Brando's Comments (Bama not a "basketball" school)

[RedStar]

Re: Brando's Comments

One more thing, the SEC is a football conference. We'll care more about basketball when our opponents start caring more about basketball. I honestly think it would take a joint effort from the entire conference before we see anywhere near the passion the ACC has for basketball.

For those of you who have been to the SEC tournament in the last few years, where does Alabama rank in fan support? I ask about the Tourny because I think it's a pretty decent gauge by seeing how many fans show up.

If I had to make a list based on what I've witnessed:

1. Kentucky
2. Tennessee (at least the last few years)
3. Vandy (at least the last few years)
4. Florida
5. Alabama
6. Arkansas
7. Mississippi State
8. Ole Miss
9. Georgia
10. South Carolina
11. LSU
12. Auburn

(We were 5th in the league based on attendance last year, but I expect that number to rise.)

Considering we're still in the top half of the league despite not going to the NCAA tourny since 2006, I'd say we're much better off than most. The foundation is there, I honestly believe we just need some on court success.

 

[RollTide1224]

Re: Brando's Comments

This is a good topic. I think it could use a better title that says what his comments were about.

I still think as others have said Bama is and always will be a football shool, listen to the fight song for crying out loud. That doesn't mean we can't have good support for the basketball team but to think it can be anywhere near football is a pipe dream to me.

 

[Ldlane]

Re: Brando's Comments

I don't think it is "attendance" in itself. It's the lack of "cheering" at the right times and support.

This is a good topic. I think it could use a better title that says what his comments were about.

I still think as others have said Bama is and always will be a football shool, listen to the fight song for crying out loud. That doesn't mean we can't have good support for the basketball team but to think it can be anywhere near football is a pipe dream to me.

 

[RollTide1224]

I don't think it is "attendance" in itself. It's the lack of "cheering" at the right times and support.

Yeah I can agree with that. Im not sure how to deal with that. Most good crowds feed off the student section, so getting them going should be the main goal.

My buddy who is a season ticket holder for football has always commented bama fans have no idea how to cheer on offense. Maybe we are just a challenged fanbase

 

[RTR91]

Re: Brando's Comments

We need to really work harder to keep our talent in state. Doing so would likely generate more base level support for the program. How support would we have if we had somehow had managed to recruit Cousins and Bledsoe to Town?

That was addressed some in either this thread or another one. There isn't much instate talent this year. We kept the big names last year (Lacy, Coop, and Randolph). Green and Hendrix were both big instate guys. We missed on several, though, and that's been a problem.

You mentioned Cousins and Bledsoe... IIRC, CMG recruited both, but CAG didn't try as hard for various reasons (academics and/or character maybe; can't remember). Also, what would those two have done to our program? Given us one year of excitement and then off to the NBA? Not sure the support would be sustained from that.

 

[RTR91]

Re: Brando's Comments

I still think as others have said Bama is and always will be a football shool, listen to the fight song for crying out loud. That doesn't mean we can't have good support for the basketball team but to think it can be anywhere near football is a pipe dream to me.

I don't think the goal is to have the support near the same level as football. I think the goal is to be respected as a basketball program nationally.

The nation perceives Bama as a football school for two reasons - our history and our passion as a fanbase. Those two reasons are also the same reason we aren't highly regarded as a basketball school. We've been to the Elite 8 once and multiple Sweet 16s. (And I know that we missed the tournament barely with some good teams when it was smaller.)

Look at the teams that are seen as basketball schools - they have the history, which in return causes a passionate fanbase. I mentioned earlier the cliche question "Which came first - chicken or egg?" Did those fanbases' passion lead to the success or did the success lead to passionate fans?

Players talk about loving a great atmosphere at games. Well that indicates to me to get the big named players, the fans need to make the noise. OTOH, most fans say they'll cheer when the team starts really producing. It's time as a fanbase to realize we can change that equation and get rowdy and make Coleman a great place for the home team and recruits.

Would it be more beneficial to move the student section to be around the court? I think it would be a good idea, but I know the money folks won't agree to it.

 

[BamaMTA06]

Re: Brando's Comments

I don't think the goal is to have the support near the same level as football. I think the goal is to be respected as a basketball program nationally.

The nation perceives Bama as a football school for two reasons - our history and our passion as a fanbase. Those two reasons are also the same reason we aren't highly regarded as a basketball school. We've been to the Elite 8 once and multiple Sweet 16s. (And I know that we missed the tournament barely with some good teams when it was smaller.)

Look at the teams that are seen as basketball schools - they have the history, which in return causes a passionate fanbase. I mentioned earlier the cliche question "Which came first - chicken or egg?" Did those fanbases' passion lead to the success or did the success lead to passionate fans?

Players talk about loving a great atmosphere at games. Well that indicates to me to get the big named players, the fans need to make the noise. OTOH, most fans say they'll cheer when the team starts really producing. It's time as a fanbase to realize we can change that equation and get rowdy and make Coleman a great place for the home team and recruits.

Would it be more beneficial to move the student section to be around the court? I think it would be a good idea, but I know the money folks won't agree to it.

Is there a better definition of fair weather fan? As someone stated the basketball talent in this state is hit or miss. I remember a lot of people were upset with Coach Grant about his 2010 recruiting class. We didn't sign anyone from Alabama. Based on Rivals rankings we signed Releford (#90), Jason Carter (#99), and Hankerson (#138). There where two players from Alabama that year ranked in the Rivals Top 150, KT Harrell (#30 UVA) and Ralston Turner (#142 LSU). There wasn't much talent to pick from and Harrell had no interest in us. Last year we had Lacey, Randolph, and Cooper who were all in the Rivals Top 50 players. This year it's Craig Sword (#88), JaCorey Williams (#127), and DeOndre Haynes (#136). We barely talked to Haynes and got in on Williams too late after better basketball players decided to go to other schools. There just isn't a lot of consistent basketball talent being produced in this state.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Re: Brando's Comments

Football isnt really a "white" game either. We still have hockey though! for now. lol

Interesting that UAH is Div I in hockey and UA is club level. Portera, while interimming as UAH president reduced it to club level (and almost got run out of town on a rail). Big pockets stepped up with the cash to keep it Div I. Goldie Hawn's son played here. In fact she owns - or owned - the entire top floor of a luxury condo building downtown...

 

[RTR91]

Re: Brando's Comments

Is there a better definition of fair weather fan?

I've seen too many folks say, "Give me something to cheer about, and I will." It's sad, really.

 

[BamaBuff24]

I think some folks miss the point. Alabama is a sport school. You have to have a product to sell support. Are we a gymnastic or softball school? I bet most of us think that we are not a baseball school. The bottom line you need a product you can sell. I remember the CWS and CCMN days and people came to the games. Remember when Alabama had the most ex-players in the NBA?

 

[longinthetusk]

Brando's greatest talent is his appreciation for his own opinions. But I admit, having closely followed BAMA basketball since 1968, we are not a top tier basketball school. We can be.

 

[aerospace_ray]

Re: Brando's Comments

Florida BBall support is still pathetic considering they've won 2 National Championships within the last 7 years. They couldn't even sell out an early season home game against Florida State this past season. Could you imagine a Duke/UNC game not selling out? But then again, Florida fans wear jorts, so....

The Florida fanbase is probably an extreme example, they're a strange bunch. I don't know what it will take to get us to care about basketball more. I would say we're in the top 5 schools within the SEC as far as program support. I think just making the NCAA Tourny on a regular basis helps fill the seats, and being ranked in the top 25 on a consistent basis helps fill the seats. I don't think we've got that far to go to reach either of those goals.

Great points. I think you are spot on with the making the tourney (NCAA) and being ranked will definitely fill the seats. Thinking about this topic reminds me of watching soccer take off in many rural parts of North Alabama. My youth (70's-80's) I never saw a soccer ball except on wide world of sports on Saturdays..... But one year it started and now one would be hard pressed to find a community (city/rural) that does not have some form of organized soccer. I know this is basketball topic but I am just making an analogy for consistency. Make the dance and keep yielding ranked teams and who knows we might a have national championship to play for in March. RTR

 

[bamaslaw]

Having gone to school with him, I'm surprised he could come up with that! Just an aside, Charlie Ward and Bob Sura played on that team. Ward carried a 4.0 GPA. The team GPA was 1.7!

I'm from the same town as Charlie. Absolutely one of the nicest people on this Earth.

 

[Ldlane]

I'm from the same town as Charlie. Absolutely one of the nicest people on this Earth.

I think when he played for the Knicks the running joke was "The best QB in NY plays for the Knicks!"

 

[bamaslaw]

I think we he played for the Knicks the running joke was "The best QB in NY plays for the Knicks!"

I remember a bunch of head scratching when the main criticism of him as a QB was that he wasn't tall enough... so he played in the NBA.

 

[RTR91]

Re: Brando's Comments

For those wanting to say Bama is only a football school, Sporting News says we're the #8 football/basketball school in the nation and can move up to #1 if CAG continues his work.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-fo...sconsin?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Re: Brando's Comments

Kausler

 

[Ldlane]

Re: Brando's Comments

Kausler

And I still say it is "cheering" at appropriate times that we need!

 

[derek4tide]

Re: Brando's Comments

That basketball is not a "white" game? I say that because I grew up in Selma and that's a way a few of my relatives on the otherside of the family viewed things.

And I stress to people not to turn this into a "non-sports" topic!

Tell that to Duke, UNC, Gonzaga, Butler, etc.

 

[Ldlane]

Re: Brando's Comments

Tell that to Duke, UNC, Gonzaga, Butler, etc.

I don't think anyone is arguing the point, but that is how it is viewed nevertheless.