I'm pretty sure ULM might be the only team that actually cares about the CIT in the field. I've never understood how they managed to make it into such an event for their fanbase. Most of the rest of us have to turn down CIT Bids because the tournament is a money pit unless fans show up.

I at first took this as a knock that we care about the tourney, but actually think you are complimenting that we pull it off and make it an event. I think your answer is that we are so hungry for any kind of post season winner, that we’ll take anything. I think it’s a definite plus for our program.

(03-23-2019 03:18 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  I'm pretty sure ULM might be the only team that actually cares about the CIT in the field. I've never understood how they managed to make it into such an event for their fanbase. Most of the rest of us have to turn down CIT Bids because the tournament is a money pit unless fans show up.

In addition to what Arrowhead said, CenturyLink (headquartered 10 minutes from ULM) gave out tickets to the first game, and students were promised free food, so those factors certainly help. All this winning at home we’ve been doing makes people want to show up too. And lastly, most schools hosting are probably on spring break while ours isn’t for another month.

Monroe is a fickle fan base. They will show for something exciting. And they can just as quickly get bored. That being said, they like a tournament game and really don't care the name attached. Richard stepped up and bought 500 student tickets. Viator bought 100 for his staff and for the football team. Others bought tickets for students. The students showed up (as did the locals) and it was a good atmosphere. A little marketing goes a long way and other schools might look at it differently if they could pull it off, especially if students are still on campus.

I look at these "lesser tournaments" as a chance to reward the players and get experience for the "bigger tournaments" because you have to prepare the same way. Coaches have to scout and players have to get ready mentally. Don't take it as an insult to play in them but has a chance to improve your chances next year.

I bet we get the winner of Texas Southern-UTRGV. They seem to be setting up regional matchups when possible. Also according to the CIT site our game is March 28th at 7pm Central.

I think 3 of the 4 best teams in this tournament got upset in the first round (ETSU, Drake, TXST). ULM may be the favorite at this point.

I think between ULM and Marshall as favorite. Would nice to win it all.

Huge credit to ULM forgetting their fans invested in the CIT. I sure wish we could get our fans invested in it. When we hosted a CIT game 2 years ago we had awful attendance and we have turned down CIT chances last year and this year

It and making the CBI Championship game has definitely reenergized out basketball fanbase. I think we finished top 3 attendance in attendance.

https://ulmwarhawks.com/news/2019/3/24/m...hyped.aspx

I was wondering who the hype man was who got the student section amped up, turns out it was local DJ B.J. Bell

(03-23-2019 11:50 PM)debragga Wrote:  I bet we get the winner of Texas Southern-UTRGV. They seem to be setting up regional matchups when possible. Also according to the CIT site our game is March 28th at 7pm Central.

https://twitter.com/ulm_mbb/status/11103...81856?s=21

I was right, it’s Texas Southern

(03-24-2019 06:28 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote:  Huge credit to ULM forgetting their fans invested in the CIT. I sure wish we could get our fans invested in it. When we hosted a CIT game 2 years ago we had awful attendance and we have turned down CIT chances last year and this year

Finally, our admin is starting to pick up on a few things. The first game, between Richard, Viator and a few others, over 600 student tickets were bought. That wasn't the school, but folks spending their own cash. They had a local DJ on the floor who really got the student section hyped in the second half. It was funny that at around the 12 minute mark of the second half, I texted a friend "it just got really loud." That was when he started.

This time, the ticket office figured it out and starting advertising so folks could but a student ticket when they bought their ticket. Only cost $5 for you to get a student in the game. The Rec Services has canceled all intramural softball games in support of the basketball game. The school is hosting a tailgate from 5-7 outside Fant Ewing with DJs and food. The DJ will work the tailgate then work the students during the game.

It may well be the lowly CIT, but it is post season basketball. Make it fun. Cover your costs and perhaps make a little pocket change. Build excitement for next year. And the players get to keep playing and gain experience.

Whiteout game also. Making it an event.

People buying tickets online for the TSU game had the option of donating $5/each for a student ticket. It reached 1200 and ULM cut it off, now there's no possibility of students having to pay.

ULM and TSU going to a 3rd OT.

Ertel hit a 40 footer at the buzzer to send it to the 2nd OT.

108-102 TSU final in 3 OT. Shame.

That was a great game to be at, even with it turning out how it did. That must have been double our average attendance

(03-28-2019 09:40 PM)debragga Wrote:  That was a great game to be at, even with it turning out how it did. That must have been double our average attendance

Attendance = 6,004

We were up 14 and then Smith got hurt, then JD got hurt and left the game, Munnings got his 4th foul, and White fouled out. They were way more physical than us and we couldn’t out athlete them then. Great game and atmosphere though. Was awesome.