Don’t expect fans void of their NBA to drive to Rosemont to see the Blue Demons.
Do you think a family from the North Shore, eager to see D-Rose and company, will accept some hot Big East action as a substitute? It’s like Olestra, that fat substitute that did nasty things to your stomach. Students don’t even go to games, can’t expect anyone else to attend.
Despite the news of a failed deal on Monday, I still think there’s hope for a shortened season. Even though the NBA players union is standing up for itself, much of the fringe fan base will blame the players and babble about greed. Both the players and owners are greedy. I’m not appalled when a league can’t figure out how to divide $3 billion. I’m just disappointed. But there are ways to spend your time, and your money, as I am a Bulls season ticket holder.
Remember this is a lockout. A strike is when the players refuse to play. A lockout is when the owners prevent the players from playing. The distinction is good to know.
DePaul may even have a decent season. But that’s not enough to lure the fringe fan, the ones that don’t know the 3-second rule.
They need other distractions, like the cheerleaders or a gun that shoots T-shirts.
The Allstate Arena’s food is less than stellar, and the building is not so much state of the art. I’ve even heard that there’s consideration of closing the arena down for an extended period of time to renovate. That’s a rumor that’s floated for a while, but makes sense.
And that’s no rip on the Big East. They’ve got two teams in the top 5 right now (insert predictable Syracuse rant). They send the most teams to the NCAA tourney on a yearly basis. (Not going to turn this into a Big 10 v. Big East argument)
The Big East is a good product on the hardwood, not so much for football. Not that it matters to Marquette or the other basketball-only schools. Yeah, I’m looking at you Notre Dame.
I grew up in DePaul’s shadows. Met legendary DePaul coach Ray Meyer when I was a kid. I want the program to soar. Just not on Jan. 1 when the Orange visit.
But the community won’t support it. Why take a 25-minute Blue Line trip in nasty weather to Rosemont when college hangovers could be enjoyed in the warmth of your apartment/dorm room?
One thing that annoys me: You can like both the NBA, NCAA and even the NHL. You don’t have to choose! Like them all! I can make an argument that some of those who hate the NBA and like NCAA are just using veiled racism. But I’ll save that for another time. I’ve got interest, I watch games at Gamekeepers (only on weekdays, the trixie and Chad count get out of control on weekend nights).
But unlike most people, I can find Rosemont on a map, which makes it easier for me to care. I even exchanged tweets with the DePaul ticket box office, asking about offering a discounted ticket package for NBA season ticket holders.
One more thing: For those thinking that NCAA players are doing it for the love of the game and somehow colleges trump the NBA when it comes to the “pureness of the game”…I’ve got two words for you:
PENN STATE.
Pure as snow.
