Would SJU benefit from playing less games at MSG?

H

hokie _04

New member
While a longtime Virginia Tech fan, I've followed the SJU program and a few other Big East schools for a while (pre- and post-Tech's Big East run). Something about some of the non-football schools always interested me, and for a long time, I really liked what the Big East was able to put together.

I have followed along on this board while the conference shifting has happened. I was reading one of the previous threads about the difficulties/expense of students attending games at MSG. I also know that there is a belief (probably legitimate) that playing in MSG so often helps in recruiting and helps get good OOC games. It also looks like there's some strength in being able to not schedule teams that would use the NYC appearance to go after some of the same recruits you want (mainly Syracuse).

All that being said, has playing the bulk of the games on campus ever been seriously considered? The atmosphere at tonight's DePaul game looked great. Obviously, a full Garden would be great, but if you're forced to choose between a packed on-campus game and a mostly empty MSG, would the latter really be more impressive to recruits. While that one's debatable, I assume it would be a clear-cut win from a convenience and cost perspective. Maybe have one or two games in MSG, but not more than that (Syracuse, Duke, Notre Dame, maybe?). Beyond that, what's the benefit of MSG? Is it all just ego/cache/whatever you want to call it?
 
While a longtime Virginia Tech fan, I've followed the SJU program and a few other Big East schools for a while (pre- and post-Tech's Big East run). Something about some of the non-football schools always interested me, and for a long time, I really liked what the Big East was able to put together.

I have followed along on this board while the conference shifting has happened. I was reading one of the previous threads about the difficulties/expense of students attending games at MSG. I also know that there is a belief (probably legitimate) that playing in MSG so often helps in recruiting and helps get good OOC games. It also looks like there's some strength in being able to not schedule teams that would use the NYC appearance to go after some of the same recruits you want (mainly Syracuse).

All that being said, has playing the bulk of the games on campus ever been seriously considered? The atmosphere at tonight's DePaul game looked great. Obviously, a full Garden would be great, but if you're forced to choose between a packed on-campus game and a mostly empty MSG, would the latter really be more impressive to recruits. While that one's debatable, I assume it would be a clear-cut win from a convenience and cost perspective. Maybe have one or two games in MSG, but not more than that (Syracuse, Duke, Notre Dame, maybe?). Beyond that, what's the benefit of MSG? Is it all just ego/cache/whatever you want to call it?
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If the game was at the garden I'd have gone to it and dealt with the hour+ train. For Carnesseca arena for a 9pm game I'd rather be on my couch since I'll be driving from Long Island to Short Hills Jersey for a meeting at 5:15am tomorrow and to be honest I dont like carnesseca arena anymore.

Heck maybe I shouldn't sleep the 4+ hours since I'm so jacked after this win
 
While a longtime Virginia Tech fan, I've followed the SJU program and a few other Big East schools for a while (pre- and post-Tech's Big East run). Something about some of the non-football schools always interested me, and for a long time, I really liked what the Big East was able to put together.

I have followed along on this board while the conference shifting has happened. I was reading one of the previous threads about the difficulties/expense of students attending games at MSG. I also know that there is a belief (probably legitimate) that playing in MSG so often helps in recruiting and helps get good OOC games. It also looks like there's some strength in being able to not schedule teams that would use the NYC appearance to go after some of the same recruits you want (mainly Syracuse).

All that being said, has playing the bulk of the games on campus ever been seriously considered? The atmosphere at tonight's DePaul game looked great. Obviously, a full Garden would be great, but if you're forced to choose between a packed on-campus game and a mostly empty MSG, would the latter really be more impressive to recruits. While that one's debatable, I assume it would be a clear-cut win from a convenience and cost perspective. Maybe have one or two games in MSG, but not more than that (Syracuse, Duke, Notre Dame, maybe?). Beyond that, what's the benefit of MSG? Is it all just ego/cache/whatever you want to call it?
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No!
tonight against DePaul SJ practically gave student tickets away and there were 2,000 empty seats!
9:00 pm games are obviously too late for many students holed up in the Library.
 
While a longtime Virginia Tech fan, I've followed the SJU program and a few other Big East schools for a while (pre- and post-Tech's Big East run). Something about some of the non-football schools always interested me, and for a long time, I really liked what the Big East was able to put together.

I have followed along on this board while the conference shifting has happened. I was reading one of the previous threads about the difficulties/expense of students attending games at MSG. I also know that there is a belief (probably legitimate) that playing in MSG so often helps in recruiting and helps get good OOC games. It also looks like there's some strength in being able to not schedule teams that would use the NYC appearance to go after some of the same recruits you want (mainly Syracuse).

All that being said, has playing the bulk of the games on campus ever been seriously considered? The atmosphere at tonight's DePaul game looked great. Obviously, a full Garden would be great, but if you're forced to choose between a packed on-campus game and a mostly empty MSG, would the latter really be more impressive to recruits. While that one's debatable, I assume it would be a clear-cut win from a convenience and cost perspective. Maybe have one or two games in MSG, but not more than that (Syracuse, Duke, Notre Dame, maybe?). Beyond that, what's the benefit of MSG? Is it all just ego/cache/whatever you want to call it?
Click to expand...

Hi Hokie welcome
Have u ever been to the Garden its electric its called the most famous arena for good reason
the tradition of St.j's grew w winning big games ag. top ranked power programs like Indiana w Knight etc in front of sellouts
its part of the allure of playing on broadway as a college kid I loved the garden games more bec. students sit courtside behind the nets & in the 80s alumni hall had us in the nosebleeds
in 1980s johnnys played ag jordan & NC Duke W dawkins & Ferry Kansas larry brown & Danny Manning those games r still being
played in my mind w Mullin ag.Jordan Berry vs Manning its special aura cant be matched espec since they moved Yannkee stad.
 
MSG is a big part of our identity, can't lose it.
But campus games are fun as well.

Just need to find the right mix.
I think our attendance at MSG will improve as the program does. No different then the Mets, Jets, or Islanders. Those teams sell out when they're good..and can be playing in ghost towns when they're bad.
 
While a longtime Virginia Tech fan, I've followed the SJU program and a few other Big East schools for a while (pre- and post-Tech's Big East run). Something about some of the non-football schools always interested me, and for a long time, I really liked what the Big East was able to put together.

I have followed along on this board while the conference shifting has happened. I was reading one of the previous threads about the difficulties/expense of students attending games at MSG. I also know that there is a belief (probably legitimate) that playing in MSG so often helps in recruiting and helps get good OOC games. It also looks like there's some strength in being able to not schedule teams that would use the NYC appearance to go after some of the same recruits you want (mainly Syracuse).

All that being said, has playing the bulk of the games on campus ever been seriously considered? The atmosphere at tonight's DePaul game looked great. Obviously, a full Garden would be great, but if you're forced to choose between a packed on-campus game and a mostly empty MSG, would the latter really be more impressive to recruits. While that one's debatable, I assume it would be a clear-cut win from a convenience and cost perspective. Maybe have one or two games in MSG, but not more than that (Syracuse, Duke, Notre Dame, maybe?). Beyond that, what's the benefit of MSG? Is it all just ego/cache/whatever you want to call it?
Click to expand...

If the game was at the garden I'd have gone to it and dealt with the hour+ train. For Carnesseca arena for a 9pm game I'd rather be on my couch since I'll be driving from Long Island to Short Hills Jersey for a meeting at 5:15am tomorrow and to be honest I dont like carnesseca arena anymore.

Heck maybe I shouldn't sleep the 4+ hours since I'm so jacked after this win
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Oh come on, I live 45-50 miles away and made it in my parking spot at CA in 45 minutes door to door. Lead foot? Yes. But hey, I like to get where I'm going lol. Nah, 5:15 is early though...can't really blame you there. My class is at 4:30 PM, so I said screw it why not go? Glad I did...the place was rocking.

And to answer the OP's question, your view is skewed. You imply that MSG is always mostly empty for us. Not so at all. Whenever Cuse comes, the place is totally packed full. Sure 75% are Cuse fans, but fans are fans and it still makes for a great atmosphere. Against G'Town, the place was extremely packed. A lot of people were sitting high up and if MSG was smart and moved everyone down a bit, you would see that most of the rows would have been full. You say it's mostly empty now...well this team has not won consistently since a long time ago so it's not fair to judge a rebuilding team on such factors. If we become a consistent top 25 team again with constant NCAA trips, trust me MSG will be much more packed for SJ games. Playing at MSG is very special and adds a certain amount of prestige and intrigue that most teams don't enjoy. So the answer is no.
 
No one benefits from playing at CA. The players do not because CA is boring and lifeless home arena.

The fans certainly do not, as we must wait on mind-numbingly long lines prior to being greeted and having every bodily orifice probed before entering, just to have the honor of sitting in a cramped, aesthetic eye sore, with the heat index worthy of Byzentine era turkish baths (minus the sanitary conditions of course) disguised as an arena,

Just installing new seats and slapping down a new floor doesn't change anything. You can put lipstck on a pig...
 
Had season tickets for 34 years up to two years ago (now have 68" flat screen) Commuted from Litchfield, CT to 100's of games. Too expensive today exacerbated by $10 beers at MSG!

Aside from all the negatives, being in the Garden when there is a packed house is like no other experience. The place rocks. However, NY is a pro town and a winners town. Until SJU gets into the top 25 more consistently they won't be selling out the Garden. Last time we were averaging 14,000 to capacity was 1999-2000 team with Postell, Artest, Thornton, Barkley, Grant etc. That was fun!

Who knows what will happen when the 7 break out after next season? Will SJU play in Brooklyn? MSG?
 
I believe the correct answer is that when we finally generate enough interest to sell 5,000 season tickets, playing all of our games at CA would give us a huge advantage from a Win-loss perspective. Look at last night's game. Even 3500 fans, many of them fairly engaged, and it got loud at times. At the Garden, it would have been dead as a doornail with 15,000 empty seats.

Play a Syracuse at home, and nearly all the fans are ours. Big advantage.

Here's my gripe: OT game and we really need a win to have competitive hopes in conference. In overtime at least, everyone should have been standing and screaming. Maybe everyone was tired, but except for the students behind both baskets, nearly everyone was eated and not out of their seats much for nice plays or big baskets.

Here's another gripe: People under 30 are way too attached to the smart phones, and spend much of the game texting friends instead of cheering. Now, I'm pretty attached to mine also, but at least during games, I am much more interested in focusing on the game, that even when my phone vibrates, I usually don't check it till long after.
 
I remember in the 80s, a game at Alumni Hall ,now Carneseca A.,was just about a guaranteed W.
 
The arena is too small by Big East rules and therefore they must play most of the Big East games at MSG. I believe the cut off in the
rules is 8000 seating capacity. With the new conference it may change. Early Big East, the campus arena's were tiny, McDonagh at Gtown. Walsh Gym at SH, even Manley at Syracuse. UCONN's Storr's Gampel campus site was built in 1990. The Big East success helped fund
these new arenas.
 
While a longtime Virginia Tech fan, I've followed the SJU program and a few other Big East schools for a while (pre- and post-Tech's Big East run). Something about some of the non-football schools always interested me, and for a long time, I really liked what the Big East was able to put together.

I have followed along on this board while the conference shifting has happened. I was reading one of the previous threads about the difficulties/expense of students attending games at MSG. I also know that there is a belief (probably legitimate) that playing in MSG so often helps in recruiting and helps get good OOC games. It also looks like there's some strength in being able to not schedule teams that would use the NYC appearance to go after some of the same recruits you want (mainly Syracuse).

All that being said, has playing the bulk of the games on campus ever been seriously considered? The atmosphere at tonight's DePaul game looked great. Obviously, a full Garden would be great, but if you're forced to choose between a packed on-campus game and a mostly empty MSG, would the latter really be more impressive to recruits. While that one's debatable, I assume it would be a clear-cut win from a convenience and cost perspective. Maybe have one or two games in MSG, but not more than that (Syracuse, Duke, Notre Dame, maybe?). Beyond that, what's the benefit of MSG? Is it all just ego/cache/whatever you want to call it?
Click to expand...

Hi Hokie welcome
Have u ever been to the Garden its electric its called the most famous arena for good reason
the tradition of St.j's grew w winning big games ag. top ranked power programs like Indiana w Knight etc in front of sellouts
its part of the allure of playing on broadway as a college kid I loved the garden games more bec. students sit courtside behind the nets & in the 80s alumni hall had us in the nosebleeds
in 1980s johnnys played ag jordan & NC Duke W dawkins & Ferry Kansas larry brown & Danny Manning those games r still being
played in my mind w Mullin ag.Jordan Berry vs Manning its special aura cant be matched espec since they moved Yannkee stad.
Click to expand...



Agree 100 %. Who can forget the Georgetown (Ewing) Johnnies(Mullin) games at the garden or Berry's block of Pearl Washington's last second shot. I wil never forget the electricity as we awaited for both teams to enter the garden floor. Chants of "Let's Go St. John's" vs. "Let's Go Hoyas". BTW, I was offered $150 each for my three tickets to the ST. J - G' town game at MSG. No better home court for me.
 
No one benefits from playing at CA. The players do not because CA is boring and lifeless home arena.

The fans certainly do not, as we must wait on mind-numbingly long lines prior to being greeted and having every bodily orifice probed before entering, just to have the honor of sitting in a cramped, aesthetic eye sore, with the heat index worthy of Byzentine era turkish baths (minus the sanitary conditions of course) disguised as an arena,

Just installing new seats and slapping down a new floor doesn't change anything. You can put lipstck on a pig...
Click to expand...

Don't worry! When we return to the top 10 next year after beating Syracuse at MSG I predict CA will turn I to Cameron North with students setting up tents in the Plaza.........unfortunately, our elite commando security force will mistake it for an "occupy St. John's" protest and begin cracking heads and dragging students into the arena holding area...where they will proceed to search every orifice of every coed.
 
This discussion really begins when they provide actual seat backs for every seat.
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I'm 100% with you there. If I'm 23 and my back hurts like hell from sitting in CA, you know there's something wrong. I don't understand why they give the bare minimum there. Make it comfortable...put backs to the seats. The only part you can make an excuse for not putting backs on are the sections behind each hoop. Everything else should have seats like MSG. Very hot, cheap, and uncomfortable place. The lobby is great, but once you get in the gym it's not impressive at all. They have the money to make it nicer.
 
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