Advice to UT Students, especially Seniors...
by txtwstr7 on Dec 1, 2008 11:30 AM CST
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Print...I've already heard a few people making arrangements to watch the UT-UCLA game on TV, since they dont have the Stampede pass and would have to wait in line for most of the day. I've also heard people planning on meeting at the Erwin Center around 6:00 or 6:30. If you are a Senior and you dont have an Exam on Friday, both of these are the wrong answer, even for average basketball fans...
More after the jump...
Each of the past few years, there has been at least one key game to target on the home schedule. In every single case, the game--and the crowd--has delivered. In all the football games I've attended at UT, nothing outside of the OSU Rally in 2004 has compared to the insanity in the Erwin Center during some of the marquee match-ups.
Literally, in each year, I can look back to a single game and remember the crowd going absolutely berserk and the team willing itself to victory. While I'm well aware crowd effects can be overstated (especially at Texas), I refuse to believe that the crowd hasn't played *some* role in leading Texas to a 95-6 record in their last 101 home games. This is especially true against marquee opponents. Let's take a look.
2007: 72-69 victory over #4 Kansas. This was the game where 16,755 fans watched Damion James snag 13 rebounds in the 2nd half to lead Texas over the eventual National Champions. This was also the game where Damion threw down the MONSTER slam off the offensive rebound, which almost caused me a broken ankle in my theatrical celebration. I dont think anyone who attended the game will forget it anytime soon.
2006: 98-96 victory over #6 Texas A&M. In Kevin Durant's swan song at the Erwin Center, he outdueled Acie Law (the 4th) to lead the Longhorns to victory in a 2OT thriller. One of my best friends has said his favorite regular season game--in any sport--that he's ever attended. The sheer bedlam in the bleachers after Durant nailed the go-ahead three is literally seared into my memory. It was LOUD the entire game, and none of the students wanted to leave after the game was over.
2005: 58-55 victory over #3 Villanova. In what marked a key turnaround game after Texas had been throttled by Duke and Tennessee, Texas won a thriller over Villanova and their four-guard offense. I was worried that the crowd might disappoint for this game, but--even with the early tip--that simply didnt happen. In one of the most underrated games in the last few years, Texas hung tough and gutted out a key win.
2004: 75-61 victory over #5 Oklahoma State. Right before losing PJ Tucker due to an academic suspension, the Longhorns played with fire in knocking off the Cowboys in a Big Monday showdown. This was also the game where Daniel Gibson exploded for 27 points and 10 rebounds. It was also a game where I lost my voice before the game was over.
2003: 82-67 victory over #14 Kansas and 94-81 victory over #14 Wake Forest. As I was unable to attend the Wake Forest game, I can't speak with certainty over if the environment was electric. In the Kansas game, Texas jumped out to a big lead in the first half and the Jayhawks never had a chance.
In each of the past five seasons, I've watched Texas win special games against marquee opponents. In the last four seasons, the Erwin Center has come alive and literally made a difference in the game. This season, the marquee matchups are UCLA and OU, with the UCLA visit being a historical and rare occurrence. The team is going to need--and will appreciate--our help. Don't miss out.
If you're a senior planning to "Wait for the OU game to campout", please remember that the game occurs over Winter Break. Please also remember that you'll be a toal douchebag if you miss the UCLA game.
Hook 'Em!
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Yesterday
at the Rice game they were giving out vouchers for the UCLA game for the first 300 student, non-Stampede members. The game was at 2 and I got there at 12:30 and there were literally 20 people in line. When the game started I think the person handing them out still had 50 left.
Sorry, Off Topic
Does anyone know where I can look to get tickets for the MSU game in Houston on the 20th? I’ll be home for break and want to get there if I can.
www,craigslist.com?
Perhaps the most recognizable mascot in sports, and certainly the toughest looking, Bevo is a fixture
by run Bevo run on Dec 1, 2008 12:05 PM CST up reply actions
Advice to Alumni
You’ll be a total douchebag if you miss the UCLA game.
I have really been looking forward to this game. Beating UCLA two years in a row would be unbelievable. This program has sure come a long way to have that even be a possibility.
Done my duty
As an alumnus (and a different kind of ‘senior’ than you probably have in mind), I guess I’ll have to be a douchebag. My knees are shot and I just can’t make the climb up to the nosebleed seats, which are all I could probably get. Standing the whole game is out of the question, and those knees come with legs too long to fit into the space allowed, so rather than suffer with you, I’ll just stay home and pull for the team from my comfy chair. I held season tickets for almost 20 years and did my duty back in the day. Now its time for the youngbloods to step up and do the same.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Here's a thought
To follow up on my own post — I know, bad form — here’s a wild idea: What if there was a row of speakers in the arena and each one had a port to the Internet. Then remote fans such as myself would log onto a ‘virtual fan’ service that would take the voice input from a mike and broadcast it at the arena.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Totally agree, txtwstr
That 2006 A&M game is the single greatest UT sporting event I’ve ever attended (possibly because I didn’t attend either rose bowl, but you never know….). It was so epic that I lost my voice well before it was over and didn’t regain it for two more days. Durant and Law put on such a spectacular show; every Longhorn fan hated Acie, but began to respect him after that one (especially after that rainbow 3 from the corner).
I’ve always told my friends that the Erwin Center at its best is more fun than DKR at its best. It’s time more people figure that out.
Great post.
The Villanova game was a blast. One of my fav games as a student. I’m now an alum, but circle the big games and buy tickets for them (can’t quite fork over the cash for season tix…sigh). I was at last season’s Kansas game, and it was absolute insanity. That game was a steal for the price I paid compared to the level of fun that was had. I have my ticket for Thursday and look forward to going crazy.
*Here’s a quick tip for getting great tickets. I got on the morning tickets went on sale and bought a lower level ticket alone for the UCLA game and got front row. I’m use to getting the very back of mezzanine. Moral of the story, circle the day tickets go on sale and be online the minute they go up! If possible…I’d trade them all in to be back in the o-zone with students though. Can’t beat it. Hook ’em!
"Like I said, I'm going to bleed orange until the day I die." -V.Y.
3-5
I was there for 3 of the 5 games you mentioned. I agree, the place was unreal, especially compared to how the Erwin Center normally is. But, it just doesn’t compare to what goes on in DKR. Sure, an 11AM Baylor game isn’t going to be anything close to crazy, but you just can’t compare 15K Horns to 85, 90, or 98K. For me, the loudest, most exciting, most nerve-wracking game that I’ve seen at DKR was Tech in 2003. Down to the wire, VY benched, Chance Mock leads us to victory in the last seconds. The place was out of control. The OSU game this year was also pretty damn rowdy.
by Texas Our Texas on Dec 1, 2008 12:49 PM CST reply actions
couldn't agree more
That Kansas game last year was insane. Not an empty seat in the house and at full volume! I lost my voice 1/2 way through the second half and it was absolutely electric!
I really hope there’s a full house for UCLA. The team deserves that after their performance at Pawley Pavillion last year when UCLA was ranked number 1.
Be sure to look on the market place for season ticket holders who won’t be attending the game.
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