Dick Vitale- Lobbyist
- Thread starter docbutler
- Start date
I definitely hear what you're saying Doc. Dickie V is just generally nauseating to me. He rarely if ever makes an astute basketball observation. And I think you're spot on about him having an agenda that favors the ACC. Clearly that's his bread and butter... year in and year out he's sucking up to Roy and Coach K.
I've never found him to be anti-st Johns. But your bring up a good point about his comments on Moe. The one about being better off at another program, and not getting the PR he deserves ... those are troubling. Personally I think what he was alluding to was that if you haven't tuned into a SJU game this year you may not have heard about Moe and he's clearly one of the best freshmen in the country. That's how I took it... that basically Dick was saying "why haven't I heard more about this guy!".
I actually think he made us look good to recruits. I think in his future games he'll bring us up as a team on the up swing, and definitely mention Moe when he talks about the best freshmen. But I'll admit that I may be reacting overly optimistically because I enjoyed watching the game so much! That, and I think Musberger was very complimentary of us, so maybe I'm attributing some of what he said to Dick.
Doc, I think he did us a favor as he brought Bojangles Chicken to the Duke students waiting in line to get in. That chicken is so filled with grease and fat, half of the kids lacked energy and the other half were waiting in line to go into the restroom. I too am sick of the same excuses being given for our student section for the last two decades. Those that come are good and have fun and add to the atmosphere, and should be praised, but enough already with any excuses for the student section. Not directed at you Doc. I did not hear much as I was doing a play by play over the phone for a friend of mine on the LIRR who did not have a Smart phone. Lucky for all of you, that you did not get to hear that. 
MC, respectfully, where are you getting that from?
Because I'm looking at the box scores from the Villanova and Georgetown games and they say we drew 11k and change, and those were our best turnouts so far.
Is it from just MSG for last season? Cause that might make more sense.
beast of the east
Active member
Well, to be fair, you also have to consider that NYC is home to many Big East alums, propping up MSG attendance, and a jewel of a city more than ever for opposing fans to want to visit. Their average attedance are overwhelmingly Duke fans.
Stop trying to twist it. It could be argued that our attendance numbers at CA are limited by our 5k or so attendance max. If we played big east games at CA and we had 8k seats, we'd probably will the with SJU fans. We fill them at 5k for big east games. Our attendance hasn't been great this year, but we don't have a full team and Lavin isn't on the sidelines. Fans know that. It will certainly improve but our lack of attendance is overstated.
beast of the east
Active member
Twisting??? It's sickening to think that for nearly any good Big East school within 300 miles of MSG, they can march in and expect fan support that will negate our loyal, small base at worst, and overwhelm us at best, creating a pseudo home crowd. After last year AND the recruiting crop SJU produced, AND the brand of basketball they are playing, we should be drawing SJU fans en masse to MSG and outdraw visitors at least 3-1 or 4-1. Instead, the folks that stay at home negate our home court advantage.
MCN our attendance is kind of cr@p.
Lets be real here. For being right next to Penn Station the West Virginia attendance flat out sucked. There are a lot of fans that could make most of the games that are just lazy to put it bluntly.
The only time you don't go to games is when you have to work or because of your kids but you still have your tickets pretty much you are going to be there whenever you can and if you can't your seat is still paid for anyway so you are more than covered.
But while cost maybe might be a factor for some people can get the stormsaver package which is only $275 for like 20 games. I mean come on thats the best deal around.
I understand NY is tough with college sports and I truly believe that in a year or 2 tickets are going to be very hard to come by but I watch the Duke game and see the crowd and the Iowa St game after and I get envious.
I'm not saying someone has to make every game but people need to show up to that f'ing syracuse game.
Hell my birthday is on the Cincy game on feb 8 and I'm debating blowing off my girlfriend and family to go to the game. That will get me in serious trouble at home but I'm leaning towards doing it
There is not a single broadcaster out there that is more pro St. John's than Dick Vitale. I heard him mention St. John's on nearly every broadcast he did during the Norm years when STJ wasn't even playing. He loves the tradition at STJ, and he gushes over Louie and Lapchick at any chance he gets.
Dick Vitale gave shoutouts to Sampson and Gathers all night. He spoke highly of Lavin, Louie, Lapchick, out tradition, our young players, and the only negative was the attendance.
Dick Vitale helps this program immensely.
Dick Vitale gave shoutouts to Sampson and Gathers all night. He spoke highly of Lavin, Louie, Lapchick, out tradition, our young players, and the only negative was the attendance.
Dick Vitale helps this program immensely.
Dick Vitale was not on this board debating the relative merits of man to man vs zone defense. He was doing a nationally televised game - seen and heard by SJU recruits, their families and friends. When he stated - more than once - that Moe would have been better served if he went to a different program, it so far outweighed his positive comments about us as to make them meaningless.
In high school if a date told you that you were kind and funny and several other nice things, BUT that she thought of you like a brother - or a friend - it's what she said after the BUT that really mattered. What Dick Vitale said about Moe being better off at another school is what came after the BUT.
His comments raise two questions. Is his basic premise correct - that Moe would do better at another program? I for one do not believe that is true. Could, in fact, Mr. Vitale have made a stronger case that one of the good big kids sitting on Duke's bench would have been better served going to SJU? Would he have ever made that arguement - never. The second question is, even if Dick Vitale believed it was true, should he have said it on national television - given the fact that - in my memory at least - I have never heard him make that comment about another player or another program before? And by the way, what did that comment say about what he thought about the rest of the team?
The comment he made about the size of the crowd at the Garden at the West Virginia game bothered me - but much less than the comment about Moe. What did anger me was that he commented on the size of the crowd at all. What did that have to do with anything? He was not announcing that game today - it was over- and it did not speak to the quality of the play in that game.
Beat Syracuse!!!
In high school if a date told you that you were kind and funny and several other nice things, BUT that she thought of you like a brother - or a friend - it's what she said after the BUT that really mattered. What Dick Vitale said about Moe being better off at another school is what came after the BUT.
His comments raise two questions. Is his basic premise correct - that Moe would do better at another program? I for one do not believe that is true. Could, in fact, Mr. Vitale have made a stronger case that one of the good big kids sitting on Duke's bench would have been better served going to SJU? Would he have ever made that arguement - never. The second question is, even if Dick Vitale believed it was true, should he have said it on national television - given the fact that - in my memory at least - I have never heard him make that comment about another player or another program before? And by the way, what did that comment say about what he thought about the rest of the team?
The comment he made about the size of the crowd at the Garden at the West Virginia game bothered me - but much less than the comment about Moe. What did anger me was that he commented on the size of the crowd at all. What did that have to do with anything? He was not announcing that game today - it was over- and it did not speak to the quality of the play in that game.
Beat Syracuse!!!
Wait did Dick really say that about Moe being better served by going somewhere else because I didn't hear that. I might not have been paying attention as I multi task during the games by posting on here and the jungle and text message during games going on.
But the attendance comment whether people like it or not is on the money. It will change but its on the money
I get really emotional about SJU. When we lose it ruins my day - and that is an improvment as it used to ruin several days. Also Duke is part of my three team axis of evl - Duke, Syracuse and UCONN.
With that in mind, if I overstated what he said - I apologize. But - I believe - what he said was that Moe would be better off in a situation where he was not asked to do so much. I took that to mean somewhere else. Might he have just been stating that it would be better for Moe - while at SJU - for him if he was not asked to do so much? Maybe. In the heat of the moment I didn't take it that way. Others didn't seem to be bothered by it, so it's entirely possible I overreacted or misheard or mistook what he meant.
As for the attendance - I went to a UCONN game at the Garden several years ago with a friend who also attended SJU and we felt like we were the only ones at the Garden rooting for SJU. That wasn't true, but it was close. It's been a problem for us for quite a while, I just didn't think that our lack of attendance had a place in today's game.
With that in mind, if I overstated what he said - I apologize. But - I believe - what he said was that Moe would be better off in a situation where he was not asked to do so much. I took that to mean somewhere else. Might he have just been stating that it would be better for Moe - while at SJU - for him if he was not asked to do so much? Maybe. In the heat of the moment I didn't take it that way. Others didn't seem to be bothered by it, so it's entirely possible I overreacted or misheard or mistook what he meant.
As for the attendance - I went to a UCONN game at the Garden several years ago with a friend who also attended SJU and we felt like we were the only ones at the Garden rooting for SJU. That wasn't true, but it was close. It's been a problem for us for quite a while, I just didn't think that our lack of attendance had a place in today's game.
at the 18:32 mark of the first half, right after Moe's baseline drive for the dunk, Vitale says "If heas in an environment where there wasn't so much pressure, you'd be reading a lot more about him." ( i believe that is an exact quote.)
I take that to mean if he weren't playing with all Freshmen, he would shine even more. I agree with Marillac about how much Dickie V has promoted our program, even during the lean Norm years.
One other point. I know it is en vogue to hate Duke and Coach K. I hate them for their success, their flops and the calls they get, but I have never heard Coack K say anything that was less than classy and respectful to the opponent.
Dickie V is obnoxiously loud and not very insightful. But what he is is their most highly touted "analyst" and quite the traditionalist. What he lacks for in substance he makes up for with his love for the game and his ability to make you feel the atmosphere at home. I have yet to hear another PBP or color guy that can do it the way he does. Add that to his quirky names and titles, he's created quite a niche for his personality. Thats why I think he's been so successful. I too have never really heard him put down St Johns. You guys think he's putting SJU down by mentioning attendence? We all know he's master of the friggin obvious and last time I checked, his number was pretty good. Did you ever notice though how he also mentions how its "a shame" that such a storied program with a fantastic coach and an exciting team is only pulling that? To me it sounds more like he's imploring the public to pay attention. I loved the Sampson and Gathers comments throughout the game. Throughout the Norm years even he's always wished St Johns would return to prominence. I can't argue with that ^5
I too would agree with him about Moe...he'd be better if we had a nice big center and maybe a buff power forward so he didn't have to guard the center or the opponent's power forward. On the other hand, it allows him to be guarded by the other team's power forward or center which is an enormous matchup problem as you saw today. I guess it has it's plus and minuses. At the end of the day, he can play the perimeter and he will get plenty of shots at SJU but he'll also be forced to bulk up and learn some more post moves which can only help his overall game.
I too would agree with him about Moe...he'd be better if we had a nice big center and maybe a buff power forward so he didn't have to guard the center or the opponent's power forward. On the other hand, it allows him to be guarded by the other team's power forward or center which is an enormous matchup problem as you saw today. I guess it has it's plus and minuses. At the end of the day, he can play the perimeter and he will get plenty of shots at SJU but he'll also be forced to bulk up and learn some more post moves which can only help his overall game.
Knockout-Ned
Member
The paranoia about Vitale being against SJU is insane. His comments throughout the year have been much more positive than negative. He rightfully should mention the poor turnout vs WVU. I interpret that comment as him telling fans to get the eff out to the games. Like many of us, he knows there was a day when MSG was much more filled against crap teams. I will go so far as to say that he has gone out of his way to make positive comments over the past year about the program b/c of his relationship with Lavin. For that we should all be thankful. Give it up already.