What This Team Needs

[MsProudSooner]

I was reading some comments that Sherri Coale made following the women's game today and realized they applied to the men's team, as well. Two freshmen led the team in points and rebounds and helped bring the team back from a 10 point deficit at halftime. Sherri commented that all teams are going to concentrate on Whitney Hand and Aaryn Ellenberg because they've been our star players throughout the season. This gives other players the opportunity to step up. Williams and Campbell did that today.

The men have Pledger, Fitzgerald and Osby. Everyone knows that and gives extra attention to them defensively. It leaves an opportunity for someone else to step up, but this teem didn't have anyone who could do it consistently. Hopefully, the two freshmen & our player who is red-shirting will be able to be the threat we need on offense.

 

[Krugerfan52]

I'm sorry, but what OU and OSU NEED is not going to happen. They need the Thunder to head back to Seattle so that the LNC and Gallagher IBA have 11,000 fans instead of 7,000 at each game. Not only are the atmopheres the worst they've been in years at both places, but how are Kruger and Ford supposed to recruit when they bring players to a game and it is brutal?

The Thunder being here and being as good as they are have taken a huge hit on both teams and every single day another fan says "oh well, at least we've got the Thunder" and stop caring about OU/OSU basketball.

I'm not saying I want to get rid of the Thunder. I'm just saying they are the death of college basketball in Oklahoma.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I'm sorry, but what OU and OSU NEED is not going to happen. They need the Thunder to head back to Seattle so that the LNC and Gallagher IBA have 11,000 fans instead of 7,000 at each game. Not only are the atmopheres the worst they've been in years at both places, but how are Kruger and Ford supposed to recruit when they bring players to a game and it is brutal?

The Thunder being here and being as good as they are have taken a huge hit on both teams and every single day another fan says "oh well, at least we've got the Thunder" and stop caring about OU/OSU basketball.

I'm not saying I want to get rid of the Thunder. I'm just saying they are the death of college basketball in Oklahoma.

There are enough people living in the OKC/Norman metro area for the Thunder & the Sooners (I don't care about OSU). But we have to improve the product on the court to attract more fans.

 

[stoopified]

I'm sorry, but what OU and OSU NEED is not going to happen. They need the Thunder to head back to Seattle so that the LNC and Gallagher IBA have 11,000 fans instead of 7,000 at each game. Not only are the atmopheres the worst they've been in years at both places, but how are Kruger and Ford supposed to recruit when they bring players to a game and it is brutal?

The Thunder being here and being as good as they are have taken a huge hit on both teams and every single day another fan says "oh well, at least we've got the Thunder" and stop caring about OU/OSU basketball.

I'm not saying I want to get rid of the Thunder. I'm just saying they are the death of college basketball in Oklahoma.

The downturn in basketball fortunes at OU( f osu,I couldn't care less about them) have nothing to do with the Thunder.When Lon gets the Sooners turned around the fans will return.Will Ou sell out? No,but that was NEVER true even before the Thunder.I have followed OU hoops since 1975 and sellouts are the exception and not the rule even in the best of times. There is areason that attendance is done ny estimate based on ticket sales as opposed to turnstile data,because hoops is a filler sport at OU.It fills in time between football and spring football.

If you need further proof,look at the ticket policy.Many donors have hoops tickets because it builds their prority points for football.It is well documented that many of these people are the ones who don't actually attend games leaving prime seats empty on a regular basis.The Thunder feeds a ststewide hunger for sucess on the MAJOR LEAGUE level. When the new wears off,if the sucess level on court drops,so will attendance.I for one hope that time never comes.I love OU hoops but don"t blame the Thunder for waning attendancebecause while it may be a factor,it is NOT the root cause.

 

[tycat947]

There are enough people living in the OKC/Norman metro area for the Thunder & the Sooners (I don't care about OSU). But we have to improve the product on the court to attract more fans.

This^^^^^!

And the Thunder have nothing to do with getting recruits to come here. There are 1.3M people just in OKC metro area alone (including Norman) and only 30,000 seats available for Thunder (18,000) and Sooners (12,000).

 

[seniorsooner]

Those declaring that college basketball in Oklahoma is "dead" need to remember that we are basically experiencing the perfect storm right now. Not only is the Thunder the "hot new thing", but they are also one of the best teams in the NBA. Combine that with the fact that OSU/OU are at their lowest point in decades and you've got, as I said, the perfect storm. However, that will not always be the case. OU/OSU will be back, the Thunder won't always be this good, and the newness will wear off.

 

[bocabull]

Not so sure SS, once you become accustomed to watching NBA caliber talent and level of play it's pretty hard to watch college.

 

[WTSooner]

Not so sure SS, once you become accustomed to watching NBA caliber talent and level of play it's pretty hard to watch college.

Not really. The NBA barely qualifies as basketball, IMO. It's more entertainment than sport, until the playoffs. Some people enjoy that, some don't. I'd MUCH rather watch the college game, even when my favorite team stinks.

 

[campbest]

I'm sorry, but what OU and OSU NEED is not going to happen. They need the Thunder to head back to Seattle so that the LNC and Gallagher IBA have 11,000 fans instead of 7,000 at each game. Not only are the atmopheres the worst they've been in years at both places, but how are Kruger and Ford supposed to recruit when they bring players to a game and it is brutal?

The Thunder being here and being as good as they are have taken a huge hit on both teams and every single day another fan says "oh well, at least we've got the Thunder" and stop caring about OU/OSU basketball.

I'm not saying I want to get rid of the Thunder. I'm just saying they are the death of college basketball in Oklahoma.

Yes you are.

 

[MsProudSooner]

This^^^^^!

And the Thunder have nothing to do with getting recruits to come here. There are 1.3M people just in OKC metro area alone (including Norman) and only 30,000 seats available for Thunder (18,000) and Sooners (12,000).

If anything, it might be a recruiting tool. The NBA plays long after the NCAA is finished. Some players might like the idea of being able to drive only 30 minutes to an NBA game.

 

[campbest]

If you need further proof,look at the ticket policy.Many donors have hoops tickets because it builds their prority points for football.It is well documented that many of these people are the ones who don't actually attend games leaving prime seats empty on a regular basis.The Thunder feeds a ststewide hunger for sucess on the MAJOR LEAGUE level. When the new wears off,if the sucess level on court drops,so will attendance.I for one hope that time never comes.I love OU hoops but don"t blame the Thunder for waning attendancebecause while it may be a factor,it is NOT the root cause.

Never understood this, because if you really think about it, it's bad money management. Obviously the BB donation goes to your priority point total, but why buy the tickets? Just send that to your donation as well, not to mention expenses at the game.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Never understood this, because if you really think about it, it's bad money management. Obviously the BB donation goes to your priority point total, but why buy the tickets? Just send that to your donation as well, not to mention expenses at the game.

I've read many times that a small donation to the Sooner Club gives you more priority points for football than buying baskeball season tickets does. It's just one of those urban fantacies that won't die.

 

[campbest]

I've read many times that a small donation to the Sooner Club gives you more priority points for football than buying baskeball season tickets does. It's just one of those urban fantacies that won't die.

Buying a season ticket package, in any sport, gives you one priority point...regardless of where the seat is. It's like the Waiting List phenomenon, people just run with it.

 

[AdaSooner]

Not really. The NBA barely qualifies as basketball, IMO. It's more entertainment than sport, until the playoffs. Some people enjoy that, some don't. I'd MUCH rather watch the college game, even when my favorite team stinks.

Ditto. I'll admit that I enjoy an occasional NBA game when the Lakers, Thunder or Clippers are playing. I would rather watch soaps than to waste my time on the other teams.

College basketball captures at least 90% of my attention every season. It's a much purer version of the way the sport was meant to be played.

 

[hoopsaustin]

wow i couldnt disagree anymore with the notion that the thunder are hurting OU basketball in any shape or form... we plain suck... simply we are terrible.. we will get better and people will come. fans want to watch winners not intramural players like arent and blair

 

[Stikboy]

I can't stand the NBA. I'd watch high major CBB any day over the NBA, and its not even close.

 

[tsou89]

I'm sorry, but what OU and OSU NEED is not going to happen. They need the Thunder to head back to Seattle so that the LNC and Gallagher IBA have 11,000 fans instead of 7,000 at each game. Not only are the atmopheres the worst they've been in years at both places, but how are Kruger and Ford supposed to recruit when they bring players to a game and it is brutal?

The Thunder being here and being as good as they are have taken a huge hit on both teams and every single day another fan says "oh well, at least we've got the Thunder" and stop caring about OU/OSU basketball.

I'm not saying I want to get rid of the Thunder. I'm just saying they are the death of college basketball in Oklahoma.

I really don't think this is as far from the truth as most on the board do.

I think Coach Kruger has several challenges to over come to get OU BB back to the glory days. Some are linked together and other are just circumstance.

1. I think some casual BB fans would rather go watch the Thunder, have some beers and enjoy the "show" that the NBA provides then go watch a college game. Will a better OU product help? I say yes...however...

2. Can OU recruit players to produce a product that will get that fan in the balance? I think that's a great challenge considering the arena is about half full and we're not able to put an exciting product on the floor. Makes it very difficult to attract recruits.

3. the arena itself. It's an old complaint but a valid one. The place doesn't provide an atmosphere that attracts recruits or fans. It's not a dump. It's just not stellar.

Maybe it's just the sting of another frustrating season. I'm just skeptical that OU will ever consistently put winning teams together that have the chance to advance.

I truly hope I'm wrong. I was fortunate enough to be at OU when we were smoking hot ('84-'89). OU hoops was a blast. Hope we're able to get there again!

BOOMER!

 

[seniorsooner]

If the Thunder keep dropping home games to the Cavs we may be able to get this thing turned around faster than we thought.

 

[j2d2]

I do think the Thunder hurts both OU and osewe but hurts OU the most. How much is debatable. To me, any college sport is better than any pro "sport". Why the administration doesnt allow people to move down to the lower rows after halftime is just a dumb policy that hurts attendance and enthusiasm.
Attendance at college basketball games is down all over the country which has been well documented.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I do think the Thunder hurts both OU and osewe but hurts OU the most. How much is debatable. To me, any college sport is better than any pro "sport". Why the administration doesnt allow people to move down to the lower rows after halftime is just a dumb policy that hurts attendance and enthusiasm.
Attendance at college basketball games is down all over the country which has been well documented.

In all of the early games that I attended the security folks and the Rufneks moved through the crowd and told people they could move to the lower level at the first time out. Sometimes, I moved down and sometimes I didn't. I always noticed other people moving down to the lower level, whether I did or not.