Atmosphere at Crisler
I thought the atmosphere was great today and has been pretty much all year. The place was packed well before tip off and was loud and engaged throughout. Despite the outcome it was a fun time.
I disagree Ace's idea to make it general admission. One, I think you need to have loyalty to the fans that have stuck with this program through a lot of crap. They may not be rabid 18 year olds, but everyone in my area is knowledgeable, into the game, and consistently there. I don't think anyone has the right to tell someone else how to be a fan. Two, I just don't believe there is a large, untapped mass of Michigan basketball fans who are only not coming to the games because they can't get lower level seats.
December 14th, 2019 at 3:50 PM ^
Coming from a Spartan, I thought it sounded pretty good on TV in the time I was watching
December 14th, 2019 at 4:16 PM ^
I was in there, i remember the whole stadium up and rocking multiple times in the 2nd half and in OT.
I was thinking about this at halftime, I sit above the students on the team benches side. I know Breslin and other schools have students wrap around almost the entire floor, while UM only has the one side plus the one section and the band in the lower bowl. I don't see why the students couldn't be given some addl seating in the lower bowl. I have been going to games since 1977, and I am at every home game and have pretty good seats, but at a lot of games, there are a LOT of empty seats in the lower bowl for sure. I would love to see some sort of program to reward OR penalize those ticket holders who do not attend most every game. I would also be willing to have not as good of seats as well to allow some addl students in the lower bowl if that is what it would take.
Regardless, the atmosphere was very good today.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:01 PM ^
The upper bowl Maize Rage was rocking too. They need to be put behind both baskets. Time to kick the STHs who never show up out.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:49 PM ^
I'd be fascinated to see data on lower bowl season ticket holders who don't show up. If be willing to guess scan data would show that there are way fewer of these people than this board seems to think.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:54 PM ^
This whole thread was about how Crisler was rocking - so was it empty in the lower level? It looks filled on the TV - I didn't see any noticeable holes.
I'm also a believer that like students, season ticket holders probably show up for the "big games" more so than the exhibition/games early in the year.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:03 PM ^
I’ve been to every single game the last 2 years and I drive from over an hour away. And have a full time job.
There weren’t many empty lower bowl seats but PLENTY of Oregon fans in the lower bowl on the non camera side. That’s worse than not showing up.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:29 PM ^
We need to face that not everyone is a super fan. I know it's hard - but it's reality. Even if they have season tickets.
Having Oregon fans there is a little different than having them empty like you said they were.
We're getting a little picky here, too. I know we all want M fans there, but first it was 'they don't show up and if you can't make it then you should give it away it or sell it'. Now it's well... don't sell it because someone from the other team could show up.
December 14th, 2019 at 10:08 PM ^
You also have no family or life. Yet continue to make comments like this.
December 14th, 2019 at 9:19 PM ^
Can we also ban season tickets for students who dont show for football games on time, not at all, or leave after halftime?
December 14th, 2019 at 4:30 PM ^
Crap? A lot of teams would kill to play for a NC.
December 14th, 2019 at 4:54 PM ^
I was referring to the Amaker and Ellerbe years. That's getting farther into the past, but it's hard to forget.
December 15th, 2019 at 7:01 AM ^
He's only 12, so...…..
December 14th, 2019 at 5:09 PM ^
The atmosphere was really good today. Of course it was kinda dead at the beginning with M being down 25-9 with 6+ mins left in the first half, but really after that point it was pretty electric.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:59 PM ^
As a season ticket holder that was probably in the top-5 as far as loudest it’s been for me. The UNC game last year was so loud it broke the scoreboard temporarily.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:58 PM ^
It was a great atmosphere today. I believe Juwan said it was like the duke game his freshman year.
Wish we could’ve pulled it out. The fact we even got it to to OT after that horrific start was some strong stuff.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:13 PM ^
I wasn't there today but I was there for that Fab Five Duke game and I find it hard to believe that any crowd could match that atmosphere. Of course Juwan would know but I think he's being over complimentary to respect our fans to come support this program.
December 14th, 2019 at 9:31 PM ^
The 19-minute stretch when the team came back from down 16 to take a 3-point lead with just over 7 minutes was the strong stuff.
What happened after that (Brooks gifting them 4 points in a minute, Franz having his foot on the line on what should have been a 3-pointer, Michigan not having an actual 3-point attempt for the final 7 minutes of regulation, Simpson's guy having 9 points in the final 4 minutes of regulation, etc.) that got the game to OT was pretty weak.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:11 PM ^
I do think they need to reward use of tickets. The half full lower bowl at times is a joke.
Go to the games, sell your tickets or give them away. Non attendance should be penalized.
Having a good crowd 4-5 times a year is not ideal.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:31 PM ^
I agree with a partial general admission. I think they'd be better off lowering ticket prices though. I live in Tallahassee and we go to a half dozen FSU games a year. Tickets are like $12 and we get a ticket pack for the top tier games. $85 for 3 games.
We're probably heading to either umass Lowell or Presbyterian over Christmas break and tickets I've seen are $40+ . We'd probably go to both, but not at those prices.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:55 PM ^
The holiday games are almost always a tough ticket to get. I've made sure to get these the day they go on sale at a reasonable price.
December 14th, 2019 at 9:11 PM ^
Me too. I bought 4 at $15 for Presbyterian. Can't wait!!
December 14th, 2019 at 7:32 PM ^
Is there any other major college program offering their best inventory as a general admission option...? Just curious.
Also lowering prices for something that is selling out fairly consistently now doesn't seem very likely.
December 14th, 2019 at 8:45 PM ^
Don't know. I guess the problem people want to address is attendance, not whether the AD sold the tickets. We went to the Air Force game last year and there were plenty of open seats. Hell, I don't think there was anyone else in our row. At least from what I see on tv the past few years, attendance could use a sizable bump. I agree with others in expanding the maize rage and putting them around at least half of the lower bowl.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:57 PM ^
One of my favorite things that I've stumbled across the past few years is the ADs posting of student attendance (see link below).
Not only do they update it after each game, but they also keep each year posted to the bottom. I'll be interested to see what the Oregon number is as it looked/sounded great from my couch.
It still is fascinating all of the students who buy tickets but don't "claim" a game or show up.
https://mgoblue.com/sports/2018/9/6/mens-basketball-student-ticket-holder-seating-plan.aspx
December 14th, 2019 at 7:04 PM ^
Literally just logged back on to make a similar post. During that portion of the second half where we cut it to 3 - 5 and then until we got the lead and I think it was Eli that had that horrible turnover, Crisler was as loud as it gets. Hopefully can get louder for B10.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:07 PM ^
this athletic department sucks at sports. . .
fuck it all
December 14th, 2019 at 10:36 PM ^
What an ignorant statement.
You say such a thing all because of Football's last game: a loss to the #1 ranked team and Basketball's 1-point OT loss to the #10 ranked team (despite the fact that MBB already has wins over top-10 teams).
I won't even bother naming ALL the other 27 sports very recent success.
December 15th, 2019 at 6:55 PM ^
still waiting on that cheerleading ufr wd. . .
December 14th, 2019 at 7:29 PM ^
Ace didn't say general admission for the whole thing, just for the lower bowl. Also, can't remember the details but he or Brian had the idea of saying you'll come on an app and if you're not, your seats become available to buy for a low price. Seems pretty easy to institute.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:39 PM ^
I'm surprised they didn't think to just not have season tickets. That way you're buying only the games you want to go to and not the entire package.
December 15th, 2019 at 4:35 PM ^
I see your point but I can see the "counter argument".
(I keep simple number) let's say 17 home game a year with 7 top games.
The seasonal pass you will get 17 times the lowest price ticket (I believe it is how it is calculated).
No seasonal you will sold for sure the 7top games for top $ ... but the 10 other for a lower cost - If you sell them.
So at best you are probably making the same amount of money.
Now take a very bad game (Bad op + bad time of the day and day like a 6pm on a Tuesday!!!!)...
With the seasonal the ticket older might give the Tix away to someone
When you might just never find a buyer without a seasonal.
Therefor you are more likely to get an empty seat.
So I don't believe that would be a good solution actually.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:57 PM ^
The atmosphere was good, but the boomer season ticket holders are still subpar in terms of enthusiasm and attendance
December 14th, 2019 at 8:34 PM ^
Zoomers are the butthurt ones
December 15th, 2019 at 9:35 AM ^
Don't blame the Boomers. I'm a Boomer (67), and half the lower bowl ticket holders are 10-20 years older than me!! So, blame the Corpse Generation.
December 15th, 2019 at 3:38 AM ^
Tickets situation for me keeps me away. I live out of town but when we return for the holidays I like to take my boys (who love basketball and love UM). That's three of us, and unless we want to spend a total of close to $200, we have pretty crappy seats. And those crappy seats aren't super cheap either. And I'm talking about games like 12/21 vs. our arch rival Presbyterian. That's because lower half folks rarely sell their tickets - they just don't go, as everyone can see on TV. If I could buy upper seat tickets but fill lower half seats that were empty, I'd do it in a heart beat.
Going to see crappy teams in a semi-empty Crisler with bad seats isn't super fun. If you take away any one of these conditions, it becomes a lot more fun. I'd go for sure. UM usually has significantly higher 2nd hand market tickets for home games against non-rivals, but as you know, it isn't because every seat is always full. It's how we do out tickets and seating.
December 15th, 2019 at 9:06 AM ^
The holiday games have been the ones that have almost always been a guarantee sellout. I scooped up 4 seats the day tickets went on sale to the public. The "crappy" seats are just fine. I've been to other venues where the "crappy" seats include not seeing the scoreboard and having to look on a small TV to see anything other than the playing surface (LCA).
With the students on break during these games, there's a lot more seats available for the public to purchase.
FWIW I can't imagine that the AD is doing anything DRASTICALLY different than any other school in the country.
December 15th, 2019 at 12:51 PM ^
Put your money where your mouth is. You go to a couple games a year and are bitching about long time season ticket holders.
December 15th, 2019 at 7:50 AM ^
I would definitely go to more games if lower bowl seats were more reasonably priced.
December 15th, 2019 at 8:29 AM ^
I think the setup is fine as is. More student seats in the lower bowl will mean more empty seats in the lower bowl, other than the big games. Our students don’t always bring their A-game, unfortunately.
Our non-student fans are plenty loud.
December 15th, 2019 at 8:38 AM ^
I have been going to Mich games since Henry Wilmore was electrifying crowds and been a season ticketholder since Amaker's next to last season. The atmosphere has been very good for years now for Conference games and marquee non conference games. The lower bowl has many late arriving fans (I'm typically there an hour early) but every time I think it's going to have a bunch of empty seats, when I look around at the first timeout, I see that it has filled out.
I've always felt there were no bad seats at Crisler and have seen many games from high in the upper bowl. Now that I am at a point where I'm willing to pay for and have the seniority for lower bowl seats, I appreciate it very much.Anyone who has attended a game with me can confirm that I am loud and engaged. Yet we still seem to have this generational warfare thing where I am supposed to defer to younger fans. I appreciate all of the fans who are there and loud but geez....
December 15th, 2019 at 9:42 AM ^
Henry Wilmore! The greatest Michigan player nobody has heard of. He lived on my floor in West Quad freshman year (69-70), and I got to know him pretty well, as we were both from NYC. When he scored 40+ points in a road loss to Kentucky, Adolph Rupp said it was the greatest game any visiting player had ever played there. I was also at Crisler when he tore up his knee trying to do a 360 layup when he was way ahead of the field in a buy game (might have been Ohio U). He was never the same. What a shame.
December 15th, 2019 at 8:53 AM ^
The fans come to the good match-ups.
The weather wasn't horrible
It was a Saturday at Noon instead of a tue/wed/thur at 9pm
December 15th, 2019 at 2:10 PM ^
GA is stupid and doesn’t make sense if you’re coming with more than 1 person.
I’m also not coming because I can’t get lower bowl seats. Row 40 absolutely sucks.
so there!
December 15th, 2019 at 4:42 PM ^
That game vs Oregon was for sure one of top 5/6 games from the last few seasons.
UNC last year being one of the most amazing I have been at (I am present at many games).
Something that surprised me, is the "off market cost".
Some seasonal ticket holder try to sale some of their tickets when they can not go...
- Fine / Great - However they speculate on the price and that is really bad.
Some friends wanted to get better tickets for the game and many of the tickets they found were sold for 3x the face value.
Early in the morning, one of the buyer he had talk to come back and proposed the tickets for still 2x. My friends contacted him again 1h or so before the game trying to get the ticket for 1x or 1.5x and the seasonal guy refused to sales them choosing to "loose the ticket"... Rather than participating of the tanking of the overall market!!!!!
I believe that is the insane part... Peeps are just doing speculation.
December 15th, 2019 at 7:05 PM ^
I went to a handful of games last year and they all were a loud as hell. For some reason the loudest it got was when we played western Michigan, we were down most of the 1st half and went on a monster run to take the lead going into halftime but there was a breakaway steal/dunk from Mathews and holy shit, the lid about blew off when he dunked it. It was awesome
December 16th, 2019 at 8:17 AM ^
Maybe it's different this year, as I haven't been to a game yet. But in all recent years when I've gone, I've seen a significant number of blue seat no-shows. On a big national game on Saturday, you're going to see a very good turnout. But, on a weeknight, it can be a completely different story. There are blue seat season ticket holders who have had their seats for many years. And a chunk of these people apparently never heard of Stubhub. Because, you can look online and see few seats in a blue section, then when you go to the game, you see 20% or more empty seats. I think some of these older season ticket holders have so much money they just don't care about not going. Somehow, the AD needs to have a way to fill those seats if people aren't showing up.
December 16th, 2019 at 4:09 PM ^
How American-sports-fan of you. Europe gets it. GA for all. <$20 tickets = packed houses every game. If you want a good seat, you get there early. If you care enough to get there early, you're probably a more-engaged fan. It's a win-win. Which hopefully results in a win. So it would be a win-win-win.
Lucky for you this isn't Europe so -- oh well. To be fair I definitely see your side of the argument -- but I do prefer Ace's.
December 16th, 2019 at 4:17 PM ^
WHAT?????
What sports are you talking about?