WILLIAMS & BLUM Pod: Hoops crunch time, & Pac-12 football on ION TV

[ChrisMWilliams]

Enjoy!

Williams & Blum: Basketball crunch time, & Pac-12 football on ION TV - Cyclone Fanatic

Williams & Blum sift through Saturday’s agonizing men’s basketball loss to Oklahoma. The women are looking up heading into the month of March. Plus, the guys discuss all of the drama in the Pac-12 and the realistic possibilities for its next television contract. It’s Bob Huggins week in Ames...

cyclonefanatic.com

 

[wxman1]

Your discussion on pregame atmosphere can't overlook the Johnny's affect. Just like the SEZ those people stay in there as long as humanly possible.

 

[BCClone]

@ChrisMWilliams I can answer your question about the student section, I have one now and two the last couple years. It's the same as when I was there. They don't follow things like we on CF do, but the answer is OFFENSE. Students love scoring and winning. If you are scoring 50 points a game, then they become uninterested because the games get boring. Losing streaks are killers also. My kids and their friends say the same thing, games aren't as exciting when defense dominates. We need scoring to get hilton back and packed with the students.

I do know turning students away does hurt attendance. Once it happens it hurts the other games.

 

[Cycsk]

Cool to hear that C-Dubs will be calling the last WBB home game. Bummed that I can't be there in person, but now I get to enjoy his golden tones while I'm on the road.

 

[madguy30]

@ChrisMWilliams I can answer your question about the student section, I have one now and two the last couple years. It's the same as when I was there. They don't follow things like we on CF do, but the answer is OFFENSE. Students love scoring and winning. If you are scoring 50 points a game, then they become uninterested because the games get boring. Losing streaks are killers also. My kids and their friends say the same thing, games aren't as exciting when defense dominates. We need scoring to get hilton back and packed with the students.

I do know turning students away does hurt attendance. Once it happens it hurts the other games.

Then the winning must have been what made it exciting during the Floyd/Eustachy years or several games under TJ that have looked very lively on TV.

If fans can't appreciate an NCAA tourney team at ISU that's in the 'spoiled' column.

 

[BCClone]

Then the winning must have been what made it exciting during the Floyd/Eustachy years or several games under TJ that have looked very lively on TV.

If fans can't appreciate an NCAA tourney team at ISU that's in the 'spoiled' column.

I'm talking students, not the overall general fans, just students.

 

[simply1]

Then the winning must have been what made it exciting during the Floyd/Eustachy years or several games under TJ that have looked very lively on TV.

If fans can't appreciate an NCAA tourney team at ISU that's in the 'spoiled' column.

I see your point, but students as fans are a different target.

 

[madguy30]

I see your point, but students as fans are a different target.

Were there a lot of students at Floyd-coached games?

They were skilled with Pratt and Dedric etc. but leaned on defense.

 

[simply1]

Were there a lot of students at Floyd-coached games?

They were skilled with Pratt and Dedric etc. but leaned on defense.

Winning always helps, I think that’s the point? Students are fickle most places.

 

[carvers4math]

@ChrisMWilliams I can answer your question about the student section, I have one now and two the last couple years. It's the same as when I was there. They don't follow things like we on CF do, but the answer is OFFENSE. Students love scoring and winning. If you are scoring 50 points a game, then they become uninterested because the games get boring. Losing streaks are killers also. My kids and their friends say the same thing, games aren't as exciting when defense dominates. We need scoring to get hilton back and packed with the students.

I do know turning students away does hurt attendance. Once it happens it hurts the other games.

My sons always went no matter what. Haven’t listened to whatever CW said cause I am not a big fan of pods in general, but if he is complaining about lack of students or enthusiasm of those there, I think another thing to take into account is the current transient nature of players.

Oldest son started with Georges, Naz, and crew and felt like he knew those guys. He did interact with them frequently on campus. Even a then era transfer like Chris Babb interacted with him consistently on the way to class or at son’s on campus jobs.

Most recent graduate son had a crop of guys leaving early and lots of turmoil. Not even sure how often the players go to in person classes at this point. Probably interacted most with Halliburton’s dad.

I don’t think the students feel as connected to the players now. They aren’t there as long and you are probably less likely to catch the same Cy-Ride, be in the same class, have them sit at your table in the UDCC, etc. Maybe Lipsey, Watson, and Eli King will be around long enough for this to happen with them, or maybe they transfer.

I just think there is more of a disconnect between students and team. Do they still even do any kind of Hilton Madness?

 

[Sigmapolis]

Damn kids these days distracted by the TikTok and the FlipFlop.

They don't know what THE JAZZ is all about.

 

[Billups06]

Were there a lot of students at Floyd-coached games?

They were skilled with Pratt and Dedric etc. but leaned on defense.

I'm not sure on exact student section seating numbers back then (I believe it was smaller) but they also had better seats. One section of the students was in the lower level, behind the visitors bench. The other student section located in the balcony, above the lower level section.

 

[madguy30]

Winning always helps, I think that’s the point? Students are fickle most places.

Attendance is down across college basketball in general I think just like football.

It's not an excuse per say but there was still plenty of ice surrounding Hilton on the walk in and a team that's slogging through the month at 11 a.m. vs. a bottom conference team is a tough draw.

 

[BCClone]

I'm not sure on exact student section seating numbers back then (I believe it was smaller) but they also had better seats. One section of the students was in the lower level, behind the visitors bench. The other student section located in the balcony, above the lower level section.

When I went under Orr, we had a lottery and the seats moved around the sections that you mentioned. I definitely agree with Carvers as the students may not feel as connected if the players are here one year and not the next. I know it takes me a couple games to figure out who are players are. The lower bowl fills, but the uppers don't outside of a game or two.

 

[CloniesForLife]

I understand what BC is saying. We have not been winning, been blowing 2nd half leads, and been pretty awful on offense. It can be hard to get up and really get juiced for that. Especially once OU came out and hit all those 3s right away. I felt deflated at home and once it got past like a 6 point deficit I had no hope we'd come back.

That said, it's a tourney team and students should at least be going to the games and filling up the student section. I honestly think some sort of lottery system that favors students who have been going to all the games should be implemented. And if the student gets picked isn't going to go then someone else gets a chance. Then a week or two out just release them to the general public for cheap so students who don't have season tix could buy them or anyone else who wants to go can. Seating is still first come first serve but you're guaranteed a spot

 

[CloniesForLife]

My sons always went no matter what. Haven’t listened to whatever CW said cause I am not a big fan of pods in general, but if he is complaining about lack of students or enthusiasm of those there, I think another thing to take into account is the current transient nature of players.

Oldest son started with Georges, Naz, and crew and felt like he knew those guys. He did interact with them frequently on campus. Even a then era transfer like Chris Babb interacted with him consistently on the way to class or at son’s on campus jobs.

Most recent graduate son had a crop of guys leaving early and lots of turmoil. Not even sure how often the players go to in person classes at this point. Probably interacted most with Halliburton’s dad.

I don’t think the students feel as connected to the players now. They aren’t there as long and you are probably less likely to catch the same Cy-Ride, be in the same class, have them sit at your table in the UDCC, etc. Maybe Lipsey, Watson, and Eli King will be around long enough for this to happen with them, or maybe they transfer.

I just think there is more of a disconnect between students and team. Do they still even do any kind of Hilton Madness?

I think that's a good point too. Definitely can be a lack of connection in the transfer era. Doesn't help that Prohm either hit a grand slam (so guys left early) or struck out (so guys transferred) in high school recruiting. Seems like TJ will have at least a few guys who should stick around a few years on teams going forward now that his high school recruiting is getting going. I think there should be more continuity going forward after more of stop gap recruiting the last couple years

 

[BCClone]

I understand what BC is saying. We have not been winning, been blowing 2nd half leads, and been pretty awful on offense. It can be hard to get up and really get juiced for that. Especially once OU came out and hit all those 3s right away. I felt deflated at home and once it got past like a 6 point deficit I had no hope we'd come back.

That said, it's a tourney team and students should at least be going to the games and filling up the student section. I honestly think some sort of lottery system that favors students who have been going to all the games should be implemented. And if the student gets picked isn't going to go then someone else gets a chance. Then a week or two out just release them to the general public for cheap so students who don't have season tix could buy them or anyone else who wants to go can. Seating is still first come first serve but you're guaranteed a spot

This system is what the students have chosen, to oversell by quite a bit and be general admission. If they fill up, they you get turned away if you are too far back in line. I understand that we want hilton full, but one thing I have always said is, this is the students teams first and foremost. They should get very good opportunities to see these games. If they choose to buy tickets and not attend, it's the same as any other ticket owner out there, its their choice.

 

[carvers4math]

When I went under Orr, we had a lottery and the seats moved around the sections that you mentioned. I definitely agree with Carvers as the students may not feel as connected if the players are here one year and not the next. I know it takes me a couple games to figure out who are players are. The lower bowl fills, but the uppers don't outside of a game or two.

I wasn’t real faithful about attending during the Lynn Nance era but then Johnny arrived and you didn’t want to miss a game.

 

[theshadow]

If they choose to buy tickets and not attend, it's the same as any other ticket owner out there, its their choice.

There are also a bunch that don't ever get used -- as in, I'm not sure those students even know they have the all-sports pass and can go to things other than football.

 

[NWICY]

My sons always went no matter what. Haven’t listened to whatever CW said cause I am not a big fan of pods in general, but if he is complaining about lack of students or enthusiasm of those there, I think another thing to take into account is the current transient nature of players.

Oldest son started with Georges, Naz, and crew and felt like he knew those guys. He did interact with them frequently on campus. Even a then era transfer like Chris Babb interacted with him consistently on the way to class or at son’s on campus jobs.

Most recent graduate son had a crop of guys leaving early and lots of turmoil. Not even sure how often the players go to in person classes at this point. Probably interacted most with Halliburton’s dad.

I don’t think the students feel as connected to the players now. They aren’t there as long and you are probably less likely to catch the same Cy-Ride, be in the same class, have them sit at your table in the UDCC, etc. Maybe Lipsey, Watson, and Eli King will be around long enough for this to happen with them, or maybe they transfer.

I just think there is more of a disconnect between students and team. Do they still even do any kind of Hilton Madness?

Hilton Madness went away a few yrs ago always seemed to be a good mix of students, and families at it. I do think the student section is more fickle than it used to be. I'd like to see the admittance at the big games be tied into the attendance at the other games. Those who went to the most games get a seat down low for KU Iowa etc..