(03-10-2020 11:02 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 10:04 AM)Zorch Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 08:32 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Last nights box for the semis showed 1800, about 1000 below our game session.

...maybe the location of the arena. While once inside it’s really nice, getting to the place and the surrounding area is bleak. It’s not right off any expressway, is surrounded by a sketchy neighborhood and has nothing nearby. You just want to get in and get out.

Thanks for the attendance data. Re the location: I took the Metro in and it worked out really great. Got on the Green line to Congress Heights. From there it was only a 3-4 minute walk to the arena, mostly through the Metro parking lot and then the arena parking lot. Wasn’t scary at all and the only people around were other folks going to the same place. I would definitely do it again next year (if I go).

I originally had planned to use the Metro, ended up using Uber instead. On the Metro though, they made announcements during the games, it sounds like they don’t run past 10:30 or 11pm. Ok I guess as long as you weren’t depending to use it from either of the late games on Sunday or Monday.

As I said, there’s nothing else around the place - no hotels, no bars or restaurants. You go in and you go out. It’s not a plus in that respect. Once inside, I think it works well for the tourney.

Yeah, the metro closing thing is a major bummer, it seems like you could just have the games start at 12 and that would fix it, baring some crazy overtime games.

The wound is too fresh for commenting on the Tribe but some observations on the venue:

1) Hands down the friendliest staff (security, arena personnel and concessions) I have ever experienced at a sporting event.
2). The walk from the Congress Heights metro station to the arena was very safe.
3). The arena will be plenty big enough unless it’s something like a W&M - JMU final.
4). The lack of restaurants nearby is a real problem for those of us who like to watch all four games of the quarterfinals.
5). Metro system was very convenient for getting around DC. The only drawback is the Green Line was only running cars every 18 minutes.
6). Like Baltimore the DC area gives the Tribe the potential to have a meaningful home court advantage.

(03-10-2020 12:09 PM)Zorch Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 11:02 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  ...On the Metro though, they made announcements during the games, it sounds like they don’t run past 10:30 or 11pm. Ok I guess as long as you weren’t depending to use it from either of the late games on Sunday or Monday.

Whoa, I didn't know that. Good info to keep in mind for next year. Thanks.

Currently, Metro runs through 11pm Sunday night, 11:30pm Monday-Thursday, and 1am Friday and Saturday. I've had to deal with that for Caps and Nationals games. Seems rather short-sighted to me.

NE up 30-28 at half. Arena looks empty and doubt they have 1000 fans. I hope NE pulls out the upset


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Hofstra pulls it out in the last few minutes. That's okay. Sending the best CAA team gives the CAA its best chance of winning a game. Go Hofstra!

Two teams that wormed their way to what is now the CAA on the promise to retain football, only to drop it shortly thereafter.


Pemberton with 19 pts and 7 reb. Dancing.

Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk

Totally agree that if it ain't the Tribe -- let it be the best. Looking at Hofstra's season this morning I was surprised to see that they had a nice 10 point win over UCLA earlier this season and that they haven't been to the tourney since 2001. Here's hoping they make a strong run for the CAA this year.

(03-11-2020 06:49 AM)Marshall Wythe Wrote:  Totally agree that if it ain't the Tribe -- let it be the best. Looking at Hofstra's season this morning I was surprised to see that they had a nice 10 point win over UCLA earlier this season and that they haven't been to the tourney since 2001. Here's hoping they make a strong run for the CAA this year.

Weird season for them. They started with a loss to an abysmal San Jose State, I thought this was gonna be a down year for them.

It definitely was the year for the Pride. Plus, if the NCAA decides to play tournament games in empty arenas due to the Coronavirus, the Pride will have another advantage. They are already used to playing home games in an empty arena.

No fans at March Madness. The one small silver lining we can take is when the Tribe finally make it for the first time we'll be able to show up in droves.

(03-11-2020 03:48 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  No fans at March Madness. The one small silver lining we can take is when the Tribe finally make it for the first time we'll be able to show up in droves.

Yep. I called it. Dane was sandbagging to make our first time memorable. He's so sentimental.

College announced yesterday that no Tribe home sporting event will permit any spectators starting today.

(03-11-2020 03:44 PM)TribePride91 Wrote:  It definitely was the year for the Pride. Plus, if the NCAA decides to play tournament games in empty arenas due to the Coronavirus, the Pride will have another advantage. They are already used to playing home games in an empty arena.

(03-11-2020 03:58 PM)orange-to-purple Wrote:  

(03-11-2020 03:49 PM)dukes13 Wrote:  Finally! A time when playing in the CAA will benefit our women’s basketball team!
Our ladies are used to playing in empty arenas at almost every away game!

Now THAT's funny! Too bad they won't have the pep band though.....

Your line was so good that a JMU poster appropriated it -- and then another JMU poster appreciated it.

(03-10-2020 01:29 PM)tribeinexile Wrote:  The wound is too fresh for commenting on the Tribe but some observations on the venue:

1) Hands down the friendliest staff (security, arena personnel and concessions) I have ever experienced at a sporting event.
2). The walk from the Congress Heights metro station to the arena was very safe.
3). The arena will be plenty big enough unless it’s something like a W&M - JMU final.
4). The lack of restaurants nearby is a real problem for those of us who like to watch all four games of the quarterfinals.
5). Metro system was very convenient for getting around DC. The only drawback is the Green Line was only running cars every 18 minutes.
6). Like Baltimore the DC area gives the Tribe the potential to have a meaningful home court advantage.

Agree with all these points. I attended all the games, including the championship. The Metro green line runs every 8 minutes during week day rush hours.

(03-10-2020 04:02 PM)ScottyB757 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 12:09 PM)Zorch Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 11:02 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  ...On the Metro though, they made announcements during the games, it sounds like they don’t run past 10:30 or 11pm. Ok I guess as long as you weren’t depending to use it from either of the late games on Sunday or Monday.

Whoa, I didn't know that. Good info to keep in mind for next year. Thanks.

Currently, Metro runs through 11pm Sunday night, 11:30pm Monday-Thursday, and 1am Friday and Saturday. I've had to deal with that for Caps and Nationals games. Seems rather short-sighted to me.

I rode the Metro home after the final game each day and the timing was fine. Last train left at 11:00 heading into town. Would have only been an issue in the event of OT.