But I went to the Stegmania thing Friday night wanting to see something of the team - maybe a little scrimmage, something to see the team on the floor. What I got was team and coach (and family) introductions, a short 3 pt shooting contest teaming 1 guy with 1 girl (2 teams only), a 4 man dunk contest, a "dance off" between the girls' team and 5 random students and a 10 minute Quavo concert (during which I left after a minute or two). Now, the students attended well and were enthusiastic, but I found it all pretty much a waste. I really learned nothing about the teams.

I will concede what UGA hoops probably needed as a program was more what you got than what you wanted.

And the lower bowl looked packed and jacked.

Plenty of time for X's and O's.

The students seemed to have a great time. But they were there for a 10 minute concert, not for the teams IMO. We have 2 new coaches and 2 practically overhauled rosters. We fans don't know them. This was a chance to get to know them a bit as players. I wasn't expecting Xs & Os, but I would like to see them run up and down the floor a little.

I enjoyed watching the students and players having a lot of fun. But I would have enjoyed seeing a scrimmage too. Both teams need to invite their season ticket holders to come watch a practice.

It was well attended and well appreciated by the students.
Us oldies they don't need to care about.

Chuckwagon said:

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It was well attended and well appreciated by the students.
Us oldies they don't need to care about.

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I'm all for the students having fun, but it is us "oldies" that pay the freight....

Same experience at football games. The sound system seems to be somewhere between average to awful.

Kind of glad I can't hear it clearly. The hip hop rap crap is very annoying. All the "songs" sound the same to me.

Let's be honest. Student attendance is arguably the biggest driver of stadium atmosphere at games. If you aren't winning, these are the thing that get them to show up

The Open Practice this Saturday seems to address your initial complaint

Preface: I'm not young either. And like you, I feel like I'm footing the bill for alot of this stuff.

But that event wasn't for you or me.

White has to make the games/experience fun again.

He has to get the students excited about coming back.
He needs a fun atmosphere. He needs the kids to rock that place.

Apathy has been at an all time high and getting worse. You turn that around with the students (who have barely given a crap for a decade) and work from there.

Students need to think Hoops = Fun.

If they don't, any recruiting / transfer momentum we have will fall apart or be derailed.

Said differently....fans and booster are nothing more than Cast members in a recruiting production in the eyes of the coaches for most sports now. Kirby sure seems to view us that way. And that event just wasn't for you or me.

If you want to watch a scrimmage, attend this Saturday.

PaulWesterdawg said:

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Preface: I'm not young either. And like you, I feel like I'm footing the bill for alot of this stuff.

But that event wasn't for you or me.

White has to make the games/experience fun again.

He has to get the students excited about coming back.
He needs a fun atmosphere. He needs the kids to rock that place.

Apathy has been at an all time high and getting worse. You turn that around with the students (who have barely given a crap for a decade) and work from there.

Students need to think Hoops = Fun.

If they don't, any recruiting / transfer momentum we have will fall apart or be derailed.

Said differently....fans and booster are nothing more than Cast members in a recruiting production in the eyes of the coaches for most sports now. Kirby sure seems to view us that way. And that event just wasn't for you or me.

If you want to watch a scrimmage, attend this Saturday.

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Again, I'm all for the students having fun, but when I was a student, the fun WAS the game. I could have cared less about the music played in the arena or the cheering or the halftime show (though I did enjoy the San Diego Chicken when he came to town) or any of the peripheral stuff. I was there for the game. Generational difference, I suppose. Frankly, if the administration felt the students were so important to the atmosphere of a game, they would seat them around the floor and not stuff them in a corner and under one of the baskets. You mentioned apathy being at an all-time high. There has always been apathy among UGA fans for basketball. Yet, before COVID we were setting attendance records - that was in Crean's first couple of seasons. So, fans do care about the program. And I guess game atmosphere can help sell a recruit on a program, but NIL is the driver going forward IMHO. As for the scrimmage Saturday, I would normally be more than happy to attend, but, with it being a home game weekend and me not going to the game, there will likely be no parking anywhere near the Coliseum. Tailgaters will be taking up all the spots.