IBA - New Home or Glad It's Over

[vancedave56]

Why the hell are people trying to compare this arena and environment to that of Koch's? That is just stupid and you'll always set yourself up for disappointment.

As for the whiny Debbie Downers, don't go the next time the Shocks play downtown. You're the ones who probably sat on your hands and kept the environment down to a minimum.

If you can't support WSU basketball 1 or 2 times out of the year out of your "comfort zone", then forget about it. Maybe, WSU basketball isn't as much of a passion as you like to portray it out to be.

It was a great experience and a chance to do something new for once. The environment at IBA was arguably the best environment we've put on this year. What does that tell ya?

Koch is our home. But once or twice a year at IBA would be fun. And as stated, we need to act like "big time" too. And big time require some neutral court, larger venue appearances.

:good:

[1972Shocker]

If we were playing just one or two games a year at IBA, there is no reason they shouldn't sell out. With just a little promotion or even the media not declaring a sell out the day before, we would have sold out on a Tuesday night.

This was a trial run, they will do better next time and the crowd will probably be bigger.

Whether or not we should return to IBA and whether or not it would sell out will depend largely on the quality of opponents we can attract.

Is Tulsa good enough. Perhaps, and they could be pretty solid in couple of years when they return to Wichita again.

Maybe our MWC Challenge game might do the trick if the opponent is as highly ranked as San Diego State is this year.

A top 25 BCS program would be the preferred opponent for games at IBA. Whether or not we can attract those kind of games remains to be seen.

Something that ESPN would be likely to broadcast would be nice.

BTW, I doubt that ESPN has broadcast very many games this year that were more entertaining than the show the Shocks and 'Canes put on last night.

[BenWSU]

According to Chris Allison on KGSO this morning, the KSU-UNLV game was on tap for IBA last night.

[shox1989]

If we were playing just one or two games a year at IBA, there is no reason they shouldn't sell out. With just a little promotion or even the media not declaring a sell out the day before, we would have sold out on a Tuesday night.

This was a trial run, they will do better next time and the crowd will probably be bigger.

Whether or not we should return to IBA and whether or not it would sell out will depend largely on the quality of opponents we can attract.

Is Tulsa good enough. Perhaps, and they could be pretty solid in couple of years when they return to Wichita again.

Maybe our MWC Challenge game might do the trick if the opponent is as highly ranked as San Diego State is this year.

A top 25 BCS program would be the preferred opponent for games at IBA. Whether or not we can attract those kind of games remains to be seen.

Something that ESPN would be likely to broadcast would be nice.

I made the statement that there is no reason we shouldn't sell it out based on the assumption we would be playing a decent opponent there.

I don't think they would ever play a Alcorn State at IBA but I guess I could be wrong.

I would assume that any future opponent at IBA would be as good as Tulsa or better.

[ShockTalk]

Why the hell are people trying to compare this arena and environment to that of Koch's? That is just stupid and you'll always set yourself up for disappointment.

I think few are comparing the two, but more so, pointing out weaknesses of IBA that lessen the enjoyment. As I said earlier, IBA is a very good all-purpose arena, but CKA is a d*m* great college basketball venue.

As for the whiny Debbie Downers, don't go the next time the Shocks play downtown. You're the ones who probably sat on your hands and kept the environment down to a minimum.

If you can't support WSU basketball 1 or 2 times out of the year out of your "comfort zone", then forget about it. Maybe, WSU basketball isn't as much of a passion as you like to portray it out to be.

If I look at the poll above, only 2 didn't like it. One didn't go and the other said they wouldn't again. As for myself, I was caught between two choices so I picked the "huge game" choice. I don't like the idea of playing at IBA just to do it. I think it should be reserved for use against very good opponents that we couldn't get otherwise or that would have a broad appeal to the common fan. If not, I think you'll end up with 3-4,000 empty seats in what seems to be a quite arena.

It was a great experience and a chance to do something new for once. The environment at IBA was arguably the best environment we've put on this year. What does that tell ya?

Tells me that it was darn good that WSU won against a (very good) .500 team or that best environment wouldn't have happened. It also tells me how crappy our home schedule has been.

Koch is our home. But once or twice a year at IBA would be fun. And as stated, we need to act like "big time" too. And big time require some neutral court, larger venue appearances.

Once yes, twice would probably be the exception. However, you can't really act "big time" in that IBA environment if you're not playing a big time game.

[Speed]

I expect WSU men's basketball to sell out every game in Wichita regardless of the opponent or venue. I'm glad we aren't getting distracted by the shiny new toy when we've had a favorite. Its cool to go dt once a year. Don't sell our home short.

[1972Shocker]

Tulsa was an OK opponent but the main reason it worked this year was because it was a first ever type of event and because it was the renewal of a long-time, heated rivalry.

One of the primary catalysts in having a game at IBA this year was because we were required to have a game there by the NCAA part and parcel to hosting the Women's NCAA 1st and 2nd rounds this year at IBA.

Tulsa was by far the best non-conference option. If it hadn't been them it would probably have been Creighton, MSU or UNI depending on arena availability.

[ShockerFever]

I think few are comparing the two, but more so, pointing out weaknesses of IBA that lessen the enjoyment. As I said earlier, IBA is a very good all-purpose arena, but CKA is a d*m* great college basketball venue.

There are few that are making stupid comparisons and those are the people my comments are directed at. Again, comparing IBA and CKA is stupid. They are nowhere near comparable. No one is saying or should be saying that IBA is a better college basketball venue and should replace Koch. My problem is a few were expecting similar experiences, atmosphere, etc. to that of Koch. Creatures of habit, if you will. They aren't comparable nor intended to be comparable.

If I look at the poll above, only 2 didn't like it. One didn't go and the other said they wouldn't again. As for myself, I was caught between two choices so I picked the "huge game" choice. I don't like the idea of playing at IBA just to do it. I think it should be reserved for use against very good opponents that we couldn't get otherwise or that would have a broad appeal to the common fan. If not, I think you'll end up with 3-4,000 empty seats in what seems to be a quite arena.

Again, there were a couple of posts I was directing my comments toward, not the poll results. And it appears, based on poll results, the very large majority favor 1-2 games a year at IBA.

Unfortunately, Tulsa was our biggest game this year. I guess we should complain to the schedule makers then on why we can't get bigger names at our "neutral" venue.

The marketing of the game was piss-poor. That kept a few away. Tuesday night kept a few away. Tulsa being perceived as "down" kept a few away. I think you're selling the city/fanbase short.

Tells me that it was darn good that WSU won against a (very good) .500 team or that best environment wouldn't have happened. It also tells me how crappy our home schedule has been.

Exactly. Typically our better environments occur when we win. Would you agree? If it was at Koch and we lost, it would have been somewhat subdued. And yes, our home schedule sucks. That's not my fault that IBA has been louder at CKA this year. It's our fault, the fan's fault, and to some extent, the coaches' fault for the craptastic home slate.

Once yes, twice would probably be the exception. However, you can't really act "big time" in that IBA environment if you're not playing a big time game.

I thought last night was a "big time atmosphere" displaying a "big time product". I dunno what you were watching. And this was against a mediocre C-USA team.

IBA is not at fault for the "lack of big time" as you are putting it. That is more of the fault of the schedule-makers who have yet to pull in quality opponents onto the home schedule.

[1972Shocker]

Hindsight is 20-20 but the game the Shocks and Tulsa played last night was big time college basketball. Each team answering the other teams salvos time after time after time. I knew it was going to be a tough night when Tulsa barely blinked at the unbelievable punch DK laid on them to start the game.

I know 3G and his players were pumped up to play at IBA and I'm wondering if Tulsa wasn't similarly inspired by the venue. Hard to really know for sure but it was quite a show.

Hopefully, future games at IBA can live up to the standard set by last night's performance. It won't be easy.

[ShockerFever]

Nice post '72. It was big time basketball and I agree that Tulsa played up for it.

Hopefully we'll see the same high quality in the future. :good:

[ShockTalk]

SF - Never said playing Tulsa wasn't a good game for IBA. It's an old rivalry that will bring out a lot of people to the game. Again, name recognition. OU's not as good as Tulsa, but people would come out to see us play them. To quote from my post above, "I think it should be reserved for use against very good opponents that we couldn't get otherwise or that would have a broad appeal to the common fan." Tulsa fit the second category. It was a bonus that it was a great game. But it wasn't necessarily a great game because it was at IBA. I think the same game at CKA would have been equally as good (and loud).

[pinstripers]

The poll needed an option reading, "would you go again if you could chose your seats."

[vancedave56]

SF - Never said playing Tulsa wasn't a good game for IBA. It's an old rivalry that will bring out a lot of people to the game. Again, name recognition. OU's not as good as Tulsa, but people would come out to see us play them. To quote from my post above, "I think it should be reserved for use against very good opponents that we couldn't get otherwise or that would have a broad appeal to the common fan." Tulsa fit the second category. It was a bonus that it was a great game. But it wasn't necessarily a great game because it was at IBA. I think the same game at CKA would have been equally as good (and loud).

It would seem logical that we wouldn't schedule a game at IBA if it were not a quality opponent. I'm sure that is one criteria being considered.

[proshox]

Shockerfever has this right. If WSU had the schedule to keep 13k fans at each game I would happily go to every game at IBA. The atmosphere was great - the players and coaches verified it in their post game comments. I love Koch, but at the end of the day the more the merrier.

[SubGod22]

There was a buzz. And it was nice. But I'll take the crowd noise and intimidation of CKA over IBA.

I don't care about concession prices as I refuse to pay that much for something that has no business being that pricey.