The unofficial online home for fans of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Thanksgiving Eve is a tough night to get a big crowd. The student who frequent the games are usually not from Cincinnati itself, and they have mostly gone home for the holiday. I'm sure many other regulars are also traveling or hosting relatives tonight.

I’d have to agree when it’s rocking it’s as good as anywhere

Too bad we don't play Zavier at home this year.

(11-27-2023 01:07 PM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  Too bad we don't play Zavier at home this year.

Although I would like to have "that team" at Fifth Third this year, I absolutely love the idea of a Big 12 tested and talent laden Bearcat team getting X at home next year. The football streak against Miami ended this year, here's hoping to starting an equally dominant hoops streak against "that other team in Cincy" here very soon.

It's a great place to watch a game. It just feels like basketball. When the fans are cheering there is nothing better. But they're only going to cheer for a really good team. A really good team can really make the crowd come alive with energy. The crowd at the last game had energy because the team played great.

(11-27-2023 01:27 PM)Cal1362 Wrote:  

(11-27-2023 01:07 PM)Bear Catlett Wrote:  Too bad we don't play Zavier at home this year.

Although I would like to have "that team" at Fifth Third this year, I absolutely love the idea of a Big 12 tested and talent laden Bearcat team getting X at home next year. The football streak against Miami ended this year, here's hoping to starting an equally dominant hoops streak against "that other team in Cincy" here very soon.

It seems as rare for X to lose in Cintas as it used to be for UC to lose in Nippert. I haven't watched a minute of X (nor do I care to) so I can't judge their team this year. Other than hearing on a sports talk show that they lost maybe four starters from last season which would suggest a rebuild.

Of late, it seems Wes is doing better attracting blue chip local players than Sean Miller. A small sample size for sure but that's a trend I predict will continue. I've always wondered if the NCAA keeps a closer eye on coaches such as Sean Miller who have had a history of past transgressions.

Looked great. I'm still a little surprised it was 1,000 butts short of a sell out.

(01-09-2024 10:07 PM)Bearhawkeye Wrote:  

would love to have one of those 13k-15k arenas with another 1000 or 1500 students like some of the arenas we'll be visiting in the Big XII. But last night was great to see/hear

The upper deck sucks. I was in row 15 and felt like I was on the moon. If you are sitting in the bleachers, you are probably better off staying home. I'm not sure why they did it that way. I have a 10 game pack with the Pacers. The second deck there makes you feel like your right in the action.

I only bring it up, because I think that's going to be the issue with sellouts. There is just no real reason to sit up top in the bleachers. They probably should have simply removed those seats.

(01-10-2024 09:08 AM)Z-Fly Wrote:  The upper deck sucks. I was in row 15 and felt like I was on the moon. If you are sitting in the bleachers, you are probably better off staying home. I'm not sure why they did it that way. I have a 10 game pack with the Pacers. The second deck there makes you feel like your right in the action.

I only bring it up, because I think that's going to be the issue with sellouts. There is just no real reason to sit up top in the bleachers. They probably should have simply removed those seats.

The Pacers arena is one of the best places to watch a basketball game in the world so that is not a fair comparison. Indiana is the birthplace of hoops and the fieldhouse that their professional team plays in embodies that.

Fifth Third Arena was originally built with government funds to be a multi-purpose arena. What they were able to accomplish with the remodel is amazing. Unfortunately, with the limitations of the existing footprint of the building, that means most of the capacity of the arena is in the upper decks. So while the last 15 rows may stink, I wouldn't say that's a blanket statement about the entire upper deck.

The diehards sit in the upper deck and I love it.

(01-10-2024 11:06 AM)DownOnRohs Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 09:08 AM)Z-Fly Wrote:  The upper deck sucks. I was in row 15 and felt like I was on the moon. If you are sitting in the bleachers, you are probably better off staying home. I'm not sure why they did it that way. I have a 10 game pack with the Pacers. The second deck there makes you feel like your right in the action.

I only bring it up, because I think that's going to be the issue with sellouts. There is just no real reason to sit up top in the bleachers. They probably should have simply removed those seats.

The Pacers arena is one of the best places to watch a basketball game in the world so that is not a fair comparison. Indiana is the birthplace of hoops and the fieldhouse that their professional team plays in embodies that.

Fifth Third Arena was originally built with government funds to be a multi-purpose arena. What they were able to accomplish with the remodel is amazing. Unfortunately, with the limitations of the existing footprint of the building, that means most of the capacity of the arena is in the upper decks. So while the last 15 rows may stink, I wouldn't say that's a blanket statement about the entire upper deck.

The diehards sit in the upper deck and I love it.

Agreed, any upper deck seat with a seat back is still a really good seat. I bought my season tickets in row 13 in one of the corners and have been really happy with the seats.

(01-10-2024 09:08 AM)Z-Fly Wrote:  The upper deck sucks. I was in row 15 and felt like I was on the moon. If you are sitting in the bleachers, you are probably better off staying home. I'm not sure why they did it that way. I have a 10 game pack with the Pacers. The second deck there makes you feel like your right in the action.

I only bring it up, because I think that's going to be the issue with sellouts. There is just no real reason to sit up top in the bleachers. They probably should have simply removed those seats.

I was at a Pacers game last week, in the upper deck, 8th row. Felt more like on the moon than 8th row second level in Shoemaker.

(01-10-2024 11:46 AM)bww Wrote:  

(01-10-2024 09:08 AM)Z-Fly Wrote:  The upper deck sucks. I was in row 15 and felt like I was on the moon. If you are sitting in the bleachers, you are probably better off staying home. I'm not sure why they did it that way. I have a 10 game pack with the Pacers. The second deck there makes you feel like your right in the action.

I only bring it up, because I think that's going to be the issue with sellouts. There is just no real reason to sit up top in the bleachers. They probably should have simply removed those seats.

I was at a Pacers game last week, in the upper deck, 8th row. Felt more like on the moon than 8th row second level in Shoemaker.

Well that would be the 3rd deck, not the second. 2nd deck to 2nd deck is miles apart.


I like arena. Don't get me wrong. I'm just commenting on the issues on selling out the events. The chairs with the backs are doable. Once you get into the bleachers, it's not really even worth going. Hard to argue otherwise.

okay, I get it. 2nd level at Gainbridge is equal to first 15 rows at the Shoe in second level.

I don't think you do, but that's ok.

So UC spends four times the original cost of Shoemaker Center to create a state of the art collegiate basketball facility and people are complaining about the top six rows? They're called the cheap seats for a reason. Reducing capacity enabled a new design that created an additional level of concourses, more space, wider aisles, more concessions, more and better restrooms plus superior graphic design aesthetics throughout. It's easily a top ten arena now.

I was a guest of a colleague in Rupp Arena years ago and those top rows were bleachers and so far from the court it was about like watching out the window of a plane. Having said all that, I was still disappointed that the place wasn't filled to 12,012 last night. If top bleachers aren't consistently being sold, release those to student overflow six hours before tipoff and have 12,000 + for every Big 12 headliner game.