BE THERE...

[mtgrizfankb]

DeCuire is getting fed up with the lack of support from the community. He can’t build what he wants here because the community refuses to support him. I would not be surprised if he takes an opportunity out of town this year or next.

Well - with Cal 0-14 in conference play so far this year, their coach most likely isn't coming back and I'd be very surprised if they didn't offer the job to TDC and more surprised if he doesn't take it.

TDC wanted to build something here sadly the fans didn’t. It is what it is

 

[EverettGriz]

While UM's attendance hasn't been great, it IS the best in the bsc (weber's numbers are total bullshit and everyone knows it). Could it be better? Of course, but college BB attendance is down everywhere.

See this article from two days ago and note some of the P-12 figures:

California – 4,654.
Oregon State – 4,535.
Stanford – 3,488.
USC – 3,145.
Washington State – 2,003.

Interestingly, the article in the Tribune laments Utah’s declining attendance as part of a nationwide trend in college basketbal

I do not for a minute believe TDC is disgusted by the community's support of his program.

 

[MissoulaMarinerFan]

DeCuire is getting fed up with the lack of support from the community. He can’t build what he wants here because the community refuses to support him. I would not be surprised if he takes an opportunity out of town this year or next.

Well - with Cal 0-14 in conference play so far this year, their coach most likely isn't coming back and I'd be very surprised if they didn't offer the job to TDC and more surprised if he doesn't take it.

TDC wanted to build something here sadly the fans didn’t. It is what it is

Honestly, I'm not really sure what it would take to get b-ball attendance up. The only games the last 10 years or so that have been sell-outs are against state, weber or the conference tournament championship game (when hosted by UM).

I feel like some of it can be blamed by playing in a pretty blah conference and having a big chunk (traditionally, not sure about this year) of initial conference games or OOC games during winter-break seems problematic. You aren't going to get a good amount of butts in seats either when you play Whitworth or Montana Tech (to be fair...I think both of those were exhibition games. Though I'm sure it is cool for quite a few "Montana" kids to play at Dahlberg).

You also can't really blame it on blah conference teams either, because even bringing in Boise State a couple times and Georgia State - Hell, I'm pretty sure Tinkle even got Oregon State here somehow in the early 2010's, the attendance was only around 4500-5000 or so.

Not sure what the solution is. I think fact of the matter is, Missoula (and fans across the country outside of say Gonzaga, Duke, UNC and other traditional big school powers) has shown that Basketball isn't perceived as must see anymore - attendance has been gradually decreasing for years through out the country.

* Edit * Looks like EverettGriz beat me to it. I agree with him.

While UM's attendance hasn't been great, it IS the best in the bsc (weber's numbers are total bullshit and everyone knows it). Could it be better? Of course, but college BB attendance is down everywhere.

See this article from two days ago and note some of the P-12 figures:

California – 4,654.
Oregon State – 4,535.
Stanford – 3,488.
USC – 3,145.
Washington State – 2,003.

Interestingly, the article in the Tribune laments Utah’s declining attendance as part of a nationwide trend in college basketbal

I do not for a minute believe TDC is disgusted by the community's support of his program.

 

[AZGrizFan]

ASU closed off the the entire top level of the Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe several years ago....they only open it for the U of A game.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech is experiencing something of a rebirth...that place is ROCKIN'....

 

[AllWeatherFan]

We all love to be able to stream games, especially road games. But that does hurt attendance.

So does winter break (and semesters)...

So does taking away the student seating...

 

[Mousegriz]

ASU closed off the the entire top level of the Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe several years ago....they only open it for the U of A game.

Meanwhile, Texas Tech is experiencing something of a rebirth...that place is ROCKIN'....

Went to ASU Washington a couple weeks ago. Nice crowd at Wells Fargo and upper level definitely not blocked off. Stats show 12,800+ at that one. Really good student section.......that amazingly sits in an end zone from floor level to second level....similar to Dahlberg's student section taking the entire North end zone GA seating. Notice ASU had 10,000+ vs. Stanford for the next home game. Quick look at other games shows 10,000 or so at most home games this year

Not to get all PR on you but......AZ Griz fan...... have you ever been to an ASU game in Tempe?

 

[UofMGrizFan]

I'm there with 2 of my buddies! FTC!!!
GO GRIZ!!!!

 

[BelierPeaux]

I'll be there with my oldest boy! Can't wait! Going to be a very quick over and back trip across the divide!

 

[tourist]

Risky.

Edit note: That was last night. This morning another storm moved in across the Rocky Mountain Front. Risky just turned into Ridiculous. Watch the game on TV, with your oldest son. There are more games in the future. Why take a chance?

 

[garizzalies]

The only games the last 10 years or so that have been sell-outs are against state, weber or the conference tournament championship game (when hosted by UM).

Yep. I’d add sometimes EWU and UNC, and once in a while an OOC. Only the big games come close to sellouts. Maybe 3-4 per year like that. This is true because those games have enough interest to draw from the surrounding communities where there are people who are willing to travel to 3-4 games per year. Most Missoulians could give a shit. Some get off the couch for a big game, but I think more are from out of town.

 

[mtgrizfankb]

While UM's attendance hasn't been great, it IS the best in the bsc (weber's numbers are total bullshit and everyone knows it). Could it be better? Of course, but college BB attendance is down everywhere.

See this article from two days ago and note some of the P-12 figures:

California – 4,654.
Oregon State – 4,535.
Stanford – 3,488.
USC – 3,145.
Washington State – 2,003.

Interestingly, the article in the Tribune laments Utah’s declining attendance as part of a nationwide trend in college basketbal

I do not for a minute believe TDC is disgusted by the community's support of his program.

The dude has literally said it..publicly and behind the doors. He thinks it’s rediculous that people want to pretend to care about basketball then not show up to the games. He literally gives out 20-50 tickets every single game. He begs people to come. Even of the responses that he does get on Social Media, of the people that don’t get his free tickets....I bet 10% go anyways. Sure we could pack the place if the tickets were free. He and the AD in general go through a lot to try and push basketball the last few years....it’s made no difference. Wouldn’t you be disappointed if you created a culture that he has created and the consistency he has...yet...the public still didn’t support? Sure money will be a driving force for him leaving and not fan attendance but he expected to get the Griz back to close to what they were when he played...sadly the writing is there...unless the Griz were somehow able to win multiple tourney games...fans just aren’t going to show up. If he wins at any of the places you mentioned...they will.

 

[Big Sage]

I think there’s a million reasons why people don’t go to Griz basketball games
-Folks in Montana have to budget for either football or basketball tickets, and football is king.
-basketball is a night game, not Saturday afternoon
-were a tiny little minnow in a HUGE pond
-lets face it, we’re not winning a national title
-our out of conference home schedule sucks
-student section is better the past few years, but still sub par
-almost no local talent on the floor.

However, I prefer basketball games. It’s a faster game than football. My basketball season tickets are at least $100 cheaper than football tickets. More home games by far. It s a 2.5 hour commitment, not ALL DAY like football. Basketball is perfect weather inside, and parking is much easier.
I’m really stoked it’s practically sold out for the cats tomorrow

 

[mtgrizrule]

God Bless, Coach DeCuire. He Tweeted Friday night, he has free tickets to give away. WTF? This is GRIZ/Cat, this should be an official sellout!!!! Come on GRIZ NATION, we need to be better!!!!!

 

[AllWeatherFan]

For all intents and purposes, it IS a sell-out. Only a few single seats remain. The fans responded to the coach’s call for support, which is great to see. :thumb:

 

[tourist]

'...but I think more are from out of town.'

I'm going to take your quote, out of context and intent, just to make a point.
How many permanent 'out of towners' do you think have moved to the Missoula metro area in the last 40-50 years? How many actually give a flyin' fk about the University or the Griz? Now, wonder about attendance at basketball games.

With that in mind, how much of a factor are these NEW people, as related to the anti-Griz/anti-UM hysteria displayed in the last ten years? I say there is a direct correlation. Missoula used to be a nice place to live.

 

[CheyenneGriz]

I think Coach is talking about more than numbers, but actually being involved in the game. He says not only watch but be part of the environment. As a former member of the Zoo, I recall we cheered the loudest when the team was falling behind and we needed stops on defense. We knew we had an effect on the game. That made it especially fun. Unfortunately, I am relegated to watching streams of the games from southern Wyoming. It is hard to tell, but it seems the crowd -- whatever the size -- is not as involved as it could be.

 

[LivingstonNative]

I think Coach is talking about more than numbers, but actually being involved in the game. He says not only watch but be part of the environment. As a former member of the Zoo, I recall we cheered the loudest when the team was falling behind and we needed stops on defense. We knew we had an effect on the game. That made it especially fun. Unfortunately, I am relegated to watching streams of the games from southern Wyoming. It is hard to tell, but it seems the crowd -- whatever the size -- is not as involved as it could be.

I think getting the seats back at the approximate location of the original zoo
would be a big help. As far as I’m concerned the seats that the students have now are not worth beans.

 

[EverettGriz]

I think Coach is talking about more than numbers, but actually being involved in the game. He says not only watch but be part of the environment. As a former member of the Zoo, I recall we cheered the loudest when the team was falling behind and we needed stops on defense. We knew we had an effect on the game. That made it especially fun. Unfortunately, I am relegated to watching streams of the games from southern Wyoming. It is hard to tell, but it seems the crowd -- whatever the size -- is not as involved as it could be.

This. Great post.

I agree it seems as if GRIZ BB fans don’t really understand when and how to make an impact like FB fans do.

 

[AZDoc]

I think part of the issue is that there is a finite number of fans, period. If Missoula was 25-50k bigger, you’d have a percentage of those people to go. Student section is reason 1. The old folks screwed it up for the atmosphere.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

Exactly. Please, all you old-timers who attend basketball games, start acting younger, for god’s sake! :lol:

As I recall, Coach Tinkle often exhorted the fans to show up and be loud. He often gestured to the fans during games. It’s all part of the coach’s job. He wasn’t “angry” about it, and neither is DeCuire.