Had a preview in Thursday's paper (including some love for Aaron Hall, who's getting a fan base it seems.)
CCSU won here last year, but it was a different team. Can CCSU win? Yes. Is Monmouth's record indicative of its season? I'm not so sure. Many of their losses came to good teams, so we'll see. The other big key is how the kids react to their first trip to the Dungeon.
Speaking of the Dungeon, I had two thoughts: 1) For CCSU's last trip there next year, the Blue Devil fans should unite and make a group trip up there to totally change the atmosphere. A bus trip is in order if any higher ups are listening.
2) I was giving more thought to the arena thing, and while I was reading through the historical data for something else I arrived at an idea. Since we've determined that a new building for basketball isn't coming soon, CCSU should promote what it has. Detrick Gym has been home to some great teams and some of the area's biggest games over the last half-century or so. Let's focus on that, not the negatives.
Boston Garden was a rat hole, literally, but it was also THE place to watch basketball for decades. Madison Square Garden isn't exactly new anymore (though I still think it's a tremendous place to watch a game), but it's still the best place to watch or play college hoops.
I'm not saying Detrick is either of those places, but its niche is its history. I'd put old framed photos of legendary players or games above the doors, or at least on that open wall space next to them. CCSU should refer to it as "historic" Detrick Gymnasium as often as possible. The pitch would then be this: You could play in a nice new building with no atmosphere or history, or you could come into a storied building and make the next bit of history here.
But that's just my 2 cents, which are actually worth just under a penny.
Detrick is alright.
ReplyDeleteLots of history
However, that is the problem....it is history...or should be.
If CCSU wants to move beyond the dubious joy of just making the tournament and getting thrown to the wolves...or Tar Heels, Huskies etc. -- it is time to fish or cut bait. Be Div. 1 all the way or retreat to Div. 2 or even 3.
How much are they paying Howie....Geno's hairdresser gets more, so does Calhoun's whipping boy.
Howie deserves a better setting, training facilities etc.
Sure it is fun to be the underdog for awhile, get sent to "exotic" venues where the Herald will not send its beat reporter, play 'em close for a while...maybe every 10 or 20 pull an upset..
But come on....Conn. can do better.