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Arena and atmosphere:
I've been to G/I before but it is still impressive with it's steep seat angles and incredible noise. I don't think TV captures just how steep the arena is. Had they not elected to remodel they would have had to build to a more modern code which would have prevented the steep angles and noise supression rules would have been in force. I have never been lucky enough to get floor seats to any game in any arena until last night.
I entered about 35 mins before game time expecting to see the Zags still warming up but they were already in the locker room. I took my seat, row 1 halfway between the baseline and mid-court, across from the Zag bench and watched the OSU boys warm up. One thing that stood out real quick is how you can feel the boys dribbling on that floor, it was more like pounding. Some teams don't like the floor there, it is the original floor from before the G/I rebuilding.
Not long after taking my seat, one of the Officials (Big 12/MVC) I think it was Gerry Pollard came by and noticed that I was the only fan in Blue in a sea of orange with a Zag shirt. In a voice that could be heard by all around he pointed to my shirt and said "If I make a call that looks to favor the Zags are you gonna back me?" I answered "absolutely". That got mix of chuckling and guffaws from the fans. I'm sure the guy behind me didn't like it as he turned out to be one of those fans that doesn't really watch the game, but only looks for missed calls and fouls. He was also really loud.
I would guess that G/I was about 98% filled, a surprise really, as last new years game was only about 85%, but then it wasn't the Zags either. The Cowboys have their own ritual intro with the pep band (no zombie nation here) and the crowd gets rockin and loud. After the lineups and anthem it was game on.
Everybody was polite and respectful to me and quite frankly, I didn't expect anything less. Cowboy fans are pretty knowledgeable about the game, unlike a large % of fans that follow another state team. At halftime, a geezer older than me came down the line and asked me if Stockton was John Stockton's son. I informed him that yes he was, and that the three of us were all born and raised within a couple blocks of each other and the University. He seemed to think that was pretty cool.
Gallagher/Iba deserves it's rep as an iconic basketball venue. It is a good mix of the old with the new, it's loud as hell, and even in the clouds, you can see the game fairly well. The traditions are all good. I'm glad our Zags got to play there and more importantly, come away with a win.
I've been to G/I before but it is still impressive with it's steep seat angles and incredible noise. I don't think TV captures just how steep the arena is. Had they not elected to remodel they would have had to build to a more modern code which would have prevented the steep angles and noise supression rules would have been in force. I have never been lucky enough to get floor seats to any game in any arena until last night.
I entered about 35 mins before game time expecting to see the Zags still warming up but they were already in the locker room. I took my seat, row 1 halfway between the baseline and mid-court, across from the Zag bench and watched the OSU boys warm up. One thing that stood out real quick is how you can feel the boys dribbling on that floor, it was more like pounding. Some teams don't like the floor there, it is the original floor from before the G/I rebuilding.
Not long after taking my seat, one of the Officials (Big 12/MVC) I think it was Gerry Pollard came by and noticed that I was the only fan in Blue in a sea of orange with a Zag shirt. In a voice that could be heard by all around he pointed to my shirt and said "If I make a call that looks to favor the Zags are you gonna back me?" I answered "absolutely". That got mix of chuckling and guffaws from the fans. I'm sure the guy behind me didn't like it as he turned out to be one of those fans that doesn't really watch the game, but only looks for missed calls and fouls. He was also really loud.
I would guess that G/I was about 98% filled, a surprise really, as last new years game was only about 85%, but then it wasn't the Zags either. The Cowboys have their own ritual intro with the pep band (no zombie nation here) and the crowd gets rockin and loud. After the lineups and anthem it was game on.
Everybody was polite and respectful to me and quite frankly, I didn't expect anything less. Cowboy fans are pretty knowledgeable about the game, unlike a large % of fans that follow another state team. At halftime, a geezer older than me came down the line and asked me if Stockton was John Stockton's son. I informed him that yes he was, and that the three of us were all born and raised within a couple blocks of each other and the University. He seemed to think that was pretty cool.
Gallagher/Iba deserves it's rep as an iconic basketball venue. It is a good mix of the old with the new, it's loud as hell, and even in the clouds, you can see the game fairly well. The traditions are all good. I'm glad our Zags got to play there and more importantly, come away with a win.
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