The 15 most watchable teams in college basketball (Deadspin)

[mtgrizrule]

Sigh. So sick of people bitching about the attendance, and people that never even go to a game bitching about the people in Missoula not going to a game. The reasons have been re-hashed so many times for the attendance, but no one wants to listen, they just want to bitch about how it used to be. Guess what, it is not like it used to be.

Some of the things mentioned here are just idiotic. Montana BB is not the best show in the northwest. Gonzaga has that hands down, and guess what, they only draw 6200 per game despite being a top 25 team and located in a city 10 times larger than Missoula with a lot higher personal income and no college football team to compete for college entertainment money.

Missoula does not put 26,000 people into WA Griz every weekend. Excluding students Missoula puts maybe 12,000 every game. So 12,000 for 6 games (72,000 total), vs say 3500 average for 14 games (49,000) for basketball. Missoula has <70,000 people, do you really think 10% of the population base should attend 2 college basketball games a week?

Students are the main thing missing from the basketball attendance, and it is their team and their school. This is the issue, not the city people who live in Missoula. Students don't pay to get in, for the most part don't have kids, don't have jobs that require them to travel, etc. etc. that the non-students do that keep them from attending games. Fix that and the sellouts will return. But you know why students don't go? They think the product is boring with dull, uninspiring opponents, including NAIA teams (hell hardly any students even attended the Idaho State football game this year), and most of the people who are at the game are older, grouchy, parent types that they are trying their damnedest to get away from. That's right, all of you bitching about people not going to the games - you (and us the same age) are the primary reason the students tell me they don't like going to the games. More of us means less of them.

Here is my final rant, and this drives me absolutely crazy. I am so sick of people from out of state on this board telling Missoula residents "if I only lived there I would ...". Guess what, you can live here. that's right, up and move. Unless you are in prison or the military there is nothing holding you back. Quit bitching and make it happen. You bitch about people in Missoula not living your dream when you don't live your own. Make your dream happen, just pack your bags, quit your job and back. Oh that's right, you can't afford to move back, because the wages here suck, and you can't give up your job and higher salary and you couldn't make a living here. I know. It's the same for people that live here in Missoula. That's right, we get paid the same shit wages that you won't move back here for. We miss out on all the job opportunities that you won't sacrifice to live here. We live on the lower wages that you can't survive on, and we pay our taxes, raise our kids, pay for college, and try to support the University, pay to go to football and basketball and women's basketball games, etc. etc. And sometimes things have to give every once in a while.

Next time someone from out of the area wants to bitch about Missoula not supporting the program in some way, remember that you too choose not to support the program, to not make even the sacrifices that we do to live here. And after you retire from the higher paying job with the higher paying pension and selling your more valuable home to move back to Missoula and bitch about paying taxes, and you pay full price and attend every game and fully support UM financially, then you can bitch about others not going to the game. But remember that the reason there will be no students is they are sick of being around old crotchety people like yourselves.

So, please just stop with the bitching about attendance.

You are entitled to your opinion. The people,in and out of Missoula, are encouraging people to go, and verses the bitching as you say. People are pointing out some reasons why people do not attend. Meanwhile, others are pointing out reasons to go.

As for your statement about people outside of the area supporting/not supporting this team/program. It is entirely wrong, you show me one GRIZ fan or egrizzer who has spent more countless hours helping with cage camps, and team camps, than myself. I have poured my own share of blood, sweat, and tears into this program, while living there, and since moving. While I was back there, the only time I missed a GRIZ game was during my father's high risk heart surgery, and the last part of Pat Kennedy's final year as coach (he was an ass to a few too many GRIZ fans, and will leave it at that).


I cannot speak for other out of towners. As for myself, every time I get back home, I make sure I attend a GRIZ football game, and/or basketball game. I know plenty of other GRIZ fans who do the same. Hell, for me, it does not feel right if I don't take in a GRIZ event. My drive is 950 miles each way, and a few times made that drive with only 4 days to do so.

Agree or disagree with it, the fact is we are all GRIZ fans. We all love the University and and whatever respected teams/sports you choose to root for. Regardless of where someone lives, those that support and love the basketball team are disappointed and shocked the product is great, and led by a great person in Wayne Tinkle, yet still struggles to get the support.

I don't hear or see many of the supporters resorting to name calling of those who do not attend. Yes, you are right, the subject has been brought repeatedly. It will continue to be brought up. Welcome to the life of being a fan, and message boards. If you don't like GRIZ fans encouraging and supporting the team the best they can, then why in the hell read? I am only speaking for myself, your rant about this will not stop me from loving the GRIZ, or encouraging others to support a great product and team. Feel free to go back to whatever it is you do when your are not ranting about how fans do or don't support GRIZ Basketball.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Sigh. So sick of people bitching about the attendance, and people that never even go to a game bitching about the people in Missoula not going to a game. The reasons have been re-hashed so many times for the attendance, but no one wants to listen, they just want to bitch about how it used to be. Guess what, it is not like it used to be.

Some of the things mentioned here are just idiotic. Montana BB is not the best show in the northwest. Gonzaga has that hands down, and guess what, they only draw 6200 per game despite being a top 25 team and located in a city 10 times larger than Missoula with a lot higher personal income and no college football team to compete for college entertainment money.

Missoula does not put 26,000 people into WA Griz every weekend. Excluding students Missoula puts maybe 12,000 every game. So 12,000 for 6 games (72,000 total), vs say 3500 average for 14 games (49,000) for basketball. Missoula has <70,000 people, do you really think 10% of the population base should attend 2 college basketball games a week?

Students are the main thing missing from the basketball attendance, and it is their team and their school. This is the issue, not the city people who live in Missoula. Students don't pay to get in, for the most part don't have kids, don't have jobs that require them to travel, etc. etc. that the non-students do that keep them from attending games. Fix that and the sellouts will return. But you know why students don't go? They think the product is boring with dull, uninspiring opponents, including NAIA teams (hell hardly any students even attended the Idaho State football game this year), and most of the people who are at the game are older, grouchy, parent types that they are trying their damnedest to get away from. That's right, all of you bitching about people not going to the games - you (and us the same age) are the primary reason the students tell me they don't like going to the games. More of us means less of them.

Here is my final rant, and this drives me absolutely crazy. I am so sick of people from out of state on this board telling Missoula residents "if I only lived there I would ...". Guess what, you can live here. that's right, up and move. Unless you are in prison or the military there is nothing holding you back. Quit bitching and make it happen. You bitch about people in Missoula not living your dream when you don't live your own. Make your dream happen, just pack your bags, quit your job and back. Oh that's right, you can't afford to move back, because the wages here suck, and you can't give up your job and higher salary and you couldn't make a living here. I know. It's the same for people that live here in Missoula. That's right, we get paid the same shit wages that you won't move back here for. We miss out on all the job opportunities that you won't sacrifice to live here. We live on the lower wages that you can't survive on, and we pay our taxes, raise our kids, pay for college, and try to support the University, pay to go to football and basketball and women's basketball games, etc. etc. And sometimes things have to give every once in a while.

Next time someone from out of the area wants to bitch about Missoula not supporting the program in some way, remember that you too choose not to support the program, to not make even the sacrifices that we do to live here. And after you retire from the higher paying job with the higher paying pension and selling your more valuable home to move back to Missoula and bitch about paying taxes, and you pay full price and attend every game and fully support UM financially, then you can bitch about others not going to the game. But remember that the reason there will be no students is they are sick of being around old crotchety people like yourselves.

So, please just stop with the bitching about attendance.

Jesus. Somebody put sand in your vagina? :x :lol:

 

[Grizbeer]

Jesus. Somebody put sand in your vagina? :x :lol:

:lol: :lol: yeah I know. Your right, that was bitchy. I almost deleted this post, but screw it, it needed to be said. Oh well

 

[Grizbacker1]

Between the low attendance and the horse-racing being voted out at the fair, I keep wondering what happened to my old Missoula?!

Dont know much about the horse racing, but if Missoula can put 26,000 in stadium every football game.. Why cant they constantly put 7000 in the arena for quality Bball teams year after year. They used too, why not now? Weber is averaging right at 6000, and we are just a hair under 4000, and just to give the lady griz props they are 3rd in the whole conference male and female at a bit over 3000. Weird, especially considering the pride the griz football nation takes for attendance and noise. One would think some of that same pride of 26,000 would carry over to not letting Weber ST dominate us in attendance and noise, but they own us, and that hurts just a tad, dont you think? :thumb:

give the LG all the props you want, but they used to average over 5000 per game, so their attendance has dipped even though they continue to win