TD
Recruit
Posts: 42 
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Post by TD on Jul 21, 2007 8:47:59 GMT -5
I thought this thread that webbvufan started on Horizon League venues was worthy of discussion.
"I took a few minutes to look at all of the basketball arenas in the Horizon League and was really impressed. I knew about Hinkle, the UIC Pavilion and US Cellular (formerly the Mecca), but I had no idea that schools like Cleveland State, UWGB, and Wright State had such nice facilities. Does anyone out there have an opinion as to whether the ARC will hinder recruiting efforts as we go head to head with these schools more often? "
As I have said before, the athlete that is just looking at a venue-arena-court-hall-center-facility is not one Valpo really wants. What makes a difference is when another school in the same area with the same great academic reputation as Valpo and the same size of school with a better facility is going after the same athlete then the facility really matters. If everybody else has a better facility then Valpo needs that same kind of facility or VU suffers in recruiting.
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TD
Recruit
Posts: 42
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Post by TD on Sept 3, 2007 22:13:56 GMT -5
I drove by the Nutter Center on the way back from Columbus to Indy this weekend. Yes, it is a great facility. One thing I did realize is that it is much more than just the home court for Wright State. It is a concert and events center for the whole city of Dayton and suburbs. There was some kind of event going on when I visited on a holiday weekend. I believe that if together with the City of Valparaiso, Porter County and the Chamber of Commerce, VU could build a facility that could be used for an event and concert center along with Valpo sporting events just as the Nutter Center is used. It would be something like the Star Plaza in Merrillville but seat more people.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Sept 4, 2007 9:58:29 GMT -5
I drove by the Nutter Center on the way back from Columbus to Indy this weekend. Yes, it is a great facility. One thing I did realize is that it is much more than just the home court for Wright State. It is a concert and events center for the whole city of Dayton and suburbs. There was some kind of event going on when I visited on a holiday weekend. I believe that if together with the City of Valparaiso, Porter County and the Chamber of Commerce, VU could build a facility that could be used for an event and concert center along with Valpo sporting events just as the Nutter Center is used. It would be something like the Star Plaza in Merrillville but seat more people. Exactly what I said. I mean the ARC is the largest facility in the city in terms of seating (at least indoor). I think it's certainly possible for the city to cooperate with the university and we could share it. |
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Post by valpo89 on Sept 4, 2007 10:55:48 GMT -5
The Nutter Center was great when Valpo played there in the early 1990s. I'm sure it is the same if not better by now. I'd love something like that in town, not sure what kind of entertainment it would attract outside of the annual WWE extravaganzas.
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Post by Valpower on Sept 4, 2007 12:40:16 GMT -5
The Nutter Center was great when Valpo played there in the early 1990s. I'm sure it is the same if not better by now. I'd love something like that in town, not sure what kind of entertainment it would attract outside of the annual WWE extravaganzas. How 'bout the boisterous and stirring musical production of The Vagina Monologues. Honestly, though, I guess the question is what kind of entertainment is sought by the local market and how puritanical would the university be about who is booked. (Gangsta rap up in the Athletics & Recreation Hizzouse?) Does the Nutter Center do ice-rink stuff? |
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TD
Recruit
Posts: 42
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Post by TD on Sept 4, 2007 18:13:46 GMT -5
www.nuttercenter.com/ Looks like Gem City Rollergirls this Saturday and The Air Force Marathon Sports Fitness Expo a week from Thursday & Friday. and last but not least--------- SMACKDOWN---------from the WWE on Tue Oct. 2 !!!!!!!!! The Nutter Center must do ice rink stuff because on Oct. 12 & 13 they have the Lefty McFadden College Hockey Invitational
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Post by bigdwsu on Sept 4, 2007 19:56:08 GMT -5
The Nutter Center is home of the Dayton Bombers (a minor league hockey team) and there are another 1-2 ice skating events there each year.
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TD
Recruit
Posts: 42
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Post by TD on Sept 12, 2007 21:08:45 GMT -5
Here's a fact that is simply amazing. Butler is 1-6 at the Nutter Center in the last 5 years. Years that include 2 Sweet 16 runs for BU. It would be a huge step for Valpo to catch the WSU Raiders napping on their first visit to the Nutter Center on Thursday Dec. 6th first HL game of the first HL season.
Wright State started slow last year losing to Chicago State in Chicago on 11/22/06 by the score of 86-70. Then the Raiders went home to the Nutter Center and beat Detroit-Mercy by 1 on 12/2/06 50-49. UDM finished 4-13 on the road, 10-19 overall.
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Post by bballraider on Sept 14, 2007 12:31:04 GMT -5
Wright State started slow last year losing to Chicago State in Chicago on 11/22/06 by the score of 86-70. Then the Raiders went home to the Nutter Center and beat Detroit-Mercy by 1 on 12/2/06 50-49. UDM finished 4-13 on the road, 10-19 overall. Last year, Wright State had a new coaching staff and they implemented both a new offense (motion) and a different defense. It took the players a little while to catch on. I do not think the Raiders will have that problem this year, as this next year's most likely starting lineup will have been in the system for at least a year now. But WSU does have 6-7 new faces this year, so you never know. Good Luck in the HL this year, you will need it on the road. |
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nil
Bench Warmer
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Post by nil on Sept 30, 2007 22:24:29 GMT -5
But they also lost the heart, soul, and almost every aspect of the offense of that team - with Mr. Desawn Wood's graduation.
I personally don't think they are going to finish in the top 3 in the league, and they will struggle more than they, and others think. They should be a decent team, but I personally think that Wood provided way too much to overcome, and they will have to find alot of scoring and playmaking ability to make up for his loss.
I think you guys can do it soley based on my expectations for WSU. But then again, I really don't know what to expect from your squad either...
All I know, is that if Butler loses to WSU this year, I will be shocked...
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Post by bigdwsu on Oct 5, 2007 21:40:49 GMT -5
But they also lost the heart, soul, and almost every aspect of the offense of that team - with Mr. Desawn Wood's graduation. Considering DaShaun Wood led Wright State to an 8-2 record vs Butler in his career, I would think you would at least know how to spell his name correctly. All I know, is that if Butler loses to WSU this year, I will be shocked.... You will probably be the only one that is shocked. I expect WSU to go 1-1 vs. Butler. You think our fans are underestimating the loss of Wood. I think you are underestimating the loss of Lickliter. I have faith that Brad Brownell (and his 106-50 record as a head coach) is going to give us an advantage over Brad Stevens (0-0 record). There is a big difference between making in game coaching changes and holding a clipboard. |
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Post by webbvufan on Oct 5, 2007 22:12:19 GMT -5
Since you've joined us on this thread, nil and bigdwsu, maybe you can give us your views in which Horizon League venues provide the best home court advantage, which are the most hostile, and which are the "must see" road trips.
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Post by bigdwsu on Oct 6, 2007 8:22:05 GMT -5
Since you've joined us on this thread, nil and bigdwsu, maybe you can give us your views in which Horizon League venues provide the best home court advantage, which are the most hostile, and which are the "must see" road trips. I think it all comes down to who is having a good year and bringing in fans. Most of the teams in the HL play in fairly large venues. When we fill any of them up, they are intimidating places to play. Many of our teams can't fill them up, so 3-4000 fans in a 10,000 seat arenas isn't very intimidating. WSU and Butler usually are 1-2 in attendance (in the 5-6K range) and both of our fan bases show up for big games. I believe Butler sold out or had a near sell out when we played them last year and they seat over 10k. We sold out for both Butler games last year and we seat over 11k. Detroit is always a tough place to play if they are good or bad. At one time, just a few years ago I believe they had the longest home win streak in the nation. UWM wasn't very good last year, so their fan support dwindled some. Over the past few years they have been my least favorite place to go play. They would probably be classified as the most hostile place to me. The adults in their crowds are fine. In fact I got to meet several of the posters from their message board last time I traveled there and they were very nice people. Their students, on the other hand, are very obnoxious. |
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Post by dgrmgr on Oct 8, 2007 11:40:28 GMT -5
I can testify to the statements about the UWM student crowd. I was chastised just for being the manager when we went to UWM. I can't complain though, I loved their spirit.
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Post by valporun on Oct 8, 2007 12:33:14 GMT -5
Yes, but dgrmgr, wasn't this still when Bruce Pearl was the coach there? This could explain all the hostility that you experienced from their rabid student section...
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