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Topic: Great story
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ozarkcat
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Posted: 2/16/2014 10:23 AM
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If you want to read a great review of a basketball game,  check the Buffalo News story on the Ohio-Buffalo game on the home page today.  The writer really did his homework before and after the game.  And his comment about Christian pinching himself  hit the nail on the head. 
OUVan
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Posted: 2/16/2014 10:29 AM
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Alan Swank
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Posted: 2/16/2014 10:36 AM
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An outstanding article!  It was also a bit sad when you read the last two paragraphs and consider the USA chants from some in the Buffalo crowd when Maurice touched the ball at various times throughout the game:

Looks can be deceiving. You never know for sure what’s burning inside based on appearance alone. The red in his shoelaces, he says, reminds him of blood that was shed by his forefathers so he could have the opportunities he enjoys today. It explained plenty about who he was, and why he won Saturday. It stood out.

“We’re able to do a lot of stuff because of them,” he said. “For people to not know about their past is like a tree without roots. You always have to know where you come from, and where you’re roots are. That’s what keeps you motivated. That’s what keeps you hungry. That’s what makes you work hard.”
TheBobcatBandit
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Posted: 2/16/2014 8:40 PM
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Thought it was funny that their highest attendance on the year was 5000..... get on our level
Gallia Cat
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Posted: 2/16/2014 9:18 PM
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Did anyone else read the comments below the Buffalo News article? They were hammering the UB program suggesting they rerun to Division II. I think UB has grown it's athletics program by leaps and bounds since joining the MAC.
OU_Country
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Posted: 2/17/2014 9:43 AM
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TheBobcatBandit wrote:expand_more
Thought it was funny that their highest attendance on the year was 5000..... get on our level


Related to their attendance, and their "level", why is it that schools in OUr conference in decent sized cities that are not named Toledo seem to struggle to draw crowds?  Akron should sell out EVERY game in the JAR.  Buffalo should be close to capacity every Saturday at least.  Western as well.  All three programs have been good programs for a number of seasons in a row.  I know Buffalo and Akron have less than desirable buildings, but the product on the court is well worth watching.  I just don't get it.

Back to the story in the post....  Agreed, great story on Maurice.  It seems even some of the opposing fans are starting to enjoy watching his hustle and enthusiasm.
Mike Johnson
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Posted: 2/17/2014 10:15 AM
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OU_Country wrote:expand_more
Thought it was funny that their highest attendance on the year was 5000..... get on our level


Related to their attendance, and their "level", why is it that schools in OUr conference in decent sized cities that are not named Toledo seem to struggle to draw crowds?  Akron should sell out EVERY game in the JAR.  Buffalo should be close to capacity every Saturday at least.  Western as well.  All three programs have been good programs for a number of seasons in a row.  I know Buffalo and Akron have less than desirable buildings, but the product on the court is well worth watching.  I just don't get it.

Back to the story in the post....  Agreed, great story on Maurice.  It seems even some of the opposing fans are starting to enjoy watching his hustle and enthusiasm.


I've long believed that the central reason why Akron and Kent lag in basketball attendance is the makeup of their student  body.  Most of their students head for home at night and on weekends and don't form the same bonds with their schools and athletic teams as do students who attend schools where they live on or near campus. 
The Optimist
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Posted: 2/17/2014 10:41 AM
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In Akron's case, I think the biggest issue is the JAR itself. It may be listed at 5500 or whatever, but the GA seating is incredibly inadequate when you get a solid crowd. Definition of high school gym... If they get a new arena, I think they will have the student and fan support to fill it immediately...
cbarber357
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Posted: 2/17/2014 11:33 AM
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I don't think the JAR will get an update/replacement without donation money covering it, isn't Akron in a ton of financial trouble?
GoCats105
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Posted: 2/17/2014 12:13 PM
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Mike Johnson wrote:expand_more
Thought it was funny that their highest attendance on the year was 5000..... get on our level


Related to their attendance, and their "level", why is it that schools in OUr conference in decent sized cities that are not named Toledo seem to struggle to draw crowds? Akron should sell out EVERY game in the JAR. Buffalo should be close to capacity every Saturday at least. Western as well. All three programs have been good programs for a number of seasons in a row. I know Buffalo and Akron have less than desirable buildings, but the product on the court is well worth watching. I just don't get it.

Back to the story in the post.... Agreed, great story on Maurice. It seems even some of the opposing fans are starting to enjoy watching his hustle and enthusiasm.


I've long believed that the central reason why Akron and Kent lag in basketball attendance is the makeup of their student body. Most of their students head for home at night and on weekends and don't form the same bonds with their schools and athletic teams as do students who attend schools where they live on or near campus.
This is exactly it. I went to Akron my freshman year and this was one of the main reasons for transferring to OU. It's a commuter campus. It also doesn't help that the JAR is somewhat of a walk from most of the dorms on campus. Combine that with a windy, top-of-the-hill campus placement and you have a lot of apathetic students.
Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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Posted: 2/17/2014 12:27 PM
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If any school should've been putting all its eggs in the basketball basket, it was Akron. Even a Stroh-like arena would've been a great investment compared to the white elephant football stadium.

I apologize for my dead horse. But it is my dead horse and it's dear to me.
Last Edited: 2/17/2014 12:28:53 PM by Brian Smith (No, not that one)
The Optimist
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Posted: 2/17/2014 1:09 PM
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cbarber357 wrote:expand_more
I don't think the JAR will get an update/replacement without donation money covering it, isn't Akron in a ton of financial trouble?

 

Pretty much. I think their best hope is going in with the city on a downtown arena. Their campus is close enough to downtown that I think a nice arena coupled with the teams dambrot has pit together could pull students. I also think that might get city residents at-large excited.
 

As nice as Infocision is for football, can you imagine if they had a hoops arena of that caliber on campus? Definitely would've been more beneficial for them to go all-in on hoops...

Ohio69
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Posted: 2/17/2014 2:00 PM
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OU_Country wrote:expand_more
Related to their attendance, and their "level", why is it that schools in OUr conference in decent sized cities that are not named Toledo seem to struggle to draw crowds? 


Answers in order of impact:  
1.  The Ohio State University (a whole state brainwashed)
2.  Small basketball budgets. (Geno Ford doubled his salary by dumping Kent for Bradley. Still amazes me)
3.  Poor product / shallow conference quality (Outside of OHIO in March, this conference can't beat anyone.  And, can never seem to have more than 1 quality team per year.)


If Toledo, Buffalo, and EMU can keep their coaches around the MAC could be on the upswing.  But, I doubt they can keep them around.
Last Edited: 2/17/2014 2:01:28 PM by Ohio69
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