student section at basketball games

Submitted by Darth Wolverine on

I'm not saying the student section at basketball games is weak, but I think it could be so much better and louder. A lot of times I see some students jumping, but many of them don't. I know it isn't Duke and no one student section will ever be as loud and crazy as the Duke student section, but I just think Michigan's can be better. I also see some students not doing the chants when they should be. The student section should also be larger and that, of course, is on Dave Brandon to allow that.

WMUgoblue

November 17th, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^

Biggest bar night of the week for college students, against an uninspiring opponent. I really don't see a problem with them, they show up for the B1G season and against the top Non-conference teams

hail2mich

November 17th, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^

Watch games when the opponent is a better team. The same thing can be said about the crowd at the Big House when Michigan plays Eastern Michigan in football. 

LSAClassOf2000

November 17th, 2011 at 9:13 PM ^

....as an alum, watching the feed on one screen and MGoBlog on the other, to get really excited that we're playing a  team called "Leathernecks". Makes me think that we're playing a team from a downriver Detroit bar somehow (this coming from a downriver resident too). 

chewieblue

November 17th, 2011 at 9:39 PM ^

I have had this exact same thought, even when we play State or tOSU.  At times, the Rage seems unorganized, out of sync and sometimes disinterested.  Just sayin'.

jmblue

November 17th, 2011 at 10:05 PM ^

The center of the Maize Rage always seems more into the game than the "wings" (not just tonight but in general).  I don't know why that is.  Do we really only have 100-150 hardcore student fans?

PurpleStuff

November 17th, 2011 at 10:41 PM ^

Having had student tickets in the early 2000's, I would put the number at something like 50 students who are going to really be into the game no matter the opponent or how good Michigan basketball happens to be at the time.

HennesTattoo

November 18th, 2011 at 2:21 AM ^

Newsflash: being a hardcore fan doesn't mean you like jumping around and yelling like an idiot all game.
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<br>I'm a student who follows Michigan basketball as closely as anyone, but I sit up top and enjoy the game with my friends. Basketball for me is a break from the marathon that a football Saturday is.
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<br>Honestly who gives a shit about the student section? When so few people are at the game, any criticism of the people actually there is pretty absurd.

jmblue

November 18th, 2011 at 11:44 AM ^

When one-third of the student section is jumping around and yelling and two-thirds are just standing there, it doesn't look very intimidating.  You guys need to get on the same page. 

Don't pat yourself on the back for just going to the games.  You're in the student section.  It's your job to be loud and supportive.  In every arena in the country, it's the students that create the atmosphere.  Don't hold back.

kempalex13

November 18th, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^

I agree except it has been pointed out numerous times that we were playing WESTERN ILLINOIS! They're not exactly a marquee opponent. I happen to be one of those 100-150 people, so I wish everyone was always loud, but it's simply never going to happen especially since the student section was actually made smaller. Just wait for the MSU and OSU game. Everyone will be loud for those games.

bo_lives

November 17th, 2011 at 11:03 PM ^

Do tell. Because if you didn't go then shut the hell up.

C'mon now, this is getting ridiculous. How much longer are people going to keep whining about the students not being pumped up enough? It's just so beyond hypocritical that it's actually pretty funny now, bordering on hilarious.

jmblue

November 18th, 2011 at 11:49 AM ^

Do tell. Because if you didn't go then shut the hell up.

Well, Mr. Internet Badass, some of us no longer live in Ann Arbor, and going to a game at 8:30 p.m. on a weeknight, when we have work the next day, is not that feasible for us. I go to every weekend game during the season, but it's impossible for me to go to the midweek games.

I was in the Maize Rage when I was a student. I was up and about, screaming my ass off the whole time when I was there. What I see now are my successors - who have a better team to cheer for than I did (I was here during the Ellerbe years) - doing a crappy job of carrying the torch. Do you want a homecourt advantage or not? If you're going to buy student season tickets, don't half-ass it.

UMWest22

November 17th, 2011 at 11:00 PM ^

The student section attendance so far this year has been surprisingly good.  The bleachers have been PACKED, with most students showing up for the women's games (last two) and the section next to the band has been full.  The overflow sections have been really full also.  I'm sure that you can't see this very well when watching on television.  It's a lot louder in Crisler this year in my opinion too.

BrownJuggernaut

November 17th, 2011 at 11:05 PM ^

1. It's only Western Illinois on a week night. Bad opponent and mid-week game are a bad combo. It's going to be harder to get them out for that.

2. I generally have beef with the organization of the student section. Not the Maize Rage, but the rest of the students. If you can't make it there early enough, you sit in a different area and you don't feel apart of the action. There has to be something done to get the excitement out of every single fan. I don't think the Maize Rage as currently constituted (from a physical organization at Crisler stand point) is very effective.

DaBigDaddy

November 17th, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^

Obviously you never went to Michigan, so stop complaining and watch the game. You like Duke's student section then go over there, we don't want you. Come on it's WIU, students never complained fans don't fill the rest of the arena. 

cner16

November 17th, 2011 at 11:22 PM ^

First of all, so you know my perspective: I sit front row of the center section. The center of Maize Rage has always been solid and the wings have always been a little weak. However, the renovations on Crisler have had an adverse effect on the student section:

  1. The center section is about 10 ft further back from last year. I think this is a huge factor in the perception of a weak student section becasue not as much of the Maize Rage is on TV.
  2. The bleachers are smaller than before the renovations.
  3. The athletic deparment continued to have the overflow section seperated from the bleachers.
  4. The ushers are a lot more strict from some reason.

notYOURmom

November 17th, 2011 at 11:59 PM ^

I'm sitting in section 118 which is definitely benefiting from the shift of the student section from one side to the other.  Compared to the subscribers seats, which were entirely underpopulated, the students put up a good show and the noise level was quite satisfactory.

Even those lobsters were making some noise.

Who in tarnation is it that is complaining about the student section?  Students who did not trouble themselves to attend the game?  Sorry, I can't hear you AT ALL from your cozy perch in the privacy of your home; so, you do not get a vote. Oldfarts like me who either did not show up or stood maybe once the whole game?  Sorry, I don't get a vote either (although for the record I was there, so I made more noise than possibly OP).

 

ak47

November 18th, 2011 at 12:04 AM ^

whoever set up the student section just doesn't want the student section to be good, the bleachers are tiny and the rest of the student section is seperated from the maize rage and in actual seats and not bleachers, it is seriously the worst set up student section i have ever been in for any major sport at any major school, I'm talking soccer, hockey, shit women's volleyball has a better overall setup proportionally, its just sad that with the renovations they didn't take the chance to improve the student section.

Znell

November 18th, 2011 at 1:11 AM ^

I have been really surprised at how many students are showing up. Past the bleachers, and the section next to the band, there are a ton of people in the upper levels as well. I think if there is anything to complan about its the lack of attendance of the "real people." Don't knock the students that DO go and support the team, and say they aren't energetic enough. That being said, Western Illinois. Can't wait for the real games coming up. Wish I was going to be here to see it.

tbeindit

November 18th, 2011 at 1:19 AM ^

Ok first thing first, don't rant against the student section.  This is the ONLY section at BOTH the bball and football games that ACTUALLY cheer.  Some people do, but the students have always and will always carry the burden.

Second, many of the students already attended the women's game before the men's game tonight.  If you've ever been in the maize rage, you know how tiring jumping is for minutes at a time, it can really wear you out.  Now imagine, 2 games in a row.

3rd, i was there and the students were plenty loud, in fact, until they made noise it was virtually silent.  if anything i'd be complaining about the "normal" fans

BRCE

November 18th, 2011 at 2:52 AM ^

This is a weak crop of students here right now in terms of sports fandom. It just is. It was only a few years ago that the Maize Rage and student section at football games were significantly ahead of where this year's students are in terms of volume, spirit, organization, punctuality, etc. No one should deny this.

MaizeNBlu628

November 18th, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^

Really?? Because I remember a few years ago where they had to give away free student tickets to try to get more to go to games. I've been to all the games so far this year (1st year with season tickets as an alum), and thought the number of students who showed up for games like Ferris State was impressive.

tbeindit

November 18th, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^

I completely agree, there were students who had to go to the upper-deck for even the exhibition game against Wayne state.  I think people try to claim the Maize Rage and football student section are one in the same.  Granted most of the people at teh maize rage also go to the football games, but you are talking about a MUCH different crowd.  At least half of the student section at the football games probably couldn't name a player outside of Denard or a coach besides Brady Hoke (for better or worse), but most of the maize rage is well organized and well informed.  

I just find it irritating that people always think the students are doing such a horrible job because some show up late to football games or "don't cheer loud enough" at bball games where the remainder of the arena is half filled.  

Do I think Michigan has the best student section for bball or fball in the nation?  Of course not, but don't hate on the Maize Rage they still do a better job than a LOT of student sections around the country

doughboy

November 18th, 2011 at 8:21 AM ^

I was at the game last night and have been a season ticket holder since I was a student back in the 80's (before running water).  So I think I've seen a few games and I think the student section last night and against Ferris State was great!  They were bouncing - they were loud - they were all in yellow - and they were THERE.  The students have been doing an excellent job of supporting our Basketball team - keep up the good work!!

Hail Beilein

November 18th, 2011 at 9:13 AM ^

I would never, could never hate on the Maize Rage.
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<br>I'm an admitted "normal" fan, having never attended Michigan. I was at the Towson game 5 rows behind the basket opposite the main tunnel and didn't perceive a 10' difference in where the Maize Rage is now in comparison to where it was pre-renovation. If that's actually the case, that's awful.
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<br>Additionally, I did notice first hand that the "wings" of the Maize Rage consist of seats, while the middle portion sit (stand) on bleachers. This is also terrible for those on the wings. I imagine I'd feel disjoined from the heart of the Rage if I were to sit in those seats, but then again, I'm no student.
<br>I wish I could bring myself to sit in the student section for basketball games in particular. I have the energy and passion to stand, cheer, and yell all game. I feel like I'm going to piss people off when I jump up for an exciting dunk (Morgan) or a clutch rebound (Novak) or when I stand up in the closing moments of a tight game.