Observations about games at the Al

[jsglow]

With mids over and everyone back from Spring Break, I think the students will jam their allotment.  And if we sweater-vests can't get 'extra' tickets beyond our normal STH allotment to bring 'niece Jenny', so be it.

Demand is going to be high.  Tickets will be scarce and expensive.  Everyone in the building will have earned their right to be there and will be 100% into it.  And it'll be absolutely great when New York, New York plays over the soundsystem following the final horn.  Can't wait.

I wonder if dgies even knows?   

[mu03eng]

It really chaps my hide when the student section is standing in front of the season ticket holders at Silk.  https://www.silkexotic.com

That's why you need to moisturize more then chapping at Silk won't happen.

[UWW2MU]

Is it a known fact that they reduced the ticket limit in order to increase the available student tickets?   I know quite a few newer STH's that were disappointed they didn't even get a shot at Oregon game tickets and voiced that disappointment to the program.  I selfishly assumed the ticket limit was for those of us with less than 75 pts who missed the opportunity this last game. 

[jsglow]

Is it a known fact that they reduced the ticket limit in order to increase the available student tickets?   I know quite a few newer STH's that were disappointed they didn't even get a shot at Oregon game tickets and voiced that disappointment to the program.  I selfishly assumed the ticket limit was for those of us with less than 75 pts who missed the opportunity this last game.

I don't think that's known precisely.  What we do know is they dropped the allowed purchase down to 4 to accommodate more requests either by students or deeper into the STH pool.

[GooooMarquette]

Is it a known fact that they reduced the ticket limit in order to increase the available student tickets?   I know quite a few newer STH's that were disappointed they didn't even get a shot at Oregon game tickets and voiced that disappointment to the program.  I selfishly assumed the ticket limit was for those of us with less than 75 pts who missed the opportunity this last game.

It probably is both...

[LoudMouth]

It should be first come first serve...Line up outside the Al at whatever time you see it fit with a $20 in your hand. General Admission everywhere.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Consider it a reversal -  now that all students are back from break, they're adjusting to what the normal student allotment would be instead of offering an excessive six tickets per STH.  Seems fine to me to give them more than 1/8 of the Al and offer many an opportunity they may not ever get again while they're in school.

The ratio of season tickets (~11,200) which includes students to AL tickets is about 30%.  1/8th is the 500 students were allotted over Spring Break. Everyone okay with 1000 for the students, leaving the remaining 2400 for the first 600 STH Vesters to gobble up? 

The six allotment was unfortunate but MUAD didn't have a lot of history to go one.  But, when loyal STHs like 12, Benny, Brew were on the bubble and now off, it isn't a pretty dilemma.  Of course, it is a better problem than not playing at all.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

There's no chance the administration couldve tied these NIT tix to next year in such a short time frame. What did we have, two days to sell tickets after the pairings?

I understand STHs pay the bills, but MU is doing the right thing here. Students should be given priority in this small, on campus arena.

[Golden Avalanche]

Classic Scoop.

A member of the Nation creates a nice post describing what a joy the environment has been at the Al for these NIT games and it devolves into a pissing contest about the economics of tickets and why certain fans get upset because their entitlements aren't given the precedence they feel they deserve.

Fucking snowflake city.

[brewcity77]

So now you want to build a 9 figure arena because a brand new state of the art arena that might be the best in the entire country doesn't contemplate 'special student seating' in its design?  C'mon brew. You're a smart guy.  Picture that written proposal bf the BOT.

Come on, glow. I specifically said "another reason", not the reason. The main reason would be allowing Marquette to keep all revenue & not worry about negotiations going forward.

From the pricing models we saw, tax law changes, and rent increases, it's safe to say it will be difficult for Marquette to keep revenues at the same level, especially after the newness of the Silk wears off. A smaller, more full venue where you keep all profits would change that dynamic.

It's easy to say "winning will change everything" but what if it doesn't? What if MU remains a bubble team for the next 5 years? What if Wojo breaks through next year, leaves for a bigger job, and we go back in the rebuild cycle? In a few years, STH numbers continue to decline and the rent becomes untenable.

If MU has their own venue they can negotiate from a position of strength instead of necessity. If they aren't subject to the whims of Bucks ownership, they can control their own prices and adjust based on their own needs and not the rent they are charged. And what happens if the Bucks move in 20 years?

I don't expect it, but there are more benefits over the long haul than just the on campus arena experience.

[MUfan12]

The ratio of season tickets (~11,200) which includes students to AL tickets is about 30%.  1/8th is the 500 students were allotted over Spring Break. Everyone okay with 1000 for the students, leaving the remaining 2400 for the first 600 STH Vesters to gobble up? 

The six allotment was unfortunate but MUAD didn't have a lot of history to go one.  But, when loyal STHs like 12, Benny, Brew were on the bubble and now off, it isn't a pretty dilemma.  Of course, it is a better problem than not playing at all.

It's a tough call. If the students are gonna show and be engaged, then why not. But their history in that regard is spotty at best, where as you have STHs that are there every damn night, regardless of who MU is playing.

They initially erred with the 6 ticket limit, and I think having such huge groupings with 2 hour windows is silly. But as you said, they didn't know what to expect.

Here's hoping this season is the last time I have to worry about NIT tickets for a while.

[Goose]

I have not attended either of the games, but think The Al is perfect venue for the NIT. The crowd is jacked up and everyone I know who has attended has had positive feedback. I would expect that crowd on Tuesday night will be as jacked up and I hope that as many students that want to go to the game get in.

I would love to see the student body use Tuesday night as their build up for "next season". I have always been a believer that having an involved student body is part of making overall success of a program. Winning at home is very important.

[mu_hilltopper]

I understand STHs pay the bills, but MU is doing the right thing here. Students should be given priority in this small, on campus arena.

Agree.  MU has the right mix.  Some students get in .. and STHs with 10-15+ years -- minimum (avg) investment being close to $20k over those years .. are rewarded with the opportunity to witness some post-season.

Total bummer for those who haven't been with the program and invested that much. 

[Marcus92]

Couldn't agree more, Goose. In just about every post-game interview of Wojo's that I've heard, he makes a point to mention the energy of the students and the crowd in general. It's kind of a synergistic thing. A raucous environment helps us win. And winning attracts more students/fans to create a more raucous environment.

[jsglow]

We've been down this path before brew.  You simply can't spend 9 figures for max 19 dates a year.  No way, no how.  Not when an NBA show-palace designed specifically for hoops is walking distance away.  It was true in 1954, and 1974, and 1988 and now.  I will admit that the Herb Kohl gravy train has ended and we should be forever grateful for the fact that it lasted as long as it did. 

As chick has said previously, if some donor shows up with $150-200 large and Mike doesn't convince him to spend it another more productive way....... 

We're running a university here people, not a AAA sports franchise.

[jsglow]

Agree.  MU has the right mix.  Some students get in .. and STHs with 10-15+ years -- minimum (avg) investment being close to $20k over those years .. are rewarded with the opportunity to witness some post-season.

Total bummer for those who haven't been with the program and invested that much.

Spot on topper.

[Goose]

jsglow

I understand your opinion on an on campus facility and not sure on my thoughts. I have heard over the past year or so that there has been a fair amount of discussion on this topic. IMO, possibly having their own facility and playing 3-4 games at the new arena might be a solid idea. I see the Buck's ownership becoming even worse over the next several years. They are smart guys and I believe are going to bringing in big ticket shows/events far more than the BC ever dreamed of. I would not trust them as far as I could throw them.

[🏀]

That's why you need to moisturize more then chapping at Silk won't happen.

Is the new Silk Arena going to have that vanilla scent pumped through the climate control systems?

[🏀]

I think the big creation MU is going to have after these games is some student buzz.

The LAX bros are killing it, that's going to generate excitement amongst the student population which hopefully carries over to the Silk Exotic Entertainment Center (the SEEC, "SEX").

[brewcity77]

jsglow

I understand your opinion on an on campus facility and not sure on my thoughts. I have heard over the past year or so that there has been a fair amount of discussion on this topic. IMO, possibly having their own facility and playing 3-4 games at the new arena might be a solid idea. I see the Buck's ownership becoming even worse over the next several years. They are smart guys and I believe are going to bringing in big ticket shows/events far more than the BC ever dreamed of. I would not trust them as far as I could throw them.

Agreed. I just don't think it's such a far fetched idea now that we're dealing with the new Bucks ownership and this isn't a 7, 10, or 20 year answer, it's long term.

[Floorslapper]

MU should let STH or students stand on the walkway behind the baskets Tuesday.  Could get a couple hundred behind each basket??

Good idea.  The Dallas Cowboys do this via a "Party Pass" ticket.  Gets you into the stadium, but no seat.  View from various observation decks.  Some people just enjoy being where the action is, even if the view is less than ideal.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

So now you want to build a 9 figure arena because a brand new state of the art arena that might be the best in the entire country doesn't contemplate 'special student seating' in its design?  C'mon brew. You're a smart guy.  Picture that written proposal bf the BOT.

It would only happen if the economics make sense. I think there is a situation where they do

[Goose]

TAMU

I am quite certain that the discussions have been more than just throwing out the idea. It would not surprise one bit if MU had their own arena in next 5-7 years.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

I am quite certain MU made nithing on parking and concessions at tge Bradley.  They paid rent n got ticket revenue.  Thats it.  Understand in no way does this mean i am in favor if pkaying games at tge Al sans maybe 1 a year.
I think people will be drastically surprised with the new arena.
The problem i have had with the bradley center since 1988 is tgat it is a hirrible arena.  Architects got it wrong.  Sans 1-2 games a year it provided little to no home court advantage.  I firmly belive the new arena will provide mu with that tru college atmosphere that we have lacked since leaving tge mecca.  Hopefully its worth 1-2 games a year.  MUs home record has not been as good as it shoukd have been and i blame some of that on the crap arena we pkayed in.  Total stab but im guessing the New arena is wirth 4 more points a game than the fin bradley dump.  Really looking forward to walking into an electric arena versus that mausoleum

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

We've been down this path before brew.  You simply can't spend 9 figures for max 19 dates a year.  No way, no how.  Not when an NBA show-palace designed specifically for hoops is walking distance away.  It was true in 1954, and 1974, and 1988 and now.  I will admit that the Herb Kohl gravy train has ended and we should be forever grateful for the fact that it lasted as long as it did. 

As chick has said previously, if some donor shows up with $150-200 large and Mike doesn't convince him to spend it another more productive way....... 

We're running a university here people, not a AAA sports franchise.

Why would it only be 19 dates a year? I'm pretty sure most basketball stadiums cater to multiple teams,  sports,  and events.

Close the Mecca and there will be plenty of events looking for a home.