news from the hoopla

[bigdaddystuck]

Just starting. Very impressed with building. Also getting to catch up with jerome robinson and his wife.

Intros for the ladies are going on...pretty cool.

[bigdaddystuck]

Men now. JP is huge!

[mrcoachdude]

Got to say hi to JP ...he is HUGE!

[dogsrus]

Everything (until the airball ) was GREAT. The arena is fantastic......

[BU RICK]

It was only 1/3 full, if that, it was tough looking at all those empty seats. Not much interest from the students and that's too bad for a on campus arena. There's enough students to fill the place, why not.

[AZ BU Fan]

Must of all been downtown Peoria at the bars!

[BradleyBrave]

Some observations from Hoopla -

1. Tell me again why they couldn't add 1,500-2,000 seats above the lower bowl? Sure a lot of wasted space from the lower bowl up to the ceiling. Maybe they're saving that space for all the banners the volleyball team and women's basketball team are going to win.

2. JP is ripped, AT finally looks like a college basketball player, WE is big as well. They look like a real front line. Now I hope they can play basketball.

3. Walt can jump. So can DSE.

4. Davis looks raw, and doesn't look 6'10". Don't see him being physically ready, and I would say redshirting might be a good option for him.

5. Sammy looked real, real gimpy. And that was just in a layup line.

6. Lights are bright in there.

7. One guy got free books, and 2 people got free TV's! Nice shootin'!

8. Taylor Brown looked foolish with his sunglasses at the beginning of the event, and even more foolish with them on during the layup line.

9. Not even an introduction of assistant coaches? We had former players stand up, but not even a mention of the return of Willie Scott?

10. We got more dancing and women's basketball time than men's, almost to the point where it felt like a bait-and-switch. I understand that it's to get folks fired up for the season, but can we get more than a layup line and 3 guys dunking? It's supposed to be about school spirit and basketball, not multiple dance routines, Harleys, costumes, and games. Great idea conceptually, terrible execution. I'll consider it a work-in-progress.

[RaiderOfBradley]

Agree that it was a bit disappointing to see so few people there. I really don't want to hear anyone complain IF a game goes there that they can't get a seat, because there were plenty of them tonight.

The two basketball teams looked great tonight. The ladies have some shooters on their squad and could be something worth a look during their season.

I definitely was surprised by how the men's team looked. The weight room must have been a popular place because every one of them looked to have put on some upper body strength (even AT). It looks as though we'll have AT, JP, AD and WE for some size around the basket so, if the weights have been as beneficial as it looks, we should be able to push some teams around.

Both DSE and WL looked to be in great shape. WL's dunks during the dunk showcase (couldn't really call it a contest) showed he has some major ups. Don't know whether it was the European trip or what, but DSE also demonstrated some new hops.

All in all, I left the Hoopla on The Hilltop with a better attitude about the team and the upcoming season than I went into the building with. I think we might surprise some people this year...

[BradleyBrave]

All in all, I left the Hoopla on The Hilltop with a better attitude about the team and the upcoming season than I went into the building with. I think we might surprise some people this year...

How could you tell that from a silly dance and a layup line?

[RaiderOfBradley]

Wow, talk about attitude...

Anyway, I am looking physically at the team. They look bigger, look healthy and look ready. Would I like to see a team scrimmage during this endeavor? Sure. But I prefer for our guys to pound on someone else rather than each other.

Now if you'd like to take your attitude somewhere else, that would be great.

[BradleyBrave]

Wow, talk about attitude...

Anyway, I am looking physically at the team. They look bigger, look healthy and look ready. Would I like to see a team scrimmage during this endeavor? Sure. But I prefer for our guys to pound on someone else rather than each other.

Now if you'd like to take your attitude somewhere else, that would be great.

I just asked how you could tell that we might surprise people. Nothing more.

[Beninator]

Some observations from Hoopla -

1. Tell me again why they couldn't add 1,500-2,000 seats above the lower bowl? Sure a lot of wasted space from the lower bowl up to the ceiling. Maybe they're saving that space for all the banners the volleyball team and women's basketball team are going to win.

2. JP is ripped, AT finally looks like a college basketball player, WE is big as well. They look like a real front line. Now I hope they can play basketball.

3. Walt can jump. So can DSE.

4. Davis looks raw, and doesn't look 6'10". Don't see him being physically ready, and I would say redshirting might be a good option for him.

5. Sammy looked real, real gimpy. And that was just in a layup line.

6. Lights are bright in there.

7. One guy got free books, and 2 people got free TV's! Nice shootin'!

8. Taylor Brown looked foolish with his sunglasses at the beginning of the event, and even more foolish with them on during the layup line.

9. Not even an introduction of assistant coaches? We had former players stand up, but not even a mention of the return of Willie Scott?

10. We got more dancing and women's basketball time than men's, almost to the point where it felt like a bait-and-switch. I understand that it's to get folks fired up for the season, but can we get more than a layup line and 3 guys dunking? It's supposed to be about school spirit and basketball, not multiple dance routines, Harleys, costumes, and games. Great idea conceptually, terrible execution. I'll consider it a work-in-progress.

I'll add my thoughts to your points.

re point 1. We were talking about the wasted space as well and the possibility for more seating.

Point 2. Very much agree.

Point 3. I was also impressed with Lemon's hops.

Point 4. I was thinking redshirt for Davis based on some things that I have heard. However, I will reserve judgement until I see him at the red/white scrimmage.

Point 7. The Lady Braves can shoot the rock!

Point 8. Given that tonight was about dancing etc, I'll give TB a bit of a pass on the sunglasses. If he contributes and stays out of trouble this year, I will gladly welcome him wearing sunglasses for next years event!

Point 9. I was curious about the lack of an introduction for the assistants especially since the assistants for the Lady Braves were given an introduction.

Point 10. I also consider this event a work in progress. Would LOVE to see this as an event with food tents and live bands etc outside in the quad area with people moving to the arena to see the teams. A friend of mine attended Duke's midnight madness event last year and the party atmosphere outside their arena contributed greatly to the overall event.

[Beninator]

It was only 1/3 full, if that, it was tough looking at all those empty seats. Not much interest from the students and that's too bad for a on campus arena. There's enough students to fill the place, why not.

In the past, I have defended the students in regards to the lack of attendance at the Civic Center. However, I was also a little alarmed at the lack of attendance form the students tonight. Maybe we can get some input from some students about this???? The athletic department at the college that I attended before I transferred to Bradley encouraged participation from the fraternities and sororities. I would be curious if this approach has been attempted currently at Bradley. As Bradleybrave stated, I am also treating this event as a work in progress.......

[RedSeaElite1]

Well as a students perspective i was also somewhat disappointed in our attendance numbers. And as for the greek life and such, on friday night 3 of the 7 sororities had their big fall date parties. And out side of 2 fraternities the rest of greek life isnt highly supportive of bradley athletics. Also, 9pm on a friday night appeals mainly to the students not planning on going out afterwards an such because most of the student population is going out by 10 or 10:30 and there for is getting ready before hand. I think also the fact that the event wasnt a game and was more of a glorified pep rally some students were not attracted to the event.

I personally enjoyed the event. We have the Red vs. White scrimmage to see the guys play in a few weeks. this was just to get people excited about the upcoming season. I think that both the red white scrimmage and the exhibition game in the new arena will have more students at them.

[bigdaddystuck]

I thought that the introductions of the men and womens team was nice. Both of the teams did a great job with their skits, but the shooting competition and dunk competition could have been better organized.

But this was a chance to see the teams and get excited about the season. I think that was accomplished!