Breaking Bad

[jimmykc]

Stop sniffling, boys. The Walking Dead starts up again in 2 weeks. And I'll let Timmy borrow my Bruce Dern avatar until he gets his own.

[hhcmatt]

This arena feels too big for our program. Only consistent, top 20 basketball will come close to keeping it full. Not only are we not there yet as a program, but we also have the disadvantage of having no rivals, along with unfamiliar and bland (IMO) foes.

 

We only added around 1000 more capacity from the Devaney.

We built the arena for the type of program we want to become.  

[49r]

 

This arena feels too big for our program. Only consistent, top 20 basketball will come close to keeping it full. Not only are we not there yet as a program, but we also have the disadvantage of having no rivals, along with unfamiliar and bland (IMO) foes.

 

We only added around 1000 more capacity from the Devaney.

We built the arena for the type of program we want to become.  

 

 

While that's true, dimes, Pinnacle Bank Arena does have room for expansion...around 3000 more seats, IIRC.  So, I get where it could have a bigger "feel" than Devaney.  (disclaimer, I haven't been to PBA in person yet, so I'm not agreeing with any perspective here...many others have said it's got a more intimate feel than Devaney)

 

But yeah, I don't think you need consistent top 20 basketball to fill it consistently.  Hell, Creighton's filled their (bigger) arena for a decade and they haven't been anywhere near top 20 for the vast majority of that time.

[Norm Peterson]

I think we've gone from about 13,500 to about 15,500 seating capacity.  And if we filled in the open end with more seats, I think we could go all the way to about 18,500, which would be enough to host an NCAA regional rounds of 64 and 32.  And, with all the new hotels being built, I think the only thing holding us back from being a host city is ...

 

our brand new arena isn't big enough.

[jimmykc]

The two reasons that Creighton has filled their arena consistently begin with "B" but have nothing to do with basketball. 1. Bigger- Omaha has a much larger population within driving distance during those winter games and does not rely on outstate folks (or Lincoln folks) driving to the games. 2. Beer- a certain percentage of their fan base would not show up without the alcohol inducement-sort of like pro baseball in that regard. I do not foresee these situations changing at the new arena so I think adding more seats is a pipe dream.

[basketballjones]

I found parking to be no more or less difficult than any other event I've been to.

[NUdiehard]

 

Parking in the garages & planning to have a beer or two in the Haymarket after the games while the garages clear out probably will be the way to go.

 

 

Looking up and around at the considerable vastness of the arena, and then down at the display of very bad streetball before me, I can't help but feel afraid of what might become once the afterglow of the new dig wears off. This arena feels too big for our program. Only consistent, top 20 basketball will come close to keeping it full. Not only are we not there yet as a program, but we also have the disadvantage of having no rivals, along with unfamiliar and bland (IMO) foes.

 

 

Pinnacle Bank arena is definitely NOT too big for our program.  Our program has proven already that it can support this size of an arena, and probably much larger.  If NU has success on the hardwood, the fans will come no matter how much the glitz of the new arena has worn off by then.  NU fans love and support a winner, it has been proven time and again.  This really is not even disputable IMO.  In fact, the current arena is not much larger than the Devaney Center.  When the Devaney Sports Center originally opened, its listed capacity was over 14,000, and it could hold much more than that.  The largest crowd to watch a game in Devaney Center was 15,038 in 1981. In the history of Devaney Center, there have been scores of game with attendance over 14,000.  Click HERE to see a link to the all time attendance records at Devaney and to see that getting crowds of 14,000+ simply will not be an issue if the team is winning.

[Red Rum]

I have also found that parking is difficult. As a frequent visitor to the Haymarket area, I got into a groove and kinda had an idea of where to look for a spot. With all this new fangled goings-on I have to look harder. It’s not a complaint, I’m just lazy. Especially when I go to watch NFL games all hungover and stuff.

 

We’ll all figure it out. I think my group is planning on parking in the new Arena lot by the ball field and walk over. But we’re young(ish) so we should be able to handle it.

 

Still love the new digs though…

[jimmykc]

Good to hear from Boehm today that the ugly concrete will be covered with red carpet and that the bridge to nowhere will be finished by the first game. Bad to hear that some of the seats in the upper bowl turned out to be obstructed by "safety  railing regulations". Also no complaints about parking, so maybe my experience was unique. Next time I venture down I'll just plan to pedal a bar.