Alabama A&M At The Al....

[Golden Avalanche]

should be a different atmosphere.

[DienerTime34]

Seems like a step back for the program, like when UW-M moved back to campus. Also will hurt our yearly national attendance numbers.

[We R Final Four]

Open to public? Date?

[GGGG]

It's not a step back.  It's one game during Holiday break for students.  I think they are simply trying to do something unique with what be a pretty sparse crowd.

[wadesworld]

Awesome.  I have been hoping they would do something like this for a long time.  When you only get 5,000 at the BC for a no-name, weekday, winter non-conference game, you might as well put it in the Al and have it be packed rather than 5,000 people dispersed amongst 18,000 seats.

[Bricky]

It's because of a scheduling conflict with the BMO.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Seems like a step back for the program, like when UW-M moved back to campus. Also will hurt our yearly national attendance numbers.

Not a step back...conflict with the BC in terms of scheduling. Should be a loud game.

[chapman]

I think it's pretty cool to play a game at the Al.  Way cooler than scheduling a SWAC team that had an RPI of 269 and loses its top four players.

[bradley center bat]

http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/081114aaa.html

[Tugg Speedman]

It's not a step back.  It's one game during Holiday break for students.  I think they are simply trying to do something unique with what be a pretty sparse crowd.

+1  Great idea for a holiday break game.  Will this be Luke Fisher's first game back?
 

[GGGG]

Grades are due at noon on 12/16.  The same day as the ASU game.  That will be his first game back.

[MUfan12]

Should be a loud game.

3700 yawns can be deafening.

[Coleman]

Seems like a step back for the program, like when UW-M moved back to campus. Also will hurt our yearly national attendance numbers.

Won't impact our attendance numbers, per MU's facebook page

[barfolomew]

I think it's pretty cool to play a game at the Al.  Way cooler than scheduling a SWAC team that had an RPI of 269 and loses its top four players.

This. I hope FS1 televises it, but I'm more concerned about the opponent. They underperformed last year, and not only lost their four best, but 6 of their top 7 minutes guys. That sucking sound you hear is the drain on our RPI.

[Tums Festival]

Agreed that it's not a step back and it's not at all like UWM because we aren't moving all our home games to the Al. Really hope this game televised since I don't live anywhere near Milwaukee.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Love playing a game in the al. Hate that it's Alabama A&M

[CAGASS24]

Had there been no scheduling conflict, this game would have been at BMO, right?

And if so, it would have been in the season ticket package, right?

So because of a scheduling conflict, season ticket holders are getting one less game, right?

Yet, no refund of the diff being offered, right?

Am I missing something? 

I know its just alabama A&M, but still bothers me a little that MU isn't offering to "make it up" to its backers .  Email simply says this game is not included in the season ticket plans.

[tower912]

This. I hope FS1 televises it, but I'm more concerned about the opponent. They underperformed last year, and not only lost their four best, but 6 of their top 7 minutes guys. That sucking sound you hear is the drain on our RPI.

Wrong season to be worrying about the RPI.   Take any win and run. 

[MUfan12]

This really blows for the majority of season ticket holders. First of all, they make us pay full price for the exhibition game against Wisconsin Lutheran. Then, 3/4 of us won't even have a chance at tickets for a regular season home game.

Call me crazy, but when I buy season tickets I expect to get every home game.

[Texas Western]

I am delighted that we were able to schedule another cupcake game. We have enough challenging games on the schedule. At his point, with a new coach  Logging up wins is the most important thing.  Would really like to see us go into conference play with 9 wins. I think 12-6 in conference is a real possibility. 8-1 at home 4-5 on road. Getting a 20 win season out of the box would give the program some nice momentum.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Had there been no scheduling conflict, this game would have been at BMO, right?

And if so, it would have been in the season ticket package, right?

So because of a scheduling conflict, season ticket holders are getting one less game, right?

Yet, no refund of the diff being offered, right?

Am I missing something? 

I know its just alabama A&M, but still bothers me a little that MU isn't offering to "make it up" to its backers .  Email simply says this game is not included in the season ticket plans.

You pay the same base amount for season-tickets. So, you are saving compared to single game ticket cost. It's has been 16 home games the past couple of years, this year it's 17 games at the Bradley Center.

[bilsu]

Had there been no scheduling conflict, this game would have been at BMO, right?

And if so, it would have been in the season ticket package, right?

So because of a scheduling conflict, season ticket holders are getting one less game, right?

Yet, no refund of the diff being offered, right?

Am I missing something? 

I know its just alabama A&M, but still bothers me a little that MU isn't offering to "make it up" to its backers .  Email simply says this game is not included in the season ticket plans.

No, because this year's Bradley Center schedule already includes the same number of games as last year with the addition of an exhibition game. It will be interesting to see what they charge for the Al game. They could charge less, because it is at the Al or they could charge more because of limited seating. Obviously not all season ticket holders will get tickets.

[CAGASS24]

all that understood - i know it sometimes varies how many games we actually get in the package, but in this case there is going to be an additional game AND the U is chargingfor them - if the base amount stays the same regardless, then this scheduling conflict is creating windfall opp for MU - im sure they're not dancing in the streets and would rather have at it in BMO, but 3700 face values and concessions is nothing to sneeze at

they should have just said "sorry about the conflict, not everyone will be able to go but they will be free of charge on a priority point basis (limit 2) and all others wanting to go but not able to purchase will receive XYZ"

curious if the student tickets to the game being made avail will be "offered for purchase" or distributed without a fee

[Badgerhater]

Does our fanbase ever not complain about something?

No students and right before Christmas and a crap opponent?   I commend MU for putting some high-grade lipstick on this pig of a game.

[MUfan12]

Does our fanbase ever not complain about something?

No students and right before Christmas and a crap opponent?   I commend MU for putting some high-grade lipstick on this pig of a game.

If MU is playing a home game, as a season ticket holder, I want to be there. Pig of a game or not.

[GGGG]

Does our fanbase ever not complain about something?

You should read Scoop more often.

[mujivitz06]

Does our fanbase ever not complain about something?

No students and right before Christmas and a crap opponent?   I commend MU for putting some high-grade lipstick on this pig of a game.

+1

[CAGASS24]

Does our fanbase ever not complain about something?

No students and right before Christmas and a crap opponent?   I commend MU for putting some high-grade lipstick on this pig of a game.

tapping into the obvious fan desire to see mens bball games at the Al by putting a game there that couldn't have been played at the BMO and then re-charging your fan base for it is not putting lipstick on anything, the Al was their only choice, they didnt do anything creative or value added -

[mujivitz06]

Well they can't offer the game to season ticket holders because there are more season ticket holders than there are seats at the AL right? So instead you do what's fair and put them all up for sale. I don't see what's wrong with that.... Aren't season ticket holders already getting a defacto free game this year anyway with the exhibition? (17th game)

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Does our fanbase ever not complain about something?

The better question is does any fan base ever not complain about something. I've worked at four different universities, across four different conferences, including one in D2. All fans do is complain. Myself included

[MUfan12]

Then don't schedule the game. They already have the number of BC dates they need revenue wise, and this game will be a RPI drag.

[GGGG]

Then don't schedule the game. They already have the number of BC dates they need revenue wise, and this game will be a RPI drag.

They were a game short.  A coach is always going to want something scheduled, even if it is with a poor opponent.

Maybe they were working on something "better," and this was the fall back.  Who knows?

[WarriorInNYC]

Well they can't offer the game to season ticket holders because there are more season ticket holders than there are seats at the AL right? So instead you do what's fair and put them all up for sale. I don't see what's wrong with that.... Aren't season ticket holders already getting a defacto free game this year anyway with the exhibition? (17th game)

Exactly.  And as mentioned before, the amount of home games from last year has not decreased, so season ticket holders this year really are not missing anything.

I think the appropriate way to look at this is its an additional game AL seats less than there are ticket holders.  It would take forever to go through based on points and decide who wants to go and who doesn't.  Sell the tickets and bring in some extra $.  Should be a fun environment, cupcake or not.

[Niv Berkowitz]

MU has just made lemonade out of a lemon of a game. Instead of a boring, student-less, homogenized, non-conf game, there should at least be some spark over at the Al. I'll give the school credit for doing this.

It will at least amp up the MU fans that go, that's for sure. Will seem like a high school gym compared to the BC.

Only downside, no alcohol. Oh well. Even I can dry out for one night a year.

[GoldenWarrior11]

There is no negative in having a game this year at the Al with an inferior opponent.  For one, our team will be young and (mostly) inexperienced.  Giving them a cupcake to boost their confidence is very advantageous.  Secondly, I don't care if Marquette was playing UCLA in late December.  Students go home for break, and there is simply not enough season ticket holders/die hards to get a near sell-out crowd for the game at the Bradley Center. 

[chapman]

Does our fanbase ever not complain about something?

Then they wouldn't be fans, they'd be cheerleaders.   

[MU82]

This sounds like a great idea and a way to turn a blah game into a mini-event.

I wish I could go!

[The Lens]

Any guesses on how far down the points totem pole tix will get?

I have 93 points.  I'll certainly grab 2 if they're available. 

[CAGASS24]

I love that we might be able to watch a real men's game at the AL, love it!  Just saying that those giving MU credit for this decision are missing the point, there was a scheduling conflict removing BMO from consideration.  So this whole at least they're spicing up an otherwise boring game is not applicable, IMO.  

They COULD HAVE EASILY distributed these tickets for free.  They are already making them AVAIL FOR PURCHASE along the priority point lines (read the email), instead of making you pay, you'd just have to log in at your time slot and select 1 or 2 tickets.  Just as "fair" and without the bad taste of charging your fan base for a game that should have already been included

[MUfan12]

Or, abandon the caste system for one freaking game, and just have this game go on sale to STH at one time.

[chapman]

They COULD HAVE EASILY distributed these tickets for free.  They are already making them AVAIL FOR PURCHASE along the priority point lines (read the email), instead of making you pay, you'd just have to log in at your time slot and select 1 or 2 tickets.  Just as "fair" and without the bad taste of charging your fan base for a game that should have already been included

No students, no alcohol, and going by points?  So much for the smaller venue being louder.  Just more blue-haired.

[The Lens]

Or, abandon the caste system for one freaking game, and just have this game go on sale to STH at one time.

I'll you one thing!  If I'm the STH of the Game, I want a re-do.  I want my day in the sun in front of 14,000 indifferent BMO BC fans, not a paltry 3,700 AMC fans!

An outrage!!

[esotericmindguy]

Awesome.  I have been hoping they would do something like this for a long time.  When you only get 5,000 at the BC for a no-name, weekday, winter non-conference game, you might as well put it in the Al and have it be packed rather than 5,000 people dispersed amongst 18,000 seats.

I agree, but doesn't Marquette have like 11,000 season ticket holders? You going to cover the revenue from ticket sales? Would only be 200K...

[Spotcheck Billy]

I agree, but doesn't Marquette have like 11,000 season ticket holders? You going to cover the revenue from ticket sales? Would only be 200K...

probably about what they are paying Alabama A&M?

[chapman]

probably about what they are paying Alabama A&M?

The way we slum on buy games, probably about $200.

[WarriorInNYC]

I agree, but doesn't Marquette have like 11,000 season ticket holders? You going to cover the revenue from ticket sales? Would only be 200K...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but based on my understanding of what has been posted above, the revenue from those season ticket holders are already had.  The amount the season tickets cost would be unaffected whether this game was on the schedule or not.

The revenue this game has to cover are those that would be buying single-game tickets at the Bradley Center. 

Having the game at the AL allows revenue to be covered by both single-game ticket buyers as well as season ticket holders who still want to go to the game at the AL.

[HutchwasClutch]

Love playing a game in the al. Hate that it's Alabama A&M

What quality of opponent were you expecting for a game at the Al? 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

What quality of opponent were you expecting for a game at the Al? 

Expecting? About this. But was hoping for a mid major that at least had a prayer of being a sub 300 RPI team.

Hoping? Would love to see a marquis game at the Al. I know it can't happen because judging on the reaction to missing this game, season ticket holders would throw a fit. But I think the atmosphere would be amazing.

[HutchwasClutch]

Then don't schedule the game. They already have the number of BC dates they need revenue wise, and this game will be a RPI drag.

+100, this is a stupid idea.  What is the upside exactly?  None.  You changed the venue for a bad non-conference game, period.  

[HutchwasClutch]

Expecting? About this. But was hoping for a mid major that at least had a prayer of being a sub 300 RPI team.

Hoping? Would love to see a marquis game at the Al. I know it can't happen because judging on the reaction to missing this game, season ticket holders would throw a fit. But I think the atmosphere would be amazing.

A marquee game at the Al?  Why?  Because MU has plenty of money from their one major athletic revenue generator, they can afford to flush revenue from a marquee game down the toilet?  Not to mention screwing some 16,000 fans from the chance of seeing that marquee opponent?

This is a bad idea if it were a mid-major, let alone a marquee team.

The atmosphere is plenty good at the BC when we've been good and played good teams.  We don't have to dream about a great Al atmosphere. 

[GGGG]

+100, this is a stupid idea.  What is the upside exactly?  None.  You changed the venue for a bad non-
conference game, period.   

The upside is that they need another game and now they have it.

[HutchwasClutch]

The upside is that they need another game and now they have it.

Give me a break, they couldn't have found another date and time to play some other crap school that doesn't belong in D-1?

[GGGG]

Give me a break, they couldn't have found another date and time to play some other crap school that doesn't belong in D-1?

If I were to guess, my guess is that MU was trying for something bigger, but it fell through.  And this is the best they could do.  Otherwise they would have announced this much earlier.

Or perhaps they were having trouble lining up an opponent when the BC was available and this was the fall back.

Really people are making way too big a deal out of this.

[bilsu]

I wonder how financially well MU will do with this game? I suspect it will be a good money maker. The big cost will be paying Alabama A& M. On the plus side MU does not have to pay any rent and will get to keep all the concessions. I have heard that a buy team gets $100,000, but that was a few years ago. I suspect whatever the going rate is that Alabama A&M is getting less than they would get, if the game was at the Bradley Center. Assuming $100,000 MU needs to charge $30 to $35 a seat to cover all costs.

[🏀]

Then don't schedule the game. They already have the number of BC dates they need revenue wise, and this game will be a RPI drag.

You have officially taken me as the 'oldest' youngest alumni season ticket holder.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Will the Wisconsin Department of Revenue allow me a bigger tax write-off on my seat donation when I decline this dog?  Can't wait to hear the Sweater Vests complaining about sitting on the bench seats.

I will be at Loyola's Gentile Center watching two equally matched dogs in their high school gym.  Such a fall from grace.  Leadership is a thin, thin fabric.

[Dawson Rental]

3700 yawns can be deafening.

Awesone.

[BrewCity83]

No students, no alcohol, and going by points?  So much for the smaller venue being louder.  Just more blue-haired.

No beer at the game?  This is a good opportunity for the alums to hit what's left of the campus bars for some pre-game lubrication!!

[Benny B]

Maybe this will be the impetus for the Marquette faithful to help move the Bucks to Seattle so that we can finally get to building an on-campus basketball arena.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I actually think this is really cool.

The basketball team is made up of students, and is technically representing the school made up of CURRENT students... not all of us old guys.

Having a game on campus is a cool reward for the students and the players.

I have no idea if this is a good idea from an RPI or a $ perspective, but I do think it's a cool idea in general.

Let's see what happens. Might become a cool tradition.

[bilsu]

Will the Wisconsin Department of Revenue allow me a bigger tax write-off on my seat donation when I decline this dog?  Can't wait to hear the Sweater Vests complaining about sitting on the bench seats.

I will be at Loyola's Gentile Center watching two equally matched dogs in their high school gym.  Such a fall from grace.  Leadership is a thin, thin fabric.

I think by this game I will be pretty anxious to see Fischer play.

[Dr. Blackheart]

I actually think this is really cool.

The basketball team is made up of students, and is technically representing the school made up of CURRENT students... not all of us old guys.

Having a game on campus is a cool reward for the students and the players.

I have no idea if this is a good idea from an RPI or a $ perspective, but I do think it's a cool idea in general.

Let's see what happens. Might become a cool tradition.

Except the students won't be there as they are on break.  More so, after the season ticket holders snatch up all the tickets, there may be room left for the bandos and a few players.  

Misguided and put together at the last second (concessions, game experience, etc.)...however, I think it is a great idea for a NIT or CIT game.  All kidding aside, who really cares how the game itself turns out.  The thing folks are po'ed about is that it is neither a good idea for season ticket holders or students.

[MUfan12]

We got bumped for... Cirque Du Soleil?!

http://www.bmoharrisbradleycenter.com/events/detail/cirque-varekai-2014

[GGGG]

We didn't get bumped for anything.  It wasn't available.

[MUfan12]

We didn't get bumped for anything.  It wasn't available.

And everything written here should be taken completely literally.

[GooooMarquette]

And everything written here should be taken completely literally.

Regardless of the "bumped" or not argument, Cirque is a big-money operation.  My guess is that many of the seats sell closer to Bucks prices than MU prices - a good move for the BMO even if it meant losing an MU game.  Also note that the Cirque is a 4-day gig, which most certainly would net more $$$$ for the BMO than a single MU buy game.

[chapman]

I know there are some amazing feats being performed, but Cirque du Soleil manages to be really high on the list of things that creep me out.