3XKvJVxPR2OnFkK_4IZBWeKJ8NLM8vitEFrFQYyVngtPDhyphenhyphenTGQFxL4NcedHQsj1gFIGb9UNdHtanavGCxBWx-74l0pwz4mRdmC6llqd9M3Nnit7Pz9_TxareEThFjFSs-OWai3eugh6WA0zaD1NJoEwAt-0xQIu2MFd80A/w400-h300/PXL_20240222_031535157.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The V most definitely did not stand for victory tonight.</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>The cowboy hat is a good giveaway but it will be a pain to carry back on the airplane without looking like an idiot. Oh well, nothing new there.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA9Xi7gBp2trUdBYUpvP3mHfT36pzA-wqTMphL3jgWQZI8x24t4EpJpLyApxIlbzJZvyx4S533bqjIMGZeqkSjSBK2cHiuFLN9fdMAbVAJmUhB6U-h9dgM4LynZhC4FBYcDZgYVZVlFHapjbYwXR2a5-d3AvipLoRiB-Wi370JwL0zrwGMwnxFRjvpS4/s3264/PXL_20240222_043541256.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtA9Xi7gBp2trUdBYUpvP3mHfT36pzA-wqTMphL3jgWQZI8x24t4EpJpLyApxIlbzJZvyx4S533bqjIMGZeqkSjSBK2cHiuFLN9fdMAbVAJmUhB6U-h9dgM4LynZhC4FBYcDZgYVZVlFHapjbYwXR2a5-d3AvipLoRiB-Wi370JwL0zrwGMwnxFRjvpS4/w300-h400/PXL_20240222_043541256.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-14402380099389658612024-02-21T20:36:00.000+09:002024-02-22T15:22:59.487+09:00Rice Owls 74 at Memphis Tigers 79 (OT, NCAA Women's Basketball, AAC) - February 20, 2024<p>It is winter break in NYC, so my daughter and I are on a Tennessee trek, where we will cross the state over the next six days. The reason we are in the Volunteer State is to see Grace Good, who is the halftime performer at the University of Tennessee this weekend. But I decided to make a true sports road trip out of it and so we flew to Memphis first to check out women's basketball.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7HzTD3Mp3kDis4UsphXQ1tJafwfdtCJRV8_0uKBvHWCaFxtKmlggO9YwCKC_xs225qXwmvTvSWIJqVDJj2ueQmuNETyYvQDGgzkfyPilCT0_oPUol9CkP5taMcp0SENsWgtzAfEJP0PAXb-l31iNoSiviXGRraTv9swx20eBDKwrnrJQTVjdQxLfeY4/s4032/PXL_20240221_002547117.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7HzTD3Mp3kDis4UsphXQ1tJafwfdtCJRV8_0uKBvHWCaFxtKmlggO9YwCKC_xs225qXwmvTvSWIJqVDJj2ueQmuNETyYvQDGgzkfyPilCT0_oPUol9CkP5taMcp0SENsWgtzAfEJP0PAXb-l31iNoSiviXGRraTv9swx20eBDKwrnrJQTVjdQxLfeY4/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_002547117.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Memphis Tigers men's team plays at FedEx Forum and <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2013/02/ucf-knights-71-at-memphis-tigers-93.html" target="_blank">I saw them there in 2013</a>, before I had even moved to the US and before I really understood college basketball. The women, on the other hand, play at Elma Roane Fieldhouse on campus, and as I am now chasing all D-I gyms, I stopped in there to start the journey.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69NIp0JKYlxp_E_HfLKo3q_226-ojqVFToPl9lAsN_C8rf3cszuqAlm5yYlyzvms0Ma5VXdeBLC43fbO7G2QTlwoUvNVeRUF6Uy3NBFH2Ve_0IHmFPqozGCdPKWhvZ-vCsAyO-tfJITyhgUpeM9bK_rkYPVlzdqyUwM6YWAGiLVz4bCeIlCV8ngTtC3U/s4032/PXL_20240221_002732437.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69NIp0JKYlxp_E_HfLKo3q_226-ojqVFToPl9lAsN_C8rf3cszuqAlm5yYlyzvms0Ma5VXdeBLC43fbO7G2QTlwoUvNVeRUF6Uy3NBFH2Ve_0IHmFPqozGCdPKWhvZ-vCsAyO-tfJITyhgUpeM9bK_rkYPVlzdqyUwM6YWAGiLVz4bCeIlCV8ngTtC3U/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_002732437.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>We stayed at the Holiday Inn that is owned by the university and walked over to the venue, which is located just south of Memorial Field. There are several fiberglass tigers scattered around campus, with the one in front of the gym having a picture of <a href="https://tshf.net/halloffame/roane-elma/" target="_blank">Elma Roane</a>, who played and coached here when it was known as Memphis State. The venue opened in 1951 and the men played here initially, before moving to the Mid-South Coliseum in 1966; it was named in Roane's honour in 1993.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv_12yxNv399deSL-0CdJXLlPcDQep2h6xdWk8obTYigqJ9fgK96CSdRZ3Sllm6OIy0bfUQ_zTLSdCbo2BZJbZCoaAiveB8fSNRzkMGysGg8y-ZNk5yKN8Sq0jdgQZXd05_49CrUY__m958g_Jm5Q9eODemL8VZycSPdbzoZFAGUW55OoHDqOCl3DVeE/s4032/PXL_20240221_003151061.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxv_12yxNv399deSL-0CdJXLlPcDQep2h6xdWk8obTYigqJ9fgK96CSdRZ3Sllm6OIy0bfUQ_zTLSdCbo2BZJbZCoaAiveB8fSNRzkMGysGg8y-ZNk5yKN8Sq0jdgQZXd05_49CrUY__m958g_Jm5Q9eODemL8VZycSPdbzoZFAGUW55OoHDqOCl3DVeE/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_003151061.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The entrance is on the second floor and there is a ramp that leads there from campus. If you drive, there is a parking garage right next to the building, with a bridge that takes you to the entrance. Just inside is the box office, where a GA ticket costs $7, with a $2 discount for children.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhkUItbd0ZO19BKXwm0bBCdjVCMxT9JkvjXlqOksCk0LQ2CwLIQL1YKbDaXiTf65L0M48oYOnXucNmd4YqSe4dBE9CQ5svwT0XWzEqbvxGwxvJF5WBFRVnEmV7A3MQQe4v1qIn6TGW9dxrKXKLYOeN6EHIxI2rdJXo3fgdvqzv0p_dov69WTCE4xkgFg/s4032/PXL_20240221_002758561.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhkUItbd0ZO19BKXwm0bBCdjVCMxT9JkvjXlqOksCk0LQ2CwLIQL1YKbDaXiTf65L0M48oYOnXucNmd4YqSe4dBE9CQ5svwT0XWzEqbvxGwxvJF5WBFRVnEmV7A3MQQe4v1qIn6TGW9dxrKXKLYOeN6EHIxI2rdJXo3fgdvqzv0p_dov69WTCE4xkgFg/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_002758561.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There is a long hallway between the two doors to the gym proper, along which a cool display of the history of Memphis women's hoops is presented. So far, most of the women's-only gyms I have visited have men's memorabilia too, but that is not the case here.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUA5fj9JQ1cX6XtxfjtnXTOzSV8yJ5SvezDwoN-EBfBPEuxtXfzbLOv_LSPvho7OBOivb4bdQLNzgXJEYlnG1FMdrFnfsnqXo0d8kgz-AahpBR3Kr9Tr-s8B4IVq5Oj4rVOr7aNTyfzHQOsmLB5OZXiwad_uhjIYlEO8K5fr9XBblAVzZ-bGfbyKn1RRw/s4032/PXL_20240221_003025016.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUA5fj9JQ1cX6XtxfjtnXTOzSV8yJ5SvezDwoN-EBfBPEuxtXfzbLOv_LSPvho7OBOivb4bdQLNzgXJEYlnG1FMdrFnfsnqXo0d8kgz-AahpBR3Kr9Tr-s8B4IVq5Oj4rVOr7aNTyfzHQOsmLB5OZXiwad_uhjIYlEO8K5fr9XBblAVzZ-bGfbyKn1RRw/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_003025016.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I found the trivia below to be quite interesting. At the time McFadyen accomplished this feat, it was unknown if it had ever happened before; subsequent research showed that it was.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YTVuUzlpm7NlndpcwRS9Uw4Ua5rpj7EPAfQpruzGEg-haDvHzGzWc0kevCmT4oQpW1gO37Ja-KjYFDySpl31TvdLTAuL6c7ekzjmEhhJBtmq8qmiJwLqD4sW8G2qT5x96SvGhdeVZRjGcDz40aRqeb-o9qA9e_UWK97lUmG9Fn3Z0AeKQ3fuMinsCBo/s4032/PXL_20240221_003031148.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YTVuUzlpm7NlndpcwRS9Uw4Ua5rpj7EPAfQpruzGEg-haDvHzGzWc0kevCmT4oQpW1gO37Ja-KjYFDySpl31TvdLTAuL6c7ekzjmEhhJBtmq8qmiJwLqD4sW8G2qT5x96SvGhdeVZRjGcDz40aRqeb-o9qA9e_UWK97lUmG9Fn3Z0AeKQ3fuMinsCBo/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_003031148.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There is a concession stand right next to the main doors to the gym that has typical fare, including some pretty decent hot dogs for $4 and a smoked sausage for $5. Beer was apparently on sale for $2, but with the kid in tow, I had to behave myself. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI0mUTR9Txot6AMddcCNGW7vYc1XNG02Ocyn96ML7acqdv3k3tyBO9YrHJf49p3cawp-7J0kRDjAWwKCyOat6FAnGmstgwj3Lsj2x41KLvDDG-cFU_CUGei2_Pu_bBvFVlxFMrnkmX70ZPLTx1Z89wa0WamO6Y34LkBup_M86x4VN3Pb4oZeGb_WHvhE/s4032/PXL_20240221_003203062.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI0mUTR9Txot6AMddcCNGW7vYc1XNG02Ocyn96ML7acqdv3k3tyBO9YrHJf49p3cawp-7J0kRDjAWwKCyOat6FAnGmstgwj3Lsj2x41KLvDDG-cFU_CUGei2_Pu_bBvFVlxFMrnkmX70ZPLTx1Z89wa0WamO6Y34LkBup_M86x4VN3Pb4oZeGb_WHvhE/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_003203062.jpg" width="400" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Above those doors to the gym are the five retired jerseys from the women's program over the years. The same five are on the wall below the very impressive scoreboard, which is somewhat incongruent to this modest facility.<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhVoi67WxwmmRv7uI-prNcRVZtM0U_8Ys8qVcZweJbh97XE9LBn1RN6LU-Ri8e7D1SJz3bblcac1z5wTKQ2MseDM66BSCQPEEuXRMhd2wwkDtlpiMeN_VoWNC9GI5_YLWSbILUBtR-hGFET7WDndooXVm27GqdBT_Mi-2aeYx7_dyRpxgvTmVbJQCmc0/s4032/PXL_20240221_003930009.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhVoi67WxwmmRv7uI-prNcRVZtM0U_8Ys8qVcZweJbh97XE9LBn1RN6LU-Ri8e7D1SJz3bblcac1z5wTKQ2MseDM66BSCQPEEuXRMhd2wwkDtlpiMeN_VoWNC9GI5_YLWSbILUBtR-hGFET7WDndooXVm27GqdBT_Mi-2aeYx7_dyRpxgvTmVbJQCmc0/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_003930009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The seating bowl is horseshoe shaped, with most of the general admission benches along one baseline and the corners. However, the section farthest from the entrance (Section A) is also GA and faces the basket directly. Across the way is another GA section, but the band uses that. The rest of the seats are reserved chairbacks; capacity is 2,565. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOAgS0oJA77sQQUvVAo1I-V9agaE2C8pc9ypEwJJZBFoo5RVXCaKmih8aLRCOh_2wOx9jOx7owhD46H_UbwYl3-e2h61HiI1L-aBw51s4VkB9n7af-ZeNVqrgHP2O02sGyYO8o3_XNxWAubkNu4rB7AkUTpUon6eWpjDdojVAm1gzuNqgZfLDeUO025w/s4032/PXL_20240221_003901617.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOAgS0oJA77sQQUvVAo1I-V9agaE2C8pc9ypEwJJZBFoo5RVXCaKmih8aLRCOh_2wOx9jOx7owhD46H_UbwYl3-e2h61HiI1L-aBw51s4VkB9n7af-ZeNVqrgHP2O02sGyYO8o3_XNxWAubkNu4rB7AkUTpUon6eWpjDdojVAm1gzuNqgZfLDeUO025w/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_003901617.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>From behind the basket, you can get a better understanding of the layout. The photo below was taken after the game, so most fans had left.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1P0YUBliVN1itPO6LKgM9k9wbznCrCfisE96VxBjj3FTgwfo6_FtpQikoMMNMB6wPkLMrcZ8YHyaGVNP5HufCSu8CYFDh7bszpxB5lR_xTduITXkbD-7hkBS_8JNoKyRJIjAMqzJCkfSJVlUSQKT3KfMtNX2nIyy17dwmEMZCc0zKYv8x-_vJ7on3D8/s3997/PXL_20240221_032110703.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="3997" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1P0YUBliVN1itPO6LKgM9k9wbznCrCfisE96VxBjj3FTgwfo6_FtpQikoMMNMB6wPkLMrcZ8YHyaGVNP5HufCSu8CYFDh7bszpxB5lR_xTduITXkbD-7hkBS_8JNoKyRJIjAMqzJCkfSJVlUSQKT3KfMtNX2nIyy17dwmEMZCc0zKYv8x-_vJ7on3D8/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_032110703.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Tigers are part of the American Athletic Conference and all 14 school banners are displayed along one side. The Rice logo looks a bit odd when it is not displayed upright.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocO7MESnehsM54yIwCa8dr_u34HqgvUfMITKjB5RT91626mjTli4NWoF89eAZMtgd-fl3ssJU2iQfp54ZkqKR8isRDXoy8-QnZGlVhVXgx1YzxNOOYwsoIVO5dy5xlA0QqRWKmVunwgW80b2m83IDc2twSnZsmZtwqmVRDGeWw95fMGPIH6kZELocb00/s4032/PXL_20240221_004021507.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocO7MESnehsM54yIwCa8dr_u34HqgvUfMITKjB5RT91626mjTli4NWoF89eAZMtgd-fl3ssJU2iQfp54ZkqKR8isRDXoy8-QnZGlVhVXgx1YzxNOOYwsoIVO5dy5xlA0QqRWKmVunwgW80b2m83IDc2twSnZsmZtwqmVRDGeWw95fMGPIH6kZELocb00/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_004021507.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the other side are accomplishments of the women's team; they haven't made the tournament since 1998 and are 2-7 overall. They did make the WNIT last season, getting to the Super 16 before losing to Bowling Green. It seems like the entire WNIT is played on campus, so I need to look into getting to some games to add venues in late March.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQXqNbmnHOv7AkT-DkUaoY8lyg73D6xCEOrOoCIik4dl5vb7ZZfeIwcaQkTSaAd9bvNKLvB5G6WuSUioIWxlKhAxkWaeq6D-84B9vMU3Xo1Se5zV08LNkcma5JiMVSPhe9cu16lmWdrdqIjFojFNKg9Y7Ue7XHtOMAc5W8kh87Hmn5UvgjMlIN1uKfJA/s4032/PXL_20240221_032237598.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQXqNbmnHOv7AkT-DkUaoY8lyg73D6xCEOrOoCIik4dl5vb7ZZfeIwcaQkTSaAd9bvNKLvB5G6WuSUioIWxlKhAxkWaeq6D-84B9vMU3Xo1Se5zV08LNkcma5JiMVSPhe9cu16lmWdrdqIjFojFNKg9Y7Ue7XHtOMAc5W8kh87Hmn5UvgjMlIN1uKfJA/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_032237598.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The mascot is known as Pouncer and he was wearing a pink jersey (as were the players) as part of the Play4Kay initiative that I learned about <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2024/02/villanova-wildcats-62-at-georgetown.html" target="_blank">last week at Georgetown</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeSucA1UBNPgDIp-XcddBjN-hLYc3JfOzaKWGR8en6Fq2OsCBoYdRM5Pap4ccPSgb6szFn3O_No-F3FSAzL5MhPQu7zLAFPLvLJAFIYWnA1F5tGLiIOTjQEYuZ2Y3Gym6AOZQfbVXdRuXdQZLx6V-eeO41WNgqtuel_shwNJYaDV9daniJBir7YtvW8M/s4032/PXL_20240221_015124434.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeSucA1UBNPgDIp-XcddBjN-hLYc3JfOzaKWGR8en6Fq2OsCBoYdRM5Pap4ccPSgb6szFn3O_No-F3FSAzL5MhPQu7zLAFPLvLJAFIYWnA1F5tGLiIOTjQEYuZ2Y3Gym6AOZQfbVXdRuXdQZLx6V-eeO41WNgqtuel_shwNJYaDV9daniJBir7YtvW8M/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_015124434.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://sportslogohistory.com/a-breakdown-of-the-memphis-tigers-new-logo/" target="_blank">Tigers logo changed in 2021</a>, with the orange replaced by gray; fortunately, Pouncer's costume still retains the original colours.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOV3VXDJKdoXymjM96aMURlcN0cVcKHfTLY-wFO3YCPnPbuUWD0gI57mB3yIAzYosukwChvyUVdTGCZVzybhAyEJ-oil85S53Oh6yGAxJo5lALf4A7WIj6ne51rVD34PKjMArOYmNSzoMHUah_VUSEE_POuXTJJ8zf22vGxtJCd0TilLAl_gXuqZFgqXU/s4032/PXL_20240221_032227261.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOV3VXDJKdoXymjM96aMURlcN0cVcKHfTLY-wFO3YCPnPbuUWD0gI57mB3yIAzYosukwChvyUVdTGCZVzybhAyEJ-oil85S53Oh6yGAxJo5lALf4A7WIj6ne51rVD34PKjMArOYmNSzoMHUah_VUSEE_POuXTJJ8zf22vGxtJCd0TilLAl_gXuqZFgqXU/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_032227261.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, Elma Roane Fieldhouse is an intimate spot that most Memphis sports travelers will skip on their way through town, which is a shame, as it is worth a look to see college hoops in a smaller venue. I'm glad I stopped in, and even got some bonus basketball to boot.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>New conference members Rice were visiting with a 9-5 record in the AAC while Memphis was 5-8. The first quarter was quick, with Memphis taking it 15-13. Tied at 17 early in the second, the Tigers went on a 20-8 surge, though a last second trey from Rice's Kennedy Clifton got them back within 39-31 at the break.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5V_gQLgsQLYmHkIpYWF57gAEvSiD5t3AaFVUPlCz8IJfMzzP5viGVbV63rWRGfph8YkjQF8IJPhMFLCkU7L8BblWw_rJj0XaeVQhveR9gaTd9lyMcIL2vXdPxVRXRS_EgJZx35gM0QRRIEr7MNq-DSOCv2Dlu2fRXtlHuUof4IvDDQtR5vV8OX6Eaq9M/s4032/PXL_20240221_010209399.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5V_gQLgsQLYmHkIpYWF57gAEvSiD5t3AaFVUPlCz8IJfMzzP5viGVbV63rWRGfph8YkjQF8IJPhMFLCkU7L8BblWw_rJj0XaeVQhveR9gaTd9lyMcIL2vXdPxVRXRS_EgJZx35gM0QRRIEr7MNq-DSOCv2Dlu2fRXtlHuUof4IvDDQtR5vV8OX6Eaq9M/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_010209399.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Midway through the third quarter, Memphis was still up 11 but the Owls ended the period on a 11-5 run to keep it interesting. In the fourth frame, Memphis led 58-51 with 6:28 to go but then were outscored 10-0 over 90 seconds with an Emily Klaczek three giving the Owls their first lead since it was 9-8. From there we had three ties and three lead changes and when Hannah Riddick, a Calgary native, completed a layup with 1:17 to go, the Tigers were up 66-64. Dominique Ennis, another Canadian from Niagara Falls, immediately got that back for Rice and the last minute saw both teams miss threes, with Madison Griggs's shot bouncing off the rim for Memphis. In other words, overtime!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aFUrKj4w6W6jCre5DKiKR6auXMB_s5T8nKt94j7F1osIxn_CSe7CVHVD46b1knCi0LAfQbzBn5bKRQbp4FPJThnLg3GkU868KtkzBKjDa8wI7jTDoc67zGwBPxrw5VVdqlRdrWljP3TvK5ON_jVosLgSPTzdRBuy-34sB9KCQz9MxAGFT8y5EV7edS0/s4032/PXL_20240221_010221979.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aFUrKj4w6W6jCre5DKiKR6auXMB_s5T8nKt94j7F1osIxn_CSe7CVHVD46b1knCi0LAfQbzBn5bKRQbp4FPJThnLg3GkU868KtkzBKjDa8wI7jTDoc67zGwBPxrw5VVdqlRdrWljP3TvK5ON_jVosLgSPTzdRBuy-34sB9KCQz9MxAGFT8y5EV7edS0/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_010221979.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now this is where I find the rules of basketball are stupid. Fouls should reset for the extra period, otherwise you just have a free-throw shooting competition during what should be the most exciting part of the game. The refs had been a bit too eager and had called a few ticky-tack fouls, so both teams were in the bonus to start overtime. Tied at 68, Memphis's Shelbee Brown poked an Owl in the eye, and a foul was rightly called. Brown took exception and was given a technical. The Owls made 3 of 4 from the stripe and retained possession but could not capitalize. After a Riddick free throw, Alaisa Smith drained a three and Riddick followed with a three-point play to make it 75-71 Memphis with 1:24 left.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rnlQgdFkpGGa4cZxeCgaSNwh4_eQ3_0PYApSOfO8bQNsfMhC8hl7N9LFAlMmEj7jbgWI-weScJPnLWRehjbrifPxhso0KkGHtjs_a9gRIaStxzrpPoi0hJCngdvlFelakNgK-lJTKTB3LfXmN7XwrVUx4IsaEu57sI21fP7IBfVsiHGUYR920w9Q3PY/s4032/PXL_20240221_013618891.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rnlQgdFkpGGa4cZxeCgaSNwh4_eQ3_0PYApSOfO8bQNsfMhC8hl7N9LFAlMmEj7jbgWI-weScJPnLWRehjbrifPxhso0KkGHtjs_a9gRIaStxzrpPoi0hJCngdvlFelakNgK-lJTKTB3LfXmN7XwrVUx4IsaEu57sI21fP7IBfVsiHGUYR920w9Q3PY/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_013618891.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Two Tiger fouls allowed Rice to get back within a point, but Griggs sank a jumper with 30 seconds left to get it to 77-74. The Owls had a chance to tie but Ennis missed two shots from beyond the arc and a couple of last-second free throws made the final 79-74 Tigers. There were 8 fouls in the extra period (including the tech) resulting in 15 free throws compared to just 11 shots from the field.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cfbAkUAPVLpuTDyKEHMvQU_VMVzG7DXHDQVIy1mSLhOsEapXs5AmOP2Jta0s_RiyqQLIzhvnzsHm3JPcVbYesSHvyyAjvghByNghLuMz10oKiAiaJev75bs_TOhyphenhyphenTEruNg6fyaX4OSQI467vAaCKfVjUIR7ktYcBmGPIWjmX9gSHn_ET1uK8u7meGVI/s4032/PXL_20240221_031746909.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cfbAkUAPVLpuTDyKEHMvQU_VMVzG7DXHDQVIy1mSLhOsEapXs5AmOP2Jta0s_RiyqQLIzhvnzsHm3JPcVbYesSHvyyAjvghByNghLuMz10oKiAiaJev75bs_TOhyphenhyphenTEruNg6fyaX4OSQI467vAaCKfVjUIR7ktYcBmGPIWjmX9gSHn_ET1uK8u7meGVI/w400-h300/PXL_20240221_031746909.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Both teams shot better than 50% from inside, but still jacked up 28 long-range shots combined, with each team making just 4. The difference was in turnovers, with 22 Rice miscues leading to 23 Memphis points, while the reverse was 14 from 17. The two Canadians were top scorers with Ennis leading the Owls with 21, while Riddick paced the Tigers with 18, the same as Smith who also added 14 rebounds for a double-double. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This was the 9th of 18 women's-only gyms to visit and 168 of the 392 gyms I am chasing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sean</div><div><br /></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-50032572290591142302024-02-19T20:18:00.257+09:002024-02-20T02:23:39.162+09:00Seton Hall Pirates 68 at St. John's Red Storm 62 (NCAA Basketball, Big East) - February 18, 2024<p>The St. John's Red Storm play most of their non-conference games on campus at Carnesecca Arena, and most of their Big East games at MSG. But this season, they had three contests at UBS Arena, the home of the NY Islanders, with the last one against Seton Hall on Sunday. I had wanted to see Rick Pitino coaching the Red Storm and as this was an easy venue addition for me, I headed back out to Elmont. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6va3TbpB0o5emdM2O-pk5gJtipi_GNnDPIkVqicO4d_5p52Met_ZAkLrxDtamBNmoVjoxdHlq90s6XkXCJNqLPpX-l25Z5KXkA1QXd8-0aspDFxpTij8JxMZazBHRN5tkcGgfDnbKcVAKNWfEnejDWd3sdsroz30GF3IajjXfnGGmeTR5uF0f65BB7gc/s4032/PXL_20240218_210659014.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6va3TbpB0o5emdM2O-pk5gJtipi_GNnDPIkVqicO4d_5p52Met_ZAkLrxDtamBNmoVjoxdHlq90s6XkXCJNqLPpX-l25Z5KXkA1QXd8-0aspDFxpTij8JxMZazBHRN5tkcGgfDnbKcVAKNWfEnejDWd3sdsroz30GF3IajjXfnGGmeTR5uF0f65BB7gc/w400-h300/PXL_20240218_210659014.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>It was a 5:00 start, which allowed me to get there while it was still daylight, the first time I had seen the place in the sunshine. The building is massive when compared to the Nassau Coliseum, nearly 80% larger in terms of square footage.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZLW8xTngM682arQ_1p5TG_U5wMZDVPhH2kQLYKdgOme6uiOeN43Mm_KhV1fW0F70IDJOJ4D54T-b3-d53jWazzYxNoxHlBCcigMWdv9N17pBFir_EViJenxfg94VAdniVRt0OvXm1aA6ImHqXED2XGWGdURoSC9hPtMostmw8ISYd2suFWirwv3uXvw/s4032/PXL_20240218_210822156.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZLW8xTngM682arQ_1p5TG_U5wMZDVPhH2kQLYKdgOme6uiOeN43Mm_KhV1fW0F70IDJOJ4D54T-b3-d53jWazzYxNoxHlBCcigMWdv9N17pBFir_EViJenxfg94VAdniVRt0OvXm1aA6ImHqXED2XGWGdURoSC9hPtMostmw8ISYd2suFWirwv3uXvw/w400-h300/PXL_20240218_210822156.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There was a Big East truck out front; it is used to transport a few hoops and other playthings that were set up inside the main entrance, where the St. John's cheerleaders and dance team were performing before the game.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlRYUmcBK3YZ2wSPHyP9lFPEClkhxwVxPmlgveMMzcakhnhTL-0uHw1h3tIcb9TM7YAS51ap7-iXkeq225cZilH41aV7BALIEHRHhRI2bBAqhBBnfPadzU5DRuPROOKCvYe5Dz6zPv9WYrQUe71QCpGofLFVqDfkPEAtRZUnsnSm6lo_5xI_geIOBGhs/s4032/PXL_20240218_211003304.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlRYUmcBK3YZ2wSPHyP9lFPEClkhxwVxPmlgveMMzcakhnhTL-0uHw1h3tIcb9TM7YAS51ap7-iXkeq225cZilH41aV7BALIEHRHhRI2bBAqhBBnfPadzU5DRuPROOKCvYe5Dz6zPv9WYrQUe71QCpGofLFVqDfkPEAtRZUnsnSm6lo_5xI_geIOBGhs/w400-h300/PXL_20240218_211003304.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I was surprised at the ticket prices, with the cheapest going for $50 at the box office. I found an aisle seat at midcourt for about the same price on the secondary market (face value was $100) and decided to pick that up. Basketball does not work well in venues that are also used for hockey and the premium to sit on the sideline is often worth it. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y_r6uIKX9wDHKyq4ttYQR4POPP13v2bP3BjF0-z2umyUFheNHMDT1nOwEYmNiNkbIqGQbSxrcJSs-fgcRiBU6fAjXG6uPwfPdKIzp6uY0PYGNs2oZvuoPpldMfW0w-OrTKUSEKwiZW540rh9ijAmTxGN9vKdbtbRVw24G4KxR5TWpq4E2fmO-CF_YiY/s4032/PXL_20240218_211204510.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y_r6uIKX9wDHKyq4ttYQR4POPP13v2bP3BjF0-z2umyUFheNHMDT1nOwEYmNiNkbIqGQbSxrcJSs-fgcRiBU6fAjXG6uPwfPdKIzp6uY0PYGNs2oZvuoPpldMfW0w-OrTKUSEKwiZW540rh9ijAmTxGN9vKdbtbRVw24G4KxR5TWpq4E2fmO-CF_YiY/w400-h300/PXL_20240218_211204510.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>It turned out the seat was in the DIME Club, which is the area with free food during Islander games (I snuck in here accidentally during <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2021/11/toronto-maple-leafs-3-at-new-york.html" target="_blank">my first visit</a>). As you can see, you need a ticket in Sections 113-116 to get into the club. Dime is a local community bank who sponsors the club.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrNOPaxLiqs5Z4FIHKW-Bliyzj6OQNHJrEcKipJZKxaED3NsJ0uniA1wcVaRaRu888YJQ_CDYvWvLt7GXo7b4YelopKGNpRKfB2g7AD6nX2P_ULv726nfOoiO6TW6UOcy7sRPtCF0iohn0_mCJiD25pszAhf2Vp87GVyLHNoKGn3TXrDXjvbkJtewVMs/s4032/PXL_20240218_211250398.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrNOPaxLiqs5Z4FIHKW-Bliyzj6OQNHJrEcKipJZKxaED3NsJ0uniA1wcVaRaRu888YJQ_CDYvWvLt7GXo7b4YelopKGNpRKfB2g7AD6nX2P_ULv726nfOoiO6TW6UOcy7sRPtCF0iohn0_mCJiD25pszAhf2Vp87GVyLHNoKGn3TXrDXjvbkJtewVMs/w400-h300/PXL_20240218_211250398.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>On this day, food and drink were not free, leading my friend Eddie to call it the "Food on your Dime Club". Everything here is ridiculously overpriced: a souvenir soft drink cup is $14, although it does come with free refills, so I suppose if you are a season ticket holder, you can enjoy pop for free after the first game. Hot dogs are $8.50, the most expensive I have seen in all my arena travels. A craft cocktail is $27! Needless to say, I did not eat or drink anything. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOPiHVo8e4TnnH37izG-qZT55bxU0LAt8eZe-l7qEV3I13CChTX3NfvNRt_1cMdea3CHcKxkoTN3b7sf0pRHZ-N3FZlirAMH8jlJytPvb4Icp7ODpplJjkPvBT6M1RVkykSZKVgGGy9VsfpcHf1K4up-LKiKWJUXRUEPkel4ZwXMND4M5GLDvbxfqmrw/s4032/PXL_20240218_211357274.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOPiHVo8e4TnnH37izG-qZT55bxU0LAt8eZe-l7qEV3I13CChTX3NfvNRt_1cMdea3CHcKxkoTN3b7sf0pRHZ-N3FZlirAMH8jlJytPvb4Icp7ODpplJjkPvBT6M1RVkykSZKVgGGy9VsfpcHf1K4up-LKiKWJUXRUEPkel4ZwXMND4M5GLDvbxfqmrw/w400-h300/PXL_20240218_211357274.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Of course, I have been here several times for the Islanders, but it was a different experience for hoops, with the upper deck closed off. Attendance was announced at 9,584, which filled up most of the lower bowl. The majority of fans were Johnnies, but a few hardy Pirates supporters had made the trek from New Jersey and could be heard cheering on their team.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGul8b5d0Bvhcm0I9cIAsBxt0oJp3XXn_wNkfImm1cyFGgtyUdG8rCThyUPMZUGx3_1Roh9kupH1aqkA0eEwmYuKoGPTEUSSwx8dCmKJZm_7tHlgkeAmpeIC3CGfxuClY7MXi4OCvv9RZ-vaxhjva6j6qhEHb9_9R4XbnM4Cjo-DFQ4i-oRCw6DwID2CM/s4032/PXL_20240218_211526785.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGul8b5d0Bvhcm0I9cIAsBxt0oJp3XXn_wNkfImm1cyFGgtyUdG8rCThyUPMZUGx3_1Roh9kupH1aqkA0eEwmYuKoGPTEUSSwx8dCmKJZm_7tHlgkeAmpeIC3CGfxuClY7MXi4OCvv9RZ-vaxhjva6j6qhEHb9_9R4XbnM4Cjo-DFQ4i-oRCw6DwID2CM/w400-h300/PXL_20240218_211526785.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>As you can see, only the middle sections face the court; in particular, the corner sections are facing behind the basket and are not recommended. I doubt I will return here for basketball, but am glad I got to add it as a hoops venue, and with an interesting game too.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>St. John's has had an up-and-down season and were just 6-8 in conference play, while Seton Hall was 9-5 in the very competitive Big East. The two had met a month prior at the Prudential Center, with the Pirates prevailing 80-65. St. John's was inexplicably favoured by 7.5 when the lines were released, though this had dropped to 6.5 by tip.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztbh4GIncR2Ix2kofLoOZqcPtOK49xcj4NDeO3bN6Wg9bBY4f7z9jx5_BFx_08KBile6rNP67pxT5gzedobL7slxb07lygh8TRA4K5hLgFJc-E3VrxbZjuiH5f_db94oDwlhNA3sT9-arRQQEhscsb2Ex9lhlJ4Q8Rm5htIbEd0xNOHJJzGmHifkTpRY/s2957/PXL_20240218_220752774.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="2957" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztbh4GIncR2Ix2kofLoOZqcPtOK49xcj4NDeO3bN6Wg9bBY4f7z9jx5_BFx_08KBile6rNP67pxT5gzedobL7slxb07lygh8TRA4K5hLgFJc-E3VrxbZjuiH5f_db94oDwlhNA3sT9-arRQQEhscsb2Ex9lhlJ4Q8Rm5htIbEd0xNOHJJzGmHifkTpRY/w400-h269/PXL_20240218_220752774.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Red Storm were solid early, scoring the first 8 points and building a 21-10 lead at the midway point of the half. They continued to outplay the Pirates and were doubling them at 32-16 with 5 minutes to go, and then a Jordan Dingle (#3 below) jumper gave St. John's an 18-point lead. Al-Amir Dawes (#2) got that back with a three for Seton Hall, and then after a St. John's miss, Kadary Richmond (#1) drove the length of the floor and was whistled for an offensive foul. Coach Shaheen Holloway exploded and was given a technical. After the two free throws from Nahiem Alleyne, St. John's retained possession and Zuby Ejiofor added two more points for a 38-19 lead. But Seton Hall, possibly motivated by the technical foul, ended the half on a 10-3 run.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEDwMLZvHBVQUU7wuM6hcViBr3Ii5pnVVQIPeQLx6ap61Xt-R9RIsrm7NzxEiDJr7mA-ji-KeTPvU348BuVksgfxV5P970DGQ__2gQfnB3hOi2d8AdQnIxby9yjVjcMqcglT_kevNZ11radEH89XnTvPKJJNJjyuSXsXNFTMcaL3E0Soy7Tg-IdAPp9A/s4032/PXL_20240218_220805440.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEDwMLZvHBVQUU7wuM6hcViBr3Ii5pnVVQIPeQLx6ap61Xt-R9RIsrm7NzxEiDJr7mA-ji-KeTPvU348BuVksgfxV5P970DGQ__2gQfnB3hOi2d8AdQnIxby9yjVjcMqcglT_kevNZ11radEH89XnTvPKJJNJjyuSXsXNFTMcaL3E0Soy7Tg-IdAPp9A/w400-h300/PXL_20240218_220805440.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Seton Hall then went on another 10-3 run to start the second half (that's 20-6 combined for those not good at math) and that 19 point lead was down to 5. The Johnnies continued to lay brick after brick and although Seton Hall wasn't shooting spectacularly, they kept getting closer, tying the game on a pair of Dawes free throws. After another Red Storm miss, Dawes sank a lay-up to give Seton Hall their first lead of the game at 47-45. Keep in mind that 12 minutes had passed in the second half and St. John's had hit just one field goal and managed just 4 points overall.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADLQ7F6zTjBiklcwAp8XNx4FoSoJO0tGZJMEYTMeSGoDAt9XWnwFA4Tw3fK6_W3rn8BP3VjpFA2s4y13mOUj04d-f9IL8QyaXRoWr0VEnG81ToVxl4IUfMUtM3xFMSaWTSZ7H2wib6Ce8Q0hyphenhyphenUtxHqddU6uzN9CHVVrCOJsH9T4Ajm5ZP-1s5d34n154/s4032/PXL_20240218_224923910.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADLQ7F6zTjBiklcwAp8XNx4FoSoJO0tGZJMEYTMeSGoDAt9XWnwFA4Tw3fK6_W3rn8BP3VjpFA2s4y13mOUj04d-f9IL8QyaXRoWr0VEnG81ToVxl4IUfMUtM3xFMSaWTSZ7H2wib6Ce8Q0hyphenhyphenUtxHqddU6uzN9CHVVrCOJsH9T4Ajm5ZP-1s5d34n154/w400-h300/PXL_20240218_224923910.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>They did finally get another field goal with 6:48 to go and they tied the game at 50 on a jumper from Daniss Jenkins. A Jenkins three shortly thereafter gave St. John's a 53-52 lead but by now they had committed 10 fouls and Seton Hall were in the double bonus. Chris Ledlum was whistled on the next possession and Dre Davis made both and after another missed three from St. John's, Dawes netted a triple to make it 57-53. The Red Storm continued to be freezing cold from the field and Seton Hall pushed the lead to 8 after an "and one!" from Richmond with three minutes to go. The end game was mostly St. John's fouling and although Alleyne hit a late three to get within 6 and a minute left, they could not take advantage of Richmond missing two freebies, as Seton Hall swept St. John's 68-60.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofhWsWY5k-zxtc0BAkmruh5STGmpODRUBVlEvzl0Ey1GMwkBWBe6vZUmeuACPvoGYPdNvd_OSxgO72HF8UWgLvwvqVDHdwaWP2puFSUq3m5qBdRomdzPqpqmY6kJ-nttbhihEEp-HzNPGxZQ7Vd8P8csLCbzXK04yF69KN2Bg1sw_IpS2MX0AtXYUprw/s4032/PXL_20240219_001351317.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofhWsWY5k-zxtc0BAkmruh5STGmpODRUBVlEvzl0Ey1GMwkBWBe6vZUmeuACPvoGYPdNvd_OSxgO72HF8UWgLvwvqVDHdwaWP2puFSUq3m5qBdRomdzPqpqmY6kJ-nttbhihEEp-HzNPGxZQ7Vd8P8csLCbzXK04yF69KN2Bg1sw_IpS2MX0AtXYUprw/w400-h300/PXL_20240219_001351317.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Statistically, the game was pretty close, but it was those Red Storm fouls that cost them. Oh, and also sinking only one field goal over the first 13 minutes of the second half. After the game, <a href="https://www.nj.com/sports/2024/02/after-latest-st-johns-loss-rick-pitino-laments-shtty-facilities-lack-of-toughness-and-lost-season-due-to-recruiting.html?outputType=amp" target="_blank">Pitino threw his players under the bus</a>, criticizing each of them and the school's facilities. Ah, a dysfunctional New York sports team, who woulda thunk it?</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>This does count as a new venue (#1047) as I had not seen basketball there before (of course, it does not increase the unique venue count, which remains at 964). It was my 256th basketball venue (189 were NCAA games). Baseball is at 357 and hockey is at 154; it is interesting (to me at least) how they differ by about 100 on either side.</p><p>In terms of the quest to see all 392 Division I home gyms, this does not count as a home gym, at least not yet. Although St. John's was the home team and the court was a St. John's design, I will wait to see if this becomes a regular home gym for the school before I add it to the quest. For now, it remains a neutral site game on my list. If it does become a regular home gym, the quest will increase to 393 (and 394 when West Georgia jumps to D-I next year).</p><p>In a notable coincidence, St. Peter's, a New Jersey school previously coached by Shaheen Holloway, traveled to Iona, a New York school previously coached by Rick Pitino, and won by 6. That was a 1:00 game, so a pretty cool doubleheader was possible.</p><p><b>Next Up</b></p><p>Tennessee for six venues in six days with my six-year-old daughter, who is actually excited about the trip. Will she feel the same way after? Check back for updates next week.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-74327540098324496402024-02-16T10:23:00.003+09:002024-02-19T02:16:38.906+09:00Villanova Wildcats 62 at Georgetown Hoyas 47 (NCAA Women's Basketball, Big East) - February 13, 2024<p>A couple of years ago, I took my daughter to see a Georgetown women's basketball game, but it was closed to the public because of COVID protocols, an unbelievable happening in January 2022. Anyway, the happy part is that we saw a <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2022/01/boston-celtics-116-at-washington.html" target="_blank">Wizards game</a> for free instead (the stupidity of Georgetown closing a game that would draw 300 while the Wizards had no problem with 15,000 is obvious, but two years later, we realize the pandemic response was flawed from the start).</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7whi2GUlANZhYDGRGfpIoXNc5UkQzeVe4XlVWAjLfW5IyrCg8ZVzIQa3GSaG2V_0m7kzDy6p8sZu-uBAjsYaImi_0G5XarXyNjYkpjEHJjbuh7z9xcADIUP0k7Ti9SUgFgQNKSbzx3RoFFieKdbaZeI2OyjFqnwzi46x6dYTUBVnx-WWQybaj4xXSAMs/s4032/PXL_20240213_174831974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7whi2GUlANZhYDGRGfpIoXNc5UkQzeVe4XlVWAjLfW5IyrCg8ZVzIQa3GSaG2V_0m7kzDy6p8sZu-uBAjsYaImi_0G5XarXyNjYkpjEHJjbuh7z9xcADIUP0k7Ti9SUgFgQNKSbzx3RoFFieKdbaZeI2OyjFqnwzi46x6dYTUBVnx-WWQybaj4xXSAMs/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_174831974.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Anyway, another positive of missing that game then is that it allowed me to plan this trip, which included <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2024/02/elon-phoenix-55-at-towson-tigers-80.html" target="_blank">a visit to Towson</a> the night before. In the morning, I took Amtrak from Baltimore to Union Station and then the DC Circulator to Georgetown ($1), walking across the picturesque campus to McDonough Arena, home of the Hoya women. It should be noted that the entire building is known as the McDonough Memorial Gymnasium (named for Rev. Vincent J. McDonough Georgetown's athletic director from 1916 to 1928), while McDonough Arena refers to the court where the games are played. The facility was built in 1951 and holds 2,200 fans. In 2014, the university opened the John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletic Center adjacent to McDonough and you can reach the gym by walking through the athletic center. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4h485ATzQKELLNsxGtJjbft7oeWl4QYsL3lwzxoYfOXJrVTwNOkar6Ar_hHD4i0-9IOe0hXUS-XhsO1SQpDAIRtlwK2iiqjbeDaI5zlSjqCKK4x9cay2Gv2qVLv-23JMDqLnVIVdaKN-4T8ygxN1Z1tpd5Qlgs04kWMyvqQqHnXhA6AI-BpXzBCgyU00/s4032/PXL_20240213_151420976.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4h485ATzQKELLNsxGtJjbft7oeWl4QYsL3lwzxoYfOXJrVTwNOkar6Ar_hHD4i0-9IOe0hXUS-XhsO1SQpDAIRtlwK2iiqjbeDaI5zlSjqCKK4x9cay2Gv2qVLv-23JMDqLnVIVdaKN-4T8ygxN1Z1tpd5Qlgs04kWMyvqQqHnXhA6AI-BpXzBCgyU00/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_151420976.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>In fact, you should do this because there is a lot to see here, including a display on the great coach himself, as well as a statue. I saw <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2020/02/georgetown-hoyas-68-at-depaul-blue.html" target="_blank">Georgetown on the road at DePaul</a> when I did my Chicago tripleheader in 2020 and believe I saw Thompson sitting by himself in a private area; he passed away just six months later.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDokJ3z9pQ73RTBa_eX6aT_g85ymyX2TWLJqeMBjD_geZyKHkPg_88AKKdV-7v2YehA83-fj6VeD1gFvx6cY7hnoaIlhiJiOGDhbKSPVvR6Jbt1v3DAStoEBJCaZWSHn6_1oUfo1dr9Dj33z6cNAJ-JPn-ZihD5G2VMHilRiy8W__tG-hq3J_82kwSuds/s4032/PXL_20240213_151431029.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDokJ3z9pQ73RTBa_eX6aT_g85ymyX2TWLJqeMBjD_geZyKHkPg_88AKKdV-7v2YehA83-fj6VeD1gFvx6cY7hnoaIlhiJiOGDhbKSPVvR6Jbt1v3DAStoEBJCaZWSHn6_1oUfo1dr9Dj33z6cNAJ-JPn-ZihD5G2VMHilRiy8W__tG-hq3J_82kwSuds/w300-h400/PXL_20240213_151431029.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>Continuing through the complex, you will pass by the 1984 national championship trophy. It is precisely for this reason that I added women's venues to my quest; seeing Georgetown at Capital One Arena is not enough because there is no memorabilia or history there. By visiting McDonough, I feel like I have experienced Georgetown basketball completely.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV82PeP3V1kmZ9qRCQU7VADgmTW9kbx5vPCsrFRBJwgVeAsA8sQP7O6pLQMWIzMHnpb9Sza8H-mhYESH7sbJ7iWs2i2SfFAgCT5ejwEd9YO5uPFD4UwpIY6EwVrg1cf85x-NewUzwdYGsIJVgA38tIlrWmOHUl0Upc9S3RwpRAkHVo18FmebiCOJEcWM/s4032/PXL_20240213_151509081.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV82PeP3V1kmZ9qRCQU7VADgmTW9kbx5vPCsrFRBJwgVeAsA8sQP7O6pLQMWIzMHnpb9Sza8H-mhYESH7sbJ7iWs2i2SfFAgCT5ejwEd9YO5uPFD4UwpIY6EwVrg1cf85x-NewUzwdYGsIJVgA38tIlrWmOHUl0Upc9S3RwpRAkHVo18FmebiCOJEcWM/w300-h400/PXL_20240213_151509081.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>The complex is very attractive, with mosaics and stained glass windows throughout. It is open to the public and even if there is not a game, you can wander around and get your fill of history.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoMkvpDACyRnEK1wqIjkgKjWwunLdajh_98sq35cuznDsn_nBhQ-WJRxohxyIK1yumzKyRZNzexcPQecEjQ8ofEoJbArfFH3sP-e63anrxp48qgAvebjHLXfnI7w1W2J59wmvrYdDMQrGRjM3VrCrXOzquYstFaIMsnyx34bFO-SRvVI5ZLTjM_McOCA/s4032/PXL_20240213_151441635.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoMkvpDACyRnEK1wqIjkgKjWwunLdajh_98sq35cuznDsn_nBhQ-WJRxohxyIK1yumzKyRZNzexcPQecEjQ8ofEoJbArfFH3sP-e63anrxp48qgAvebjHLXfnI7w1W2J59wmvrYdDMQrGRjM3VrCrXOzquYstFaIMsnyx34bFO-SRvVI5ZLTjM_McOCA/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_151441635.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There are literally hundreds of trophies here too, from Big East championships in many disciplines all the way down to fourth place finishes on the national stage. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREA57UjcFtvAS6W8sI8PXge7G3OAjCtRGbia84ugbHDULNr4tdscUlXwC7o6XWOP2irP_I_51HtbMrc1CxNgxAHBAFQGgmiOiP_Z7fq6XyEU7_stqDxTC9gTMH9mF-u98yfLDhtw0cZYLp84wePkuF4VZKP0pJkNSEAa5if1y9LQofspzbFSUnMAE6j4/s4032/PXL_20240213_151644100.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREA57UjcFtvAS6W8sI8PXge7G3OAjCtRGbia84ugbHDULNr4tdscUlXwC7o6XWOP2irP_I_51HtbMrc1CxNgxAHBAFQGgmiOiP_Z7fq6XyEU7_stqDxTC9gTMH9mF-u98yfLDhtw0cZYLp84wePkuF4VZKP0pJkNSEAa5if1y9LQofspzbFSUnMAE6j4/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_151644100.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Georgetown has had several Olympians on their various athletic rosters, including a couple of guys named Ewing and Iverson. A display case near the entrance to the gym highlights all of them.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbgkjd52bCJpQ4ccsACRXvC-0gBz9052A7XG4LYkgHbp9RZBsu3YOl5DhyphenhyphenjEzU-uEVYiPL1F69nkMs91IVmYpDaRJ8ozuiWBXUjHTTqjBBQUCfxYR4Ac5m2p9HyaISFWpgl_F4FWZHuet6z-U5CaVe5wtjbfneAAYLXUliGvhYDcqJlK1aTErG2uri_A/s4032/PXL_20240213_152010487.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbgkjd52bCJpQ4ccsACRXvC-0gBz9052A7XG4LYkgHbp9RZBsu3YOl5DhyphenhyphenjEzU-uEVYiPL1F69nkMs91IVmYpDaRJ8ozuiWBXUjHTTqjBBQUCfxYR4Ac5m2p9HyaISFWpgl_F4FWZHuet6z-U5CaVe5wtjbfneAAYLXUliGvhYDcqJlK1aTErG2uri_A/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_152010487.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>One of the more interesting displays is about a special shoe constructed for Ralph Dalton, a big man who severely injured his knee in his first game. The shoe was specially constructed by Nike and allowed Dalton to play, and he was a contributor on the 1984 championship team and was drafted by Cleveland, though he never played in the NBA. <a href="https://chrisdanforth-77785.medium.com/1982-86-georgetown-hoyas-center-ralph-dalton-on-the-nike-terminator-9e09703e9c79" target="_blank">This interview is quite interesting</a> and shows how good a recruiter and coach Thompson was as Dalton stayed even after Patrick Ewing committed to Georgetown.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjuHoaHhglfCDPz7mSms1Z4Ua8lO1PnLbVuTMqyFxEwksX1dgcZYuLFUxZEeCkB-EkP6Ja09kVLOa6CsohetUhA4-vsAB_Aw8wE1eNKDPZxl4Udcw9zYX2oJfUcfcy-Ih-cMpzC9_wraueQhHHZ7bsIiQo2YPsVIIXnb77ZMXdykSADFdxwEunrzPQqI/s4032/PXL_20240213_151912399.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjuHoaHhglfCDPz7mSms1Z4Ua8lO1PnLbVuTMqyFxEwksX1dgcZYuLFUxZEeCkB-EkP6Ja09kVLOa6CsohetUhA4-vsAB_Aw8wE1eNKDPZxl4Udcw9zYX2oJfUcfcy-Ih-cMpzC9_wraueQhHHZ7bsIiQo2YPsVIIXnb77ZMXdykSADFdxwEunrzPQqI/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_151912399.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There is also a display of various Air Jordans over the years, something I have not seen elsewhere. To be honest, I never understood the sneaker craze, but if you were a fan, this might be of interest to you.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeyF4EiY8gUCZNbjnUFhFKdBmKH8btmuL0jwjSP_NEWWNBpflCAffHK796IzBVGAIgkRAA76B64UpOVZmHp7pK3c5LRF7WzW2lTkAC2tQq_dd6sG4mzqr_yPv1cbhsP3MarqrvgpNo346u6OHGCKM_IGrSAgPsX6YSEZPqu1LB0e3GOUFcqYJxtkN650/s4032/PXL_20240213_151604578.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeyF4EiY8gUCZNbjnUFhFKdBmKH8btmuL0jwjSP_NEWWNBpflCAffHK796IzBVGAIgkRAA76B64UpOVZmHp7pK3c5LRF7WzW2lTkAC2tQq_dd6sG4mzqr_yPv1cbhsP3MarqrvgpNo346u6OHGCKM_IGrSAgPsX6YSEZPqu1LB0e3GOUFcqYJxtkN650/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_151604578.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The lobby of the gym is quite nice as well, and tickets are sold from a table. All seats are $10 for general admission and hard tickets are not made available sadly.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU8M6xAGmiNarb6NiihTOo-nnGsaMGncKKprWFmtsatWJYMUhI63nNzLLaqrCsCAm_Nsrm08lsVYxtoa4XPXZt4lRrGs6BfGUW13NAw81CVGU10z98V7zVBsPKVkTGv7sgIHlJBf7PPk_emtZnZ3DBdn5w_eWiOGPwKpQIIyV9t2Ptxxfs5Nvvwk9anU/s4032/PXL_20240213_151759194.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU8M6xAGmiNarb6NiihTOo-nnGsaMGncKKprWFmtsatWJYMUhI63nNzLLaqrCsCAm_Nsrm08lsVYxtoa4XPXZt4lRrGs6BfGUW13NAw81CVGU10z98V7zVBsPKVkTGv7sgIHlJBf7PPk_emtZnZ3DBdn5w_eWiOGPwKpQIIyV9t2Ptxxfs5Nvvwk9anU/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_151759194.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Inside, you have a great old-school gym, with bleachers on either side. This was an 11 a.m. start so there were several groups of kids in attendance and they were having fun, cheering baskets regardless of which team made them.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVatkkPA2ZtQXTcNpHX8zlpkXMJL9gvza8YQnaTPuR_TQ90xiStW6SPIYOJ3J8ym6YzZVb6HYe6RQiSZj6sSha0KHG0jxd7HML9p2vCmzZ3xaONWRmBZgn-a6C_JDyTaeJrXO39t2YTQmbzTRUycIVcOCjqQmXsruMHHp7yGloe0AWyD_MHRaQncvPz8/s4032/PXL_20240213_152428214.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVatkkPA2ZtQXTcNpHX8zlpkXMJL9gvza8YQnaTPuR_TQ90xiStW6SPIYOJ3J8ym6YzZVb6HYe6RQiSZj6sSha0KHG0jxd7HML9p2vCmzZ3xaONWRmBZgn-a6C_JDyTaeJrXO39t2YTQmbzTRUycIVcOCjqQmXsruMHHp7yGloe0AWyD_MHRaQncvPz8/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_152428214.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Above the entrance are banners that apply to the men's team, even though they don't play here anymore. They left for the Capital Centre in Landover in 1981 (I saw the Bullets get eliminated by the Pistons there in 1987) and moved downtown in 1997. To the left are the women's banners along with two WNBA jerseys for Rebekkah Brunson and Sugar Rodgers, both who have since retired from the league.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiudKnjTQtn6qEdFWtHrpOnw-eEZNuF-dwigJ9-jY8FR0qzG8UupgTCYq-T4ZCfLmoQ1GpsDpySG4UC-zYuk1ezUhk-yDwb9Q4-Tg7Cp2WQlKsLfuMREmGTdO3YajNYTVqItputTbTvRKTbe4RbiMAAM6HrCxLhadZsRUzCAd3QQPxr7QJZDNxjV5p4U/s4032/PXL_20240213_152444616.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiudKnjTQtn6qEdFWtHrpOnw-eEZNuF-dwigJ9-jY8FR0qzG8UupgTCYq-T4ZCfLmoQ1GpsDpySG4UC-zYuk1ezUhk-yDwb9Q4-Tg7Cp2WQlKsLfuMREmGTdO3YajNYTVqItputTbTvRKTbe4RbiMAAM6HrCxLhadZsRUzCAd3QQPxr7QJZDNxjV5p4U/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_152444616.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>At the far end is the phrase <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoya_Saxa" target="_blank">Hoya Saxa</a>, which is the official "college yell" for Georgetown. It originated in the late 19th century and is a rough translation of the Greek word hoia meaning 'such' or 'what' and the Latin word saxa ('rocks'), thus becoming "What Rocks!". Hey, I'm sure it made sense 130 years ago.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkbyG2KEm57YhCf5CJViatVyxxkdJ1mMEnEgW4TTgsr15uaSmbuyd3PlPWoYtexuPX6kn567eh5h7e8s168qZFJiDCLsAKpJEkEdQjHN9b_LGLF4RaajrIKsDOk71TLXEAXIliWd2m3Aa5Hc5EfTD69G8kSozaisXIhGcJC1M85ExE32R5YM362LL05Y/s4032/PXL_20240213_152523479.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkbyG2KEm57YhCf5CJViatVyxxkdJ1mMEnEgW4TTgsr15uaSmbuyd3PlPWoYtexuPX6kn567eh5h7e8s168qZFJiDCLsAKpJEkEdQjHN9b_LGLF4RaajrIKsDOk71TLXEAXIliWd2m3Aa5Hc5EfTD69G8kSozaisXIhGcJC1M85ExE32R5YM362LL05Y/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_152523479.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>On the court is a sign Tash Tough in honour of their coach <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasha_Butts" target="_blank">Tasha Butts</a>, who passed away from breast cancer at age 41 last October, just a couple of weeks before the season started. She was hired in April of last year, so she never coached a game for the Hoyas. A very sad story indeed.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vs7TunZSKt0sJSyNDu_n5DdO4ndYK2QHQX2oXGmDiH_rKyCkkWkDAZuL4hVQm-0qUJfFUGhwCf0l_Gfd_i1jAeYF5lFeNaaRrOONGrEkhFZ5xQaujpKrTg4XIamE69rX4XAyCSybGwpjLWwXWFdbRQaIxqe5MdT9Q4G4WODX8vd1KijW6PrPDQMzZ40/s4032/PXL_20240213_152521305.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vs7TunZSKt0sJSyNDu_n5DdO4ndYK2QHQX2oXGmDiH_rKyCkkWkDAZuL4hVQm-0qUJfFUGhwCf0l_Gfd_i1jAeYF5lFeNaaRrOONGrEkhFZ5xQaujpKrTg4XIamE69rX4XAyCSybGwpjLWwXWFdbRQaIxqe5MdT9Q4G4WODX8vd1KijW6PrPDQMzZ40/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_152521305.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, McDonough Arena was worth the second trip. I love seeing games in these old barns and enjoyed the atmosphere provided by about 500 kids who got a day off school to learn about the pick and roll. Serious stadium travelers should make an effort to get here when they are in Washington and enjoy a bit of Hoya hoops, McDonough style.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The Villanova Wildcats were in town at 8-4 in the Big East, while Georgetown was 6-7. The Hoyas wore their pink uniforms as part of the "Play for Kay" initiative, organized by the <a href="https://twitter.com/KayYowFund" target="_blank">Kay Yow Cancer Fund</a> that is fighting against cancer in women. Yow was the legendary head coach at NC State, <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2023/11/elon-phoenix-35-at-nc-state-wolfpack-90.html" target="_blank">where the court at Reynolds Coliseum</a> is named after her.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YfT4dwUKgGZAIXUQh_xiSNKCLdtFsOuGPBCUpJdVbBwCyaoewT6lTxo2wWRuPGU1g90_egT8ngxax78CHPofJ6A8rb07yVXjFWV80shEPfTaKUufhjxGqFZoOhXvt-pAyp4MXyWRfeQIJbOuP4-H7t9fiKHKI5r8V3NdDnTO_MEHmEgw5C3wK6b6U4c/s4032/PXL_20240213_160352233.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YfT4dwUKgGZAIXUQh_xiSNKCLdtFsOuGPBCUpJdVbBwCyaoewT6lTxo2wWRuPGU1g90_egT8ngxax78CHPofJ6A8rb07yVXjFWV80shEPfTaKUufhjxGqFZoOhXvt-pAyp4MXyWRfeQIJbOuP4-H7t9fiKHKI5r8V3NdDnTO_MEHmEgw5C3wK6b6U4c/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_160352233.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Wildcats scored the first four points of the contest, but the Hoyas responded with 8 straight and the game went back and forth for a bit as Villanova led after the first quarter 17-13. Georgetown again scored 8 straight early in the second that gave them a 21-19 lead, only for Villanova to score 8 of the final 10 points of the half to lead 27-23.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrdf70C9b2C7CDldkrPLPFs5Dk3ZMYyxfZjROXfEF9wu5nRyiYBONrNfxCFSmn9tMRHnZPs_neWEc6HW9reI7NF2xYQhecb8Hsr8tJnhf8MG_NMp8XYTLqjD5s9xHd-Qi0mtIM-UxAwYBYbrAl9dBqxxe31UeOeJLxTUf1wrKReRNaBTR2WZIZUpJ7ms/s4032/PXL_20240213_160413758.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrdf70C9b2C7CDldkrPLPFs5Dk3ZMYyxfZjROXfEF9wu5nRyiYBONrNfxCFSmn9tMRHnZPs_neWEc6HW9reI7NF2xYQhecb8Hsr8tJnhf8MG_NMp8XYTLqjD5s9xHd-Qi0mtIM-UxAwYBYbrAl9dBqxxe31UeOeJLxTUf1wrKReRNaBTR2WZIZUpJ7ms/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_160413758.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The third quarter started as the opposite of the first, with Georgetown netting the first four points to tie it and Villanova responding with 8 straight. Unfortunately for the home team, Villanova also scored the next 9, in other words, a 17-0 run over 7 minutes that pretty much ended things as the quarter finished </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mupD1a0gyw9Q1UsM6nOw5Aj8WpZflJ1ACOt87BQL-w4jrDa42sadzq0l9v_4y9xvoqcqYpSv-2C8En0IDSbbcZ50CPMzjlcb1rQw9I4MUjqvELSmY_QfvVOXipjNNBUQ_gcYWAOK4FMpjqp63KPLzuWdfa86zKEqNIkvVaap5iqFYcf0V25i52GA3ow/s4032/PXL_20240213_165703698.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mupD1a0gyw9Q1UsM6nOw5Aj8WpZflJ1ACOt87BQL-w4jrDa42sadzq0l9v_4y9xvoqcqYpSv-2C8En0IDSbbcZ50CPMzjlcb1rQw9I4MUjqvELSmY_QfvVOXipjNNBUQ_gcYWAOK4FMpjqp63KPLzuWdfa86zKEqNIkvVaap5iqFYcf0V25i52GA3ow/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_165703698.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The final frame saw Georgetown score the first four and the Wildcat lead varied between 8 and 11 for the next five minutes. Georgetown started pressing and it worked as they got a turnover and had a chance to get within six and 2:23 to go. But after an offensive board off a missed free throw, interim head coach Darnell Haney went ballistic over an apparent missed call and received a technical (as an aside, the refs did a great job, calling just 20 fouls on the afternoon). Haney's lack of control led to Lucy Olsen (#3 above) making 1 of 2 from the line, and then with possession, Bella Runyan added a three to extend the lead to 13 and end what little suspense was left. The final was 62-47 for the Wildcats, and obviously that 17-0 run was the difference. It was an entertaining affair and I think the kids enjoyed themselves. Whether they watched Caitlin Clark break the NCAA scoring record the next day is another matter.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUIww-Vcqz3iu6Ka9GXKLau3MMVc-2ub0nER7_nCNU4jOcd1Z9-ulreDAxLGKleZ6makBEwOQLHw2ICaT9Uv6ngtJH8afsGxuDLz6Iedhb8UGlJvv6L442iql1FrkJ34jk22Z2u3D6Frt2GPAWQ1JJ82z3qiBjLgI4bLuKUSU4wtDSnivRbPRcuwVkcc/s4032/PXL_20240213_174526778.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUIww-Vcqz3iu6Ka9GXKLau3MMVc-2ub0nER7_nCNU4jOcd1Z9-ulreDAxLGKleZ6makBEwOQLHw2ICaT9Uv6ngtJH8afsGxuDLz6Iedhb8UGlJvv6L442iql1FrkJ34jk22Z2u3D6Frt2GPAWQ1JJ82z3qiBjLgI4bLuKUSU4wtDSnivRbPRcuwVkcc/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_174526778.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Olsen was the star with 33 points; her 13 field goals were more than half of Villanova's 25. Georgetown finished just 1 of 6 from beyond the arc, while Ariel Jenkins led the Hoyas with 13.</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>This was the 18th of 19 gyms in the Big East for me to see a game. Those 19 are the most of any conference, which is odd because there are only 11 teams, but four men's teams play in two venues and four women's teams play in different venues than the men, with Georgetown one example. Xavier is the only venue left in the conference and I plan to get there next season.</p><p><b>Next Up</b></p><p>It's winter break for my daughter so it is off to Tennessee for a week as we cross the state from Memphis to Knoxville, stopping at six new venues along the way. Will she enjoy it? Will she realize her father is nuts? Check back in a couple of weeks to find out.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-61301035159304534122024-02-13T20:00:00.331+09:002024-02-15T22:12:37.183+09:00Elon Phoenix 55 at Towson Tigers 80 (NCAA Basketball, CAA) - February 12, 2024<div>I am always looking out for quick trips where I can see a couple of college hoops venues on my list without spending too much. I've been to every D-I gym within a couple of hours of NYC, so it is getting harder to find such jaunts, but a recent examination of the schedule showed that Towson (a suburb of Baltimore) had a late game on Monday night, while Georgetown women played Tuesday morning in DC. Those are good days to travel and Amtrak had a sale, so I was able to take three trains for only $49 (Baltimore to Washington was just $4). I left home at 3 p.m. on Monday and arrived in Baltimore at 6:30, taking the free Charm City Circulator to my hotel. From there, I took a rideshare to the Towson campus about 20 minutes away, getting dropped off right in front of SECU Arena.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnOyrVeOfHFRza_-Q1Kvn8u-taqRarpfPNRmkjUFkrPSbFtoDpK9bxn_cSOUD4CvA5R5sm8fyCsrpCzNyWeQgucURcMQ2LQIAjGL53lVEMhzCunsQhmKeuOstPYpiG3nHFmeJjpsOTv9Xcx1NZXsWeppOEJkoR2jpopaA46rd8QFwLSBz9Sxvsf2qNAE/s4032/PXL_20240213_005426031.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnOyrVeOfHFRza_-Q1Kvn8u-taqRarpfPNRmkjUFkrPSbFtoDpK9bxn_cSOUD4CvA5R5sm8fyCsrpCzNyWeQgucURcMQ2LQIAjGL53lVEMhzCunsQhmKeuOstPYpiG3nHFmeJjpsOTv9Xcx1NZXsWeppOEJkoR2jpopaA46rd8QFwLSBz9Sxvsf2qNAE/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_005426031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Except it is not SECU Arena any more. The naming rights ended last September by mutual agreement and the venue is referred to officially as TU Arena, but the signage has yet to be replaced. Seems like free advertising for the State Employees Credit Union. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0zbM9aWWD_K_bTh5Tp-oc0w7xS-xAWDGA3ka4ujvUWbrADOGwTj9gHRc0R9LEkIJTCu1X7QI2WB2H_yXUgmIVu5fZF9n3Vs1PV31K9W3Pudq-QcWopWIFs7ySv9ZB3v6mPEjdjLmMNfxt_HBGqORk5weQs5e559gxmAgsFg5lvwjaJTr32EfI1rZduc/s4032/PXL_20240213_005439091.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0zbM9aWWD_K_bTh5Tp-oc0w7xS-xAWDGA3ka4ujvUWbrADOGwTj9gHRc0R9LEkIJTCu1X7QI2WB2H_yXUgmIVu5fZF9n3Vs1PV31K9W3Pudq-QcWopWIFs7ySv9ZB3v6mPEjdjLmMNfxt_HBGqORk5weQs5e559gxmAgsFg5lvwjaJTr32EfI1rZduc/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_005439091.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Towson is the Tigers and there is a fearsome sculpture of one near the main entrance. The box office is right by the doors and all tickets were $15 for this one, with the exception of the two top rows in each section, called the club and consisting of comfy seats, which were $30 (the black seats in the photo below). Courtside seats are also listed on the team's website at $60, but these were not available at the ticket window. Prices are usually the same for all opponents, but the final game of the home season does see an increase.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHOVQ_PvYKPXSEc5aYcxkcY-O5LmoJthQb1IWZ-Ity-BhGMS2-CQubtbB8ANHXWjHpOiSOUqandAPrybqqpllz55Se8mNtY3LCfQAEG1MtLwYWpvuimI_dwYL6Ib_bH9QQ_Mii4K_1y_C7VYHRnjr_PyUkB47k2x-mNgRIruHgz2lQSqtFXP4xYiii90/s4032/PXL_20240213_010950950.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHOVQ_PvYKPXSEc5aYcxkcY-O5LmoJthQb1IWZ-Ity-BhGMS2-CQubtbB8ANHXWjHpOiSOUqandAPrybqqpllz55Se8mNtY3LCfQAEG1MtLwYWpvuimI_dwYL6Ib_bH9QQ_Mii4K_1y_C7VYHRnjr_PyUkB47k2x-mNgRIruHgz2lQSqtFXP4xYiii90/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010950950.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The game was a 9:00 start and marketed as Pajama Jam, with students wearing pajamas and getting free pancakes. I was not eligible for the pancakes, but the sign below assuaged any hard feelings. Usually these specials are limited to the swill, but here, even decent craft beers by nearby <a href="https://btfbeer.com/" target="_blank">Big Truck Farm Brewery</a> were just a buck. Of course, they open the cans for you when you buy them, so you can't sneak them out of the venue. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7ofRu-qq_lPArSyncBZFy3TTu1hdB0RD7Ou3gVQLz4xznXgzBaBMJLV6HRI4yO7cXMLI5zJ1j3tKMd1iL44o6QcEhtqMly7h3EcMfwpUYfrqJb4n2mIC6H1wVRR60fVU-84dHCfKJ8dfE-yAD9X4u73LwD_HpvPvh2pUWzZohkK2k_Mr1NlzxVO9yVE/s4032/PXL_20240213_010253143.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7ofRu-qq_lPArSyncBZFy3TTu1hdB0RD7Ou3gVQLz4xznXgzBaBMJLV6HRI4yO7cXMLI5zJ1j3tKMd1iL44o6QcEhtqMly7h3EcMfwpUYfrqJb4n2mIC6H1wVRR60fVU-84dHCfKJ8dfE-yAD9X4u73LwD_HpvPvh2pUWzZohkK2k_Mr1NlzxVO9yVE/w300-h400/PXL_20240213_010253143.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There was also a Towson toque giveaway to the first 500 fans, which I was very happy to receive. No advertising and high-quality, exactly the opposite of most major league giveaway items. This is my new favourite winter hat and should be unique in the NYC area.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFsFQh-5dwD9ENMtFXJVmDdjdrSYpIuN8Z942kOMdpLi3EvpOBp10rUedCj0ykmo-2sZyx9depzLIVApp2pkIWbDMgwTZnWPC9M0IIwUuJPtQ0Ev6V403KhFLBwQb7DYyJORxMwUChaCrrSm2hxAYILkzAMSGLD3d1aryB4MNyaLCedzNcyOPK5nZi1M/s3264/PXL_20240213_011430912.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFsFQh-5dwD9ENMtFXJVmDdjdrSYpIuN8Z942kOMdpLi3EvpOBp10rUedCj0ykmo-2sZyx9depzLIVApp2pkIWbDMgwTZnWPC9M0IIwUuJPtQ0Ev6V403KhFLBwQb7DYyJORxMwUChaCrrSm2hxAYILkzAMSGLD3d1aryB4MNyaLCedzNcyOPK5nZi1M/w300-h400/PXL_20240213_011430912.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The arena opened in 2013 and has a capacity of 5,200. It is an open plan venue, with the wide concourse surrounding the seating bowl below. There are two concession stands where food is reasonably priced ($3 hot dogs, $4 popcorn) and a small bar area behind Section 110.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfC7OjbQhV8itrap4W6SsQz58dbfqZ1pgSvOlQKtFe-1WU9kVp5uZF9-aCaHMtMobp5-0iuKc2OOtqGv4ixa97-L_alSwOa9N4b7KRe2tHFQOxr98YUz7ttlmDjrqamygIRhU8uaqUBtVN_9H82ySD8Jkt9P5DGeysrUMeYFHKQSS5XhzciRaAqmRq7E/s4032/PXL_20240213_010218250.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfC7OjbQhV8itrap4W6SsQz58dbfqZ1pgSvOlQKtFe-1WU9kVp5uZF9-aCaHMtMobp5-0iuKc2OOtqGv4ixa97-L_alSwOa9N4b7KRe2tHFQOxr98YUz7ttlmDjrqamygIRhU8uaqUBtVN_9H82ySD8Jkt9P5DGeysrUMeYFHKQSS5XhzciRaAqmRq7E/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010218250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are two levels of seating here, with the lower level reserved and the upper level general admission, though I can't imagine too many fans wanting to sit there.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7l1pehhplOrVwJbIxdE611qLTPWYw5WqlHeCifLc2O7e3jlrwBzvNgxUvk2quPrumx2N1t8bkZQ4mo6b662adNMHdBhTOF95XZkSV4lHOSV-295srPN5t05FReUu2BqcJGd3K8arRzgMzMqfFiFmpJYovdki5GAzzMVnwlvusBH4HmOOVyy9A8suvf4/s4032/PXL_20240213_010202619.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7l1pehhplOrVwJbIxdE611qLTPWYw5WqlHeCifLc2O7e3jlrwBzvNgxUvk2quPrumx2N1t8bkZQ4mo6b662adNMHdBhTOF95XZkSV4lHOSV-295srPN5t05FReUu2BqcJGd3K8arRzgMzMqfFiFmpJYovdki5GAzzMVnwlvusBH4HmOOVyy9A8suvf4/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010202619.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The entire upper deck is open and gives some great angles for pictures. You can really appreciate the layout of the arena in the picture below.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBtMuY7wuOG2N6Sa76wqTQhUcFWktQo546KsM9r5YfmUs9DNZoM7M8foxEyBQYC9X4M1mumUWYqnw59Fgl_8oJwVw_CCAeHAqrECyztu5drPaNVvmqZdATNS8FmxKhS-v4WcRAerczxhyphenhyphenFrNcYRsmgx6Sb_Fgep2SmJAW9VM1saak0Q_LGQwZaU4VBWA/s4032/PXL_20240213_010434828.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBtMuY7wuOG2N6Sa76wqTQhUcFWktQo546KsM9r5YfmUs9DNZoM7M8foxEyBQYC9X4M1mumUWYqnw59Fgl_8oJwVw_CCAeHAqrECyztu5drPaNVvmqZdATNS8FmxKhS-v4WcRAerczxhyphenhyphenFrNcYRsmgx6Sb_Fgep2SmJAW9VM1saak0Q_LGQwZaU4VBWA/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010434828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Below is from the top row at midcourt. Across the way are the four suites, which have their own private area to the left, on a balcony overlooking the court.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-HIoVkBAxj-SYYFUSbYOLXbNgbpg891kEP59uOmcSD6KXeD9RFTIDaQXk7ozKu_5kTL0ahYhUPaksXOCVNarGkoo8pxlRQmRCgvnKLVvI077JC0WvJnLInemYv7LiQn1fPU5U9Fy18X1QL9J_Hf-FmGrdwifrTLZc_7Z9J2uBTOdSc09thQ3v7NeGBc/s4032/PXL_20240213_010553404.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-HIoVkBAxj-SYYFUSbYOLXbNgbpg891kEP59uOmcSD6KXeD9RFTIDaQXk7ozKu_5kTL0ahYhUPaksXOCVNarGkoo8pxlRQmRCgvnKLVvI077JC0WvJnLInemYv7LiQn1fPU5U9Fy18X1QL9J_Hf-FmGrdwifrTLZc_7Z9J2uBTOdSc09thQ3v7NeGBc/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010553404.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Turn around to find many banners, including those for gymnastics and volleyball which are also played here.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZBmzPY4P0IqPgKF7yIM5MagFk8lgCqNapmxxlwRA2edaqGrDcPNpCoQAQRb-MfCkV2c7lxs8xzG2Lt1_KVW6hGWgSTl0SYSFMhWtviTm4vSarQNjT99QHfSuZklQHwgdhKOP8oL10df7bh9TgOGkSgt4Da-5jjjYMcODP3EPUnucmigekIBf75VbojI/s4032/PXL_20240213_010752202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZBmzPY4P0IqPgKF7yIM5MagFk8lgCqNapmxxlwRA2edaqGrDcPNpCoQAQRb-MfCkV2c7lxs8xzG2Lt1_KVW6hGWgSTl0SYSFMhWtviTm4vSarQNjT99QHfSuZklQHwgdhKOP8oL10df7bh9TgOGkSgt4Da-5jjjYMcODP3EPUnucmigekIBf75VbojI/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010752202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For men's basketball, the team has been to two D-II tournaments and two in D-I, with the latter pair happening in 1990 and 1991, when they lost to Oklahoma and Ohio State respectively. These four appearances are on the same banner, which is somewhat confusing, but most schools use the phrase "NCAA Tournament" without specifying which division, and really, you don't need another banner to separate the jump to D-I. They also won the East Coast Conference tournament in 1992, but the conference did not have an automatic bid that year, so they did not go to March Madness, which happened to be the one with the famous Christian Laettner shot in the East Regional final.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UNTyA5HpAxO7Ua1kAJKBPQScukCuWNnNp1332ikiyncJpkFkDLblRrbnZ2iBkTDssh3Jtf5eetrbuwVkPKsQFgl5tMAOUJ-IH8k8H3jymRcF-0kXd3Q3DZdjWaSmk_dx1D8tk4zcVflAZvTYYPnC57rEp49JL1TR9oVygf1-QG5crPyoSk0Tek26wcU/s4032/PXL_20240213_010734606.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UNTyA5HpAxO7Ua1kAJKBPQScukCuWNnNp1332ikiyncJpkFkDLblRrbnZ2iBkTDssh3Jtf5eetrbuwVkPKsQFgl5tMAOUJ-IH8k8H3jymRcF-0kXd3Q3DZdjWaSmk_dx1D8tk4zcVflAZvTYYPnC57rEp49JL1TR9oVygf1-QG5crPyoSk0Tek26wcU/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010734606.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A couple of interesting banners can be found here as well: the biggest single-season turnaround in Division I history, as they went from 1-31 in 2011-12 to 18-13 the following year. In 2018, they were awarded the community service championship, based on the number of hours of community service performed by the student-athletes and staff between September and November. I had never heard of this award before, but it is pretty cool and the <a href="https://towsontigers.com/news/2019/2/18/general-tigers-celebrate-community-service-national-championship" target="_blank">university is rightly proud of it.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SC9oTkV43L5v_RkgYjIrhMjAJAuM1032LriZYJvaylk5c6iZLswBpzzH84arg5ngsaSolY3WoYFjgBjIe1-zimhbpKS4JDqY94hK3NSqHgneIVmsKVbp8zp4k35BHx_gQSTsWjlpBL-qjuDU0UoNynMx8BomCz6l29ivWWQLqvvkUJjtEY5HXolULVg/s4032/PXL_20240213_010840180.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SC9oTkV43L5v_RkgYjIrhMjAJAuM1032LriZYJvaylk5c6iZLswBpzzH84arg5ngsaSolY3WoYFjgBjIe1-zimhbpKS4JDqY94hK3NSqHgneIVmsKVbp8zp4k35BHx_gQSTsWjlpBL-qjuDU0UoNynMx8BomCz6l29ivWWQLqvvkUJjtEY5HXolULVg/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010840180.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes seat 1 isn't an aisle seat. Doesn't matter here in the general admission section, but I always find it interesting when I spot an odd seating configuration.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUQY3r-BjTyiamxYN3e_jm0iJN9hsGZtQp5s6ETg7zjrPMJ8_60P7RrVFjA3vPDqXI2UW5VbNMZ54f0_o0uC1kjytiZd_fP_ZFstUo4UaqkSL_W3a5MNUgQtcKy0r18i8onmsifaG07Bc7-07wEkXfOJMMq7aVb_W12aighyphenhyphenj0HQqtrh67-VDNtmpPQw/s4032/PXL_20240213_010336318.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUQY3r-BjTyiamxYN3e_jm0iJN9hsGZtQp5s6ETg7zjrPMJ8_60P7RrVFjA3vPDqXI2UW5VbNMZ54f0_o0uC1kjytiZd_fP_ZFstUo4UaqkSL_W3a5MNUgQtcKy0r18i8onmsifaG07Bc7-07wEkXfOJMMq7aVb_W12aighyphenhyphenj0HQqtrh67-VDNtmpPQw/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010336318.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I particularly like the corner sections here, though I wish they would go down a bit closer to the floor. I've learned to appreciate the view from the corner, especially from the first couple of rows.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wUODnCJaAl8R6ofXzGFEwpZ-gHmHlBiNBIzzbo9pkb02RbGLmftU2IBSi1mcDJC5tCwu6FCxAHhpngNx4nuHSW58mmZL7t34kqxdymqHK5DvfPyOIv-FCtIGbiEwAwYFIzlWRpfnzjVem5pRT3v3rZAPHikhoQMlN0o9i7XcawyNeFMa1eFdj_sdo3U/s4032/PXL_20240213_033918640.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wUODnCJaAl8R6ofXzGFEwpZ-gHmHlBiNBIzzbo9pkb02RbGLmftU2IBSi1mcDJC5tCwu6FCxAHhpngNx4nuHSW58mmZL7t34kqxdymqHK5DvfPyOIv-FCtIGbiEwAwYFIzlWRpfnzjVem5pRT3v3rZAPHikhoQMlN0o9i7XcawyNeFMa1eFdj_sdo3U/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_033918640.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is a nice scoreboard above center court that can be seen in several of the photos; it shows the live action and replays. In the photo above is the team stats ribbon board that really helps follow the action; player stats are to the right.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK1rMe0bAldajVEQqGEaOoLvJMqk_i_cY9o0Tc30iF4ziafQtibJlPA1Paxju2B5ThTbHDXhzomLrfwu3G5HM2jq9u412ZUDfJO_ZM1uy-aqhXcjChFhz0IHRVZu3s7mEEt4A9fPRxb8kUwn9AwGgGEJVKvQtn6bogT-chffBkgKvCo1xGtO1v29M98Y/s4032/PXL_20240213_031901105.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK1rMe0bAldajVEQqGEaOoLvJMqk_i_cY9o0Tc30iF4ziafQtibJlPA1Paxju2B5ThTbHDXhzomLrfwu3G5HM2jq9u412ZUDfJO_ZM1uy-aqhXcjChFhz0IHRVZu3s7mEEt4A9fPRxb8kUwn9AwGgGEJVKvQtn6bogT-chffBkgKvCo1xGtO1v29M98Y/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_031901105.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Tigers mascot is Doc, who participated in Pajama Jam. The cheerleaders and dance team (known as the Pom Squad) did not, but were still very energetic when they performed.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7OozEfuj5ATzdnN3Afxg2fYQ3gyhRETXUc1ZepfIYhUgJA058nb6EC5oWCWrqnbRV_xqbZ4Ex5Z-OqzMPKjSy8x_Au7gSXUoD735AuALU1Uhx7xhW74Bf1mkR3JDa92dBm0LrnnLyXfvqc19VCeW9I1YfouvzPdXR4E756YEXwhcvGCayxWCwUKd_7s/s4032/PXL_20240213_010200229.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7OozEfuj5ATzdnN3Afxg2fYQ3gyhRETXUc1ZepfIYhUgJA058nb6EC5oWCWrqnbRV_xqbZ4Ex5Z-OqzMPKjSy8x_Au7gSXUoD735AuALU1Uhx7xhW74Bf1mkR3JDa92dBm0LrnnLyXfvqc19VCeW9I1YfouvzPdXR4E756YEXwhcvGCayxWCwUKd_7s/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_010200229.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, TU Arena is one of the best smaller gyms I have experienced. I enjoyed everything about this night, from the late start to the cool setup to the attendance number (2,112 in honour of me being there and being a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2112_(album)" target="_blank">Rush</a> fan) cheap beers...well, really, the cheap beers were all I needed to enjoy myself. And they helped me enjoy the game more than I would have otherwise. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Elon Phoenix were visiting, making it the fourth time for me to see an Elon team this season. You would think I might be an Elon Musk fan but as you know, the two are not related. My buddy Eddie drove down from New York and met me at the game, arriving a couple of minutes before tip.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlef8gdSE72JgU_PgWHW1brX50e8QJg2bnGs0JTpQsDoggi7Wl_9CH_ILexxXiY6XSjQ3ZW681yH8tMeww_gGnpCmmm8aPaA42gxJvB2lEsGwJ8jvUfeEqbtNlwgSludq8F2bSOt6cGug2EiGkkXGm_zCjLZtZEQmpLxcNIqB3VRj-7h2mIG2OMA2TsaM/s4032/PXL_20240213_021025232.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlef8gdSE72JgU_PgWHW1brX50e8QJg2bnGs0JTpQsDoggi7Wl_9CH_ILexxXiY6XSjQ3ZW681yH8tMeww_gGnpCmmm8aPaA42gxJvB2lEsGwJ8jvUfeEqbtNlwgSludq8F2bSOt6cGug2EiGkkXGm_zCjLZtZEQmpLxcNIqB3VRj-7h2mIG2OMA2TsaM/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_021025232.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Elon was 3-8 in CAA play and 11.5-point underdogs to the 7-4 Tigers. Early on though, the Phoenix hung tough, helped by starting the game on a 4-point play from TK Simpkins. They were leading 10-6 at the under 12 but that was as good as it got, as Towson went on a 16-4 run with Christian May draining a couple of treys. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUcBUOsUymuNhvBk6-wKo0V_rUD4VdDglkkFn0SSXvwz2nNnJ8ZtJjpzfHN27RAS568OYQ5FA5wKGCbeYhcZ3f5qhmzmgytsChax80R7lyhewOWz8bdb5AUv11H2R3qhPX1o5ndleHXwLEAgge6tcpaWPiYRa67791omh-vhzhoNr8CyK8Z1p4nzI-Wg/s4032/PXL_20240213_031939583.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUcBUOsUymuNhvBk6-wKo0V_rUD4VdDglkkFn0SSXvwz2nNnJ8ZtJjpzfHN27RAS568OYQ5FA5wKGCbeYhcZ3f5qhmzmgytsChax80R7lyhewOWz8bdb5AUv11H2R3qhPX1o5ndleHXwLEAgge6tcpaWPiYRa67791omh-vhzhoNr8CyK8Z1p4nzI-Wg/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_031939583.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Elon got back within five, but Towson Tiger Tyler Tejada (an alliterative athlete, above) added a pair from long range plus a hoop and harm as part of an 11-4 run that made it 35-23 Tigers. Simpkins sank a jumper for Elon with 1:36 to go and those were the last points of the half.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWqRcUuj_kQd_6TJn8dTSBLrohnqbjuHIw97QZ8eMwSbby8Q8vDa7-L2LnkIXuKda90PVgzCeAOPSlXdBw2mqp6Wm4yYFTHpY1fmfNaUdJ_vSd6sw8VIN1MFVnAgOxc8vHQPJ6ev8u2t0Y2vc0caMrbcWBsTlV0dXHwgFaxGi5N05ROcskqv75o2ttI4/s4032/PXL_20240213_022039654.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWqRcUuj_kQd_6TJn8dTSBLrohnqbjuHIw97QZ8eMwSbby8Q8vDa7-L2LnkIXuKda90PVgzCeAOPSlXdBw2mqp6Wm4yYFTHpY1fmfNaUdJ_vSd6sw8VIN1MFVnAgOxc8vHQPJ6ev8u2t0Y2vc0caMrbcWBsTlV0dXHwgFaxGi5N05ROcskqv75o2ttI4/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_022039654.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tejada scored the first five points of the second frame and a couple of threes from Towson's Nendah Tarke followed by another "and one!" from Tejada gave Towson a 51-31 lead with 13 minutes to go, pretty much ending any suspense. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj112BB1AXwPCWtQYqD2B519dqAQOliv3CdDwmUUEfphTo8oZZuNSoqc2Pv6QwGBewoUR2-PBuduByajnA_gjsU5og5lFdRgjUy8Xt6IfUgVCaqicVs8HRjgOvXoeq2q13VDvZpteRho90Z3CjISpFLKvhLFIIkQMb1TmhetK1HpIouOagnssZXxq_TbLI/s4032/PXL_20240213_033430711.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj112BB1AXwPCWtQYqD2B519dqAQOliv3CdDwmUUEfphTo8oZZuNSoqc2Pv6QwGBewoUR2-PBuduByajnA_gjsU5og5lFdRgjUy8Xt6IfUgVCaqicVs8HRjgOvXoeq2q13VDvZpteRho90Z3CjISpFLKvhLFIIkQMb1TmhetK1HpIouOagnssZXxq_TbLI/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_033430711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>They pushed the lead to 26 and after that, the rest of the game was even as the refs called plenty of fouls to keep things choppy. The Towson swim team showed up to distract a poor Elon shooter, and of course, he missed both, so fans could get some free ice cream the next day. Towson prevailed 80-55 in a game that was even for the first and last 10 minutes but dominated by the Tigers in the middle 20.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs5hPL031IKN40cfSCIbDffO2zSGz60G6cu5oeIvLopOpQH37Wg6hcazzw3YryPVtkqWXzOEITD4sTH7O6PJEwf5Eg2RllweRcIZjy6apsSc1QrU-sGynLRXqcmmBVulGuDxwVH4zFTTQWGcZiUb9Im9ObQE7W-M_RyWvkSD7socCLUrj5UH-SFW8TRk/s4032/PXL_20240213_041253826.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs5hPL031IKN40cfSCIbDffO2zSGz60G6cu5oeIvLopOpQH37Wg6hcazzw3YryPVtkqWXzOEITD4sTH7O6PJEwf5Eg2RllweRcIZjy6apsSc1QrU-sGynLRXqcmmBVulGuDxwVH4zFTTQWGcZiUb9Im9ObQE7W-M_RyWvkSD7socCLUrj5UH-SFW8TRk/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_041253826.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Elon managed only 48 attempts from the floor, only grabbing a mere 9 offensive boards, while Towson captured 16 of 35 of their misses. Simpkins led all scorers with 19, while Tejada topped the Tigers with 17.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>After the game, Eddie took me around to Towson Center, which is where the old gym can be found. It is still used as a practice facility and the seats can still be found there.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIQVFZgzOAXmh0URFRFlmeD0DF-CBGd922SWR3VVt5U7Ik0w3bdQAYXPjgDL01r6Ry_mlflJVo_EBMsKswhhQrIgDPy4tgNc5dJu_clq9rh-288qeib7noy-w0lbSbaN9BvyriVNJrWYln8ehfHcjAo8tkNPppIF_DaQTkGkGWnMPHRdXOxrLhA3Cpok/s4032/PXL_20240213_042205639.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIQVFZgzOAXmh0URFRFlmeD0DF-CBGd922SWR3VVt5U7Ik0w3bdQAYXPjgDL01r6Ry_mlflJVo_EBMsKswhhQrIgDPy4tgNc5dJu_clq9rh-288qeib7noy-w0lbSbaN9BvyriVNJrWYln8ehfHcjAo8tkNPppIF_DaQTkGkGWnMPHRdXOxrLhA3Cpok/w400-h300/PXL_20240213_042205639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sean</div><div><br /></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-74336272175612296012024-02-12T20:18:00.000+09:002024-02-13T04:48:47.499+09:00Trois-Rivières Lions 3 at Norfolk Admirals 4 (OT, ECHL) - February 10, 2024<p>After watching <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2024/02/central-michigan-chippewas-58-at-old.html" target="_blank">Old Dominion lose a heartbreaker</a>, I drove downtown for the second game of my Norfolk doubleheader. It is not far, but you have to make sure to avoid level railway crossings as long, slow trains <a href="https://www.13newsnow.com/article/traffic/city-of-norfolk-encourages-people-report-blocked-railroad-crossings/291-4ef93241-ac43-46ae-bb16-638a4b09bed2" target="_blank">have become commonplace in the area</a>. Google Maps directed me to one of these crossings earlier in the day, where a train at least a mile long was moving by at about 2 miles per hour. Rather than wait, I drove around, eventually finding Monticello Avenue to go under the tracks. I used the same route in the evening and arrived at the Norfolk Scope at around 4:30, finding free parking on Granby Street, where there the two-hour limit expires at 6 p.m. I stopped in for dinner at <a href="https://www.downtownnorfolk.org/go/baxters-sports-lounge" target="_blank">Baxter's</a>, a large sports lounge a block away, where I was surprised to see an AHL game between Laval and Toronto on one of the TVs. No surprise that the Marlies got their asses kicked, losing 7-1. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1sBAz7jI9o3oJbBuIINOYMyovVOAB5ik9xyPdqXC_p8KhgIJXVFfVH1QTIpR-gG5vfVj-GHgr5lFuN86vL46bAifarI3aqpkZ4fz4MC67q0F2OAg5pdw6uF7EUrIqKOJyrP0U_UaeBg4Vs0cyhmOy_SxnWtJHHTYUsUcsRvLaVcV1D7ClN3xi94cy60/s4032/PXL_20240210_223304000.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1sBAz7jI9o3oJbBuIINOYMyovVOAB5ik9xyPdqXC_p8KhgIJXVFfVH1QTIpR-gG5vfVj-GHgr5lFuN86vL46bAifarI3aqpkZ4fz4MC67q0F2OAg5pdw6uF7EUrIqKOJyrP0U_UaeBg4Vs0cyhmOy_SxnWtJHHTYUsUcsRvLaVcV1D7ClN3xi94cy60/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_223304000.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Anyway, after a nice break, I headed over to the arena, home of the ECHL's Norfolk Admirals. This venue has been on my list for many years, but it wasn't until I added college basketball to my quests that I had a reason to visit. The Norfolk Scope is a multi-function complex that includes the Scope Arena (above), a theater known as Chrysler Hall, and an exhibition hall. The arena opened in 1971 and was the world's largest reinforced thinshell concrete dome until the Kingdome took the title in 1976. The first tenants were the Virginia Squires of the ABA, who had Julius Erving on the team for a couple of years. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_Vwzs__H-NhkDoS6syUlcCMNbKWbQOhBm4ce1Ud4ZDpKmVwHSjoZK-l_wdw1BcOPtSfJGPBmfMfokOiFzEFNItV1a933p0aaI-T5oy4mv644tDVviDu8bcYkjeoRNJCOS2Q-8KFLaulLVQyYupoL-DdZQrZqKsqmW0iF8RGPw88FDVSSQHFLVocfbC8/s4032/PXL_20240210_223337371.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_Vwzs__H-NhkDoS6syUlcCMNbKWbQOhBm4ce1Ud4ZDpKmVwHSjoZK-l_wdw1BcOPtSfJGPBmfMfokOiFzEFNItV1a933p0aaI-T5oy4mv644tDVviDu8bcYkjeoRNJCOS2Q-8KFLaulLVQyYupoL-DdZQrZqKsqmW0iF8RGPw88FDVSSQHFLVocfbC8/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_223337371.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Hampton Roads Admirals of the ECHL added hockey to the mix when they began play in 1989, lasting for 11 seasons and winning three championships. In 2000, an AHL expansion team known as the Admirals took over and spent 15 seasons at the Scope, capturing one Calder Cup. Those Admirals moved to San Diego as part of the big AHL/ECHL reorganization in 2015, while the Bakersfield Condors came east and retained the Admirals name.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OMyhnX2ApMfkD44HnlNUMgahRNlh3QdKAtpsIuQ5v4folcMKEL0WSggN7MIUo2oFBVESASpVbXDoYr-ExGPbf4GZy4uZ02UbHh7yS44whCk3m3LvDL3IBjn5s_aeTxalfrLmxHNOQr2QK6xj7w73urOyWOea5n7tKNtJLb8ihCGaMwhkOygqqEMv8Ug/s4032/PXL_20240211_014804427.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OMyhnX2ApMfkD44HnlNUMgahRNlh3QdKAtpsIuQ5v4folcMKEL0WSggN7MIUo2oFBVESASpVbXDoYr-ExGPbf4GZy4uZ02UbHh7yS44whCk3m3LvDL3IBjn5s_aeTxalfrLmxHNOQr2QK6xj7w73urOyWOea5n7tKNtJLb8ihCGaMwhkOygqqEMv8Ug/w400-h300/PXL_20240211_014804427.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>This is one of my favourite types of venues, with the unique roof supported by 24 concrete columns making it look like a giant flying saucer. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_6GSxo9LoZBJME7rtvX3AaktqdSPW9pyjA6JIh3bvTNARQFeG9SlI_-ZUoLGVReDrDnEP0IuuoNDFtN0sO2Yw5bSS8ngOxnxxAJ2me30y5cb-N2OBWXtNXQ2jYm1TzizmQqmbji49GA2nJLvaOTW4WWbDfX_yDyJ9LfmjbNnf43Ge_6s2PEZBZRYzug/s4032/PXL_20240210_223808976.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_6GSxo9LoZBJME7rtvX3AaktqdSPW9pyjA6JIh3bvTNARQFeG9SlI_-ZUoLGVReDrDnEP0IuuoNDFtN0sO2Yw5bSS8ngOxnxxAJ2me30y5cb-N2OBWXtNXQ2jYm1TzizmQqmbji49GA2nJLvaOTW4WWbDfX_yDyJ9LfmjbNnf43Ge_6s2PEZBZRYzug/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_223808976.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I stopped by the box office and picked up a hard ticket for $20.50, the cheapest available. I entered at the lower level and saw a model of the complex, while gives you an idea of the overall setup.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiER3VYe5L4XxwtNjavV1AuiFwWLN39KIoYqyR_3KIh-vBGlXjaYdxqFow78wLm5sGkWwyqI76wagqIg0kNqFI-J7kkWl0IWFNYqIFeR84XdBQqEcwJAkTzManIVGnaZw8h4kTQhfSAK6SFOe3hTolRXdF_ba1hrAS0whSFvZ1mIXaM53B2CoDHN1zOw/s4032/PXL_20240210_223748697.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdiER3VYe5L4XxwtNjavV1AuiFwWLN39KIoYqyR_3KIh-vBGlXjaYdxqFow78wLm5sGkWwyqI76wagqIg0kNqFI-J7kkWl0IWFNYqIFeR84XdBQqEcwJAkTzManIVGnaZw8h4kTQhfSAK6SFOe3hTolRXdF_ba1hrAS0whSFvZ1mIXaM53B2CoDHN1zOw/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_223748697.jpg" width="400" /></a><div><br /></div><div>The lower level concourse is mostly empty, though there is a pub here with an all-you-can-eat buffet for $23. Tickets are required in advance, though you might be able to pick them up at the box office on game day. Also on the lower level is the list of those championships won by the previous teams that played here.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu91C35-wzrKm-QPeQAm_s7RVK4X9o7OR2qdVhBd1KjZ253jU3pkCHTJiXeyk_JfFE81xpbLRHbcMZisUZqkRqBRwhN9Ln05JvETef9IDyTCEB-0eNpAK_NhJ8GSNvaqvj637Uj1CVTw6a5vvYm8xRfQ0Xp5zWj_KxSkQg-OI-jCEVpGnZgCG88oBujY/s4032/PXL_20240210_223821929.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu91C35-wzrKm-QPeQAm_s7RVK4X9o7OR2qdVhBd1KjZ253jU3pkCHTJiXeyk_JfFE81xpbLRHbcMZisUZqkRqBRwhN9Ln05JvETef9IDyTCEB-0eNpAK_NhJ8GSNvaqvj637Uj1CVTw6a5vvYm8xRfQ0Xp5zWj_KxSkQg-OI-jCEVpGnZgCG88oBujY/w300-h400/PXL_20240210_223821929.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Moving upstairs to the main concourse, you will encounter the crowds, but the space is wide enough to keep things moving. I was particularly impressed with all the NHL jerseys that were being worn by fans; by my count 20 of the 32 teams were represented, though not the Winnipeg Jets, who are the parent club.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbcwfWZMhWcZuQmPJ2pI6SXD6S-58PYXUgH04KobPyNuwdnJTwNvRSAi-UtnkYXsoFHcVOzEtDx806CEwzj-_VDuOuBjbws4dU0iQvCSajV6tTceWq21F3uAax7Pi5-QgSSNSlSdAo6yLghbErdeo3b3gS_VxvQjOp61hCwMiT-IcHz11Ri6lUo8eOFE/s4032/PXL_20240210_224650350.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbcwfWZMhWcZuQmPJ2pI6SXD6S-58PYXUgH04KobPyNuwdnJTwNvRSAi-UtnkYXsoFHcVOzEtDx806CEwzj-_VDuOuBjbws4dU0iQvCSajV6tTceWq21F3uAax7Pi5-QgSSNSlSdAo6yLghbErdeo3b3gS_VxvQjOp61hCwMiT-IcHz11Ri6lUo8eOFE/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_224650350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Above the top of the doors to the seating bowl are photos from past performances such as Metallica. This would be a great place to see a concert, as it is small and I think the acoustics would be fantastic.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeUeAf2DOYEs6RFsjdfAcjTOlOBAQfMBEMJcSSh1KG6ckf8tRwSUkQG5OITY3UCsfIvkIEg1Ts6-cnS4BaPQd2hU574AQD6Ze7vPJ-teKJnGgKecfSq_KxMW7e9XxELGEVnAvTrk8cif1pG71NHPAYEYPaYbuAxQEqNLHv-H7D9qwT-s7bC0_ygOpaak/s4032/PXL_20240210_224943921.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeUeAf2DOYEs6RFsjdfAcjTOlOBAQfMBEMJcSSh1KG6ckf8tRwSUkQG5OITY3UCsfIvkIEg1Ts6-cnS4BaPQd2hU574AQD6Ze7vPJ-teKJnGgKecfSq_KxMW7e9XxELGEVnAvTrk8cif1pG71NHPAYEYPaYbuAxQEqNLHv-H7D9qwT-s7bC0_ygOpaak/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_224943921.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is also a sculpture of a mermaid that is part of a <a href="https://www.visitnorfolk.com/blog/your-guide-to-the-norfolk-mermaids/" target="_blank">larger collection</a> that is scattered about the city. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpaUKnqK3VklnA5X42wqRwohT0gAiGx6sE2atvBcG5jRis9NXFUZ8MBxKE2KCG6JuNfS3ACbbZCMfDjLpToioCXl-QmEiaLgXzHrRHbwe6LsgoTolDCIaHBYLeayG9gv3G6-DWiKT4peSgSHGRGOf3gJ92Udejyu8RKJGKRS5DfQsUo8Cbjq4gywG4SA/s4032/PXL_20240210_224136236.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpaUKnqK3VklnA5X42wqRwohT0gAiGx6sE2atvBcG5jRis9NXFUZ8MBxKE2KCG6JuNfS3ACbbZCMfDjLpToioCXl-QmEiaLgXzHrRHbwe6LsgoTolDCIaHBYLeayG9gv3G6-DWiKT4peSgSHGRGOf3gJ92Udejyu8RKJGKRS5DfQsUo8Cbjq4gywG4SA/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_224136236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Inside the seating bowl, there are two seating levels, with the lower bowl quite small and the upper bowl stretching some 24 rows at center ice. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6TzAay4z_lv6xy8_CT5Zu1p3NMUkWTtKr3tsGNsnR98WnOGwnbXBaCBK4MVox8IR602HBAyPBwC_DlNbm5hZQKae7Sr-giIODT-L0eO1gurRmi4D0Xm2gk2nfHD5x27W2u4AGWCrssUoU971f2dt5YT269s_IJFr3sKReFhs-A_mIpCvuIptienN0q8/s4032/PXL_20240210_224203301.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6TzAay4z_lv6xy8_CT5Zu1p3NMUkWTtKr3tsGNsnR98WnOGwnbXBaCBK4MVox8IR602HBAyPBwC_DlNbm5hZQKae7Sr-giIODT-L0eO1gurRmi4D0Xm2gk2nfHD5x27W2u4AGWCrssUoU971f2dt5YT269s_IJFr3sKReFhs-A_mIpCvuIptienN0q8/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_224203301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The center-hung scoreboard is typical for this level, showing the live action and highlights, as well as your usual fan interactions during the breaks. Smaller video boards are found at each end of the rink. The roof is quite impressive as well.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTHaJdHBb53UqPoPmass9T4RP33QKiVAxEhIJC_4CikaYOJ4CeIQZa-JTck3FMsGPrgqfR84yAXAljqScVKAhViTVhGt7Lha5j_qjgpOKDNQT__775TlQWYonpQ-zFhwPkxylww3lrotefvVD2ulCF5IJ1YQiQIWHY3m00gD-36pM5gIRfPKvb0uMFjw/s4032/PXL_20240210_224242861.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTHaJdHBb53UqPoPmass9T4RP33QKiVAxEhIJC_4CikaYOJ4CeIQZa-JTck3FMsGPrgqfR84yAXAljqScVKAhViTVhGt7Lha5j_qjgpOKDNQT__775TlQWYonpQ-zFhwPkxylww3lrotefvVD2ulCF5IJ1YQiQIWHY3m00gD-36pM5gIRfPKvb0uMFjw/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_224242861.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are also plenty of banners that are split up: on one side are those for the ECHL team that played here...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSZpnTzgYIldf30l3hNm5e-gzixzSPSbVbhOxWxMl0WgUwN52DeCR4W1yUqH0fNK4_Y5WQ_o-PZCXzGUkgg0VrYc8pQGz4y1wq4kzCpkF46u5IqNAOURwblVIEpZH95eQxFVNjq_8Vv7UrJ87NKSLEJTd_SjF1dhbHkJrqvL9xzwgSh9rEZ6i7hZ-G_0/s4032/PXL_20240210_233122125.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSZpnTzgYIldf30l3hNm5e-gzixzSPSbVbhOxWxMl0WgUwN52DeCR4W1yUqH0fNK4_Y5WQ_o-PZCXzGUkgg0VrYc8pQGz4y1wq4kzCpkF46u5IqNAOURwblVIEpZH95eQxFVNjq_8Vv7UrJ87NKSLEJTd_SjF1dhbHkJrqvL9xzwgSh9rEZ6i7hZ-G_0/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_233122125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>...while the AHL banners are on the other side of the rafters. One of these is for the North American pro hockey record of 28 consecutive wins that the team accomplished in 2012, the same season they took the title.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5ZjwfEhX_NzXGxek6A8LJRutRp93YJMCPrMksHBBB8Gl8xPoxmInB-IUjbeK7kHbErs0qkTyL2STYWhz9cRqSoLac65bB4XZ2-NEsrQc_TTUPIHaZUIhR6F4zT7UORa-W0nVh1gXm0xhZuEr2l3PXQrNYOGg8IksoDFVSaSSCf3XhW-wTbJSf1IZ6Tk/s4032/PXL_20240210_224333680.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5ZjwfEhX_NzXGxek6A8LJRutRp93YJMCPrMksHBBB8Gl8xPoxmInB-IUjbeK7kHbErs0qkTyL2STYWhz9cRqSoLac65bB4XZ2-NEsrQc_TTUPIHaZUIhR6F4zT7UORa-W0nVh1gXm0xhZuEr2l3PXQrNYOGg8IksoDFVSaSSCf3XhW-wTbJSf1IZ6Tk/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_224333680.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The mascot is Salty (he's actually friendly and not a grump) and he could be found signing autographs and taking pictures during the second intermission.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKADbUqShdhXUrGyuoGl9neqqOwubC-Yrmytob4xDGqZEZfrB3gnNF0bgTaDQRLFNjwPYzx_ZW8dYsKct2xMp9qEZJ74sbfk3jMUz4_jRn1KpTlcLiK9o35Lj_0S3oXiCMWyDZmzvSHK4nWN0uCeY-lNLehnUDjqI5-7Xdq1yMkMEkBmjydgJ0Divjd7U/s4032/PXL_20240211_005605789.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKADbUqShdhXUrGyuoGl9neqqOwubC-Yrmytob4xDGqZEZfrB3gnNF0bgTaDQRLFNjwPYzx_ZW8dYsKct2xMp9qEZJ74sbfk3jMUz4_jRn1KpTlcLiK9o35Lj_0S3oXiCMWyDZmzvSHK4nWN0uCeY-lNLehnUDjqI5-7Xdq1yMkMEkBmjydgJ0Divjd7U/w400-h300/PXL_20240211_005605789.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, Norfolk Scope is a superb place to watch hockey, and it has a good amount of history as well. They don't sell out so you can find a seat up high and enjoy the spectacle that is the ECHL.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Trois-Rivières Lions (19-27 on the season) were visiting for a two-game weekend set, with the Admirals (24-22) winning the night before 6-3. Norfolk was playing as the Suffolk Admirals with special jerseys that were available at auction after the game. Suffolk is a town about 20 miles southwest and they must have sent a good contingent as attendance was 6,057, the team's highest this season.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnWyWj06Q6_WzwYTjnvf5Vsb38iPs2xt3UK38aKXb5xbN62ytaNVX74Ykq9ZMOmXTrCb-9IUZhRtWXgLF0zhgAt49kLcr5c0Zf1Gvmjj3eWXZJGmOVkCZO9RbFAMZg_Mu6vFlnWrHMTDR3d67kmGIgDDKQrXUwaMsrDrHHwLK2mWh-u2DmW6G_bLT4Qs/s4032/PXL_20240210_230044623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnWyWj06Q6_WzwYTjnvf5Vsb38iPs2xt3UK38aKXb5xbN62ytaNVX74Ykq9ZMOmXTrCb-9IUZhRtWXgLF0zhgAt49kLcr5c0Zf1Gvmjj3eWXZJGmOVkCZO9RbFAMZg_Mu6vFlnWrHMTDR3d67kmGIgDDKQrXUwaMsrDrHHwLK2mWh-u2DmW6G_bLT4Qs/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_230044623.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Norfolk scored early but the goal was disallowed because it was kicked in. Then late in the period, as a Lion penalty was ticking down, the Admirals had a 2-on-1 shorthanded and Brandon Osmundson feathered a perfect pass to Josh McDougal, who beat Joe Vrbetic (7th round draft pick by Montreal in 2021) for the only goal of the period. It was an even-strength marker, coming one second after the penalty expired.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3z72jiLAg_31M2ONVuwJhKMA4Drx2xQZy05CyhkgznBuL7UGdkxuOn3rFRqY15_9Xb8t2wVEYl4bQo-17qeP72-uJMv2ja3feGR7tTUk1Qk5v14hFED2q6z3ZCdJRE41bYeGHKHhsKB0HMn9NRzCRgYZAvc-kUPLyRHcLik83D9q5TwzQC1xG6zaRiY/s4032/PXL_20240211_010410085.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3z72jiLAg_31M2ONVuwJhKMA4Drx2xQZy05CyhkgznBuL7UGdkxuOn3rFRqY15_9Xb8t2wVEYl4bQo-17qeP72-uJMv2ja3feGR7tTUk1Qk5v14hFED2q6z3ZCdJRE41bYeGHKHhsKB0HMn9NRzCRgYZAvc-kUPLyRHcLik83D9q5TwzQC1xG6zaRiY/w400-h300/PXL_20240211_010410085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Just 35 seconds into the middle frame with Norfolk a man to the good, Danny Katic completed a pretty passing play to double the lead. Midway through the period, with the teams 4-on-4, Anthony Beauregard grabbed the puck at his own blue line and broke in alone on Yaniv Perets (below in goal, he saw 13 minutes of shutout action with Carolina earlier this season), beating him through the five-hole to get the Lions on the board.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4Jxii6Sz3vbDoF4Synf5BkFL68UKjoAR4L70hfzATrLGhA7LVHtl3z3rgURDKxk_ZMYlVT3TFGOAtSdGmKifqP0lKTyrdyTAPxWJ2Odrhr0VTAI1JXemM1Ej4uORkelplJ81wfJJP9e7m2vSgZbjeLAsz4H1BaPU42J3pbz5ZHGHbkWUDAwDkhaAHiE/s4032/PXL_20240211_013502058.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4Jxii6Sz3vbDoF4Synf5BkFL68UKjoAR4L70hfzATrLGhA7LVHtl3z3rgURDKxk_ZMYlVT3TFGOAtSdGmKifqP0lKTyrdyTAPxWJ2Odrhr0VTAI1JXemM1Ej4uORkelplJ81wfJJP9e7m2vSgZbjeLAsz4H1BaPU42J3pbz5ZHGHbkWUDAwDkhaAHiE/w400-h300/PXL_20240211_013502058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The third period was pretty dull until the late going. With about four minutes left, a delayed penalty was signaled on Trois-Rivières. Norfolk's Matthew Roy came on as the extra man and immediately took a pass in the slot and beat Vrbetic to seemingly clinch the game. But the Lions got that back just 27 seconds later when Nicholas Guay snapped one past Perets. With just over a minute to go, Norfolk's Thomas Caron committed a stupid slashing penalty and Trois-Rivières had six skaters to four. Sure enough, they tied it up when Cedric Montminy (#21 above) slid the puck home with just 5.5 seconds left.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiC1KZzQnsE36wTF_dOWP8bF8EHhRV-U22MpcZTzpLSwg-d78AaNUZ0dPKG529dHRWJnlF5VJP1-uIkPP_tZHxDESzyIC4uS3nb1M48XpyFDuc6SYGtU4px2TGMNgn5cBeLGl7yVce4Z8KkzL299PF26NqlbgkPZPBaU4I0VXf93_pbqanw48q8d6vmw/s4032/PXL_20240211_013906819.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiC1KZzQnsE36wTF_dOWP8bF8EHhRV-U22MpcZTzpLSwg-d78AaNUZ0dPKG529dHRWJnlF5VJP1-uIkPP_tZHxDESzyIC4uS3nb1M48XpyFDuc6SYGtU4px2TGMNgn5cBeLGl7yVce4Z8KkzL299PF26NqlbgkPZPBaU4I0VXf93_pbqanw48q8d6vmw/w400-h300/PXL_20240211_013906819.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This led to a 7-minute, 3-on-3 overtime period and Gehrett Sargis ended things just over three minutes in, with a shot from inside the blue line that surprised Vrbetic and swept the series for Norfolk. You can see the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3J6zvJQ_Hk" target="_blank">highlights on YouTube</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAUi1fRRUgoBm2gYm6YVIRRZIznt-C6biH-JV5aUgkp8a-oDy5GWK6r5hmX_RJYp91hJMSApIB8K4cwrVBSyqEopZe5Dpj161Pl4O-M1Kt2NhnDg1z1KVc_ZJJdQC2QlQ2XG6SpjVhLXTj5Q-2VZ0OYJyVEqHGz1qqxFPshmtl8zWlnRlGXpkiC53mxM/s4032/PXL_20240211_014231127.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAUi1fRRUgoBm2gYm6YVIRRZIznt-C6biH-JV5aUgkp8a-oDy5GWK6r5hmX_RJYp91hJMSApIB8K4cwrVBSyqEopZe5Dpj161Pl4O-M1Kt2NhnDg1z1KVc_ZJJdQC2QlQ2XG6SpjVhLXTj5Q-2VZ0OYJyVEqHGz1qqxFPshmtl8zWlnRlGXpkiC53mxM/w400-h300/PXL_20240211_014231127.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The ECHL can be a tough watch at times, but this was a decent game with a good crowd in a wonderful venue. And at least the area got one home win on my trip.<p><b>Notes</b></p><p>This was only my 12th ECHL venue, and of those, half are already inactive. But I also saw six rinks in other leagues, so the active count is also 12. The constant franchise movement at this level plus the relatively low quality of hockey is why I no longer chase these rinks, but I'm happy to stop by if I happen to be in town for another event.</p><p><b>Next Up</b></p><p>An overnight trip to Baltimore and Washington where I will see a very late game at Towson and a very early game at Georgetown. Check back to see if I made it back in one piece.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-73987196685216867072024-02-11T20:06:00.408+09:002024-02-13T00:53:46.847+09:00Central Michigan Chippewas 58 at Old Dominion Monarchs 57 (NCAA Basketball, MAC-Sun Belt Challenge) - February 10, 2024<p>In 2022, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and Sun Belt Conference (SBC) announced an initiative in which all 12 schools in one conference would travel to an opponent from the other conference on the road, and then would host a different school later in the season. Creatively named the MAC-SBC Challenge, the first set of games was played in November of this season, with the MAC teams hosting and taking 7 of the 12 matchups. The second set was scheduled for February 10 at SBC schools, but the opponents were not decided until late January as NET rankings were used to try to make for close contests. Old Dominion, located in Norfolk, had put the game time at 7 p.m. on their schedule, which worked well with nearby Hampton, who had a game at 2. But when the opponents were announced, with Central Michigan set to face the Monarchs, the game was moved to 2. Aaarrgggh! Fortunately, I was able to shift the other games around and saw Hampton women on Friday, thus leaving Saturday open for what promised to be an interesting non-conference battle.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPfxF313Uq7CEcn_wpv-enSOvVnNY_8qlaNfXaOPOZ7hEk1CZohakhjJf8l-So0FTUiCkkRQbunJdzeimlREUnR1gHM15QQdH8Syyu8iymN5YG4qMa5DoL7xaFn_vE11cCwYiPERk7jaOEZHWyLe9Jb4rh2SyjEdA0kK3anPimCi7rU6Y2eyEMkUAxX4/s4032/PXL_20240210_183543115.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPfxF313Uq7CEcn_wpv-enSOvVnNY_8qlaNfXaOPOZ7hEk1CZohakhjJf8l-So0FTUiCkkRQbunJdzeimlREUnR1gHM15QQdH8Syyu8iymN5YG4qMa5DoL7xaFn_vE11cCwYiPERk7jaOEZHWyLe9Jb4rh2SyjEdA0kK3anPimCi7rU6Y2eyEMkUAxX4/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_183543115.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Monarchs play out of Chartway Arena, located on Hampton Boulevard across from the main part of campus. It opened in 2002 and holds 8,792 for basketball, which includes 16 suites along the top of the seating bowl. It was developed as part of a larger project that includes restaurants, offices, and residential areas. There are several parking garages right there that are free, though you might have to wait a bit to get out afterwards. I parked a couple of blocks away on the street hoping to avoid the postgame traffic, but in the end, I got caught up in it anyway.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-koJjXGSXWWchFLh8PRVqz8u-u_fgcfdywlGEH3WbzrHST7ay9KwXpCbA9MYrKpJwjENBjtfHNUZq4dBnCodNjpL-l3qS0n5lDsLBxrSPwi9jOaVxHebXnDo09uQQm40hhWI4zhhxc4Hs1IyW-10_hBswKBMVx8pr9ibl9bS9RZgkCSzlSfGlzCO1HvY/s4032/PXL_20240210_205959502.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-koJjXGSXWWchFLh8PRVqz8u-u_fgcfdywlGEH3WbzrHST7ay9KwXpCbA9MYrKpJwjENBjtfHNUZq4dBnCodNjpL-l3qS0n5lDsLBxrSPwi9jOaVxHebXnDo09uQQm40hhWI4zhhxc4Hs1IyW-10_hBswKBMVx8pr9ibl9bS9RZgkCSzlSfGlzCO1HvY/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_205959502.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The box office is to the right of the main entrance and all tickets are $20, except for those in the suites, which are $35. I was fortunate to get a seat about 10 rows from the floor behind the Central Michigan bench. Upon entering, you will find yourself in a large hall that contains all of the school's athletics history. It is quite impressive, but before the game, I couldn't see it all because there was a mac'n'cheese contest in honour of the MAC visiting. A few local establishments had prepared mac'n'cheese and were offering samples in small plastic cups, with the tables blocking many of the displays. You could eat as many samples as you wanted and then vote for the best one. I had a couple of tasty samples but did not bother to vote; the winner in the end was Aramark, the concession provider.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0UDeIX1h3v16wn-0JuD4EGv279w5LIIUBiToqOxvxPVJPw-LAjs1c2eg7QjenFeD0p46wfhsyKpbi2_Y1hqk7GjO8kg2b2FAHAic1urripJo7i8zvLsr8CAeDIHEAO7hCCgEX__oujWWu8lHQW84rSLGuN9ShDHm4dK578VGTSbiPd0ltynx9t87AOs/s4032/PXL_20240210_205851143.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0UDeIX1h3v16wn-0JuD4EGv279w5LIIUBiToqOxvxPVJPw-LAjs1c2eg7QjenFeD0p46wfhsyKpbi2_Y1hqk7GjO8kg2b2FAHAic1urripJo7i8zvLsr8CAeDIHEAO7hCCgEX__oujWWu8lHQW84rSLGuN9ShDHm4dK578VGTSbiPd0ltynx9t87AOs/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_205851143.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Anyway, I had to wait until after the game to tour the Hall of Fame, which contains an enormous amount of detail. There is a timeline of events through the decades that could take quite a bit of time if you were to read it all. All schools should have something like this somewhere in their main sports venue.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmWhIKgi8n85zUjGW7nl0hEjoMpnlns5peAJ5S0BIOu7d12hK9EM7wbJum0R0N1Xw2hugisAt7swjuv9v_wWZkHF5-1x1y45HtCI5wZVTcATgXmS12E65oXojdio3n8oOqig_3A_41lhUGeAl-QNZH0CNvUNOQrV6i-jDB2HLG-XBwjLrADi0iiNOYDY/s4032/PXL_20240210_184336122.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmWhIKgi8n85zUjGW7nl0hEjoMpnlns5peAJ5S0BIOu7d12hK9EM7wbJum0R0N1Xw2hugisAt7swjuv9v_wWZkHF5-1x1y45HtCI5wZVTcATgXmS12E65oXojdio3n8oOqig_3A_41lhUGeAl-QNZH0CNvUNOQrV6i-jDB2HLG-XBwjLrADi0iiNOYDY/w300-h400/PXL_20240210_184336122.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>There are two cases that contain all the NCAA national championship trophies that Old Dominion has won. Most are for field hockey (the school was a powerhouse, winning nine titles between 1982 and 2000) but there is one for women's basketball. In 1985, the Monarchs were the top seed in the East Region and beat Syracuse, N.C. State and Ohio State to reach the Final Four (only 32 teams made the tourney back then), where they then defeated Northeast Louisiana and Georgia to win it all. Women's college hoops has changed a lot since then, with power conference teams dominating even more than they do on the men's side.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJlzSKdgPNHqLZtYltLJYwCE2n4dV_lCvUtrij0RvY5pmHT-wS-8TN9xlzq7s6cuUGv1IrKJyczPMahxgC3AREB2oBzBbRmXPqKdW5kqOvBJmvKk3w0FHg5eyf7Onn2fgL0SRo5p_iPq-bcgpVR0hRWAmQKes4ADY4-xT0zbdZKHSRBpLPEwkhL-M0s0/s4032/PXL_20240210_205950915.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJlzSKdgPNHqLZtYltLJYwCE2n4dV_lCvUtrij0RvY5pmHT-wS-8TN9xlzq7s6cuUGv1IrKJyczPMahxgC3AREB2oBzBbRmXPqKdW5kqOvBJmvKk3w0FHg5eyf7Onn2fgL0SRo5p_iPq-bcgpVR0hRWAmQKes4ADY4-xT0zbdZKHSRBpLPEwkhL-M0s0/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_205950915.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Nancy Lieberman played here between 1976-80, during which time the school won two AIAW titles. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_for_Intercollegiate_Athletics_for_Women" target="_blank">Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women</a> was formed in 1971 to sponsor women's sports at the college level as the NCAA at the time wasn't interested; it lasted 12 years before the NCAA finally smartened up. Lieberman won the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wade_Trophy" target="_blank">Wade Trophy</a> (awarded to the top women's player in the country) twice in 1979 and 1980, while Tina Penicheiro won it in 1998. All three trophies are on display here.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZQymOFbgJzf3k9_shpiqiF4759U93Cr-SrvvU_QkP42GYlaRh6y2UIxv1GYvCi7v0uR1x_wnSOA9EhnanfUGehSIYueAirgm0EuvjOAz_pktyoArpEuU5dxDERTi7Oj9MWnwLHbzjBGLLfp4mgrY0HAQi7HR4m_7h3WyBwRAP_Y75_6UhNNJ-QuolDs/s4032/PXL_20240210_184445892.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZQymOFbgJzf3k9_shpiqiF4759U93Cr-SrvvU_QkP42GYlaRh6y2UIxv1GYvCi7v0uR1x_wnSOA9EhnanfUGehSIYueAirgm0EuvjOAz_pktyoArpEuU5dxDERTi7Oj9MWnwLHbzjBGLLfp4mgrY0HAQi7HR4m_7h3WyBwRAP_Y75_6UhNNJ-QuolDs/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_184445892.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There are also three Coaches Trophies for the three national titles; these were given retroactively and are <a href="https://wbca.org/recognize/team-awards/ncaawbca-coaches-trophy" target="_blank">worth $30,000 each apparently</a>.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvanACQIuWhbJCmHb43gBXN5fF0Su4LZIt1iDt_ULHPYL5_Rq4h_YSII3wgWrcbzxR0eRy9ZYWRYR0lwRDeIacfK4xo7fI5djMzxNQ9WZupoiIpQMiHgfSutzUqhyphenhyphenUyZOhKTsl1vA2cEi8Z-JzAu0Tl2Z2h1TYRp5H27nn8YziOhidWkCmLV4FMrArRxg/s4032/PXL_20240210_210137471.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvanACQIuWhbJCmHb43gBXN5fF0Su4LZIt1iDt_ULHPYL5_Rq4h_YSII3wgWrcbzxR0eRy9ZYWRYR0lwRDeIacfK4xo7fI5djMzxNQ9WZupoiIpQMiHgfSutzUqhyphenhyphenUyZOhKTsl1vA2cEi8Z-JzAu0Tl2Z2h1TYRp5H27nn8YziOhidWkCmLV4FMrArRxg/w300-h400/PXL_20240210_210137471.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p>The Hall of Fame consists of a display case containing memorabilia for each decade along with the names of inductees for each year of that decade, as you can see above.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5Bmm2pKEJpld2llK8QzDFrvELh_71VSKSJLO5TMZwT7e6cmFxhjDp66QEjQlN61-YGkV1DR99b9iKPby0DQC1n8_q9uFdEZN_d3e6pTEFHL28cR9Jt7nw8acWLquZbVDByTAv_mQX0Ck-d8MX9NJQn-dH8ApUxVW9DUbtmNjnqMlIyQ71KnOvUEksWQ/s4032/PXL_20240210_184818538.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5Bmm2pKEJpld2llK8QzDFrvELh_71VSKSJLO5TMZwT7e6cmFxhjDp66QEjQlN61-YGkV1DR99b9iKPby0DQC1n8_q9uFdEZN_d3e6pTEFHL28cR9Jt7nw8acWLquZbVDByTAv_mQX0Ck-d8MX9NJQn-dH8ApUxVW9DUbtmNjnqMlIyQ71KnOvUEksWQ/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_184818538.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Along a wall are some more recent posters, one of which shows Monarchs who have made the majors; Justin Verlander is the most prominent among these; he played here from 2002-04 before being drafted second overall by Detroit and going on to have a decent career. Connor Overton is pictured with his Blue Jays uniform, though he only appeared in four games for them before moving to Pittsburgh and now Cincinnati. I saw him <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2021/07/buffalo-bisons-5-at-worcester-red-sox-1.html" target="_blank">pitch for Buffalo in July 2021</a> and saw one of his appearances for the Blue Jays in that <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2021/08/toronto-blue-jays-at-washington.html" target="_blank">horrible 12-6 loss to Washington</a>. There are other posters but they were blocked by a screen that is used for postgame interviews.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIklZ5C7Ezsha8l_vRcDMA47QYE4lXcC1KlHgtY5ZU_hyphenhyphenQ04v7kvLtTba9Yf5t7niTHyYEWSSmVZXRcyfa40OeZB82boMm63_4Bk37ANYuY1ap-IiJMFg9G1pV3R7MLaHvfFQIeoKqKq5ZYveDkzyOJICXXuTOb21mCHuwprmUocWl8SIWsLzPLHUfHkw/s4032/PXL_20240210_210155187.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIklZ5C7Ezsha8l_vRcDMA47QYE4lXcC1KlHgtY5ZU_hyphenhyphenQ04v7kvLtTba9Yf5t7niTHyYEWSSmVZXRcyfa40OeZB82boMm63_4Bk37ANYuY1ap-IiJMFg9G1pV3R7MLaHvfFQIeoKqKq5ZYveDkzyOJICXXuTOb21mCHuwprmUocWl8SIWsLzPLHUfHkw/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_210155187.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>To get into the arena proper, you have to go up a set of stairs on either side; above the doors are the retired jerseys for both men and women. The name I recognized is Kenny Gattison (#44), who spent his final year in the NBA playing for the Vancouver Grizzlies, a team I followed closely since I lived in Vancouver at the time.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp60exJuiu1p4W6UirEMEc5tyH_nm7rU2qoYSX2Vh_5L6ve01BhxIZXexuwlxooZPwX_QXPeXlLf4wcjaoJ1WUR4XXca30PdO0AdpGMh_akvUVrjAaYkf0m05EK8KuhXzpIC-bUxAddy4pEoJGB3YQZ3Txge2Qp0MIXw51LgndTigyp4-iJyGyY0B56iA/s4032/PXL_20240210_185323616.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp60exJuiu1p4W6UirEMEc5tyH_nm7rU2qoYSX2Vh_5L6ve01BhxIZXexuwlxooZPwX_QXPeXlLf4wcjaoJ1WUR4XXca30PdO0AdpGMh_akvUVrjAaYkf0m05EK8KuhXzpIC-bUxAddy4pEoJGB3YQZ3Txge2Qp0MIXw51LgndTigyp4-iJyGyY0B56iA/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_185323616.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>At the top of the stairs, there is a large concourse that stretches around the seating bowl. All seats here are blue and very comfortable, with padding and cup holders. There are a few concession stands, but with the free mac'n'cheese, I did not partake. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z6MiqcMj67oucpAQ8SbReu-iQCNGg7EJVVfwiGNWY9bMK1zuVUmdkvyPxVmV39ALD437oL3rJf-dVzcMT-0Zs_1eNBQCFUqLS4rAdmlhgTAVP2SdJiu5aCciAMRhvaOCgOi6L45VyGxaRQ_I8qWG-xuNA6h8qa7XR1GJ-eYWrCHPC8ccMlC6psLKva0/s4032/PXL_20240210_185155957.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z6MiqcMj67oucpAQ8SbReu-iQCNGg7EJVVfwiGNWY9bMK1zuVUmdkvyPxVmV39ALD437oL3rJf-dVzcMT-0Zs_1eNBQCFUqLS4rAdmlhgTAVP2SdJiu5aCciAMRhvaOCgOi6L45VyGxaRQ_I8qWG-xuNA6h8qa7XR1GJ-eYWrCHPC8ccMlC6psLKva0/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_185155957.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The band takes up a few rows along one baseline above which are four national championship banners: the three mentioned previously plus the men's Division II title from 1975. Along both sidelines are more banners honouring the various accomplishments as both men and women have had a lot of success. The men have reached the tournament 12 times, winning thrice, and also have the 2009 CBI title and the championship of the only Vegas 16 tournament, which was held in 2016. The women were regular tournament attendees until 2008 but haven't been back since then.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQjQPgJ-a7S5Cw00RDg7jNHMbJpFmKgU6kzTUz3QuBzqAjtRJQQR3j_hQN1tF9iZ4JV4h4pkbQZ9YfSBs4sXvtplRl8ldx1gCRv9qfxDGa5gH3YlQSMVIllnRgzZDwJEuyZg_0KFkq_Y-bBSAk6vUfCPmS8DziqHsytF0DmH88v6hPL3cwW1433sTSNE/s4032/PXL_20240210_185406482.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQjQPgJ-a7S5Cw00RDg7jNHMbJpFmKgU6kzTUz3QuBzqAjtRJQQR3j_hQN1tF9iZ4JV4h4pkbQZ9YfSBs4sXvtplRl8ldx1gCRv9qfxDGa5gH3YlQSMVIllnRgzZDwJEuyZg_0KFkq_Y-bBSAk6vUfCPmS8DziqHsytF0DmH88v6hPL3cwW1433sTSNE/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_185406482.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The seating configuration is typical for basketball, with the corner sections pointed toward the court. It's a compact venue with large sections, though it wasn't very full for this game and you could move around easily enough. You can see the suites above the seating bowl as well; on the facing between the suites and seats are the names of those players who have had their jersey retired.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtDQs8gHDzcvVLol7RWptl2fxktdM8cM2USAbdOmtOTnVihVGjxb3U77SHtB6DyKJyFoXS-iOK70wYMETJbw4avZSqVPZ5uHZMXL1IfAWr2MNGL3katk3QTlB8jk11vT45UHzDHDLbeXjNtPgSHUYEd2JdCBSlP2Qgxazz-62fJuZcKPjrMAqja56Da8/s4032/PXL_20240210_205330344.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtDQs8gHDzcvVLol7RWptl2fxktdM8cM2USAbdOmtOTnVihVGjxb3U77SHtB6DyKJyFoXS-iOK70wYMETJbw4avZSqVPZ5uHZMXL1IfAWr2MNGL3katk3QTlB8jk11vT45UHzDHDLbeXjNtPgSHUYEd2JdCBSlP2Qgxazz-62fJuZcKPjrMAqja56Da8/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_205330344.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, Chartway Arena is an excellent combination of a fantastic historic display that really educated me about Old Dominion athletics with a simple arena that provides a comfortable environment. Hampton Roads (consisting of Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and other towns) is the largest metro in the USA without a team in the Big 4 or MLS, but when there are venues like this, fans still have something to enjoy. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlS7M1PomVOUWh9vbNjET9U2H5f2nGqF9oadXwTukdLr8g_wZOTQr9fqqSW1R-QjMS8yQcWjdZywmXpHxv3Tc5Z3TLV7D8HSxEj-LSzNY64RexVxquBbcpkIWLsiAQBX6sYZttixx6hurQurPVo-IWsGlJ_k8XG_EgkI0qcXZu3OmzrAKX4IcKgykJQE/s4032/PXL_20240210_205430709.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlS7M1PomVOUWh9vbNjET9U2H5f2nGqF9oadXwTukdLr8g_wZOTQr9fqqSW1R-QjMS8yQcWjdZywmXpHxv3Tc5Z3TLV7D8HSxEj-LSzNY64RexVxquBbcpkIWLsiAQBX6sYZttixx6hurQurPVo-IWsGlJ_k8XG_EgkI0qcXZu3OmzrAKX4IcKgykJQE/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_205430709.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The Chippewas came in at 13-10 but they had lost to Louisiana-Monroe in the first round of the challenge, while ODU was 6-18 and had lost at Ball State. Despite that, the Monarchs were favoured by 3.5.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvqkp2FDkVYnDxEuWy0-Ot54nhlVsc-_ynzPd0LV6l_B4okN2c7T6g7yAG1fZZNqLzGybPcMFtHNvWuoq0fZCkWEmY5kNaqETRaNhhf3EmV57AJqhtKAflDriGpcXkZtwJW4x1ikaCt3Ik2rzvHUWgZxpkEGtQ4QB-RN8fSYerHP30Zex2zeMxGZaU1o/s4032/PXL_20240210_190230571.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvqkp2FDkVYnDxEuWy0-Ot54nhlVsc-_ynzPd0LV6l_B4okN2c7T6g7yAG1fZZNqLzGybPcMFtHNvWuoq0fZCkWEmY5kNaqETRaNhhf3EmV57AJqhtKAflDriGpcXkZtwJW4x1ikaCt3Ik2rzvHUWgZxpkEGtQ4QB-RN8fSYerHP30Zex2zeMxGZaU1o/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_190230571.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The first half was closely contested, with neither team able to build a lead bigger than six in a game that was very slow-paced. Central Michigan was up 19-13, but Old Dominion drained a couple of threes to tie it and added two more on their way to a 27-23 advantage. But the Chippewas responded with six straight points and then Monarch Tyrone Williams (#10 below) emphatically ended the half with a dunk that sent the teams to the locker room tied at 29.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-XpwmmiL80ACvDwpueQu4eye8yBDhrpgm3MfeJ0a1vo_Ckv0Nh899_j7V3qEG0HCtGJM-lU16vYckAkXGARVFtLzj3_-1WMi5_Y2J4x6DXnuqhIrlw93TON3mp7xgYa4p9ymwZgIshc6MEghpZRjzGFQRlDiU7aKxqA4lLIbFe6tCed-toxyPhnuuGc/s4032/PXL_20240210_190251178.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-XpwmmiL80ACvDwpueQu4eye8yBDhrpgm3MfeJ0a1vo_Ckv0Nh899_j7V3qEG0HCtGJM-lU16vYckAkXGARVFtLzj3_-1WMi5_Y2J4x6DXnuqhIrlw93TON3mp7xgYa4p9ymwZgIshc6MEghpZRjzGFQRlDiU7aKxqA4lLIbFe6tCed-toxyPhnuuGc/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_190251178.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The second half was even closer, if that makes sense. There were seven lead changes and nine ties and the biggest lead in the first 15 minutes was just four points for ODU. Tied at 51 with 4:49 to go, CMU netted the only five points over the next two minutes, including a three from Aidan Rubio (#13 below). But Williams slammed another and followed with a jumper and it was 56-55 with a minute to go. Both teams added baskets to make it 58-57 CMU and 27 seconds to go.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin_PxgjWSWoMSuZbfbO9kyqDQt81b0TETVioo0hl7pCkuuNTJUdDY9MiULHteyy0ajb18EVHlNkUoQmnpmNBsey_GnGbQywOdP__P6mJrVYeEh6HRAmlUvoRhqw5jBApNknUpYJ2l5ennreKqWroe1XyEKhCwiIjAMaLBBklic2BzhULVamqzLEB3v0Y/s4032/PXL_20240210_201155543.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin_PxgjWSWoMSuZbfbO9kyqDQt81b0TETVioo0hl7pCkuuNTJUdDY9MiULHteyy0ajb18EVHlNkUoQmnpmNBsey_GnGbQywOdP__P6mJrVYeEh6HRAmlUvoRhqw5jBApNknUpYJ2l5ennreKqWroe1XyEKhCwiIjAMaLBBklic2BzhULVamqzLEB3v0Y/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_201155543.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The game had been well officiated until this point and neither team was in the bonus. After ODU forced a turnover, they gave it right back and then had to foul. But it was only their seventh infraction of the half, so Anthony Pritchard went to the line for the 1-and-1 and missed the first. ODU grabbed the rebound and did not call timeout, choosing to run a play. Chaunce Jenkins ended up launching a long three that hit the back of the rim and there was no time for a putback by Bryce Baker, who had the rebound. So close but yet so far as the Chippewas escaped with a 58-57 win. I'm so used to long, drawn out endings that this was almost anticlimactic. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEtk4xaFnvRtewv-eAmznRvzy5bfCyDiynu-N1GvejHHJOoV5bM5KxzIbJAXUIyoBiDeNdQMLd1WR-gqaHqI1L2AyAmFlp3fI6JQCv-iQ4ROD3nokkm31fE4Ltjm5e1NAt5diRO0xgg9WLkj7n0Ym8mZDrbaIXHwCi4iBNllQJHmStjt_dBzNS114rww/s4032/PXL_20240210_205028574.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEtk4xaFnvRtewv-eAmznRvzy5bfCyDiynu-N1GvejHHJOoV5bM5KxzIbJAXUIyoBiDeNdQMLd1WR-gqaHqI1L2AyAmFlp3fI6JQCv-iQ4ROD3nokkm31fE4Ltjm5e1NAt5diRO0xgg9WLkj7n0Ym8mZDrbaIXHwCi4iBNllQJHmStjt_dBzNS114rww/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_205028574.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Old Dominion was 11/23 from long range but just 10/37 inside, and I suppose that is what cost them. Of course, in a game decided by a point, any one miss could have been the determining factor. At any rate, this was one of the best games I have seen, with just 24 fouls called to keep things flowing nicely. It took less than two hours, giving me plenty of time to get downtown for the ECHL game at 6.</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>The Sun Belt took 10 of 12 games this round, with the only other MAC winner being Buffalo, who edged Georgia Southern 82-81 in overtime. The series will continue next season and I hope to see games at both a Sun Belt school in November and a MAC school in February.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Hampton Pirates lost to UNC Wilmington 95-65, so I chose the right game.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-1190917954937291502024-02-10T20:36:00.295+09:002024-02-12T23:00:46.749+09:00Elon Phoenix 69 at Hampton Lady Pirates 51 (NCAA Women's Basketball, CAA) - February 9, 2024<p>When I planned this weekend jaunt to Norfolk, I had expected to see the ECHL's Admirals on Friday night, Hampton men's basketball Saturday afternoon at 2 and Old Dominion that evening at 7. But the ODU game is part of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge and the opponent was not announced until mid-January, at which time the game was rescheduled to 2 (of course), which necessitated some shifting around of the games. I considered a two-hour drive to Richmond to see VCU play on Friday night, but decided to stay local and see the Hampton women Friday, ODU Saturday, and then the ECHL battle on Saturday night. This is what led me to change the methodology for counting NCAA basketball visits on the <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/p/counting-ncaa-basketball-venues.html" target="_blank">Quest for 392</a>, in that I now just have to see a game in each venue (before I was only counting visits when the men were playing). It simply isn't worth the extra drive for a men's game when my main concern is seeing the venue.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNucMeh4-8K76WZSRdONw-jctG2xTTla9cfguCDIiu6uI59WJBDqx8GQxueACFaQ1AAoJcsHe3bAGF2CrhHk5li9b_evHG2sKVQMaXvuzgCHStp7_kLpA2LXhpxsiT7jr5yoM4VICwHEh3oKymNn7DgFJPOiPCb7n6l8f_dkpfixoDg2ZQV3RuTb86f7Q/s4032/PXL_20240209_232942944.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNucMeh4-8K76WZSRdONw-jctG2xTTla9cfguCDIiu6uI59WJBDqx8GQxueACFaQ1AAoJcsHe3bAGF2CrhHk5li9b_evHG2sKVQMaXvuzgCHStp7_kLpA2LXhpxsiT7jr5yoM4VICwHEh3oKymNn7DgFJPOiPCb7n6l8f_dkpfixoDg2ZQV3RuTb86f7Q/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_232942944.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>With that in mind, I took the tunnel over to Hampton and after a stop at Bull Island Brewing, made my way to the Hampton Convocation Center. Parking is free and the lot is more than enough for the crowd. The cheapest ticket was $13 for a general admission seat, which let me sit anywhere except the booster section, which is where the comfy seats are.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHwuoWjPvz5BraQ9ub0tc8OaHsAtmzL90LUxu2XPCvo_nq5k-Y8Ok_MzKM4-fncVIsH1_RPNE0FDIvMWf_QhE4ryqn6iO-cznaaXJrpDoOPrQNz5LBfDW_N7bn5bNP56BK3wm5HKjD3deQ0CNlVDhJERvMJAJtc6vwfTM-QOkiAhYyDCIxYT0XZkqPAw/s4032/PXL_20240209_233212560.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHwuoWjPvz5BraQ9ub0tc8OaHsAtmzL90LUxu2XPCvo_nq5k-Y8Ok_MzKM4-fncVIsH1_RPNE0FDIvMWf_QhE4ryqn6iO-cznaaXJrpDoOPrQNz5LBfDW_N7bn5bNP56BK3wm5HKjD3deQ0CNlVDhJERvMJAJtc6vwfTM-QOkiAhYyDCIxYT0XZkqPAw/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_233212560.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Immediately inside the entrance is a trophy case dedicated to national championships won by Hampton. Among the trophies are 1976 Division II tennis,1988 Division II women's basketball, and the 1994 Black College Football championship. I should mention that Hampton is an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) and was founded in 1868 to provide education to freedmen. In fact, each row of seats has the logo affixed at the end, which is quite impressive. The logo includes the founding year, which was one year after Canada came into being.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9oWxHqekhAeapwn-t90l0wqIIao_M0fLcxxX85HAGQPZ_YLoU9yHZXL3DrKwHWZaG13FMEcHJ5q9fMIPcQff1TnahXKqZsEdSbh8czNb-J1kked8ZWJFyn9S1Fw_6V8avpKXfUqjvKGLzBCp9WiS7R6nazE58MU44mnPpQChwbsrDFq0sTX_i2P6ShI/s4032/PXL_20240209_233506444.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9oWxHqekhAeapwn-t90l0wqIIao_M0fLcxxX85HAGQPZ_YLoU9yHZXL3DrKwHWZaG13FMEcHJ5q9fMIPcQff1TnahXKqZsEdSbh8czNb-J1kked8ZWJFyn9S1Fw_6V8avpKXfUqjvKGLzBCp9WiS7R6nazE58MU44mnPpQChwbsrDFq0sTX_i2P6ShI/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_233506444.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>More trophies can be found just down the hall, although these are for MEAC titles. The school moved to the Big South in 2017 and then to the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) in 2022. In the MEAC, both the men and women had a lot of success, but since they moved, it has been a struggle.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uOFSG6SV_xlyGz19KxM8cbcUIdlFRHLFr5Jgh6A1y_EfOHEvOIluwLrrLVPJkIC39emPQ37zItXVzzs6KI2cQT0fY8Nv_gcsBqgR9Pr5XwhYDiczUJ23XoK9Wo2Ml3Xm4x5c3WVyIiQtPmR7-M2tIKdiXsygzbdCrN1mQ3CJ98Kr4WSxT-_3FspOxQ0/s4032/PXL_20240210_005525502.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uOFSG6SV_xlyGz19KxM8cbcUIdlFRHLFr5Jgh6A1y_EfOHEvOIluwLrrLVPJkIC39emPQ37zItXVzzs6KI2cQT0fY8Nv_gcsBqgR9Pr5XwhYDiczUJ23XoK9Wo2Ml3Xm4x5c3WVyIiQtPmR7-M2tIKdiXsygzbdCrN1mQ3CJ98Kr4WSxT-_3FspOxQ0/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_005525502.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The venue opened in 1993 and holds 7,200, though I doubt that many would ever show up for basketball. I always enjoy when a school plays at its convocation center because that means lots of empty seats. There were 699 on hand for this one; I should have invited a friend to make it an even 700.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4yL4tJNTYNTZVCNQNEk6ebM35icsDWYNHrIYX75Scd2X8rSDAuzrTbHNAq41xRy-J5hiYKhrVt95-Mf2mqrIxhlsUTXeEs-Wrf-ikXkfZDJC7fvoUpkPdnusswnByd86__gKcPpmz_2T6muZREw8dwOEvgepUTYsLfHg15t5qFPXwOSjwHbaR2hlmLk/s4032/PXL_20240209_233444997.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4yL4tJNTYNTZVCNQNEk6ebM35icsDWYNHrIYX75Scd2X8rSDAuzrTbHNAq41xRy-J5hiYKhrVt95-Mf2mqrIxhlsUTXeEs-Wrf-ikXkfZDJC7fvoUpkPdnusswnByd86__gKcPpmz_2T6muZREw8dwOEvgepUTYsLfHg15t5qFPXwOSjwHbaR2hlmLk/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_233444997.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>As you can see below, there are three levels of seats: lower sections along the sidelines and one end, then a middle section that encircles the court, and a third level above that. That third level was closed for this game, though perhaps it is open when the men play.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXSgFqYZfPJvUhV2AZmm1IPaB00uFISyw39ssaO25rYVTsMn_XMCOGaPa4ra30GdTD7z0JbViEBucqw_o4tRbgjtI7_9ht3aSyDLCaTRQAAwJd2ANxbKAfRdDmjRHRwIBlXdv8sMW27ksk64PxWwTqfoK8KYF9HN4_h2xVVQfiCh3iNpX3B9R0Idn7KI/s4032/PXL_20240209_233515535.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXSgFqYZfPJvUhV2AZmm1IPaB00uFISyw39ssaO25rYVTsMn_XMCOGaPa4ra30GdTD7z0JbViEBucqw_o4tRbgjtI7_9ht3aSyDLCaTRQAAwJd2ANxbKAfRdDmjRHRwIBlXdv8sMW27ksk64PxWwTqfoK8KYF9HN4_h2xVVQfiCh3iNpX3B9R0Idn7KI/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_233515535.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I found the layout to be unique in that there are "boards" between the lower level and the second that resemble those you would find at a hockey rink. But those boards are not along the floor, which I don't think I've ever seen before. I also liked the triangular shot clocks atop the baskets.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR5UOfl1OTsHXMB8gkIwkJC5LFs85zv2WRHg-_eDICCgl9Ogm5DLCms9FqE8xexzSwDkMnDCX6RmzNFGFLIkUExXQGLCcSsCTaBW4XoveDX-T9BIHxHKEwIdh8pKc8dz_7L4YQymAmKTm4NJhc2OvQ_2IL20K8J1bDXo2jiLkczn2jY-NQUW6ON3rhzA/s4032/PXL_20240209_233610568.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFR5UOfl1OTsHXMB8gkIwkJC5LFs85zv2WRHg-_eDICCgl9Ogm5DLCms9FqE8xexzSwDkMnDCX6RmzNFGFLIkUExXQGLCcSsCTaBW4XoveDX-T9BIHxHKEwIdh8pKc8dz_7L4YQymAmKTm4NJhc2OvQ_2IL20K8J1bDXo2jiLkczn2jY-NQUW6ON3rhzA/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_233610568.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>In the photo above, you can see plenty of banners hanging from the rafters. Most are MEAC titles and NCAA tournament appearances (the men are 2-6, the women are 0-9), but there are a few that merit mention.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQNT7wpo5Jx4HIW56kWbMw-mTnvjJhQmM0ighA84mC0Ycb8QaVbqa3UlZZDAagr9ReSb1LQfuZUW6whaf9PYzKnD2gAg5OqZJb17Ft_pffLpwEfTUDmE24rHvbaK6mEgb_TQhoNIeoO4om7R10FoFoIzJg1szNLVckB8mBTfpG_QEAUP8kwwv67ee4Z0/s4032/PXL_20240209_233841245.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQNT7wpo5Jx4HIW56kWbMw-mTnvjJhQmM0ighA84mC0Ycb8QaVbqa3UlZZDAagr9ReSb1LQfuZUW6whaf9PYzKnD2gAg5OqZJb17Ft_pffLpwEfTUDmE24rHvbaK6mEgb_TQhoNIeoO4om7R10FoFoIzJg1szNLVckB8mBTfpG_QEAUP8kwwv67ee4Z0/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_233841245.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>In 2019, the men went to the semifinal of the CIT, which was the last incarnation of that tournament. I saw the championship in 2016 when <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2016/03/uc-irvine-anteaters-67-at-columbia.html" target="_blank">Columbia beat UC Irvine at Levien Gymnasium</a>, so I am always looking for CIT banners.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzcU7kETxfs9pGo-PCnyMQ9QYb39V5WJ-ZkiB3glefNDNtTBOWlupoKquheBL4sDMZBwo9TLsQL5xfKGbH0XeRZREHik1sVZbe9Ay7LPyhwR8f1OmXfsiDSExfXPCGwopx8QKNfQ9ox258i0uGx2n2BlBoTxHYh_msaPD-CLlmz7n4fJwKh4ty6SJUvM/s4032/PXL_20240209_233738010.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzcU7kETxfs9pGo-PCnyMQ9QYb39V5WJ-ZkiB3glefNDNtTBOWlupoKquheBL4sDMZBwo9TLsQL5xfKGbH0XeRZREHik1sVZbe9Ay7LPyhwR8f1OmXfsiDSExfXPCGwopx8QKNfQ9ox258i0uGx2n2BlBoTxHYh_msaPD-CLlmz7n4fJwKh4ty6SJUvM/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_233738010.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>I also liked how the CAA teams were shown on four banners. I prefer to see the logos because my aging memory cannot recall them all, but I appreciated this different approach here.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ0mB8hfB1bR8_1TkQDFsEioLvu4EkpEn5sjOrPJeCkgPc8HdJz9aLNx6CI355OLkjg1LEHenl5lrE-kXYqyrQAqXbogwRMEXaoAFvFXOKqp4I1PlneksEUQStVTld8pHVGSkjpvKwxmQ1rkoQoYaUFszFpv5o_vlJYv7i_4H06bJihu6jZpAdcX2UVM/s4032/PXL_20240209_233829924.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ0mB8hfB1bR8_1TkQDFsEioLvu4EkpEn5sjOrPJeCkgPc8HdJz9aLNx6CI355OLkjg1LEHenl5lrE-kXYqyrQAqXbogwRMEXaoAFvFXOKqp4I1PlneksEUQStVTld8pHVGSkjpvKwxmQ1rkoQoYaUFszFpv5o_vlJYv7i_4H06bJihu6jZpAdcX2UVM/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_233829924.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>And I also got a bit of education as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Mahorn" target="_blank">Rick Mahorn</a> played here. I knew he was with the Pistons when they won the title in 1989, but he has been busy since then and is the only person to have won titles in the NBA, WNBA, and BIG3 (the latter two as a coach obviously).</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kKtyH8JcYuGu-REM1eIQepNZy_qPnULj0na3wrWJdBSYV3R5mpwaEw6xIjjnAqBwwyWig8eUjSWincDOtRxIXnGLoSHp1P1ofOekJUI9Fv57aQPi-BU1Md8RC5GqpfP4nwRok2wBNYF9yJj3lB-CmqsbjUr3iAhIHaTxAU8xp4obdaOY8DFv6wcHMBU/s4032/PXL_20240209_234841622.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kKtyH8JcYuGu-REM1eIQepNZy_qPnULj0na3wrWJdBSYV3R5mpwaEw6xIjjnAqBwwyWig8eUjSWincDOtRxIXnGLoSHp1P1ofOekJUI9Fv57aQPi-BU1Md8RC5GqpfP4nwRok2wBNYF9yJj3lB-CmqsbjUr3iAhIHaTxAU8xp4obdaOY8DFv6wcHMBU/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_234841622.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The band is known as the Marching Force and there are cheerleaders that perform on the floor, while the dance team stays in the seats. Another unique aspect is that the Pirates starting lineup comes out of a tunnel rather than off the bench, as you can see below.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YIcsAgz8EnkgvhxRl8wcYUHvlz2lo2JkTNi3PyBViGe9jtwQhRQSWMuSW-p1YbQv0Jb1LO2TWzVPQJmFVVqmVQI8KMgYs6uYQ1HLTPrxCob05LwPZW2WWsS3Rgl9biHihvioxoo1LXcy_ZfSpXfhErrQ3W4iGIxY0YGKJK71E-LAvLZ_SnL68virs0Q/s4032/PXL_20240209_235549396.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YIcsAgz8EnkgvhxRl8wcYUHvlz2lo2JkTNi3PyBViGe9jtwQhRQSWMuSW-p1YbQv0Jb1LO2TWzVPQJmFVVqmVQI8KMgYs6uYQ1HLTPrxCob05LwPZW2WWsS3Rgl9biHihvioxoo1LXcy_ZfSpXfhErrQ3W4iGIxY0YGKJK71E-LAvLZ_SnL68virs0Q/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_235549396.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Both sides of the upper seating bowl have H U in white letters, smartly avoiding the scoreboard blocking them. These unique additions are what make stadium chasing so appealing to me. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LrgkceMlTcKNpjYP7cG35MP9SCCoaNP7hOMDesBKzbfFAEti1A_uYE8QgFdpyotLfNw_Rk-hy9-3U5-pN0pDvXVHgmT9JoS6od2rbwIFaTwLQWHGmBvUqKHS7t3LM4CS5Jv_fA4NEXkFDK88XVCpemajwPB0xN_Qfu53rEyFttl6mPifdndRMoDr8B0/s4032/PXL_20240209_233630811.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LrgkceMlTcKNpjYP7cG35MP9SCCoaNP7hOMDesBKzbfFAEti1A_uYE8QgFdpyotLfNw_Rk-hy9-3U5-pN0pDvXVHgmT9JoS6od2rbwIFaTwLQWHGmBvUqKHS7t3LM4CS5Jv_fA4NEXkFDK88XVCpemajwPB0xN_Qfu53rEyFttl6mPifdndRMoDr8B0/w400-h300/PXL_20240209_233630811.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, Hampton Convocation Center is an interesting spot with a bit of history inside its walls. The Hampton Roads area has three D-I schools plus the Admirals, so you can certainly make a winter sports road trip out of a visit here if the schedule works out, hopefully with better games than this one.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The Elon Phoenix were visiting the Lady Pirates, coincidentally I had seen both teams on the same day when they visited <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2023/11/elon-phoenix-35-at-nc-state-wolfpack-90.html" target="_blank">NC State</a> and <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2023/11/hampton-lady-pirates-32-at-north.html" target="_blank">North Carolina</a> in November, losing by a combined 152-67. Hampton was 2-18 overall and 2-8 in CAA play while Elon was a game better at 3-6, but the Phoenix were 6-6 on the road, suggesting they would have the advantage.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjxO2TQ708HcWp_8L0nWXAqP2Ca8BOoNmb840mUgd5kQh-HQu42rPsVwY_WTh6SUvSB_Gp8JI9Fk-5sQUz-nSDU4F1EhYchO0e3P4r43tP090YJE_1j9XrlY1hqgjPn5OtdMIZikltvr1m8VIP8OHAEug-3enhd8lOkknA_GcHMtXd4xlIQ1BKNOth40/s4032/PXL_20240210_000145932.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjxO2TQ708HcWp_8L0nWXAqP2Ca8BOoNmb840mUgd5kQh-HQu42rPsVwY_WTh6SUvSB_Gp8JI9Fk-5sQUz-nSDU4F1EhYchO0e3P4r43tP090YJE_1j9XrlY1hqgjPn5OtdMIZikltvr1m8VIP8OHAEug-3enhd8lOkknA_GcHMtXd4xlIQ1BKNOth40/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_000145932.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>And they did, taking the first quarter 16-10 despite falling behind 7-4 early. In the second quarter, the Phoenix sank 4 of 5 from downtown, with two coming from Diamond Monroe, as they extended their lead to 37-24.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlb98m6ggaxXdiQWRrfoP7_2doFaxyU7Z9q3YHgGYKn0kJyzzZvjn6UgihqFAV7KatA5hMJZrYXloAYySE2DEoI9-MvcHbTvsHlEFusLV-Kf56dHdLu9MNqHfJvdLgZewTxWmFbEm_RrEBuKAtsNAITSQWMZh_H9FgflR_7f3LqelTmnrkcr19Cmj7-A/s4032/PXL_20240210_010101635.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlb98m6ggaxXdiQWRrfoP7_2doFaxyU7Z9q3YHgGYKn0kJyzzZvjn6UgihqFAV7KatA5hMJZrYXloAYySE2DEoI9-MvcHbTvsHlEFusLV-Kf56dHdLu9MNqHfJvdLgZewTxWmFbEm_RrEBuKAtsNAITSQWMZh_H9FgflR_7f3LqelTmnrkcr19Cmj7-A/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_010101635.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The beatdown continued in the third quarter as Elon relied on an inside game to dominate the period by an 18-8 score. This made the final frame academic as Hampton scored 19 points to save some blushes, although they still lost 69-51. The refs let them play, so the entire game took just 1:40.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiol07WPVzh79xz2mvKiBqfOZVXLho24ohOc85F1AprXDTlUtAwzRvlG4-KnNlD9BImwJlvo8fK61_RhCKVbikcaseDHuCDVrO3-pPEsUyjYVJJEwWZAjpEhtvrgV58hHqR_QgeqH7g8W_5evh6qG3hAXWtJowY6P4Ei6sOsgUyiSwOXvxdbzemyXzKj1A/s4032/PXL_20240210_014556037.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiol07WPVzh79xz2mvKiBqfOZVXLho24ohOc85F1AprXDTlUtAwzRvlG4-KnNlD9BImwJlvo8fK61_RhCKVbikcaseDHuCDVrO3-pPEsUyjYVJJEwWZAjpEhtvrgV58hHqR_QgeqH7g8W_5evh6qG3hAXWtJowY6P4Ei6sOsgUyiSwOXvxdbzemyXzKj1A/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_014556037.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Elon finished 8/16 from long range, a fantastic performance that is better than most men's teams I have seen. Hampton went 3/15 from downtown and that was essentially the difference.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C1Ffv7sjNT1tvLPkw8d6DkxwgQk1NEiZi5ZsrEl_PhgDslxNDo_XAHUjrOvTM-ralMuP9xbh55e8AhMRTaxUoqAmHTgKXv1XC4cq-bf5sZeWFvWJm3KvA2Coj0tVp6jafkoXpgQnQxbSchEOHxIReXKTmN0edJBzNAny7d_7jxZTGJyDqNfo-WyPs1g/s4032/PXL_20240210_014650300.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0C1Ffv7sjNT1tvLPkw8d6DkxwgQk1NEiZi5ZsrEl_PhgDslxNDo_XAHUjrOvTM-ralMuP9xbh55e8AhMRTaxUoqAmHTgKXv1XC4cq-bf5sZeWFvWJm3KvA2Coj0tVp6jafkoXpgQnQxbSchEOHxIReXKTmN0edJBzNAny7d_7jxZTGJyDqNfo-WyPs1g/w400-h300/PXL_20240210_014650300.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>After the game, the Hampton players and cheerleaders formed lines and did a very sad dance while the alma mater was played by the band. Maybe they should work on their shooting instead.</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>With the change in methodology, this was number 164 of the 392 NCAA Division I basketball gyms that I am chasing. The change added five to the total: Oakland, Iowa State, Washington, where I saw women's games and Boise State and Greensboro Coliseum, where I saw tournament games. I'm still planning to see men's games as much as possible, but when the schedule doesn't work out (as it didn't this weekend), seeing a new venue is most important.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-21285704925521450422024-02-08T20:36:00.216+09:002024-02-09T01:58:26.739+09:00John Jay Bloodhounds 72 at Lehman Lightning 84 (NCAA Basketball, Division III, CUNYAC) - February 7, 2024<p>I always enjoy entering a new sports venue, regardless of the size or occasion. Last week, I attended two games at Division III schools in Manhattan and although the venues are simple, I appreciated the unique aspects each has to offer. So when I saw that Lehman College had a 5 p.m. game on Wednesday, I headed up to the Bronx to continue my tour of the CUNYAC gyms.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OwVKYU7dTHtRgoRyxXTZ7BCT4bgoBnkp1jvE1Rano4HeqxX163Epp73PqWwZ6OCtsMjZuSRP5uDfTD4Pj3HOxyid9AUPNhdZcuWBM-xp9n4RNDmabnTGSW81GjsYezTyV5xLwPU7p5OqZzZZB0O6JtZ5WAf0dpbIG8BxyrIUJxMlm0wtOpYOuhfhiGE/s4032/PXL_20240207_221320838.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OwVKYU7dTHtRgoRyxXTZ7BCT4bgoBnkp1jvE1Rano4HeqxX163Epp73PqWwZ6OCtsMjZuSRP5uDfTD4Pj3HOxyid9AUPNhdZcuWBM-xp9n4RNDmabnTGSW81GjsYezTyV5xLwPU7p5OqZzZZB0O6JtZ5WAf0dpbIG8BxyrIUJxMlm0wtOpYOuhfhiGE/w400-h300/PXL_20240207_221320838.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Lehman College is located just a couple of stops on the 4 line after Fordham, less than an hour from my apartment. It opened as the Bronx campus of Hunter College in 1931, but became independent in 1968, when it was named after Herbert Lehman, son of Mayer, who was one of three brothers to found Lehman Brothers. The school is right next to the subway stop and the Athletics and Physical Education Facility, known as APEX, is just inside the main gate on Bedford Avenue. However, there is construction going on right now, so you have to walk around the entire campus to get there. Unlike the schools in Manhattan which are generally in one large structure, Lehman has a true campus, with several buildings and green spaces. The APEX itself is rather cool, with a convex roof that almost rests on the ground, as you can see above. It was <a href="https://www.lehman.edu/vpadvance/artgallery/arch/buildings/Lehman_APEX.html" target="_blank">designed by Rafael Viñoly</a> and opened in 1994.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpALJqmfz45HkvEWbpNIrC727Vk298e7hURozbFBRb7aN7qtfCZ5_1a-o_QYQ3mpE1aDicSIY-bGa6X0mWDuKy9kxiIbds2BLRN9XqKU8Mz7agHzgSFWTYtmYfj8x8G3MhZ4ew1LZ4RAYCK09TKu5HxM5GxW8mItj4zP_gWRPMgN0BCHFh3gcSiczBSM/s4032/PXL_20240207_221352223.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpALJqmfz45HkvEWbpNIrC727Vk298e7hURozbFBRb7aN7qtfCZ5_1a-o_QYQ3mpE1aDicSIY-bGa6X0mWDuKy9kxiIbds2BLRN9XqKU8Mz7agHzgSFWTYtmYfj8x8G3MhZ4ew1LZ4RAYCK09TKu5HxM5GxW8mItj4zP_gWRPMgN0BCHFh3gcSiczBSM/w400-h300/PXL_20240207_221352223.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Basketball is played in the main gym, which is visible from outside. As is the case with all the CUNYAC gyms, there are no tickets, so you just walk in and sit down. The gym holds 1,300, all on one side of the court, but there were only 104 on hand for this one, so you could sit where you pleased.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmko_cGM05ny-0BmyJWohFEJDyAlofXEfrSyUWevTwRE1Z7eslfqp6fhzB7TSmehhqHJ4wj3yC1AoXtPpWSLVH1kZJmW2lIK_PJH-gDu-0g_8gMEaTZAh7rP4GFqFbElDafUO73uv8p-fTtb2yEszebvxilYZHiSiX6KADDLOnCttJFEs0rdeGBemhWJY/s4032/PXL_20240207_221438794.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmko_cGM05ny-0BmyJWohFEJDyAlofXEfrSyUWevTwRE1Z7eslfqp6fhzB7TSmehhqHJ4wj3yC1AoXtPpWSLVH1kZJmW2lIK_PJH-gDu-0g_8gMEaTZAh7rP4GFqFbElDafUO73uv8p-fTtb2yEszebvxilYZHiSiX6KADDLOnCttJFEs0rdeGBemhWJY/w400-h300/PXL_20240207_221438794.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The highlight for me was seeing all eight colourful CUNYAC basketball school banners on display as well as one for the College of Staten Island, whose are now members of the East Coast Conference in Division II. Not sure why their banner is still up there.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxijUiCTGFEGHe-5cwEreD5AdaTY1I2sfVi11c76hTdGmGRvMzzx9LNaoz6kz5O89QtXOVly7XCJSTPK-XP4fwhdqqBN83frC6qTQrS8WAMtCRyuuLKtqJV-EmTXvS4mdcdgGk7XJVKPcDAxWp3hWwsnlS4LvVjQt8lb3DencJ0LR_RDnp3beqsTwuBkA/s4032/PXL_20240207_234127131.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxijUiCTGFEGHe-5cwEreD5AdaTY1I2sfVi11c76hTdGmGRvMzzx9LNaoz6kz5O89QtXOVly7XCJSTPK-XP4fwhdqqBN83frC6qTQrS8WAMtCRyuuLKtqJV-EmTXvS4mdcdgGk7XJVKPcDAxWp3hWwsnlS4LvVjQt8lb3DencJ0LR_RDnp3beqsTwuBkA/w400-h300/PXL_20240207_234127131.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>To be fair, conference membership can be confusing at the best of times. There are banners for CUNYAC titles and ECAC titles and the school does belong to both. The Eastern College Athletic Conference is a consortium that includes many universities that belong to other conferences at all levels. College hockey fans know the ECAC as the home of defending champions Quinnipiac, but this conference separated from the larger organization in 2004, retaining the abbreviated name only. Like I said, confusing, and not worth further explanation.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N2X9UvGAqrV35cao1TqJvuh7TGy31FKgyYZPAGjVVLut6pDMihGhFqh6BGVIRhfweFItqGCO0x-vL4F1_feuc3W2_2tf53_nNrotfFloHPZPRQ7s-CCkfMWr_MaTI-BidekR33PIq6zUh7N10wMcrYu29f_BFCDfAWKWxUGjmbErDOaq6HQVaxNpF4I/s4032/PXL_20240207_221507217.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N2X9UvGAqrV35cao1TqJvuh7TGy31FKgyYZPAGjVVLut6pDMihGhFqh6BGVIRhfweFItqGCO0x-vL4F1_feuc3W2_2tf53_nNrotfFloHPZPRQ7s-CCkfMWr_MaTI-BidekR33PIq6zUh7N10wMcrYu29f_BFCDfAWKWxUGjmbErDOaq6HQVaxNpF4I/w400-h300/PXL_20240207_221507217.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Another banner that struck me as odd is the 2015-16 NCAA Women's Basketball Champions banner to the left of the two ECAC banners in the photo above. The women's basketball team did win the CUNYAC title that year but lost in the first round of the D-3 tournament, so I think this is a mistake as well. However, at this level, nobody is going to complain much.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_Agw4LYlC-T6Azm46rd-_RLRkPuEKl8jcMk5-F7lx7MvRG6yb1lDBkrT8oAuiAHH6LSQqIiZze_mnh-IUYdgeWb73dAXZvAXGfa5Q2pMskwas20DVD9u-8j4YugIZJQJO2SHZC5gsClbsqCyJ7U3-BoXZGcl3tS7rHdCM_6Wp3alr1Ks3hU60OofD-c/s4032/PXL_20240207_221513551.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_Agw4LYlC-T6Azm46rd-_RLRkPuEKl8jcMk5-F7lx7MvRG6yb1lDBkrT8oAuiAHH6LSQqIiZze_mnh-IUYdgeWb73dAXZvAXGfa5Q2pMskwas20DVD9u-8j4YugIZJQJO2SHZC5gsClbsqCyJ7U3-BoXZGcl3tS7rHdCM_6Wp3alr1Ks3hU60OofD-c/w400-h300/PXL_20240207_221513551.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>You can see the convex roof in the shot above, which includes the scoreboard that is built into the wall. There is an Olympic-sized pool on the other side of the facility, but sadly no event was taking place on this day so I couldn't add it as another venue. Still, it was good to get another local gym in the books, even if the battle on the floor was less than ideal.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The John Jay Bloodhounds were the visitors with a 2-9 conference record, while Lehman was the polar opposite at 9-2. The two had met at The Doghouse a month earlier with Lehman winning 85-69. I had seen the Bloodhounds the week prior and their coach, Ryan Hyland, followed me on Twitter, so I was cheering for them. The first half saw five ties and five lead changes and was knotted at 23 when John Jay went on a mini 12-5 run for their biggest lead of the game. The Lightning came back a bit but still trailed at the half 37-33. An amazing stat was John Jay taking 43 shots from the floor compared to just 21 for Lehman, who were fouled a lot (11/16 from the line) and also turned the ball over 12 times.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYv_yk7JvFyzqj_-LWg8TignLRTtpJnzUmU2Ie4Y9hP2CF3shinltqMZVMKfTzs4aUlJZSk9IUJQzsTIHutcfLpviR5-xUDujyoMXY9eTF9svisy12SB1Le8IMsNCh5MdWfK3IDFJJ7w-lnqn5RrDnRQTH10DkoAck8cmaH_xmYT0ORN6BdX-fFQHWvo/s4032/PXL_20240207_221713036.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYv_yk7JvFyzqj_-LWg8TignLRTtpJnzUmU2Ie4Y9hP2CF3shinltqMZVMKfTzs4aUlJZSk9IUJQzsTIHutcfLpviR5-xUDujyoMXY9eTF9svisy12SB1Le8IMsNCh5MdWfK3IDFJJ7w-lnqn5RrDnRQTH10DkoAck8cmaH_xmYT0ORN6BdX-fFQHWvo/w400-h300/PXL_20240207_221713036.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>John Jay continued to foul, picking up two in the first minute of the second half as Lehman notched the first six points of the half. From there, it was more back and forth, with four ties and seven lead changes. The Bloodhounds were up 55-54 with 11 minutes to go but missed six straight shots and added a turnover as the Lightning scored 10 straight over 4 minutes. That was all they needed as the fouls continued unabated, leading to a long, drawn-out finish that saw Lehman win 84-72.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8V4bhc-OOgcaNtP8aDx04kyH9kvr-qgo9Kye99qKvT62_M9YZ8qQtFiOksh7Qb6Z7az1QaGzjhby7iAK11Lt49mP7AOi8zG8MD6jcvZ-MhaDTMt3uUPI3nD7XchiFuIqjmeMyoW67zE4srNIJirMZfLKgRfe41icnj5y01SI1iBGKwvtHFghZxs2Eds/s4032/PXL_20240207_225552435.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8V4bhc-OOgcaNtP8aDx04kyH9kvr-qgo9Kye99qKvT62_M9YZ8qQtFiOksh7Qb6Z7az1QaGzjhby7iAK11Lt49mP7AOi8zG8MD6jcvZ-MhaDTMt3uUPI3nD7XchiFuIqjmeMyoW67zE4srNIJirMZfLKgRfe41icnj5y01SI1iBGKwvtHFghZxs2Eds/w400-h300/PXL_20240207_225552435.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Bloodhounds were abysmal from long range, knocking down just 6 of 35 shots, while Lehman only launched 15 treys, making 4. All of the Lightning's interior play led to 25 fouls and 39 shots from the line, which was really the difference. Kai Parris was the star for Lehman with 28 points, 8 boards and 4 blocks.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddOuFmiFTkz2NkQvG4E4nTt00oj0D8Btpy_UYWK-t87wA9hQcwOYGxgtQ6RuwG5XuhVc2ct7otItoqowVk9q9MHE_HOFnx6p8Jew37YTHYjXqwNe22qJhlpL4d6O1f-aO7vcgCEMsllLq_UUUqXp8gw8lQ4Z8FRCgT5AdDnKj-URExcSMowE0S9LdGx4/s4032/PXL_20240207_234418462.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddOuFmiFTkz2NkQvG4E4nTt00oj0D8Btpy_UYWK-t87wA9hQcwOYGxgtQ6RuwG5XuhVc2ct7otItoqowVk9q9MHE_HOFnx6p8Jew37YTHYjXqwNe22qJhlpL4d6O1f-aO7vcgCEMsllLq_UUUqXp8gw8lQ4Z8FRCgT5AdDnKj-URExcSMowE0S9LdGx4/w400-h300/PXL_20240207_234418462.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>In terms of lower division basketball schools in NYC, there are still four in the CUNYAC to visit (Brooklyn, CCNY, Medgar Evers, York), plus six in other conferences (St. Joseph's Brooklyn, Yeshiva, SUNY Maritime in the Skyline, NYU in the UAA, and Staten Island and Queens College in Division II's ECC). I'll be adding these over the next couple of seasons.</p><p>The John Jay women's team played afterwards (usually in D-I the women play first when there is a doubleheader) and the team arrived midway through the half and sat around me, cheering loudly for their counterparts. I am not sure if they were included in the attendance figures. They won their game 65-49, though I could not stay as I had to get home for dinner.</p><div><b>Next Up</b></div><div><br /></div><div>A weekend jaunt to Norfolk to see two more college basketball games and some ECHL hockey. Check back for recaps next week.</div><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-83834618881624226452024-02-05T20:12:00.360+09:002024-02-09T00:49:16.271+09:00Tulsa Golden Hurricane 70 at Florida Atlantic Owls 102 (NCAA Basketball, American) - February 3, 2024It's about 65 miles from the University of Miami to Boca Raton, where the campus of Florida Atlantic University can be found. Weekday rush hour traffic can be horrendous, but on a Saturday afternoon, it took just over an hour. I stopped by my hotel first to rest up and then drove over to the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, home of the FAU Owls.<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG64Wkmw8yJEXGa7UxZYJVYy8RbO9lFs9ws9lz6GI8yQq6fVblnUnwh_dMbPdnm1qTJTquJPUafYK8wKzAIqn7Y84Pa0KCyzzOAsvHAvKTI8stl7n39lNr7BInsuvoHMEaGkJSRtwKHFkPe-MeLPXCh6XIRNoonHTKYi_MSJAxYwtJEGkXFdx8syV2r0/s4032/PXL_20240203_215500507.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG64Wkmw8yJEXGa7UxZYJVYy8RbO9lFs9ws9lz6GI8yQq6fVblnUnwh_dMbPdnm1qTJTquJPUafYK8wKzAIqn7Y84Pa0KCyzzOAsvHAvKTI8stl7n39lNr7BInsuvoHMEaGkJSRtwKHFkPe-MeLPXCh6XIRNoonHTKYi_MSJAxYwtJEGkXFdx8syV2r0/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_215500507.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, the Owls made a very surprising run to the Final Four last year, which means they are a very popular draw this year. The arena holds just 2,900 (though record attendance is 3,240, coincidentally on the day I considered going last year) and almost all seats belong to season-ticket holders. The secondary market was crazily overpriced a week before, but fortunately I was able to do the Stadium Journey review and received a media pass. Tickets returned from the visiting team are available at the box office and I saw a small lineup more than an hour before the game, but did not determine how much those tickets would cost. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDg8UgJmLMh-c63-w_aT9di8f7kfnVMQzFMlV7oW29Nfw5jpoZ1Ph118MB2440M0YgaXsAIkLJ25CIn3nOfE5d47uUl8n9qKxzcJ29ethDKELc7s2defXacMPnKvFHsu1OeY_R8kYWHJVSaJBaL4MERbn32YhedZzX72ugYxXQqbyplcqdrKqdPvDJEE/s4032/PXL_20240204_012652122.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDg8UgJmLMh-c63-w_aT9di8f7kfnVMQzFMlV7oW29Nfw5jpoZ1Ph118MB2440M0YgaXsAIkLJ25CIn3nOfE5d47uUl8n9qKxzcJ29ethDKELc7s2defXacMPnKvFHsu1OeY_R8kYWHJVSaJBaL4MERbn32YhedZzX72ugYxXQqbyplcqdrKqdPvDJEE/w400-h300/PXL_20240204_012652122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The venue opened in 1984 and was initially called FAU Arena, with The Burrow added as a nickname. There is still a sign outside indicating this. In November 2022, Eleanor Baldwin donated $7.5 million and the arena is now named after her (and nicknamed The Elly). The team won 20 straight games after the name was changed, so she was certainly a bit of good luck. It is located right next to I-95 and the Boca Raton airport and easy to get to. Parking is free in one of the lots immediately surrounding the arena, and getting out was pretty easy too as you can be on the highway in just a couple of minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInDyWAAyrNXhKg-1PH5u1-MgCpChyL429YsAJLHx1hspP6_qjN2Tw0igXkjzRpQFPhxGSIdKYu344z8hfNCh4cqhTFwFj3BQhOaAvJdSzZciTq7rzoCkV5ws-PDHqGPxD97UrtrTO3AvOpRyr8lq5T_FM-ofyTbPpm3n09hHFTLKp8SYsWMTd0ptuBsY/s4032/PXL_20240203_221352929.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInDyWAAyrNXhKg-1PH5u1-MgCpChyL429YsAJLHx1hspP6_qjN2Tw0igXkjzRpQFPhxGSIdKYu344z8hfNCh4cqhTFwFj3BQhOaAvJdSzZciTq7rzoCkV5ws-PDHqGPxD97UrtrTO3AvOpRyr8lq5T_FM-ofyTbPpm3n09hHFTLKp8SYsWMTd0ptuBsY/w300-h400/PXL_20240203_221352929.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Inside the main entrance is a large lobby, where the trophies from last season are on display. The only concession stand is here as well with limited offerings; this is one of the few places where a beer ($7) is cheaper than a hot dog ($8).</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI-wQE5I2OfdWknB4cNZnr7xi0b3X0_uYvWK2nv_CDjBk7-qNWOud-8hyphenhyphenP6L8vpxB7bCOzj-uZEMPmBYZ-LcjIKceLV6GGdnJOTmnCpWKjpd_mHy0_R8qjobCKsemOfjr5VdcRj0k6-O4Ongx6k93oD8Ybu3I1w5xdm-9j6cGa4ROWylGyjOCR8G2bdQ/s4032/PXL_20240203_220335810.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI-wQE5I2OfdWknB4cNZnr7xi0b3X0_uYvWK2nv_CDjBk7-qNWOud-8hyphenhyphenP6L8vpxB7bCOzj-uZEMPmBYZ-LcjIKceLV6GGdnJOTmnCpWKjpd_mHy0_R8qjobCKsemOfjr5VdcRj0k6-O4Ongx6k93oD8Ybu3I1w5xdm-9j6cGa4ROWylGyjOCR8G2bdQ/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_220335810.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The arena itself has two levels of seating on both sides that are separated by metal bars. If you are in the lower level, you enter on the floor and walk up; upper level seats are accessed from stairwells in all four corners of the building, and you walk down from a large concourse behind the seats. There are photos and other displays inside some of these stairwells that are worth checking out.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfe-QlWtfsqSq2C4Ni2wSI1wkCFiCgOVRR7pU43Fz4IGNFuvBUPRUoCybLEi44yBhg1uW8DF-9ac8S_5cPwNZz9AD9xSXWBKv8b1nVqdP_NCNDnLgeqUdi9lCuUjPXs19L6W32eIFwwdGzLM9Pz7uAelo7-bm4cMatzwzaVgymvlHqLY9WmS33-Iluvpc/s4032/PXL_20240203_221453936.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfe-QlWtfsqSq2C4Ni2wSI1wkCFiCgOVRR7pU43Fz4IGNFuvBUPRUoCybLEi44yBhg1uW8DF-9ac8S_5cPwNZz9AD9xSXWBKv8b1nVqdP_NCNDnLgeqUdi9lCuUjPXs19L6W32eIFwwdGzLM9Pz7uAelo7-bm4cMatzwzaVgymvlHqLY9WmS33-Iluvpc/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_221453936.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the second level behind one net is a large club area that leads to some suites. Above these are the logos of the American Athletic Conference schools; FAU was in Conference USA last season but moved up this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHExjGmuGDGdso8pZ1nGX8QpCGdQXpeyTL2WFji1Y6MMhOSyz6MDUsJfMchXSahNY4bl0ihEjeRwYbfFHVExQ61p0a7uPM5HWmar-tqWFjpL2tYRRWIFXNfnooKlVgzArUStl3dX153rK_LEshiA3c9W-83H30_Z-MpAOlYgM1xchCMR0hcu2ZB_KoTg/s4032/PXL_20240203_222351268.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHExjGmuGDGdso8pZ1nGX8QpCGdQXpeyTL2WFji1Y6MMhOSyz6MDUsJfMchXSahNY4bl0ihEjeRwYbfFHVExQ61p0a7uPM5HWmar-tqWFjpL2tYRRWIFXNfnooKlVgzArUStl3dX153rK_LEshiA3c9W-83H30_Z-MpAOlYgM1xchCMR0hcu2ZB_KoTg/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_222351268.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The AAC is their fourth conference this century, and they have one exactly one conference championship in each of their previous homes, as shown on the banner to the left in the photo below. They did make the tournament in 2002, losing to Alabama, but were eliminated in the Sun Belt tournament in 2011. Although they did not win the national title last year, their cheerleaders did, at least at the Intermediate Small Coed Division I-A level, one of 34 titles awarded at the College Nationals.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvk0BPhtpCet8iJX3VQoo8_4EzEYYARNoGM27-LKFaMREmf10jWCIBpcKK9aMo0jF2YY13mLnVEQQn9PgnkLi2SfpSArGjeFJUyFrWzRM7TT9TMmvJD8lZQiHYihMJGc5toRCH7ADXO8F-eeh2kElD_hCQ5LTVvX5auVBQNp-ZYMbxoRWPpr2TZ6r6vU/s4032/PXL_20240203_220312017.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvk0BPhtpCet8iJX3VQoo8_4EzEYYARNoGM27-LKFaMREmf10jWCIBpcKK9aMo0jF2YY13mLnVEQQn9PgnkLi2SfpSArGjeFJUyFrWzRM7TT9TMmvJD8lZQiHYihMJGc5toRCH7ADXO8F-eeh2kElD_hCQ5LTVvX5auVBQNp-ZYMbxoRWPpr2TZ6r6vU/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_220312017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The most important banner of course is the Final Four one, which is given pride of place next to Old Glory and the flag of Florida.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXff3UaCsBl9cYDRWG_csksVwpRFDaRHzMDPEEh32YxKPxz-p7iEM4AbB_iu4DwqKsiiCKxFaxHXsKImvzckWFpEpEpYNKIZCUUOn9JlpzzjOOqQZDBOyxNNiFu5cLYwfCwjD5YtbwDu5jNWSXNnhyphenhyphenh8PkNFXbSxmHIAJedPwtKs7K-2_oxUcw6UZVSc/s4032/PXL_20240203_222357050.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXff3UaCsBl9cYDRWG_csksVwpRFDaRHzMDPEEh32YxKPxz-p7iEM4AbB_iu4DwqKsiiCKxFaxHXsKImvzckWFpEpEpYNKIZCUUOn9JlpzzjOOqQZDBOyxNNiFu5cLYwfCwjD5YtbwDu5jNWSXNnhyphenhyphenh8PkNFXbSxmHIAJedPwtKs7K-2_oxUcw6UZVSc/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_222357050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I had arrived quite early and was immediately impressed by the student section. Here, they take up the lower seats on the entirety of one sideline. It was an hour before tip and already the section was mostly full. Student capacity is 750 and the week before against Wichita State, <a href="https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2024/01/27/fau-owls-selling-out-home-basketball-games-as-ticket-demand-up-after-final-four/72368611007/" target="_blank">many students were turned away</a>, which is why students have to show up early. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikld07QX8o6aCt1RN9usZNxmRKI2bCJ-1QZ7Ty23Xv3aexXOSb7uPibjcrLYGMDCjd8Atjlmki0EkLceB1z62_70scim4WBMk-peqoAVY7-hKXMXIGiVbaMiOp01l2oHz9wCR-dnBUK7htmsrCnpVKmrLL7-TAmmE0wA1rNFSx2LF6qJx5aHYsDaLXTsQ/s4032/PXL_20240203_220426797.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikld07QX8o6aCt1RN9usZNxmRKI2bCJ-1QZ7Ty23Xv3aexXOSb7uPibjcrLYGMDCjd8Atjlmki0EkLceB1z62_70scim4WBMk-peqoAVY7-hKXMXIGiVbaMiOp01l2oHz9wCR-dnBUK7htmsrCnpVKmrLL7-TAmmE0wA1rNFSx2LF6qJx5aHYsDaLXTsQ/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_220426797.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Two smaller student sections can be found behind each basket as well. Attendance was announced at 3,161, a sellout, the tenth straight this season. Students make up about 25% of this number, which gives the arena a fantastic atmosphere from well before tip-off.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrR4Y9__yjEpANuZjwDhgVafeQO9lKOarICkDcqIOZqH5iTFZg8xMYa_JZuRXmeeAs0XVkAeybzxocFyO6ccRecnVId-vauZvESwYDpJAbvmRVujSAFMw1UpiqYAaRZkSCJOGX_RJw8LqtFBD8cJP0tsxPWm6RlfM5mOiuoZEeX7X-ZX6BA4VDKUT8Nc/s4032/PXL_20240203_221123638.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrR4Y9__yjEpANuZjwDhgVafeQO9lKOarICkDcqIOZqH5iTFZg8xMYa_JZuRXmeeAs0XVkAeybzxocFyO6ccRecnVId-vauZvESwYDpJAbvmRVujSAFMw1UpiqYAaRZkSCJOGX_RJw8LqtFBD8cJP0tsxPWm6RlfM5mOiuoZEeX7X-ZX6BA4VDKUT8Nc/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_221123638.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The upper bowl took a lot longer to fill up as these are reserved seats and so fans don't need to get there so far in advance. By game time, though, nearly every seat was taken, and the crowd was energetic throughout.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlA9v5jjs9edQpuLlZae3wWVIRqY48f_XnWGj4VO0WJPbIw-McjZBMDJgADAZvB58ghifEwbggsgP7aG0ypMGLoBdOU_5_h1lT_m6_u8l4f8B7JiraNeoOCfrkGsl2sjJptbvRjJrIw7H8blf-AXfnMdiIBqzO7btYHiwq3S-1fUMsX-cwO0d4Lol6EI/s4032/PXL_20240203_220239621.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlA9v5jjs9edQpuLlZae3wWVIRqY48f_XnWGj4VO0WJPbIw-McjZBMDJgADAZvB58ghifEwbggsgP7aG0ypMGLoBdOU_5_h1lT_m6_u8l4f8B7JiraNeoOCfrkGsl2sjJptbvRjJrIw7H8blf-AXfnMdiIBqzO7btYHiwq3S-1fUMsX-cwO0d4Lol6EI/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_220239621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Some of those empty seats were due to the camera well being set up between the two levels. I suspect the school will be looking to build a new venue in the next few years because several rows at center court are unusable here.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdU8Y5lsPTZV4-rpYUt4GZn-YVg6iqZW44RpNbXyhPe7_ZvpR8U1ycH-ioDzSNvL0ZJ5BZHr5-6t3CoatPi1v-K8ZwER2awFnSjsdLXBHzfuRTVVHfnhaxe9Ex00uNUPSnpNqM2et2JtGA8COhlZkUGBfx7FoKtK2C3WYIHM0ufqoS1rHRq5CShhYg7c/s4032/PXL_20240203_221104563.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdU8Y5lsPTZV4-rpYUt4GZn-YVg6iqZW44RpNbXyhPe7_ZvpR8U1ycH-ioDzSNvL0ZJ5BZHr5-6t3CoatPi1v-K8ZwER2awFnSjsdLXBHzfuRTVVHfnhaxe9Ex00uNUPSnpNqM2et2JtGA8COhlZkUGBfx7FoKtK2C3WYIHM0ufqoS1rHRq5CShhYg7c/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_221104563.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is no scoreboard above center court, which gives this small venue a more open feel.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayg_cNbFox9BSpsJQ5k0CAnByw-EwA00LpU1uDFteAKPaHPGRQBi4WdWdTY10oHIDurKBu4ZMHLaeNlqmzFirPbu9IyDBnWFzH3XOzqBEedf4H_3iyxvrhG2ahqmSkHev7Xp6um9qdnxpxoyZq2Zm3Q7KTCI-w7XRNjlTgKl3ndGBqxMwXKKK-BK8XRw/s4032/PXL_20240203_220424652.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayg_cNbFox9BSpsJQ5k0CAnByw-EwA00LpU1uDFteAKPaHPGRQBi4WdWdTY10oHIDurKBu4ZMHLaeNlqmzFirPbu9IyDBnWFzH3XOzqBEedf4H_3iyxvrhG2ahqmSkHev7Xp6um9qdnxpxoyZq2Zm3Q7KTCI-w7XRNjlTgKl3ndGBqxMwXKKK-BK8XRw/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_220424652.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At the far end is a huge video board that shows highlights as well as all the player and team stats. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ySbI08Txoh4cDmUddncQ_h-1y6rLPomxWQJO0PqkIKRuQSjgwLZoXM4_YpxuUBGFSHlsWubCDrQZNoK0IuksqO-GoSDzoQeAwi-IumSIM8_d2pgujb0pk9TFRYnoyRD8jd6rrh5cbkPSUggFPILjZhDb8lBbUqwVSP-uoMkdqgfGc00cF5GN7Kp86cc/s4032/PXL_20240203_221053917.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ySbI08Txoh4cDmUddncQ_h-1y6rLPomxWQJO0PqkIKRuQSjgwLZoXM4_YpxuUBGFSHlsWubCDrQZNoK0IuksqO-GoSDzoQeAwi-IumSIM8_d2pgujb0pk9TFRYnoyRD8jd6rrh5cbkPSUggFPILjZhDb8lBbUqwVSP-uoMkdqgfGc00cF5GN7Kp86cc/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_221053917.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are two mascots, Owlsley (below) is the grownup and there is also Hoot, who seems to be a baby owl. Both were very active during the game, as were the cheerleaders and dance team. It was a very energetic atmosphere until the final buzzer. If you don't like loud venues, this one will bother you because the music was blaring before the game.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikir26jv091LzufSW-nOgt34WBCWCrO8AZ_bFmarIrbGGFSfCn_6o3y0bSH69CMuNpAER2CSpzyfcNOhCBOcelwOWnvQ8kuaAGNyW2q0o48gVvnHfFIT0zXnTBP0jFKHl_5NV5CUOlzLVwQszLq0_WVG4mMndpnUT4lGBf_Qu2t3dkSQ0HbF9t0TFcuZ4/s4032/PXL_20240203_230145562.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikir26jv091LzufSW-nOgt34WBCWCrO8AZ_bFmarIrbGGFSfCn_6o3y0bSH69CMuNpAER2CSpzyfcNOhCBOcelwOWnvQ8kuaAGNyW2q0o48gVvnHfFIT0zXnTBP0jFKHl_5NV5CUOlzLVwQszLq0_WVG4mMndpnUT4lGBf_Qu2t3dkSQ0HbF9t0TFcuZ4/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_230145562.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Owls nickname is partially due to the fact that there are <a href="https://www.fau.edu/artsandletters/in-the-news/in-the-news/pdf/not-just-a-mascot-national-georgraphic-2023.pdf" target="_blank">burrowing owls on campus</a>, and also leads to The Burrow nickname mentioned earlier.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY5tQWMgUN3bwX5zdADar-C6lBhXw7KOarui_DL27YD4T0EOGB5Zs0WMnoCKlGsIHpwGGYnQ6u9is_QYGr5gqGWxkNPcrOg1P6mQFF4esXu39yF3qrwlOl-eWrLOURRdOJzW3RVSZMrVN-y6mEZ5Mltaal2-QDQmckImYlVbbfDvAS3yf8ZpD_7IkcY0/s4032/PXL_20240203_221523505.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY5tQWMgUN3bwX5zdADar-C6lBhXw7KOarui_DL27YD4T0EOGB5Zs0WMnoCKlGsIHpwGGYnQ6u9is_QYGr5gqGWxkNPcrOg1P6mQFF4esXu39yF3qrwlOl-eWrLOURRdOJzW3RVSZMrVN-y6mEZ5Mltaal2-QDQmckImYlVbbfDvAS3yf8ZpD_7IkcY0/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_221523505.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The floor is adorned with palm trees, one of the more attractive court designs that I have seen. I always appreciate the attempts to add a bit of local flavour to the court. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy8eoorbU38XKfqXTl73BJ066d8odd1NZxUyQ_v_EYAEyGcW-pm8TKivpyZ30PapWpFYErI7WcnDLErjO4bSYItREl27-ebaH9yus76VQP17BZDbpXwZINx3t3K1f24JpeBzFkGCJXiRwVq2EjoiB2Pxo-2K4GQHixBrYbmAinjj1NXRP8yj2Bp_NzE8/s4032/PXL_20240204_011900906.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTy8eoorbU38XKfqXTl73BJ066d8odd1NZxUyQ_v_EYAEyGcW-pm8TKivpyZ30PapWpFYErI7WcnDLErjO4bSYItREl27-ebaH9yus76VQP17BZDbpXwZINx3t3K1f24JpeBzFkGCJXiRwVq2EjoiB2Pxo-2K4GQHixBrYbmAinjj1NXRP8yj2Bp_NzE8/w400-h300/PXL_20240204_011900906.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, FAU is the epitome of what college basketball should be: a small school that maintains a small arena where students get the best seats, despite the team's rise to national prominence. It probably won't last, so if you want to enjoy this experience, you should get there in the next few seasons and spend a game at the Elly rather than watching it on the telly.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3xYto3MwTQUzgvdEQnxLD2OxfYeJmkIBHgNNa0IEVziDH1nERrJPT63yCgDVKlJUlDfmrRshAIXaO91vE6c4-EfEI149qJvhGxH28H5HWcQvd-jWgW7NSOn5n6CIJ6CI6WJ3zkCSoSjI41cWoq2csBGNkCimHd-wKmeLi0hLCz28fFVAhmPD6mM2ERs/s4032/PXL_20240203_221032002.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3xYto3MwTQUzgvdEQnxLD2OxfYeJmkIBHgNNa0IEVziDH1nERrJPT63yCgDVKlJUlDfmrRshAIXaO91vE6c4-EfEI149qJvhGxH28H5HWcQvd-jWgW7NSOn5n6CIJ6CI6WJ3zkCSoSjI41cWoq2csBGNkCimHd-wKmeLi0hLCz28fFVAhmPD6mM2ERs/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_221032002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Tulsa Golden Hurricane were visiting, making this the second Hurricane squad of the day for me after seeing Miami beat Virginia Tech in the afternoon. FAU was ranked 20th and 7-1 in AAC play while Tulsa was 3-5. The Hurricane jumped out to an early 10-6 lead despite Owls center Vladislav Goldin (a 7-1 sophomore about to jump below) slamming two monster dunks for their first four points, which got the crowd going. Midway through, Tulsa was up 14-13, suggesting a close game was at hand.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl3X2wWyda9BsSlPxVFnygSgWp0-2lMzXCg_8jF3p19VcxTgsh7nT7OPuXiSY_jY0JHEh0Flc41RH3RoWE41m2W9VH-NMfHr5lfrbLoFJXhu5arA-L-oKd6E7QI6v534M0d7UwJIaDHnLuxWtmWF5HCUcrlz7ucabjZtbggRo_u21Mh_xKpuOLqz-VZI/s4032/PXL_20240203_230347738.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwl3X2wWyda9BsSlPxVFnygSgWp0-2lMzXCg_8jF3p19VcxTgsh7nT7OPuXiSY_jY0JHEh0Flc41RH3RoWE41m2W9VH-NMfHr5lfrbLoFJXhu5arA-L-oKd6E7QI6v534M0d7UwJIaDHnLuxWtmWF5HCUcrlz7ucabjZtbggRo_u21Mh_xKpuOLqz-VZI/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_230347738.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>FAU ended those thoughts with a 19-1 run over 4 1/2 minutes and they had a 40-27 lead at the half. Sitting at the media table, I was handed a stat sheet for the first half which showed that Tulsa only shot 30% overall and just 13% (2/15) from downtown, while FAU was at 48% and 38 % (6/16) respectively.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SGJ7Hyo9_W4UMpgGBqaSvTrbpvu972LmmOIhZUr5umYqcdXbwIMYgHPf3_CNZ0gVTRnmqOl5EDRQr25VK_FYZJ2ehZr4JJZ-qRmnOodPrHzLVy_Mzc_hukL13kO-itXuT5ZWfGpBMNto4gNqS23Yi7_9VdzTDuGpgmnNNIDQkPYO2jK-kDZeR-RnCZc/s4032/PXL_20240204_010824504.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SGJ7Hyo9_W4UMpgGBqaSvTrbpvu972LmmOIhZUr5umYqcdXbwIMYgHPf3_CNZ0gVTRnmqOl5EDRQr25VK_FYZJ2ehZr4JJZ-qRmnOodPrHzLVy_Mzc_hukL13kO-itXuT5ZWfGpBMNto4gNqS23Yi7_9VdzTDuGpgmnNNIDQkPYO2jK-kDZeR-RnCZc/w400-h300/PXL_20240204_010824504.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The visitors never got closer than that 13-point halftime deficit, and FAU continued to score seemingly at will, pushing the lead to 81-54, a 3:2 ratio in points that you rarely see in conference games. A few minutes later, the score was 96-64, the same ratio. Tulsa simply had no answer to the Owls attack. The refs were also quite eager in the second stanza, whistling 25 fouls (compared to just 13 in the first half) which made the misery last longer for Tulsa. Thankfully there was no pointless fouling and the game ended with FAU cruising 102-70, just three points shy of that 3:2 ratio.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xvtLlbfotWrow8cWgIoCg_ZAN1upYY5QhssPARnksl2EW46pAFSg0ra9aBRf6Hk_j6Pmv_HR0yUKqxQ3C2TjmJNe0EeHCECLc-cbo9i_OPpGVT3vD81DO1djZ2LKb5vpby_yC1bzO2QAWcXObmh0drMQbRTj64fY0kjCxWRz14LaS9a8XU5s5NnPQ1k/s4032/PXL_20240204_011250345.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xvtLlbfotWrow8cWgIoCg_ZAN1upYY5QhssPARnksl2EW46pAFSg0ra9aBRf6Hk_j6Pmv_HR0yUKqxQ3C2TjmJNe0EeHCECLc-cbo9i_OPpGVT3vD81DO1djZ2LKb5vpby_yC1bzO2QAWcXObmh0drMQbRTj64fY0kjCxWRz14LaS9a8XU5s5NnPQ1k/w400-h300/PXL_20240204_011250345.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Golden Hurricane finished at 4-28 from long range, which isn't the only reason they lost, but certainly contributed to the margin of defeat. Perhaps the most damning stat for Tulsa was a paltry four assists, all coming from PJ Haggerty. Tulsa ranks 21st in the nation in assist percentage (assists/FG) at 64%, so this performance was highly unusual. Johnell Davis led the Owls with 24 points.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This was my 250th basketball venue. Baseball is first at 357, so there is still a ways to go but eventually basketball will take the lead, simply because of this NCAA chase.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp2It_Ve7Ci2JoTm1rJOXyePLXkJltqLn_gpTGwL4xdaeKTBMrPXuWLKdXWFUBNhyphenhyphenfEvb5HUOlyaiEii7_MTnuUA-ip-2NdMb7DcoUNa0iojf5YiijZXaGAheAeV8t-onjbSP2h3gC4KdLSAJ-gsk5UZarH-dsmAqFBjvJ10wC9_UONRvndk6cckq_T8/s4032/PXL_20240204_012951350.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp2It_Ve7Ci2JoTm1rJOXyePLXkJltqLn_gpTGwL4xdaeKTBMrPXuWLKdXWFUBNhyphenhyphenfEvb5HUOlyaiEii7_MTnuUA-ip-2NdMb7DcoUNa0iojf5YiijZXaGAheAeV8t-onjbSP2h3gC4KdLSAJ-gsk5UZarH-dsmAqFBjvJ10wC9_UONRvndk6cckq_T8/w400-h300/PXL_20240204_012951350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As I exited the arena, I heard some whistles on a nearby field. Turns out that FAU lacrosse, a club team (i.e. not operating under the FAU Athletics remit and thus games are not listed on the composite calendar), was hosting South Florida. The game had started at 7, so it was too late to call it a venue visit, but I did watch FAU score a goal, one of 20 as they won 20-5 in a mismatch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sean</div></div></div><div><br /></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-36581392082537372912024-02-04T20:06:00.314+09:002024-02-06T05:22:20.789+09:00Virginia Tech Hokies 74 at Miami Hurricanes 82 (NCAA Basketball, ACC) - February 3, 2024<p>When I visited Miami last year, all three college basketball teams (Miami, Florida Atlantic, and Florida International) were home on the same day but a true tripleheader (seeing three games in three venues all from start to finish) was not possible. I chose <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2023/02/utsa-roadrunners-95-at-fiu-panthers-91.html" target="_blank">FIU and saw a good game</a>, but a month later, Miami and FAU were in the Final Four. Oh well. Anyway, I was looking for a day this season when both were home and the start times were more than three hours apart. Saturday presented just such an opportunity, with Miami at noon and FAU, who play in Boca Raton, at 6. I flew into Miami International, gaining about 40 degrees in the process. I picked up a rental car and drove the 30 minutes to Coral Gables, finding street parking on campus, about five minutes from the venue. You need to download an app to pay for parking; the rate is $2.50/hour ($11 max). Note that parking is enforced on campus 7 days a week; you might be able to find something for free nearby but I didn't have time to look around.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZs7TIkQEwms_Ogluu-QvnL2wqfflqSnBkvVYph27M-EW7chAkkXVaEPdxnE8CMZip0dGyx8YUaJiloy1YeFOb_IPZRomV_MAea3HL2ALMAyGXdGeTXjuerMYVs6S27MS9pQJdLw-0hnyyK885a3_lFoosdsrRXN8cYL4739n7fSAvrg6Ors1ptVIoTM/s4032/PXL_20240203_161833139.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZs7TIkQEwms_Ogluu-QvnL2wqfflqSnBkvVYph27M-EW7chAkkXVaEPdxnE8CMZip0dGyx8YUaJiloy1YeFOb_IPZRomV_MAea3HL2ALMAyGXdGeTXjuerMYVs6S27MS9pQJdLw-0hnyyK885a3_lFoosdsrRXN8cYL4739n7fSAvrg6Ors1ptVIoTM/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_161833139.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The Hurricanes play out of Watsco Arena, whose naming rights are owned by a Miami-based air conditioning company. It used to be called Bank United Center (BUC) but now it has the coolest name in college hoops. Cause of air conditioning. Get it? Anyway, the venue opened in 2003 and has a capacity of 7,972. Despite that relatively low number (lowest in the ACC), the noon start against a non-rival meant that tickets were easy to get, with TickPick going as low as $2 (tickets for the following Saturday against North Carolina start at $73). I snagged a single and made my way in, being handed a red envelope with coupons to the team store in honour of Lunar New Year. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4HyDDKmC9F84XhrVjATBvzOYGlj4BpEjmGUjrcVfz6BIVeX6_OUX_snvR1KeMMynN960mRrW8n0WtPa6lSvLrK83HXNKlhrEn-Wx4b9_zYDqzvMo3QAVuXPJGZV55iMuKlyiLBYlP3RfLIb7Q_ND-DsXmccS-UO5gfJ5gsVoavcQNKO1ruQAAzEQBvc/s4032/PXL_20240203_164049881.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4HyDDKmC9F84XhrVjATBvzOYGlj4BpEjmGUjrcVfz6BIVeX6_OUX_snvR1KeMMynN960mRrW8n0WtPa6lSvLrK83HXNKlhrEn-Wx4b9_zYDqzvMo3QAVuXPJGZV55iMuKlyiLBYlP3RfLIb7Q_ND-DsXmccS-UO5gfJ5gsVoavcQNKO1ruQAAzEQBvc/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_164049881.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Just inside the main entrance is the iconic logo, famous because it is neither an 'M' for Miami nor a 'H' for Hurricanes. This logo has been in use since 1973 and is one of the best in college sports for its simplicity. It should never change.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpp2DoAEjvTjA2PnO8g2WMDYPdUUH73pGcozrd_jtl_ss_Hh3LYBWX15Y-C1EuJPqg0k7RI3H_tSQL9tXsWB7yXqnOcSN4Z6IEd-EQIUhgNB89Ozwy8Zpm8TVpcMo3W1B1Mbw-0N3XNf-xSVC2fLU7xDxB7_0A3OJL_tnoJPyPf4XfhPzHNtqnp1C09Ko/s4032/PXL_20240203_163441421.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpp2DoAEjvTjA2PnO8g2WMDYPdUUH73pGcozrd_jtl_ss_Hh3LYBWX15Y-C1EuJPqg0k7RI3H_tSQL9tXsWB7yXqnOcSN4Z6IEd-EQIUhgNB89Ozwy8Zpm8TVpcMo3W1B1Mbw-0N3XNf-xSVC2fLU7xDxB7_0A3OJL_tnoJPyPf4XfhPzHNtqnp1C09Ko/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163441421.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Making my way around the single concourse, I was surprised at how plain it is. There are a few displays painted on the wall such as the one below showing the height of various players.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqLbLAs9J2oa8H9SMJhlq5a7UzxwIhLJnMS2_ypkcCx8JXs_FN6_GZCN5NTo5tAuGEYWfEN34VnyHeA75ng5eRguu1xTtfDeOeS7pQj4jEr7SxVCoH_gCptdphmcrjwiLmB0b4PHzzOul0iRmD2dhBZagBvKDmiWzKR4NGscPrBlHgJFNr4zH_akUFLE/s4032/PXL_20240203_163402159.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqLbLAs9J2oa8H9SMJhlq5a7UzxwIhLJnMS2_ypkcCx8JXs_FN6_GZCN5NTo5tAuGEYWfEN34VnyHeA75ng5eRguu1xTtfDeOeS7pQj4jEr7SxVCoH_gCptdphmcrjwiLmB0b4PHzzOul0iRmD2dhBZagBvKDmiWzKR4NGscPrBlHgJFNr4zH_akUFLE/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163402159.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The All-American Wall (below) has far more entries than the Academic All-American Wall nearby, on which just 33 players are listed, including Bernie Kosar and Jonathan Vilma. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aJEOFrPjFmuWVD28jhgjLx1JvMJeFzRhyphenhyphen7Csm2W1auHwC0ZwTiiNQjgrMo1LzL-ZEzCGD-86aSMGjQFfhMy-ODSOMAtg985dIcYeClHi3ymlnYOV7CjFCVI4-NnNTz80kFYru3ovGNMuds5xc4JutiGaKWIHlTGsO5LxNQpst6ZYQXXgJlUUGhWIP8I/s4032/PXL_20240203_163624673.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aJEOFrPjFmuWVD28jhgjLx1JvMJeFzRhyphenhyphen7Csm2W1auHwC0ZwTiiNQjgrMo1LzL-ZEzCGD-86aSMGjQFfhMy-ODSOMAtg985dIcYeClHi3ymlnYOV7CjFCVI4-NnNTz80kFYru3ovGNMuds5xc4JutiGaKWIHlTGsO5LxNQpst6ZYQXXgJlUUGhWIP8I/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163624673.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Inside the seating bowl, there are two levels with a narrow walkway between them. There are green seats all around, with some bleachers in the second level in the baseline seats. Most of the baseline seats are reserved for students (their members are known as the Storm Surge), but there weren't that many on hand; who can blame them as it was a perfect Saturday afternoon outside.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e8O9WBfzVgCol_n3EKuO_Z5pLua5Pek1V1KuVMBCbrA2ED1n8mjDFK5WklwPcKsLS6r4F4VaEaVROcK0nMWt7KG2312pFolMqGumuUYZvCyWtvZVSQ8BReJEQUsXaRk_66wMrpkp0FiUdp4IrM18Xzy_DnuhH482Cn_6TePLu7po6esQg8q6SgevSJ8/s4032/PXL_20240203_163221897.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e8O9WBfzVgCol_n3EKuO_Z5pLua5Pek1V1KuVMBCbrA2ED1n8mjDFK5WklwPcKsLS6r4F4VaEaVROcK0nMWt7KG2312pFolMqGumuUYZvCyWtvZVSQ8BReJEQUsXaRk_66wMrpkp0FiUdp4IrM18Xzy_DnuhH482Cn_6TePLu7po6esQg8q6SgevSJ8/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163221897.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There are several banners in the rafters on both sides, with the men's basketball ones coloured orange, while the women's are black on the other side.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9sfAwBHaRw_5SE_scKrTRd9ZRNHScssTt_CJxwLE_G7L1AsdVx-HZ9AOyinstYapO1oM8NdvROXFnqu2qyHSi7-N5JQCqtKzJMBisM6f1jnX5EE-wrGe-KvKOoCku0xP7ZLuGhyphenhyphenhi9itKXwRhNEQgbTQ9hpY2YYKVGvn5piDSfcqbEGbzL__WReop7c/s4032/PXL_20240203_163249312.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9sfAwBHaRw_5SE_scKrTRd9ZRNHScssTt_CJxwLE_G7L1AsdVx-HZ9AOyinstYapO1oM8NdvROXFnqu2qyHSi7-N5JQCqtKzJMBisM6f1jnX5EE-wrGe-KvKOoCku0xP7ZLuGhyphenhyphenhi9itKXwRhNEQgbTQ9hpY2YYKVGvn5piDSfcqbEGbzL__WReop7c/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163249312.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Of course, the most important banner is the one commemorating last season's Final Four trip, the furthest the team has gone in the tournament. Next to it are two retired numbers (Rick Barry's #24 and Tim James' #40) and three honoured jerseys for which the numbers are not retired. Trivia: Barry is the only player to lead the NCAA, ABA, and NBA in PPG in a season. The banners for the 15 ACC schools are behind these ones as you can see below.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5vmki5ix1kZdD4zXjK4_OeYex1GlaEUfErC3cJmgqckMOdRWZTk6Qok9BKvcsr5R4IeW1QGTcmOL8PTg7EKsmu30Hze0mpMWzADkHdqznNhy8o0VLHG7UhynbMTWHYuNiNpio2R7p8RQRflRWH0o5JkbRp4MqePkUaFJ-jatfO3ONNPJcqEWxaSo034/s4032/PXL_20240203_163813330.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5vmki5ix1kZdD4zXjK4_OeYex1GlaEUfErC3cJmgqckMOdRWZTk6Qok9BKvcsr5R4IeW1QGTcmOL8PTg7EKsmu30Hze0mpMWzADkHdqznNhy8o0VLHG7UhynbMTWHYuNiNpio2R7p8RQRflRWH0o5JkbRp4MqePkUaFJ-jatfO3ONNPJcqEWxaSo034/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163813330.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The band sits behind one basket and they were in place early, long before most fans had made their way in. There are both cheerleaders and a dance team, known as the Sunsations.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4e-pY6AQVAn_Sv_brRvIkXpFsRmK5o86pO6_oj_dkAOwXdulOAuwF_MMMAuji4e9RZ4sJaNL4JERoAEZKD-J72OM8tn4BVSyjrS6k3VMg6wBaMLZE0T0BR0LoRBWCUvaGqe6Vndo-xr_UW8Z8hR-wILTLD36bBdoI4jfuTi0iFH-lebd-srNimA8P7s/s4032/PXL_20240203_163223798.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4e-pY6AQVAn_Sv_brRvIkXpFsRmK5o86pO6_oj_dkAOwXdulOAuwF_MMMAuji4e9RZ4sJaNL4JERoAEZKD-J72OM8tn4BVSyjrS6k3VMg6wBaMLZE0T0BR0LoRBWCUvaGqe6Vndo-xr_UW8Z8hR-wILTLD36bBdoI4jfuTi0iFH-lebd-srNimA8P7s/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163223798.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>A typical center-hung scoreboard shows the game on video, as well as trivia games and other entertainment during the pregame and media timeouts.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjwwJweAuAEbcZBwlmAk9si8B4vCYCXMiWfDiENc7WCcdvxktu5WuBURy8xws5m99SfWqWE2iYBT27ICKPEsKW1ZAv0vxM-AgytprDjVX5MHp9Lu1j5ErKJrzKO4uPrzCS8sM18oWD-FCUNA_-BLJkIzHWphOVOv1_F3AuV0I7mSbbU8QEVDYnoOmonw/s4032/PXL_20240203_163933180.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjwwJweAuAEbcZBwlmAk9si8B4vCYCXMiWfDiENc7WCcdvxktu5WuBURy8xws5m99SfWqWE2iYBT27ICKPEsKW1ZAv0vxM-AgytprDjVX5MHp9Lu1j5ErKJrzKO4uPrzCS8sM18oWD-FCUNA_-BLJkIzHWphOVOv1_F3AuV0I7mSbbU8QEVDYnoOmonw/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163933180.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The more important scoreboard, however, is at one end of the stadium, behind where the band sits. This contains all you need to know to follow the game. Seems like they could add another column for assists though.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkTXijihjDwiwaoGf3CHT3Jn7mFZJLSfTPXPgXFqPXnoB3bkUzixRJ1SeIpW53HcPvuf1hIzNJ39ZQXxNAmIDxGAh7UZJFAnkYxFl1rLuYumRO6Cua10CilOGNPRlXs4mECAT8nAE7M5rqLdBz9ImzS4dFiV2XzqTj0iwEOdvcPvJyOJWyYPu9f3cAWU/s4032/PXL_20240203_164306379.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkTXijihjDwiwaoGf3CHT3Jn7mFZJLSfTPXPgXFqPXnoB3bkUzixRJ1SeIpW53HcPvuf1hIzNJ39ZQXxNAmIDxGAh7UZJFAnkYxFl1rLuYumRO6Cua10CilOGNPRlXs4mECAT8nAE7M5rqLdBz9ImzS4dFiV2XzqTj0iwEOdvcPvJyOJWyYPu9f3cAWU/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_164306379.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The mascot is an ibis named Sebastian and at one point, he was part of a promotion where he was asked if he wanted "All of the Smoke or None of the Smoke". I was unfamiliar with this phrase, but it implies being ready to fight, though here, some orange and green smoke was released after Sebastian indicated he wanted "All of the Smoke". The ibis was chosen as the mascot because it is the "<a href="https://miamihurricanes.com/about-sebastian/" target="_blank">last sign of wildlife to take shelter before a hurricane and the first to reappear after the storm</a>". </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs_mb-l757t7BV2h35QY-ez5qv3kdXFcAd8EsBMyELveCNODPz1p3sRMcGS3UcYWTu8CPmyBYYiPLAtOx8_VCYreFqOLcoEXgcnkQxncSzKmRYaDhgl6EHLixorL1XvS6ikHSBxJ9DzPp3VXPCqeOOn7XljImk5soJ0YnjgcSNvUhtkj6yavawTRDxl8/s4032/PXL_20240203_173836769.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPs_mb-l757t7BV2h35QY-ez5qv3kdXFcAd8EsBMyELveCNODPz1p3sRMcGS3UcYWTu8CPmyBYYiPLAtOx8_VCYreFqOLcoEXgcnkQxncSzKmRYaDhgl6EHLixorL1XvS6ikHSBxJ9DzPp3VXPCqeOOn7XljImk5soJ0YnjgcSNvUhtkj6yavawTRDxl8/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_173836769.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>There are several concession stands around the concourse and I would recommend Latin Flare, which fits in with Miami perfectly and offers fare you won't find elsewhere, such as empanadas and jamon croquetas (Cuban Ham Croquettes), a tasty bargain at just $5.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wpMCgJMCbCgoofd5xlR-bx-dkcsUvzPK0B0M9_nz5Ki6Q2lXcoTmef__r855P2s34eamu5jp1BaZ6RQMIYa8ZQJnYRAQGepYo1-AS6USSS8N7VE0p3AP77RTIc9fyHnSKtdZl08cQ6UdVjcmefFivFFPV7-WgabhmqFGs3_RYrdR6B1o_UTfGCC7EK8/s4032/PXL_20240203_163427076.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wpMCgJMCbCgoofd5xlR-bx-dkcsUvzPK0B0M9_nz5Ki6Q2lXcoTmef__r855P2s34eamu5jp1BaZ6RQMIYa8ZQJnYRAQGepYo1-AS6USSS8N7VE0p3AP77RTIc9fyHnSKtdZl08cQ6UdVjcmefFivFFPV7-WgabhmqFGs3_RYrdR6B1o_UTfGCC7EK8/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163427076.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Attendance was announced at 7,234 (90% of capacity), but there were far less on hand as I had no trouble moving around the upper level of seating. I guess there are a lot of season-ticket holders who decided to spend Saturday afternoon doing something more productive.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHunbQdThiaHUlK090jr6sdo1MZJ0fwVEqLc9TV9lzD5xSzddANebGmzMT-7VtnhVqmOiuAm4bQmTKY9EKVxiGc9PTEUHURyNsRbljselvDd0wox4hHdcAdLglFHzt3U53B5dz4gIsl3fcAN_xBwCfq8WvGbkWbXzwhxIRH6B2ENx6-Ld-Hxuho7F3GjU/s4032/PXL_20240203_163739615.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHunbQdThiaHUlK090jr6sdo1MZJ0fwVEqLc9TV9lzD5xSzddANebGmzMT-7VtnhVqmOiuAm4bQmTKY9EKVxiGc9PTEUHURyNsRbljselvDd0wox4hHdcAdLglFHzt3U53B5dz4gIsl3fcAN_xBwCfq8WvGbkWbXzwhxIRH6B2ENx6-Ld-Hxuho7F3GjU/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_163739615.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Overall, Watsco Arena is a simple venue for a Power 5 conference. Miami is a football school and basketball has always played second fiddle, but after an Elite Eight trip in 2022 and last year's Final Four, things might be changing. If they continue to play like they did on this day, I would expect greater things to come for Hurricane hoops.</p><p><b>The Game</b></p><p>The Virginia Tech Hokies were visiting with both teams at 5-5 in the competitive ACC. The two had met three weeks earlier in Blacksburg with Miami prevailing 75-71.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZau9JI299URFEQITHLsZ64OTJWfUZQyzsg-AJqABwK_mM7qwVYdXKjnVL2OnD_zXzgVN6QfIYENTCCEsmzdJLanOU0dMhMYFM-SFGYaxm3ktlUAlMVoMSw1LRZOmJmmM8h4wId3Kc8Ni9PahxGEpoQred6lbBZUz3uduI1A-dCu2ZagsegwtPrnDh4g/s4032/PXL_20240203_170151410.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZau9JI299URFEQITHLsZ64OTJWfUZQyzsg-AJqABwK_mM7qwVYdXKjnVL2OnD_zXzgVN6QfIYENTCCEsmzdJLanOU0dMhMYFM-SFGYaxm3ktlUAlMVoMSw1LRZOmJmmM8h4wId3Kc8Ni9PahxGEpoQred6lbBZUz3uduI1A-dCu2ZagsegwtPrnDh4g/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_170151410.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The game was even to start, with ties at 2, 4, and 6 before Miami used a couple of three-pointers from Kyshawn George (in white below) and Wooga Poplar to take an 18-12 lead. VT fought back and used a 16-3 run at the end of the half to take a 35-26 lead. All 3 of Miami's points during that span were from Nijel Pack free throws as the Canes could not hit a basket for the last 8:21 of the period, missing 12 straight in that time.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_fGxvkHNAdthyphenhyphen3ufr-M3CTUbO0LCPoz1GTA4hsgOqPt-MbEpU_N7g9bp2jyMOfzIdTJQ8sLNRdUISUOVGO5VeGYQsG43C_QJec9uGMCFYDgSOo-jUG35w2R9uzpSzk__e9W1cpIJ_INqs0H7o1pfwymoKHH5RC5kK8O0t89ytCnjJqMh20MfK3_XyIE/s4032/PXL_20240203_185413044.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_fGxvkHNAdthyphenhyphen3ufr-M3CTUbO0LCPoz1GTA4hsgOqPt-MbEpU_N7g9bp2jyMOfzIdTJQ8sLNRdUISUOVGO5VeGYQsG43C_QJec9uGMCFYDgSOo-jUG35w2R9uzpSzk__e9W1cpIJ_INqs0H7o1pfwymoKHH5RC5kK8O0t89ytCnjJqMh20MfK3_XyIE/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_185413044.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The second half saw the Hokies maintain the lead and they were up 57-47 at the under-12 timeout. But they went cold after that, netting just two points over the next five minutes as Miami took the lead on a Bensley Joseph trey with 6:47 to go. After a couple of Hokie free throws gave them a 61-60 advantage, Tech's Sean Pedulla added four quick points. A couple of missed threes by Miami and it was still 65-60 VT with 4 minutes to go.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sFtnJvbsqaJZjPuyXUJperm6TJAUpXpGivQIDf6oasu4EPiTfdRAmKV5b8EO0XfpKlOxLBGcDPgZX85MYw7ksrGQkgHxwpPemBH7Y6jvrCiTOJZi87hyW1TNQeIkOD7VszQo124S_s_54L2TYwng5cFKvqMqOYd5igrXObODGjhYdDPHlq8XgOj0Kes/s4032/PXL_20240203_183738633.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sFtnJvbsqaJZjPuyXUJperm6TJAUpXpGivQIDf6oasu4EPiTfdRAmKV5b8EO0XfpKlOxLBGcDPgZX85MYw7ksrGQkgHxwpPemBH7Y6jvrCiTOJZi87hyW1TNQeIkOD7VszQo124S_s_54L2TYwng5cFKvqMqOYd5igrXObODGjhYdDPHlq8XgOj0Kes/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_183738633.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Unfortunately for Virginia Tech, they had committed several fouls and this was their downfall. Pedulla was whistled for their ninth and Norchad Omier made both shots. On the next possession, Omier stole the ball from Pedulla and raced home for a dunk. On the inbounds, miscommunication saw Pedulla pass the ball to George, who slammed it home for a 66-65 Miami lead. That was six Hurricane points in just 20 seconds and it was the turning point.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AYXbXAyafUEgUz_8aWGpS2HjGJbZ117Y3D_SqwqUE1Bu-ObfyDuABz-ZPPFz2hLcJYpfBOHgmVEHFmr7Nl3oQO457n_dpuc7n5xsRtJJ_0pCJZ1rWaBsXMLn0SK38ccFCC1AklyiFIIxvGIfrNxibjj8dL9hzZ6vOZqxzSchFEmvfs6iDCffksp4uBM/s4032/PXL_20240203_170210953.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AYXbXAyafUEgUz_8aWGpS2HjGJbZ117Y3D_SqwqUE1Bu-ObfyDuABz-ZPPFz2hLcJYpfBOHgmVEHFmr7Nl3oQO457n_dpuc7n5xsRtJJ_0pCJZ1rWaBsXMLn0SK38ccFCC1AklyiFIIxvGIfrNxibjj8dL9hzZ6vOZqxzSchFEmvfs6iDCffksp4uBM/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_170210953.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>Still down a point, Pedulla missed two straight free throws and on their next possession, George was fouled while sinking a shot. He completed the three-point play to make it 71-67. Another Pedulla foul sent Matthew Cleveland to the line and he sank both, and when Tech missed a couple of threes and Cleveland took it the other way for a jumper with less than a minute to go, it was game over. The Hokies had to foul, and Miami hit 7 of 8 in that last minute. A couple of desperation threes made it close but Miami took it 82-74 in an exciting finish.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE76iui4k6h6cBSS9WyYcZO2qgmaphZnHJ_SkjcJljpjRg6f4eQEUWJXbp84GekOxVpSwY_WcBg33auOIU9lJA1KexdakMWnSmeL4dc02Gowkd1fxLaNe1xJjPoP1WrL8HQvy1tTWFlDKJDl6gjxtTUOqYXGTuJAPo8ODZM9n0io6BuUGFYraIDK-ki1c/s4032/PXL_20240203_190641403.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE76iui4k6h6cBSS9WyYcZO2qgmaphZnHJ_SkjcJljpjRg6f4eQEUWJXbp84GekOxVpSwY_WcBg33auOIU9lJA1KexdakMWnSmeL4dc02Gowkd1fxLaNe1xJjPoP1WrL8HQvy1tTWFlDKJDl6gjxtTUOqYXGTuJAPo8ODZM9n0io6BuUGFYraIDK-ki1c/w400-h300/PXL_20240203_190641403.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>The difference was at the charity stripe, where Miami was an incredible 27/29, while VT was just 7/14. The discrepancy was not due to poor officiating, but to Miami playing more inside the arc and drawing more contact as a result. Both teams relied heavily on their starters, with just 78 bench minutes being played combined. Pedulla led all scorers with 21, while Miami had a balanced attack with George and Omier scoring 16, Cleveland at 15, and Pack and Joseph netting 14.</p><p><b>Notes</b></p><p>This was the 10th ACC basketball venue out of the 17 on the list (UNC and NC State women play at different arenas) for me to attend a game. The first one I saw was <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2016/02/virginia-tech-hokies-71-at-boston.html" target="_blank">Boston College</a> nearly eight years ago, when the Hokies were again the visitors.</p><p>Best,</p><p>Sean</p><p><br /></p>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-33339076369763699122024-02-02T20:36:00.178+09:002024-02-03T06:46:33.734+09:00Hunter College Hawks 70 at Baruch Bearcats 98 (NCAA Basketball, Division III, CUNYAC) - February 1, 2024After attending a <a href="https://sportsroadtrips.blogspot.com/2024/01/baruch-bearcats-99-at-john-jay.html" target="_blank">John Jay basketball game on Tuesday against Baruch</a>, I decided to spend Thursday evening visiting the visitors, traveling to the ARC Arena, home of the Bearcats. Baruch College is located on Lexington Avenue between 24th and 25th Streets, but to get to the arena, you need to walk east on 24th, where there is a small door. I would have missed it except there was a lineup due to a security check. Yes, for this D-III basketball game, there was security and it was quite serious. Of course, since most of the attendees are students and each one has a backpack, the process took quite a bit of time. Once cleared, I walked down two flights of stairs and entered the gym. I had arrived just after the 7:30 scheduled tip but was happy to see that the game had yet to start. I was amazed at the turnout, with 915 fans filling the gym, which has a capacity of 1,200. They were there for the Battle of Lex against Hunter College, whose campus is about 40 blocks north on Lexington. There is no admission fee and I did not see a program that could act as a souvenir.<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXdIio6IaehWSsQo9Oc3Efmc7OSEqvPKkB9p6dedG4-xW9J-jbnE1ZYplW8oHO9LgDsd7CM_TA_-hOYTwr9Z4NNFS3xqpj3NMc3jjUOTDIiCll4NexXkJEQ3Nd8V5Cr_PILbNamLJsMgstSYzKjqSBF2G-RNPTdckwY7ZfJBgA1FcxdZV0UUeZFtnSkE/s4032/PXL_20240202_004325911.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXdIio6IaehWSsQo9Oc3Efmc7OSEqvPKkB9p6dedG4-xW9J-jbnE1ZYplW8oHO9LgDsd7CM_TA_-hOYTwr9Z4NNFS3xqpj3NMc3jjUOTDIiCll4NexXkJEQ3Nd8V5Cr_PILbNamLJsMgstSYzKjqSBF2G-RNPTdckwY7ZfJBgA1FcxdZV0UUeZFtnSkE/w400-h300/PXL_20240202_004325911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are quite a few banners hanging around here, including one that shows the logos for all the CUNYAC schools. If you look closely, you will count nine logos even though the conference has only eight members; the interloper is the College of Staten Island Dolphins, who moved to the East Coast Conference (Division II) in 2019.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvm71C3KL2NBpX6_SBSR83EN7kZOZbyKqNZp7zlGhQkMaZo9QlXtF4gQ2Yoa_FUJX8jt2z3NhvnN0KAclpBMIkDx8HjFePGvY-d_EfIZ0WB5muGXPFJqBv2kPrUlXvThQMDUlrbO-KY9lvpaptdTmfNnzDd6nuIuMSikY_my3pl96re55ovOSzLVuB1Q/s4032/PXL_20240202_004350722.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvm71C3KL2NBpX6_SBSR83EN7kZOZbyKqNZp7zlGhQkMaZo9QlXtF4gQ2Yoa_FUJX8jt2z3NhvnN0KAclpBMIkDx8HjFePGvY-d_EfIZ0WB5muGXPFJqBv2kPrUlXvThQMDUlrbO-KY9lvpaptdTmfNnzDd6nuIuMSikY_my3pl96re55ovOSzLVuB1Q/w300-h400/PXL_20240202_004350722.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Baruch has had plenty of success in basketball and volleyball and there are several commemorative banners around the court.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKVrXKi5Y_5o9LkUCkWPuUPX8OlJQ0ESCGAlvmLnFar9cylioZ9IgoBpziEWXAjbLcNsB3VY-Bvlqnb-vxsh7hKmYzNQi5cnuyCzxkUuxZ8kmBw39YyimWh_zHd0ovEDjRaL5_mBTTjpe8-HwsrGdY5J6H2bcu60098md1MswfcUufNC3OXTlYD-tkmM/s4032/PXL_20240202_022456771.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKVrXKi5Y_5o9LkUCkWPuUPX8OlJQ0ESCGAlvmLnFar9cylioZ9IgoBpziEWXAjbLcNsB3VY-Bvlqnb-vxsh7hKmYzNQi5cnuyCzxkUuxZ8kmBw39YyimWh_zHd0ovEDjRaL5_mBTTjpe8-HwsrGdY5J6H2bcu60098md1MswfcUufNC3OXTlYD-tkmM/w400-h300/PXL_20240202_022456771.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Although they are the two-time defending conference champions, I did not see these achievements on the banners, so maybe they are just waiting for a few more to make it worthwhile.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BT9QIxg2T6Pe2kbrgAVnveMhmN9pB7DipPgebjEFNY8dJSdJlm4cj2MkS_j5_hOPq-_OM8NTLUfM63i0SuRkka_iR34tBhchl5x0ETcHY6SfOHQV63mHDYyYR7nnRtUnn7TxdEMUDmbm6kRsYiYMjbIJ3n8msFo5FcKo9lfwDwPgUDMEiXQDTVPxFmM/s4032/PXL_20240202_022637970.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BT9QIxg2T6Pe2kbrgAVnveMhmN9pB7DipPgebjEFNY8dJSdJlm4cj2MkS_j5_hOPq-_OM8NTLUfM63i0SuRkka_iR34tBhchl5x0ETcHY6SfOHQV63mHDYyYR7nnRtUnn7TxdEMUDmbm6kRsYiYMjbIJ3n8msFo5FcKo9lfwDwPgUDMEiXQDTVPxFmM/w400-h300/PXL_20240202_022637970.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A list of players who have reached 1000 points is also on display. No additions have been made to this since 2015 either.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJoIcTkBvaKsXCwLXPkhmEMoPtmQEZjfsY6RWCdHfBzBS5IomqqN7zjwbJ0qUxyBK5NfmoPFGTVS987qrAXrcYLiZcdZ8oX4QYqqMQCHUHx4dJsmfzXrpzjXmiPWwiZ8DXQiKeXl6ETAbAUyRxx9XkcoBLr4APxHUtb8OKorWTTdLXZp2idhGUkPKvMo/s4032/PXL_20240202_022823850.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJoIcTkBvaKsXCwLXPkhmEMoPtmQEZjfsY6RWCdHfBzBS5IomqqN7zjwbJ0qUxyBK5NfmoPFGTVS987qrAXrcYLiZcdZ8oX4QYqqMQCHUHx4dJsmfzXrpzjXmiPWwiZ8DXQiKeXl6ETAbAUyRxx9XkcoBLr4APxHUtb8OKorWTTdLXZp2idhGUkPKvMo/w400-h300/PXL_20240202_022823850.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There were no cheerleaders and no band, but one student was dressed in a Bearcat costume and making his way around the stands. A bearcat (also the nickname used by Cincinnati and Binghamton) is an animal known as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binturong" target="_blank">binturong</a> that is similar to a weasel and is found in Southeast Asia. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEa8iz8tYXrZsZq9p8EXu1XorjexoT5JBhBqDcXgf5MY6sC7mv5V9VYTnY2_GeauViIDMQBBLytvcMCcLO42C0USa18vPwTEBOofO_XmWqsGQ3N56Vq-JB9fifz6mHdQ8IyBiK22WDQlVXgCZFKxpgG5CAoGLvJwEr8HwzEsFftXdMrseHQtx56Kp1Kfo/s4032/PXL_20240202_014339856.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEa8iz8tYXrZsZq9p8EXu1XorjexoT5JBhBqDcXgf5MY6sC7mv5V9VYTnY2_GeauViIDMQBBLytvcMCcLO42C0USa18vPwTEBOofO_XmWqsGQ3N56Vq-JB9fifz6mHdQ8IyBiK22WDQlVXgCZFKxpgG5CAoGLvJwEr8HwzEsFftXdMrseHQtx56Kp1Kfo/w400-h300/PXL_20240202_014339856.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are 10 rows of bleachers on both sides of the gym, and the last row allows you to lean your back against the wall. For most games, it seems like attendance is around 250, but the Battle of Lex is the game to be at, and some of the students were wearing sweatshirts expressly made for this matchup.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUo2iudNElvdLS3XAJV-WGsAewNU_E5nkKTTtTJa2OEG9h-luVyVo3X0z4LTIAEym9AIizLcd3m_zI6CEV85cqkSJs8T2Z2MWytqKGlTFEF4y8-bTTQ8FIoj7WRyVON4erYSdLUqbBV4jlUgb7GPxVtNz_GoHW1sJ9PO7zi3e2b5e1V2hzv6xFAh32_7U/s4032/PXL_20240202_022855656.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUo2iudNElvdLS3XAJV-WGsAewNU_E5nkKTTtTJa2OEG9h-luVyVo3X0z4LTIAEym9AIizLcd3m_zI6CEV85cqkSJs8T2Z2MWytqKGlTFEF4y8-bTTQ8FIoj7WRyVON4erYSdLUqbBV4jlUgb7GPxVtNz_GoHW1sJ9PO7zi3e2b5e1V2hzv6xFAh32_7U/w400-h300/PXL_20240202_022855656.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These D-III gyms are pretty basic but still worth checking out if you happen to live nearby. To be honest, the atmosphere at this game was better than a lot of mid-major gyms that I have seen on my travels. I doubt many readers will bother to stop by the ARC when they are in NYC, but I am glad I had a chance to visit. Hunter College, on the other hand...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>After beating John Jay, Baruch was 9-1 for the best record in CUNYAC, while Hunter was 7-3. The two had met exactly two months prior at Hunter, with Baruch prevailing 81-55.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWlI82qdAcRn8e0QVuEU2gkB7_BtSDE2qaTJoyQd8oRzt6Yq8epMrvevvuht5tL_opYQdU77Shha08q7wz7krEGMDOUpckAHzlMX2UYo5Hd7fygvWhjK2-StKITJakb0GGA5_yJ0pSciiv6Zwb6D-yFCMsPKyIQlQeBq9PtyCCq_zQBd8d0dtDhoY63w/s4032/PXL_20240202_004442054.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWlI82qdAcRn8e0QVuEU2gkB7_BtSDE2qaTJoyQd8oRzt6Yq8epMrvevvuht5tL_opYQdU77Shha08q7wz7krEGMDOUpckAHzlMX2UYo5Hd7fygvWhjK2-StKITJakb0GGA5_yJ0pSciiv6Zwb6D-yFCMsPKyIQlQeBq9PtyCCq_zQBd8d0dtDhoY63w/w400-h300/PXL_20240202_004442054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Hawks scored the first basket of the game and had a 7-6 lead, and then they started laying bricks, missing shot after shot as Baruch busted out a 35-11 run that essentially ended things before halftime. Hunter missed their first ten three-pointers, finally making one with 1:44 remaining. That made the score 41-21, and the half finished 48-26. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCefUN8reFpZDrqpoECSBsmdc7_70bk8YJq9WBP9fl1tKyvHdGoOwM9MGdx5V3nqOpf0PG6SMBrFuAnNDvbk-M5rK3KKtnefmYsoDT_ltGgwRv66hDgCadI1SgGS2gKtPROSzhjsyKrM40AAJvhnZ-qbvd-mQTXb25tTUamKeTgNYuOVTq5T0mpAKZZE/s4032/PXL_20240202_014442225.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCefUN8reFpZDrqpoECSBsmdc7_70bk8YJq9WBP9fl1tKyvHdGoOwM9MGdx5V3nqOpf0PG6SMBrFuAnNDvbk-M5rK3KKtnefmYsoDT_ltGgwRv66hDgCadI1SgGS2gKtPROSzhjsyKrM40AAJvhnZ-qbvd-mQTXb25tTUamKeTgNYuOVTq5T0mpAKZZE/w400-h300/PXL_20240202_014442225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The second half was a foulfest, with 27 being called, leading to a lot of free throws and making the game unwatchable. Hunter continued to jack up threes, managing to sink 3 of 13 to finish 4/24 from long range; they were 18/47 from inside the arc and 22/37 from the stripe, an all-around brutal shooting display. Baruch was much better, netting 26/44 from close range and 10/25 from downtown, going on to win easily 98-70. The one redeeming quality for Hunter - they only turned the ball over seven times.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyFzsnZqCvSXwjLVFgSHNuyezxin-CihCWGPk4ImgRKwn-Rmy9aZTnKslRhRSzg1HcUEJm3jZvV9Zbd2tja6f6Bk-3F47AxFqHDkvr8Ds-do-eBNbFwDmeIzHj4-lwe1AyDs06cpVc2h41TF2keDnyLA6KU-pjrzcPkfdTPIxhGPN9bJFUyDQXxp2Izk/s4032/PXL_20240202_022257706.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyFzsnZqCvSXwjLVFgSHNuyezxin-CihCWGPk4ImgRKwn-Rmy9aZTnKslRhRSzg1HcUEJm3jZvV9Zbd2tja6f6Bk-3F47AxFqHDkvr8Ds-do-eBNbFwDmeIzHj4-lwe1AyDs06cpVc2h41TF2keDnyLA6KU-pjrzcPkfdTPIxhGPN9bJFUyDQXxp2Izk/w400-h300/PXL_20240202_022257706.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There were no media timeouts during the game, something that really surprised me, but with all the fouls and team timeouts, the game still took about 1:45.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Notes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This was my 850th venue in the United States and 1,038th overall.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are still 11 D-II and D-III basketball gyms in the city that I have yet to visit. I'll be adding these 2 or 3 per season when the schedule works out.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Next Up</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm heading to Miami for two games on Saturday as the two Final Four teams are both at home on the same day. Check back next week for an update.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sean</div></div></div><div><br /></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233369948762796892.post-76577290488187987622024-01-31T20:24:00.186+09:002024-02-02T13:12:03.654+09:00Baruch Bearcats 99 at John Jay Bloodhounds 86 (NCAA Basketball, Division III, CUNYAC) - January 30, 2024Having run out of Division I basketball schools to see in the local area, I have started to look at the lower divisions in order to get some easy additions to my venue count. There are two D-II schools and 12 D-III schools in the city alone and all play basketball, the easiest sport to chase. I had already seen Hunter College play at home back in 2018, leaving 13 gyms to visit over the next few winters. I decided to start with John Jay College of Criminal Justice, located in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood in Manhattan, less than 30 minutes by subway from my apartment.<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49Ogu-Z-luIPVu_3EFA5Ddkc-8ISdccGDvE_bco5mQQC6yH5sH7kl3IWs9GxRP3P7lZKvAhBy7HN5lwC4sN7scp_nldShHgUFsJmhi1QSHFTgYE7w3B78S2HPnzeXOeskOHjNKT0E3WU1L5o64P9x6jBdveSSngMhBCIWzSgzw64z989_Us_DrYOe-Eo/s4032/PXL_20240131_004514513.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49Ogu-Z-luIPVu_3EFA5Ddkc-8ISdccGDvE_bco5mQQC6yH5sH7kl3IWs9GxRP3P7lZKvAhBy7HN5lwC4sN7scp_nldShHgUFsJmhi1QSHFTgYE7w3B78S2HPnzeXOeskOHjNKT0E3WU1L5o64P9x6jBdveSSngMhBCIWzSgzw64z989_Us_DrYOe-Eo/w400-h300/PXL_20240131_004514513.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>The Bloodhounds (Criminal Justice, get it?) play out of The Doghouse, a gym that is on the fourth floor of Haaren Hall, on 10th Avenue at 58th Street. There are no signs outside indicating a basketball game is about to take place. You have to present your ID at the security desk and then go down an escalator, across the lobby, and take the elevator to the fourth floor. Even the elevator doors are decorated with the very impressive Bloodhound logo.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVukCrJ1_Ap5c7lTgf_I9-6u5sWNiLjGEbr40ZYzwYMmvwPFb-rtRUuEzRaRGl8LcMQVC8bNiin8-2V5k49ZcAncGVyKHnnYVbEpzHpQJkZGLNsw3WhA4wdYNanRFHjH5OH-7anaH4egWE7GGAFvY95dNZFuiADAtB7OxGcYj-Nm4msrk-cgavSlGc2U/s4032/PXL_20240131_004920992.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVukCrJ1_Ap5c7lTgf_I9-6u5sWNiLjGEbr40ZYzwYMmvwPFb-rtRUuEzRaRGl8LcMQVC8bNiin8-2V5k49ZcAncGVyKHnnYVbEpzHpQJkZGLNsw3WhA4wdYNanRFHjH5OH-7anaH4egWE7GGAFvY95dNZFuiADAtB7OxGcYj-Nm4msrk-cgavSlGc2U/w300-h400/PXL_20240131_004920992.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is a tiny lobby here and a single entrance to the gym. No box office, concessions or other amenities are present, but there is a CVS a block away where you can pick up a drink and a snack if need be.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzldRc-4joGZNjTbWHb9Okt-hybrU5Fp0E59ozg6XXMScofnvplA6UovcfV_jx6DipkNtYeuH_MOhtQjEoQU6z5SpC8wEMLGUYoFtDA2ChZBRUbUYa40EVVpYp9R6sQzD7mTXxf4vQEVm-Oq8n7bHr7hcx3wNj9Jv8Ckf-VtZq7iTKUavxUovpJ0Kc-Y/s4032/PXL_20240131_004916991.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzldRc-4joGZNjTbWHb9Okt-hybrU5Fp0E59ozg6XXMScofnvplA6UovcfV_jx6DipkNtYeuH_MOhtQjEoQU6z5SpC8wEMLGUYoFtDA2ChZBRUbUYa40EVVpYp9R6sQzD7mTXxf4vQEVm-Oq8n7bHr7hcx3wNj9Jv8Ckf-VtZq7iTKUavxUovpJ0Kc-Y/w400-h300/PXL_20240131_004916991.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Inside the gym, there are five rows of plastic bleacher seats on one side. When I entered I was surprised at the crowd, which mostly consisted of students. Attendance was announced at 392, which nearly filled the bleachers. Capacity is listed at 800, but that includes the bleachers on the far side behind the player benches, which are not open for these games, so it was really almost at capacity. When you enter the gym, pick up a small program, which can serve as your souvenir in lieu of a ticket.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-I5taw3_8ovstiUZ-5UlNQCkCzMjMYlUntKn8t6r9H5_eF5_xedWw1OjSczqGYIzT-r1KfXfxYyvG2NtdOZxd0sQhJ8sGNN8_PvS9IWNoOtCJ3s8X4QzaV3VQjTcKY2tSpZsOuSq2XxKvdJXnWVQaaNX1gTHhZc-rVDv26-nuOqCe3awZUXmZaBSB8Q/s4032/PXL_20240131_005220285.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-I5taw3_8ovstiUZ-5UlNQCkCzMjMYlUntKn8t6r9H5_eF5_xedWw1OjSczqGYIzT-r1KfXfxYyvG2NtdOZxd0sQhJ8sGNN8_PvS9IWNoOtCJ3s8X4QzaV3VQjTcKY2tSpZsOuSq2XxKvdJXnWVQaaNX1gTHhZc-rVDv26-nuOqCe3awZUXmZaBSB8Q/w400-h300/PXL_20240131_005220285.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is a video board above the far basket (showing the matchup below), and two dot matrix scoreboards, one of which includes player stats. And that's it. These lower division venues are as simple as they come, but the basketball is quite entertaining and certainly worth the price of admission.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mVOAapgi2Uef57Sl2ijzjfKa-dd4Siwi3xfSx-iJOsSngvfgXyK7iqdURAibBr2h14U7hrPZbRoZwMIePqOZhxVL_vFZrAtACarI9-W6A4KGwJZuy4BgGThGyzudhvrRNhpNMPh0kSkj1zQzD2T0ksAR9XuIxFGJASXQme68XwTGMTqnxq8jB6PhP-M/s4032/PXL_20240131_014436213.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mVOAapgi2Uef57Sl2ijzjfKa-dd4Siwi3xfSx-iJOsSngvfgXyK7iqdURAibBr2h14U7hrPZbRoZwMIePqOZhxVL_vFZrAtACarI9-W6A4KGwJZuy4BgGThGyzudhvrRNhpNMPh0kSkj1zQzD2T0ksAR9XuIxFGJASXQme68XwTGMTqnxq8jB6PhP-M/w400-h300/PXL_20240131_014436213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Game</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The Bloodhounds are members of the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC), which contains eight schools, all in NYC. Leading the conference were the visiting Baruch Bearcats at 8-1, while John Jay was 2-7. Baruch is also the two-time defending champion.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UnnotB_jRXd2I1pQZMAX7BXeWEtOyxXJLjJxlak6jB3Sbx5bm7wPggFscq4tfnPZxUPidsVvQFKuvXsscGjG8heTCCrX153dXCN-a0fhoEiC6oAselnIjhdFdlbetaygkrhbmkqDD4UiaZghELpKwk0p3MEspfUZOVsEotmWMIeqBu06SWwfPAG-pqM/s4032/PXL_20240131_010234467.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UnnotB_jRXd2I1pQZMAX7BXeWEtOyxXJLjJxlak6jB3Sbx5bm7wPggFscq4tfnPZxUPidsVvQFKuvXsscGjG8heTCCrX153dXCN-a0fhoEiC6oAselnIjhdFdlbetaygkrhbmkqDD4UiaZghELpKwk0p3MEspfUZOVsEotmWMIeqBu06SWwfPAG-pqM/w400-h300/PXL_20240131_010234467.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The first half was fast paced, with both teams running and gunning while the refs didn't call many fouls. John Jay built a six-point lead at 19-13, but Baruch whittled away and eventually took a 29-28 advantage. The game was tied thrice after that, and only buzzer beating layup by Baruch's Will Fredericks (jumping in blue above) gave the visitors a 47-45 lead at the break. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTVZ99Hcyqn2n8tOBiwu7NxBMrGLmFLoxCHP-suFYr7cRcEm7g75rBdoO8AM-H8T4htyjJ6Klsu_ccYbBaWgr9WmoCd_GUhI9RdTcRqOWeZF2bKHqSs03519QTeAs9Lqik8YihbnZHMs8wskRgIE1cQbO-EIvCFchySFtR6xIlrPlCxsGQroGh_WiAZw/s4032/PXL_20240131_015950679.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTVZ99Hcyqn2n8tOBiwu7NxBMrGLmFLoxCHP-suFYr7cRcEm7g75rBdoO8AM-H8T4htyjJ6Klsu_ccYbBaWgr9WmoCd_GUhI9RdTcRqOWeZF2bKHqSs03519QTeAs9Lqik8YihbnZHMs8wskRgIE1cQbO-EIvCFchySFtR6xIlrPlCxsGQroGh_WiAZw/w400-h300/PXL_20240131_015950679.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After the Bloodhounds tied it at 49 on a Jordan Evelyn layup early in the second, they hit a cold spell and Baruch went on a 21-5 run over 7+ minutes. The rest of the period was very choppy with a lot of fouls, but John Jay managed to get back within 6 and 2:24 to go. But Baruch scored the next 8 points to seal the deal, and for some reason John Jay fouled twice in the last minute to extend their misery as the Bearcats beat the Bloodhounds 99-86. Overall, this was an entertaining affair, and the players (who do not receive scholarships) are quite talented and play a good team game. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7CrvcRGZlD1e1ioXMN2NNoMBiJ-81_KuHRz1gW1von9F7Fk5zidNHGH1-XRr6AwMmAeO_PM9BRSdzDyCkZK0eJrSZwwW8SRpFwuDVFRl9wh4RZrqiQ1q1YYOsD62M1qgTTxaAu1V9luWUvJqZC9QrvSrG5wsbkko5_8Uor9QSdCvh9Rs0PCxgCG8V10/s4032/PXL_20240131_025417891.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7CrvcRGZlD1e1ioXMN2NNoMBiJ-81_KuHRz1gW1von9F7Fk5zidNHGH1-XRr6AwMmAeO_PM9BRSdzDyCkZK0eJrSZwwW8SRpFwuDVFRl9wh4RZrqiQ1q1YYOsD62M1qgTTxaAu1V9luWUvJqZC9QrvSrG5wsbkko5_8Uor9QSdCvh9Rs0PCxgCG8V10/w400-h300/PXL_20240131_025417891.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I was impressed with the offensive prowess of both teams, particularly in the first half when they combined to shoot 53%. In the second half, Baruch maintained their shooting pace (they finished 51.4% in both halves) while that drought left John Jay at just 37.5%, which essentially decided the contest. Out of the 135 shot attempts, only 38 were from long range, a nice change from what college basketball has devolved into. Interestingly, both teams hit 4 treys in the first half and 3 in the second half. Both teams were also solid on the offensive glass, with Baruch taking 18 of the 37 rebounds available after their misses. Evelyn led all scorers with 33 points, while Devin Nicholson paced the winners with 29.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Notes</b></div><div><br /></div><div>This was my 180th NCAA basketball venue. The only sport at which I've seen more venues is minor league baseball at 195; that number will be eclipsed this season as I still have 18 college hoops games to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>These lower division teams do play D-I schools quite often (I have seen several mismatches already this season) and sometimes they do win. Pace University, a D-II NYC school whose athletics facilities are located in Pleasantville, beat St. John's at Carnesecca in an exhibition that marked Rick Pitino's first game with the Red Storm. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Next Up</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be going to Baruch College to see them at home on Thursday before a trip to Miami to add the Hurricanes and Florida Atlantic Owls on the same day. As always, recaps will be posted here when I get around to it.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Best,</div><div><br /></div><div>Sean</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295842980635968770noreply@blogger.com0