Did I Hear Correctly......

[sportsnut2]

First off let me say I think Danny Adams has done a decent job with Snell this year. However, I was a little late to the game tonight and was listening to the pregame show. As the lineups were approaching Dave was telling everyone that Koch Arena in Wichita is a place every Valley fan needs to visit because of the atmosphere. While I don't doubt that, I couldn't believe what I heard next. DA proceeds to say something along the lines of "oh yes, we were worried about going to Cameron Indoor Stadium and the Cameron Crazies, but nothing compares to the atmosphere at Wichita. It might be one of the BEST IN THE NATION. I felt the seats shake when sitting on our bench"

Now, I have never been to either arena, so I am not one to judge. While I don't doubt that Koch Arena gets pretty loud and intense at times, I think it is highly unlikely that the atmosphere at a WSU home game compares to the atmosphere at a Duke home game. If DA is comparing the two based on when he played at WSU and his visit to Durham, he needs to remember that Duke was playing one of the weakest non-conference teams on their schedule, let alone an ACC team, and based on what I saw on TV that night it looked to be pretty crazy. Is WSU's crowd THAT rowdy? Maybe some of you who have been to Wichita and even Cameron Indoor Stadium can comment on this. While driving to the game, I was saying to myself.....did he really just say that? Again, I like DA, and maybe he's right, but I would find that hard to believe, so just looking for some comments from people who have been to Koch Arena.

[shockerfan13]

First off let me say I think Danny Adams has done a decent job with Snell this year. However, I was a little late to the game tonight and was listening to the pregame show. As the lineups were approaching Dave was telling everyone that Koch Arena in Wichita is a place every Valley fan needs to visit because of the atmosphere. While I don't doubt that, I couldn't believe what I heard next. DA proceeds to say something along the lines of "oh yes, we were worried about going to Cameron Indoor Stadium and the Cameron Crazies, but nothing compares to the atmosphere at Wichita. It might be one of the BEST IN THE NATION. I felt the seats shake when sitting on our bench"

Now, I have never been to either arena, so I am not one to judge. While I don't doubt that Koch Arena gets pretty loud and intense at times, I think it is highly unlikely that the atmosphere at a WSU home game compares to the atmosphere at a Duke home game. If DA is comparing the two based on when he played at WSU and his visit to Durham, he needs to remember that Duke was playing one of the weakest non-conference teams on their schedule, let alone an ACC team, and based on what I saw on TV that night it looked to be pretty crazy. Is WSU's crowd THAT rowdy? Maybe some of you who have been to Wichita and even Cameron Indoor Stadium can comment on this. While driving to the game, I was saying to myself.....did he really just say that? Again, I like DA, and maybe he's right, but I would find that hard to believe, so just looking for some comments from people who have been to Koch Arena.

He isn't the first one to make the comparison. Several years ago in the NIT the Florida State coach said it was louder than Duke because at Duke you have 2 or 3 thousand loud students but at Koch arena it was 10,500 loud fans. Now that game was about the best I've witnessed in terms of crowd and noise level. I would say that Duke is much more consistent in terms of the atmosphere. So far this year the crowd at Koch has been pretty dead. But get into a heated conference race and it will change for sure. Last year Pat Knight had said that our atmosphere was every bit as good as any in the Big 12. While there is no Cameron Indoor in the Big 12, there are some decent atmospheres.

I'll be as unbiased as I can and say that on AVERAGE the atmosphere at Koch arena is AMONG some of the best of the places I have been. I am sure there are some that are better. I know Utah St has a pretty darn crazy crowd. Just from what I've seen I think theirs is probably better than ours on a consistent basis. Granted I haven't visited Cameron Indoor so I can't compare with that one other than what I see on TV. However, get in Koch arena on the right night in the right situation and you will have all 10,500 going pretty dang nuts. I've been to Phog Allen for some tight games and the students get loud, but that is about it. I've obviously been to Koch arena for some tight games and it puts Phog Allen to shame. Just one example.

[srw]

The players I was friends with hated playing there because the fans were rabid and mean.

Sounds like a fun place to want to watch the home team.

[sportsnut2]

He isn't the first one to make the comparison. Several years ago in the NIT the Florida State coach said it was louder than Duke because at Duke you have 2 or 3 thousand loud students but at Koch arena it was 10,500 loud fans. Now that game was about the best I've witnessed in terms of crowd and noise level. I would say that Duke is much more consistent in terms of the atmosphere. So far this year the crowd at Koch has been pretty dead. But get into a heated conference race and it will change for sure. Last year Pat Knight had said that our atmosphere was every bit as good as any in the Big 12. While there is no Cameron Indoor in the Big 12, there are some decent atmospheres.

I'll be as unbiased as I can and say that on AVERAGE the atmosphere at Koch arena is AMONG some of the best of the places I have been. I am sure there are some that are better. I know Utah St has a pretty darn crazy crowd. Just from what I've seen I think theirs is probably better than ours on a consistent basis. Granted I haven't visited Cameron Indoor so I can't compare with that one other than what I see on TV. However, get in Koch arena on the right night in the right situation and you will have all 10,500 going pretty dang nuts. I've been to Phog Allen for some tight games and the students get loud, but that is about it. I've obviously been to Koch arena for some tight games and it puts Phog Allen to shame. Just one example.

Wow, shockerfan, I had no idea that the WSU crowd got that loud. I knew it was a great atmosphere, but didn't realize it had been compared to some of the top in the nation. So I apologize to you, and actually now should apologize for thining Danny Adams was out of his mind in saying that. I think it's great for your team and university to have such an explosive atmosphere at your games, and please don't take my comments as a bash on WSU or their fans. Just having never been there, I didn't think it would rival some of the major atmospheres throughout the nation. I, for one, am now extremely envious and jealous of your program, their success, and their following. Maybe someday we can get there......I hope!

[shockerfan13]

Wow, shockerfan, I had no idea that the WSU crowd got that loud. I knew it was a great atmosphere, but didn't realize it had been compared to some of the top in the nation. So I apologize to you, and actually now should apologize for thining Danny Adams was out of his mind in saying that. I think it's great for your team and university to have such an explosive atmosphere at your games, and please don't take my comments as a bash on WSU or their fans. Just having never been there, I didn't think it would rival some of the major atmospheres throughout the nation. I, for one, am now extremely envious and jealous of your program, their success, and their following. Maybe someday we can get there......I hope!

Oh I didn't take it offensively at all. Just offering my perspective and from what I've heard from opposing coaches, players...etc. I know I'm biased but just giving some examples that I had! I wouldn't be too jealous. This stuff is cyclical and your program has alot of history and tradition also.

[Braves4Life]

the players i was friends with hated playing there because the fans were rabid and mean.

Sounds like a fun place to want to watch the home team.

+100000000000000

[sportsnut2]

Well, I am jealous. Yes, I know BU's tradition and history, but as a "younger" person than most of the people that go to the games and live on what has been done in the past, barely getting excited for any game unless it's MSU, or Illinois, or some other big name, it's hard for me to get excited about where we are at as a program despite the past.

To put it in perspective, I am barely old enough to remember the MVC championship at Carver Arena vs. ISU when we had Hawkins. In fact, it was "too late for me" so my parents made me tape it

So basically I remember when Mo took us to the NCAA vs. UMass....skipped school to stay home and watch the game. I remember all the NIT home games getting close to NY, and of course the magical Sweet 16 run a few years back. Other than that goes, it's all read about in books or websites or hear it from other alumni about how great BU basketball WAS. I want so bad to experience that now.....it's just not happening. OK, I will quit crying now

[srw]

Well, I am jealous. Yes, I know BU's tradition and history, but as a "younger" person than most of the people that go to the games and live on what has been done in the past, barely getting excited for any game unless it's MSU, or Illinois, or some other big name, it's hard for me to get excited about where we are at as a program despite the past.

To put it in perspective, I am barely old enough to remember the MVC championship at Carver Arena vs. ISU when we had Hawkins. In fact, it was "too late for me" so my parents made me tape it

So basically I remember when Mo took us to the NCAA vs. UMass....skipped school to stay home and watch the game. I remember all the NIT home games getting close to NY, and of course the magical Sweet 16 run a few years back. Other than that goes, it's all read about in books or websites or hear it from other alumni about how great BU basketball WAS. I want so bad to experience that now.....it's just not happening. OK, I will quit crying now

Its certainly unfortunate. Part of it has to do with BU, part not.

Winning consistently creates intensity, and that hasn't happened enough.

But we also have an older crowd base, and that has to be scary to many, because once their gone, I am not sure what happens.

[Da Coach]

Well, I am jealous. Yes, I know BU's tradition and history, but as a "younger" person than most of the people that go to the games and live on what has been done in the past, barely getting excited for any game unless it's MSU, or Illinois, or some other big name, it's hard for me to get excited about where we are at as a program despite the past.

To put it in perspective, I am barely old enough to remember the MVC championship at Carver Arena vs. ISU when we had Hawkins. In fact, it was "too late for me" so my parents made me tape it

So basically I remember when Mo took us to the NCAA vs. UMass....skipped school to stay home and watch the game. I remember all the NIT home games getting close to NY, and of course the magical Sweet 16 run a few years back. Other than that goes, it's all read about in books or websites or hear it from other alumni about how great BU basketball WAS. I want so bad to experience that now.....it's just not happening. OK, I will quit crying now

Mo's only NCAA game was in Providence, RI against Stanford in 1996. We never played UMass in any postseason tournament that I can recall.

[ancona flash]

Well, I am jealous. Yes, I know BU's tradition and history, but as a "younger" person than most of the people that go to the games and live on what has been done in the past, barely getting excited for any game unless it's MSU, or Illinois, or some other big name, it's hard for me to get excited about where we are at as a program despite the past.

To put it in perspective, I am barely old enough to remember the MVC championship at Carver Arena vs. ISU when we had Hawkins. In fact, it was "too late for me" so my parents made me tape it

So basically I remember when Mo took us to the NCAA vs. UMass....skipped school to stay home and watch the game. I remember all the NIT home games getting close to NY, and of course the magical Sweet 16 run a few years back. Other than that goes, it's all read about in books or websites or hear it from other alumni about how great BU basketball WAS. I want so bad to experience that now.....it's just not happening. OK, I will quit crying now

I remember during that late 80's time frame, and even the mid to late 90's during Mo's best years, when games at Carver were far more exciting and loud than those at Assembly Hall. There wasn't any comparison. That's not that long ago.

My how the tables have turned. Like srw said, winning consistently has to happen to get the crowds rocking.

[BradleyBrave]

I have spent a fair amount of time in Wichita with Wichita fans, and I can understand why it may be unpleasant to play there. And not in a cool, fun, college basketball Cameron-type atmosphere way. More in a 'Deliverance' type of way.

[AndShock]

shockerfan13 did a pretty good job of explaining our fans and atmosphere, but I figured I'd offer my two cents as well. Koch Arena is definitely one of the loudest arenas in the country. With that said, it's certainly not the same atmosphere as Cameron. Basically the only thing we offer is ridiculous loudness. Cameron Crazies will get on your players the whole game and try to get into your players heads. They have great coordination, great chants, etc. They never let up. Wichita State has next to none of that, but as far as noise level, we're as good as anybody.

[Future Walk-On]

Anyone notice how crappy our crowd was last night?

[tornado]

sportsnut -- in a certain way, I think Danny Adams is right...

Perhaps Cameron has rowdier fans, and more antimate fans, and more never-sit-down fans...
but no place is louder than Koch Arena when it gets loud.....
It doesn't get loud as often or as continually as Cameron does, but here's what others say...

"Saturday, December 19th 2009, a decibel reading of 120 was measured from
midway up the stands (at Koch) in the student section during a men's basketball game
versus Texas Tech. Decibel measurements of 115+ were recorded several
times during the event."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Koch_Arena

"First impressions of Wichita? Gold. Very gold. And loud. Very, very, very loud"

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/01/19/first-impressions-of-wichita-gold-and-loud-very-very-very-loud/

[sportsnut2]

Mo's only NCAA game was in Providence, RI against Stanford in 1996. We never played UMass in any postseason tournament that I can recall.

Ahhhh, that's right.... my bad We did play Stanford in the 8-9 game. For some reason I was thinking UMass because I remember CBS interviewing Mo from their selection show viewing party and talking about the possibility of playing #1 seed UMass with Marcus Camby, correct?