Thats pretty nice. I cant recall any similar promotion when I was a student. Basketball is really our only chance to change the sports culture at WM. If we develop a winning team, make the tourney a few times over a decade or so, it would definitely plant a decent seed of interest.

(11-07-2014 06:30 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B13rSgoIUAAJ-6J.jpg

6th Man student rewards

Side note, it's a shame VCU's womens team is willing to come here, but we can't get their Mens team here.

When W&M starts making some NCAA noise, it might be something that VCU would consider. At this point with Richmond, Mason, Davidson, George Washington all regulars on the conference schedule, Virginia coming to the Siegel Center, and ODU a yearly OOC game, the need for another local game isn't as dire.

I don't see VCU going to Kaplan Hall as it stands, not much to gain there. It's not like we have a huge alumni base in Williamsburg, and it isn't such a great RPI game that it's a no-brainer. I'm sure VCU would take W&M in a buy game, but I'm equally sure Tony Shaver doesn't want to do that, and I don't blame him for not wanting to. VCU has buy games this season against Northern Iowa (picked 2nd in MVC), Cleveland State (picked 2nd in Horizon), and Belmont (picked 1st in OVC), all very good teams.

It's tough to fit in a team just because they're local, especially when there isn't a need on our end and W&M has very little basketball tradition. Shaka Smart has scheduled extremely aggressively with no lack of tough games. I'm sure it's something to consider for the future though.

We spanked ODU's ass the past couple years and no one here gives a damn about VCU's schedule or how untouchable you think you are...and these thoughts coming from someone who sleepwalked through a masters program at VCU.

(11-10-2014 06:12 AM)VCUfan Wrote:  When W&M starts making some NCAA noise, it might be something that VCU would consider.

Go stick your head in a dumpster.

I seem to remember W&M scheduling VCU in the 70s when they were begging to play anyone in the State and nothing to be gained at W&M.

Personally, I would rather play UVA, Tech, Wake, Navy, any number of teams before feeing the need to add back VCU.

Not missing VCU one bit.

Forget not playing or playing VCU; more importantly, has anyone heard if Whitman is playing or still sitting around? The success of this team, especially in its quest to finally make the NCAA Tourney, hangs on his being able to play and play well and provide Sheldon rest during games.

Ominous reference in Sunday's Daily Press review of the team---embarrassingly scant as it was for the DP, that Whitman not playing. Can only hope it was stale reporting.

I say embarrassing for the DP as three or four paragraphs on the team's season prospects---a local Div I team not 20 miles from their offices---is a new low.

I don't expect anything less from anyone who roots for W&M, and I'd say the same thing in your shoes. You guys are more than fine without VCU and vice versa.

(11-10-2014 08:27 AM)VCUfan Wrote:  I don't expect anything less from anyone who roots for W&M, and I'd say the same thing in your shoes.

But I wouldn't say the same thing in your shoes. It comes across arrogant, juvenile and a bit stupid (since you are on this board).

I would like to see us tag VMI every year. They bring more fans to the Hall than most anyone else in the State. They're pleasant and the games are usually very entertaining.

(11-10-2014 06:12 AM)VCUfan Wrote:  When W&M starts making some NCAA noise, it might be something that VCU would consider. At this point with Richmond, Mason, Davidson, George Washington all regulars on the conference schedule, Virginia coming to the Siegel Center, and ODU a yearly OOC game, the need for another local game isn't as dire.

I don't see VCU going to Kaplan Hall as it stands, not much to gain there. It's not like we have a huge alumni base in Williamsburg, and it isn't such a great RPI game that it's a no-brainer. I'm sure VCU would take W&M in a buy game, but I'm equally sure Tony Shaver doesn't want to do that, and I don't blame him for not wanting to. VCU has buy games this season against Northern Iowa (picked 2nd in MVC), Cleveland State (picked 2nd in Horizon), and Belmont (picked 1st in OVC), all very good teams.

It's tough to fit in a team just because they're local, especially when there isn't a need on our end and W&M has very little basketball tradition. Shaka Smart has scheduled extremely aggressively with no lack of tough games. I'm sure it's something to consider for the future though.

I am a W&M fan that really enjoys the VCU basketball program and would love to see periodic games between the two teams.

In that vein, this post is really frustrating to me. It wasn't so long ago that many VCU fans were complaining about VT being unwilling to play in-state CAA foes.

(11-10-2014 01:09 PM)Sitting bull Wrote:  

(11-10-2014 08:27 AM)VCUfan Wrote:  I don't expect anything less from anyone who roots for W&M, and I'd say the same thing in your shoes.

But I wouldn't say the same thing in your shoes. It comes across arrogant, juvenile and a bit stupid (since you are on this board).

I would like to see us tag VMI every year. They bring more fans to the Hall than most anyone else in the State. They're pleasant and the games are usually very entertaining.

I can understand why you'd feel that way and I appreciate that being on your board makes what I stated more offensive. Heck, even being on this board is juvenile as an opposing fan.

I don't mean to offend, but I see how it easily could.

I think most folks would be better off looking at it the way you do to be honest. W&M has never needed VCU, they haven't in the past, they don't now, and they won't in the future.

I don't blame VCU for not scheduling us. Getting Florida and UNC on the road is slightly better. VCU has become a top 20 program consistently. The others are top 10. VCU is going to prefer to play as high level OOC as possible. Only ODU doesn't really fit the bill.

I fondly remember the shocked look on VCU fans' faces when we bounced VCU from the CAAT in spring 2008. VCU was great for the CAA and left for better opportunities. I thought Rams fans followed.

(11-10-2014 01:14 PM)wml33t Wrote:  

(11-10-2014 06:12 AM)VCUfan Wrote:  When W&M starts making some NCAA noise, it might be something that VCU would consider. At this point with Richmond, Mason, Davidson, George Washington all regulars on the conference schedule, Virginia coming to the Siegel Center, and ODU a yearly OOC game, the need for another local game isn't as dire.

I don't see VCU going to Kaplan Hall as it stands, not much to gain there. It's not like we have a huge alumni base in Williamsburg, and it isn't such a great RPI game that it's a no-brainer. I'm sure VCU would take W&M in a buy game, but I'm equally sure Tony Shaver doesn't want to do that, and I don't blame him for not wanting to. VCU has buy games this season against Northern Iowa (picked 2nd in MVC), Cleveland State (picked 2nd in Horizon), and Belmont (picked 1st in OVC), all very good teams.

It's tough to fit in a team just because they're local, especially when there isn't a need on our end and W&M has very little basketball tradition. Shaka Smart has scheduled extremely aggressively with no lack of tough games. I'm sure it's something to consider for the future though.

I am a W&M fan that really enjoys the VCU basketball program and would love to see periodic games between the two teams.

In that vein, this post is really frustrating to me. It wasn't so long ago that many VCU fans were complaining about VT being unwilling to play in-state CAA foes.

Ha, VT is *still* unwilling to play in-state foes. I think the goal for VCU in basketball has definitely changed now to where seeding is more of a consideration than just making the tournament like it used to be in the past. There are so many considerations involved with scheduling to achieve a high seed, so things like 'who is close' kind of go out the window.

W&M is really emerging, to your credit, and I'd be lying if I stated that I didn't think fear of going into Kaplan Arena with a guy like Marcus Thornton leading your team didn't give our coaches pause either. I'm sure it played a part. When a team like the Tribe who really does have a good team, but maybe not the pedigree or national acceptance as a 'good loss' comes along, you aren't going to get a lot of takers, especially if you want a home-and-home.

Ultimately everyone schedules to their benefit, not for other teams. It's a battle we all fight as non-power programs like you said with programs like UVA and Tech. Is there a benefit to VCU to play teams on the road when they can get similar programs to play them at home with no return? Most folks would say no. It was only after a whole bunch of winning that UVA agreed to play VCU home-and-home, and I suspect they won't be eager to continue that arrangement. It bites all of us.

Is there going to be an online stream of the Florida game? I don't get the SEC Network

(11-10-2014 02:10 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  Is there going to be an online stream of the Florida game? I don't get the SEC Network

Probably not a legal one. They're being pretty strict on blackouts of games on the SEC network this year (not that ESPN is ever not strict on these things...)

(11-10-2014 02:13 PM)hktribefan Wrote:  

(11-10-2014 02:10 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  Is there going to be an online stream of the Florida game? I don't get the SEC Network

Probably not a legal one. They're being pretty strict on blackouts of games on the SEC network this year (not that ESPN is ever not strict on these things...)

Isnt SEC network free on watchESPN app?

(11-10-2014 02:02 PM)Tribal Wrote:  I fondly remember the shocked look on VCU fans' faces when we bounced VCU from the CAAT in spring 2008. VCU was great for the CAA and left for better opportunities. I thought Rams fans followed.

The vast majority (read: all but me) did. I like to lurk though. Call me juvenile, and I won't disagree.

I hated that loss as much as you loved it. Really sucked, but having to go the NIT after winning the regular season by 3 games highlighted our need to move as a basketball-first school. You guys had a real nice run there in the CAA tourney.

Thanks for the nice words, really do think W&M is primed for basketball success going forward in the CAA.

Don't know if everyone caught Fairbank's preview in the DP from Saturday. It's worth a read:

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/william...story.html

(11-10-2014 02:18 PM)nogretheogre Wrote:  Isnt SEC network free on watchESPN app?

I thought you needed to have the SEC Network through your cable provider in order to get it on watchESPN

(11-10-2014 02:10 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  Is there going to be an online stream of the Florida game? I don't get the SEC Network

Yes, ESPN3 as long as your Internet provider is in ESPN's network (ie Verizon).