Final: Louisiana 72, Texas 100

[BBOYD]

I also watch every game and pay attention to what the team is doing, but the program as a whole has become stale. I'm not talking about the players. I'm talking about the overall "vibe" of the program. There's just no energy. Take a look at the atmosphere for a regular home game. We were patting ourselves on the back for the attendance at the La Tech game when, in reality, that was an exhibition game crowd a little over a decade ago. We claim this as "the sign of the times" when really no one wants to spend their money or time on something that is just bland or on a program who claims to be this juggernaut when we are really a middle-of-the-pack Sun Belt team that underachieves more than we should. When you average 6th place in your conference for 4 years right after claiming to be the standard of it, people roll their eyes and look elsewhere.

At this point, I personally don't care what we do this regular season. I don't care if we win 20+ games. Make the NCAA tournament. Period. No more excuses. No more self-gratification. No more "well, we can't because......". Just make the Dance.

Bringing excitement to the program is key, then backing up is the next step. #GeauxCajuns

[Cajunsmike]

I understand that point. However, my opinion is that a reguar season championship which would guarantee an NIT appearance would result in staff being retained. Are they good enough for that is a question I can't answer. I understand the skepticism after the Texas game. However, I won't automatically assume it can't happen. They have shown flashes of capbility in pre conference. Just need to be more consistent to have success in conference.

[Turbine]

That is the known quantity, one NIT season followed by 3 barely average seasons.

[Cajunsmike]

Also, as far as the Tech game goes, what encouraged some people was not the announced attendance. It was the energy in which the people who were there expended to support the team. It factored in outcome. That included the band, students, and regular attendees. Players have said how much they enjoyed celebrating with students after the game. Hopefully that excitement can be recreated in conference play.

[zephyr]

Also, as far as the Tech game goes, what encouraged some people was not the announced attendance. It was the energy in which the people who were there expended to support the team. It factored in outcome. That included the band, students, and regular attendees. Players have said how much they enjoyed celebrating with students after the game. Hopefully that excitement can be recreated in conference play.

That was a great environment. I don't care how many people were truly there it was a fun game to attend and the crowd was great.

[CajunEXPRESS]

That was a great environment. I don't care how many people were truly there it was a fun game to attend and the crowd was great.

UL has a great problem beyond the facility. It’s a problem that has been growing for years, and either we’re unable to fix it, or we are just ignoring it.

The problem ain’t ESPN + even though it facilitates the problem. UL basketball is simply too expensive for the average family to afford and enjoy very often.

Our core problem begins with Ticketmaster. Simply put no retailer says convenience has to cost so much more. In fact convenience should cost less because it should cost UL less to produce.

I don’t know who’s under contract to provide concessions, and concessions are not cheap never have been. But kids want stuff and there’s gotta be somethings that aren’t too expensive for a family. Concessions have become outrageous everywhere especially at movies. They’re sucking the blood out of the golden egg laying goose. We have to get these two elements under control and then improve our marketing.

[Turbine]

Outsourcing to save on labor but still keeping your hand in the cookie jar tells fans to stay home, there are no cookies.

[Cajunsmike]

UL has a great problem beyond the facility. It’s a problem that has been growing for years, and either we’re unable to fix it, or we are just ignoring it.

The problem ain’t ESPN + even though it facilitates the problem. UL basketball is simply too expensive for the average family to afford and enjoy very often.

Our core problem begins with Ticketmaster. Simply put no retailer says convenience has to cost so much more. In fact convenience should cost less because it should cost UL less to produce.

I don’t know who’s under contract to provide concessions, and concessions are not cheap never have been. But kids want stuff and there’s gotta be somethings that aren’t too expensive for a family. Concessions have become outrageous everywhere especially at movies. They’re sucking the blood out of the golden egg laying goose. We have to get these two elements under control and then improve our marketing.

Agree with this post 100%. PLenty of people have told me this is a factor in their not attending as often. Much more so thn the coaching situation. Of course that is in the group of people I socialize with. I realize it may be different with a different group. I don't know how to get out of the TicketMaster or CajunDome or concessions contract however. Maybe some of you do.

[Duggie35]

I avoid concessions at the Cajundome like the plague!

[ZoomZoom]

I avoid concessions at the Cajundome like the plague!

Got that right. In the last year, I paid a ransom for a bottle of water only because I had a nagging cough and needed water. Had not bought concessions there in years.

Bouncing Ticketmaster would be one of the best things Martin Hall/LCG could do to start fixing the attendance issue across the board.