Came away with a bunch of positives, but two things that really have nothing to do with the game left a bitter taste in my mouth. This is the first game I've been to this season, so sorry if this has been brought up before.

1. The PA Announcer is taking away from the game. It almost looked like he had a little group of people behind him egging him on to say ridiculous things. Rico Suave, DJ Cooper from the 2nd ring of Saturn...this is not a cheesy made for TV movie. I'm all about having fun, but we shouldn't have an older guy trying to act like a lamer version of an AND1 Mixtape announcer. Don't even get me started on standing up either. Just dumb.

2. The band placement makes no sense at all to me. There were drummers within arm shot of the new, expensive courtside seats. So instead of having the band in their old location, we are blaring music in the O-Zone/black seat ears, plus all but eliminating the 5-6 rows above the band (no one will sit there because you can't see).

Anyway, great win, like the energy, love that Stevie Taylor is that perfect player everyone hates to play against but you love on his team, like the way Reggie plays under control now, love seeing that Offutt could very well be just as good or better than Bassett and of course love the fact that, at least on paper, everyone will be coming back next year.

Unfortunatley we have to live with the PA unless Mr Schaus steps in.  The PA does the Volleyball and uses adjectives throughout the contest. I agree that we don' t need  those adjectives.  Let us go back to Tom Starr, oops Mr. Schaus, I heard, let him go.  But it is quite tiring.  Write to Schaus!! 

There really is no better place for the band.  They cannot be at the baselines as opposing coaches have complained about that location.  Regarding the Black Seats, they knew what they were getting for the price of those seats.  The band has been there the last three years.   Fortunately they did not put the Black Seats in front of the band. 

Oh well just continue to come and watch what I think will a very good basketball team.

Sweet Lou, don't listen to these idiots.  Obviously these posters don't realize that you are a regular on this board and that you make the majority of that stuff up on the fly.

Agreed somewhat with the band issue (that they should be back on the endline.) The same thing applies to those who don't want to stand behind the O-zone.  If you aren't standing in the front part of that section, you can't see the games when the O-zone is full.

Rico Suave - That was cheesy enough w/the original one! I felt embarrased for "Ric"!

Reaction around me was "WTF" was that!!!!

TN-Martin's coach complained to the referees that his players couldn't hear him because the band was too loud. That's awesome. Having the 110 with the O Zone makes perfect sense. I should note, though, that it was my idea.

Rico Suave and Sweet Nick are incredibly cheesy.  I don't need to hear a color commentary from the PA guy.  More of a technical issue, but the volume on the microphones is way too low on all the announcements and contests.  I can't hear a thing that they are saying.

We sat in the seats by the bass drum on the edge of the 110 today.  My wife just laughed when we sat down and realized it was the frist game we sat there when the band was in attendance.  It's no big deal, and we did know they were going to be there eventually.  The band is actually louder if you are on the other side of the court with them playing directly at you.

Side note:  The girl that sang the National Anthem today was really good.  She needs to be in the regular rotation.

Lou is a real solid announcer and way better than Tom Starr. We need all the excitement we can get at games, and Lou helps with that.  

I'm on Lou's side.  

We used to have the band by our bench 4 years ago. I always thought THAT was crazy....making our own coaches talk over the band was insane.

I like the band disrupting the other team in their new location. I like the band showing spunk and creativity while the other team is in front of them on offense the entire second half.

I am not adverse to seeing them in the end a la the alumni band at v ball games but I would not move them till the Ozone returns to its previous status. (yes young uns that is a challenge to build you r membership back up and come up with creative ways to rock the psyche of the opponents. )  ONce the Ozone can fill the entire front stands then let them have the space back. Still too much open area on the end opposite the band.

Donuts I respect your opinion but having gone to many many games over the years I like many of the things I am hearing and am sure Lou will respond to constructive criticism ....because he is that kind of guy. That said I have listened to his volley and foot and find very little wrong with it .....especially when you consider the personality of the guys calling the games UPSTAIRS....that shot was all the way from the CApital City or ......he was open all the way to Muncie. I find those things entertaining and informative as it gives you a closer look at the player and fills in some background.

Not having been there this year, but having been before for HS and women's games (I think) with Lou at the helm, I can see both sides of it.

Yes, he does being the enthusiasm which is definitely needed for basketball games in my opinion.  However, if the cheese factor of the HS Tourney (and it works at that level) is spilling over in full, it may be a little much and a turn off at the college level in a PA position... it'll fly a little bit more on the radio as a way to keep people tuned in perhaps (see: Russ), which kind of goes into what borna was touching upon.  Like I said, I don't know the extent of it, so I can't really judge that as well as the rest of you.

Tid-bits from today's basketball action:

*Nice to see Ricardo hit a shot.  He's made a noticeable improvement these past few games staying in control and knowing his role.  Yet he's not able to actually finish and make a shot with any consistency.  Just assume his shots or put-backs will not go in.  Nice to see him today nail a jumper.  Should be a nice confidence booster as I can't remember the last time he hit a 15 footer.

*No Goard today?  Maybe a little more seasoning at practice and back in later.  Minutes are hard to get on this team right now.

*Do we really miss much when Stevie is in there for DJ?  Just saying?  I'm not for sure he won't be better than Junior DJ Cooper when he's a Junior.

*Ethan dressed a got in!  Nice to see even though it was a rough 1 minute.

*BTW, I like the band location right where they're at.  Until we see the OZONE overflow to the poit there's no more room for students, this is the bands best place. Still plenty of quality seats for any students who'd like to attend.

I feel like I am on the set of a bad comedy movie.............

not only "bucket by Luckett" but we also had "basket, Ball..."