Final: Louisiana (83) at UALR (79)

[Cajunsmike]

IMHO the amount of money to fix what is wrong with basketball is roughly $100 million. We need to move out of the Cajun Dome and build a new basketball specific arena where Blackham is currently located. It needs to have about 8500 seats and they need to be stacked right on top of the court. It needs horrible acoustics and require ear plugs for games.

Basketball began to die when we left Blackham.

A basketball only arena would be good for our program. The planned renovations to the Dome are supposed to make it more "basketball friendly". That may help some. A practice court connected to the Dome is supposedly part of the Master Plan Phase 3. That will also be a big help. For people who don't know why that is needed, let me inform you there is no basketball locker room there. Also, the current practice court at Moncla was not built to exact basketball dimensions. A connection to the Dome would allow those locker rooms to be used. We would also be likely to be able to practice in the Dome more frequently. Now, we have to pay to practice there at times. In addition to the facility improvements, more funds are needed for things like getting our guys off long bus rides and being able to charter flights. Our guys leave on an expensive commercial flight to App State on Sunday morning after playing Troy tomorrow night.

As far as the schedule goes, one additional thing has changed since the old days. That is the increased reluctance of schools in the region to play us home and home. Once again those that refuse to do so include USM, Tulane, UNO, Rice, and Lamar. Someone asked my why that is and the only reason I have heard is that they are afraid a loss to us would hurt them in recruiting. Considering the troubles we have had winning non conference road games in recent years, I don't understand that logic. I do know we have to do better in that regard to improve attendance. A few early wins away from home will encourage more folks to show up when conference play starts. Why we have struggled so much there is a question I can't answer. I don't expect to win close to half those games since some are payday affairs. However, we have to do much better there in future seasons to reach our potential.

[Boomer]

You know how we got the dome? Was suppose to be a flat roof structure where Bourgeois is. Didn't have support from state, but urban legend is a certain politician got the votes for the dome with one condition...precast concrete structure. Sure you can figure out the rest.

I agree with you @ Blackham to a degree. For old times sake I went sit in the student section earlier this season. Other than 1 guy, I'd might as well been sitting in church. Polite clapping was the norm. We all have more passion after eating too much Taco Bell.

When we moved to the dome, a concerted effort was made to clamp down on students riding visiting teams. The combination killed the generational student passion. Throw in all the other variables, we now are what we are. Irrelevant.

Bird, I'm the one that sent you the old articles from the Milwaukee Journal/Marquette. Went to the old Mecca years back along with other long trips. I'm not new to the party. So I hear ya, but it's not all television and football's fault. It's our own fault for letting it happen with weak hires at different levels and not responding in a timely manner when things started to slide. That falls directly on the then AD's, president's and board's collective feet. We may never be that great again, but being the shiniest turd in the toilet should not be our goal.

----Wait --you were at the Marquette game with Doc Rivers and Toney---I will never forget it--Went across the street with Coach Pas and Donalson's wives and a couple more ---I think 22 below zero and the wind was a blowing---the Cajun plane was the last out and with my cancelled flight I didn't get out till the next day---I was at a national Meeting in SD and couldn't help myself and flew to Miwak---Manager and wife were kinda/very ______ed!!!! lol

[ZoomZoom]

Wait --you were at the Marquette game with Doc Rivers and Toney---I will never forget it--Went across the street with Coach Pas and Donalson's wives and a couple more ---I think 22 below zero and the wind was a blowing---the Cajun plane was the last out and with my cancelled flight I didn't get out till the next day---I was at a national Meeting in SD and couldn't help myself and flew to Miwak---Manager and wife were kinda/very ______ed!!!! lol

Road trip from hell. Yup, cold big time. Radiator on my car went out @ Houston airport. Knew we were getting back to Houston late, so bought one in Chicago (was staying at a friend's house) and carried it on plane. When game ended, one of the guys we were with wanted to go to South Bend and see touchdown Jesus. We saw TJ, but security ran us away from stadium. Then on return trip, lake effect blizzard hit on tri state beltway. Hit ice in a white out doing about 20 and spent hours in median, got back around midnight. Yankee friend had all we needed (shovel, blankets, food, water), dug out car and waited for tow truck. Of course tow truck driver only took cash and tapped us for all we collectively had. And for a final lick, was drizzling in Houston. At least I had tools in the car and had left it facing a light pole. Got water out of a ditch for radiator.

Loved the crushed velvet seats in the old Mecca...lol. Was an adventure and would do it all over again, but with modern technology like cell phones, gps and ATMs.

[Turbine]

Road trip from hell. Yup, cold big time. Radiator on my car went out @ Houston airport. Knew we were getting back to Houston late, so bought one in Chicago (was staying at a friend's house) and carried it on plane. When game ended, one of the guys we were with wanted to go to South Bend and see touchdown Jesus. We saw TJ, but security ran us away from stadium. Then on return trip, lake effect blizzard hit on tri state beltway. Hit ice doing about 20 and spent hours in median, got back around midnight. Yankee friend had all we needed (shovel, blankets, food, water), dug out car and waited for tow truck. Of course tow truck driver only took cash and tapped us for all we collectively had. And for a final lick, was drizzling in Houston. At least I had tools in the car and had left it facing a light pole.

Loved the old crushed velvet seats in the old Mecca...lol. Was an adventure and would do it all over again, but with modern technology like cell phones, gps and ATMs.

Your story radiates with me, I think it was the light pole brilliance.

Seriously with just a few words, I now have a visual of your adventure.

[BirdofParadise]

Road trip from hell. Yup, cold big time. Radiator on my car went out @ Houston airport. Knew we were getting back to Houston late, so bought one in Chicago (was staying at a friend's house) and carried it on plane. When game ended, one of the guys we were with wanted to go to South Bend and see touchdown Jesus. We saw TJ, but security ran us away from stadium. Then on return trip, lake effect blizzard hit on tri state beltway. Hit ice in a white out doing about 20 and spent hours in median, got back around midnight. Yankee friend had all we needed (shovel, blankets, food, water), dug out car and waited for tow truck. Of course tow truck driver only took cash and tapped us for all we collectively had. And for a final lick, was drizzling in Houston. At least I had tools in the car and had left it facing a light pole. Got water out of a ditch for radiator.

Loved the crushed velvet seats in the old Mecca...lol. Was an adventure and would do it all over again, but with modern technology like cell phones, gps and ATMs.

We made two trips to Marquette. I did TV on the second one, which was MUCH warmer. Temps were actually around +12 degrees.

Both of those games were televised. Pretty sure Tom Brown did the PBP on the other one. I've talked with the guys who had to set all that stuff up. There was a two minute frostbite warning that day. Wind chills topped out at -80 degrees.

Mais, 'dats cole yeah.

[BirdofParadise]

Bird, I'm the one that sent you the old articles from the Milwaukee Journal/Marquette. Went to the old Mecca years back along with other long trips. I'm not new to the party. So I hear ya, but it's not all television and football's fault. It's our own fault for letting it happen with weak hires at different levels and not responding in a timely manner when things started to slide. That falls directly on the then AD's, president's and board's collective feet. We may never be that great again, but being the shiniest turd in the toilet should not be our goal.

I don't think anyone said that should be our goal and I'm sure no one feels as though it should be. My whole point was, given televisions entry (and I'm not talking about whether Grand Canyon is on television, but rather there are so many choices out there), the emphasis on football and many, many other factors that enter into this, to expect we're going to have teams like the days of Bo and Toney just aren't realistic. It's not an excuse. The playing field is so different now.

As I said many years ago, if the NCAA committee did business in the early 70's the way they do business now, you know how many at-large bids we would have had a chance to get? None.

Same is true of coach Paschal's team that got in as an independent (which is still one of the great accomplishments ever at this school.)

Several posts ago, I asked folks to name mid major schools that play FBS football that are having regular success in hoops. I'm still waiting for an answer. There are a few, but they are few and far between. UNLV used to be a top ten school in the late 80s and early 90s. Now, they still have some success, but they aren't a threat to come close to winning the national championship.

Kent State had a couple of very good teams a few years ago. But they haven't been able to sustain it (and, it should be noted, their football program, with exception of one good year a few years ago) is in the toilet.

The league we are in is the league we are in. Hopefully that will change. Our goal should be to challenge for a championship and win our share. I hope that takes place.

I agree we should do better against non-conference competition. I do NOT agree that would help us get an at large bid. Those days are gone. And, that's not all our fault.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Gonzaga, Dayton, Butler, Weber State,Witchata State, are are a few that come to mind. I don't buy into football sucking the life out of basketball. Fans have been smalle timed into apathy.

Just to be sure? You did say UAB athletics would suffer because they dropped football. Now you say basketball suffers because of football.

[duggie85]

Gonzaga, Dayton, Butler, Weber State,Witchata State, are are a few that come to mind. I don't buy into football sucking the life out of basketball. Fans have been smalle timed into apathy.

Just to be sure? You did say UAB athletics would suffer because they dropped football. Now you say basketball suffers because of football.

Are you suggesting UL drop football to FCS (or lower) or all together like those schools so we can compete in basketball?

[Cajunsmike]

Gonzaga, Dayton, Butler, Weber State,Witchata State, are are a few that come to mind. I don't buy into football sucking the life out of basketball. Fans have been smalle timed into apathy.

Just to be sure? You did say UAB athletics would suffer because they dropped football. Now you say basketball suffers because of football.

Jay, asked us to name southern FBS schools doing well in basketball. Gonzaga, Dayton, Butler, Weber State, and Wichita State do not fit that criteria. None play FBS football and none are from the south. Almost all are private schools in fact with the bulk of the budget going towards basketball. That does not mean we cannot do better than our peers. Let's hope tonight's game is the second of a long winning streak. I think we need to win 6 or 7 consecutive games before folks get interested. Unfortunately next home game after tonight is Thursday against Georgia State. Why do I say unfortunately? One the game against what is likely the best team in the league is on a weeknight vs a Saturday and the other reason is that the game will be a week before our students return. Would be nice if that game were about 16 days later.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Not in the my view of things. I say football is a stawman, a whipping boy for failure to maintain basketball at an outstanding level.

Jay asked for successful mid level schools in basketball. He added the also football requirement. I don't agree with that requirement. My UAB comment was to clearify that he expounded on UAB dropping football would not enhance their other sports. Clearly basketball the most important of the other sports.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Jay, asked us to name southern FBS schools doing well in basketball. Gonzaga, Dayton, Butler, Weber State, and Wichita State do not fit that criteria. None play FBS football and none are from the south. Almost all are private schools in fact with the bulk of the budget going towards basketball. That does not mean we cannot do better than our peers. Let's hope tonight's game is the second of a long winning streak. I think we need to win 6 or 7 consecutive games before folks get interested. Unfortunately next home game after tonight is Thursday against Georgia State. Why do I say unfortunately? One the game against what is likely the best team in the league is on a weeknight vs a Saturday and the other reason is that the game will be a week before our students return. Would be nice if that game were about 16 days later.

I don't agree with his restrictive requirements Mike.

The state of Louisiana can almost assure which paint you use on a project by restrictive requirements.

Do you truly believe that our basketball would not be a profit maker winning 23+ games season after season. Making it to NCAA 1st & 2nd rounds.

Just look at the lost revenue in that huge empty dome. Feed the friggin oxen. Instead we starved it.

[duggie85]

I don't agree with his restrictive requirements Mike.

The state of Louisiana can almost assure which paint you use on a project by restrictive requirements.

Do you truly believe that our basketball would not be a profit maker winning 23+ games season after season. Making it to NCAA 1st & 2nd rounds.

Just look at the lost revenue in that huge empty dome. Feed the friggin oxen. Instead we starved it.

Well we won 23 games last season and made NCAA's last year. People still don't show up this year.