2005-06 Basketball Preview

[CajunProud]

On the surface, it's not a bad idea.

But then you mention "fan friendly."

That means: much more restrooms. Much more concession stands. No more hard bench seats. That all adds up to tons of money, and less capacity than in the "good old days."

You're right. It would take a lot of money, I guess. I don't know the answer to that. I just know that it was a great venue to whip ~~~ in. The Cajun Dome just doesn't do it for me.

Like I said, I don't know the answers. Just posing the questions.

[CajunProud]

Is Blackham owned by the University or privately owned? Who would foot the bill to refurbish? I would hate to not be able to drink beer at a game this season...

I don't know who owns the facility.

I agree with you on the beer

[Jason]

What??? No Dome Foam?????????

[lcitsh]

I'll post this question here because I don't want to call J Walker and have him scold me before he even gives me a chance to explain.

Why not refurbish Blackham and just use the Cajun Dome for concerts, rodeos, etc....?

I know J Walker hates it there, but it is a great venue. Notice I said venue and not facility. There is a difference. Yes, the Cajun Dome is nicer and more fan friendly, but Blackham is a visiting teams nightmare. I remember the old days when we would pack that place and it would get noisy as hell. Visiting teams would have to sit out on the court because they couldn't hear. It would be better, or at least as good, as where Duke plays. What an advantage. Let's face it, we can't even sell out the Cajun Dome, but we would sell out Blackham every time.

Blackham was a visiting team's nightmare because the fans cared enough to make a difference. The vast majority of students at the time of Blackham's heyday were local residents who were into the games and wanted to boost the Cajuns on to victory FOR THE ENTIRE GAME. Today's fans are there to be entertained, not to make a difference. Most current fans cheer only when there's a spectacular dunk or when the team is in trouble.
You have fond memories of Blackham Coliseum, so do I. But the Cajundome could be just as much a visiting team's nightmare if the people of this community cared enough to make it so.

[Tripple Threat]

Blackham was a visiting team's nightmare because the fans cared enough to make a difference. The vast majority of students at the time of Blackham's heyday were local residents who were into the games and wanted to boost the Cajuns on to victory FOR THE ENTIRE GAME. Today's fans are there to be entertained, not to make a difference. Most current fans cheer only when there's a spectacular dunk or when the team is in trouble.
You have fond memories of Blackham Coliseum, so do I. But the Cajundome could be just as much a visiting team's nightmare if the people of this community cared enough to make it so.

It seems that in general, UL's fans don't know when to yell and when not to yell. The football games drive me nuts, because we as a crowd yell when Babb is making audible's and don't yell when when we're on defense. I have to explain to my wife that it's important to yell when the crowd doesn't.

I sit with a h_ll of a lot of students, who you'll be happy to know, yell more than you think (or hear) at the basketball games. The only time they don't yell is when we shoot freethrows. (Although we probably should; the yelling may give a jolt to the shooting percentage.) I've never been to game where the fans yelled the whole game, sounds like Cameron Indoor. I would have liked to have been there. Maybe the local stations can put together some footage of previous games during UL's heyday; instruction to the present Cajundome/Blackham fans may be required. I'll be going to Kentucky this season to see the Wildcats play, maybe I'll learn something and possibly get Ashley Judd's phone number...

What are the chances of getting "The Dorito Girl" Ali Landry to to some advertising bits in a cajun basketball jersey?

[DaddyCajun]

You're right. It would take a lot of money, I guess. I don't know the answer to that. I just know that it was a great venue to whip ~~~ in. The Cajun Dome just doesn't do it for me.

Like I said, I don't know the answers. Just posing the questions.

To me with a land locked main campus, Long Gym is on its way out and possibly Blackham. However, prior to Blackham going down to the Dozer I think it(Blackham) would be a great UL Womens Basketball venue. Its larger than Long(to build on attendance) and it is a noisy place like Long. This to me would be a great stepping stone for the ladies program.


DaddyCajun!

[CajunDreDog]

What are the chances of getting "The Dorito Girl" Ali Landry to to some advertising bits in a cajun basketball jersey?

I would die to have that jersey!

[weareLOUISIANA]

ok Cajun fans, its been what, over 30 years since a bowl game?? Its time that we realize that football is not gonna bring this university to anything special. Its time that Cajun fans realize that Mens Basketball is THE sport of the university. Yeah yeah, softball is great and baseball is also, but Basketball will get this University to the next level. How many college softball and baseball games are shown on ESPN or CBS every week?? None, until the college world series. Now, how many basketball games are on ESPN and CBS and others?? At least 1 every night on ESPN and every weekend on CBS, not to mention the entire NCAA Tourney. With the support of the great Cajun fans in Lafayette, Cajun Basketball can become 1 of the teams on ESPN every week, thats not going to happen with football. We were 1 of 2 games tonight and not even the whole state of Louisiana saw the game on regular cable. Time to realize that this football team is not going anywhere. Support the Basketball team, buy season tickets, go to the games and actually go home and be proud to have a VICTORY. Cause thats what college athletics is about, WINNING!!!!!

[Sonsissymia]

ok Cajun fans, its been what, over 30 years since a bowl game?? Its time that we realize that football is not gonna bring this university to anything special. Its time that Cajun fans realize that Mens Basketball is THE sport of the university. Yeah yeah, softball is great and baseball is also, but Basketball will get this University to the next level. How many college softball and baseball games are shown on ESPN or CBS every week?? None, until the college world series. Now, how many basketball games are on ESPN and CBS and others?? At least 1 every night on ESPN and every weekend on CBS, not to mention the entire NCAA Tourney. With the support of the great Cajun fans in Lafayette, Cajun Basketball can become 1 of the teams on ESPN every week, thats not going to happen with football. We were 1 of 2 games tonight and not even the whole state of Louisiana saw the game on regular cable. Time to realize that this football team is not going anywhere. Support the Basketball team, buy season tickets, go to the games and actually go home and be proud to have a VICTORY. Cause thats what college athletics is about, WINNING!!!!!

[shof]

ok Cajun fans, its been what, over 30 years since a bowl game?? Its time that we realize that football is not gonna bring this university to anything special. Its time that Cajun fans realize that Mens Basketball is THE sport of the university. Yeah yeah, softball is great and baseball is also, but Basketball will get this University to the next level. How many college softball and baseball games are shown on ESPN or CBS every week?? None, until the college world series. Now, how many basketball games are on ESPN and CBS and others?? At least 1 every night on ESPN and every weekend on CBS, not to mention the entire NCAA Tourney. With the support of the great Cajun fans in Lafayette, Cajun Basketball can become 1 of the teams on ESPN every week, thats not going to happen with football. We were 1 of 2 games tonight and not even the whole state of Louisiana saw the game on regular cable. Time to realize that this football team is not going anywhere. Support the Basketball team, buy season tickets, go to the games and actually go home and be proud to have a VICTORY. Cause thats what college athletics is about, WINNING!!!!!

Problem is, football drives the finances and gets the most exposure for D-1 programs. Quite honestly, I'm glad the game was hard to find on TV!