What I'm worried about...

[Bleeding Orange]

I honestly don't think I've ever made two new posts in one day in the same forum, and I appologize in advance for doing so tonight. I just can't stop thinking about this team... 8)

I realize that I am getting a bit ahead of things, but I am really worried about what kind of a crowd we might have in West Lafayette a week from tonight if we happen to beat UCLA (I don't want to jynx anything and UCLA is no slouch, for sure). If we do happen to advance, what kind of a crowd can we expect?

The fact of the matter is that if and when we do advance to the next round, we will most likely be playing Purdon't on their home court, in front of a home crowd. It seems to me that we are going to have a huge contingency at the game on Sunday, especially with all of the Lafayette locals that will be their to cheer on the hometown girl (Liz). But what about the next game?

Here are the two reasons I'm afraid:
(1) It sounds like most people are planning on returning home after the game on Sunday (ir)regardless of the outcome. This is totally understandable, given the fact that people obviously have to be at work/classes on Monday, and I certainly can't fault anyone for leaving (especially not being able to be there myself - why does Arizona have to suck so much more with each passing day???).

(2) I am seriously wondering where Lafayette locals loyalties may truly lie: with Liz or with Purdon't? How much of an advantage would this crowd be if we are playing the Boilermakers? I would like to think that these fans would be pulling for the hometown girl and her team, but I fear that their local loyalties to Purdon't may be stronger...

I really haven't seen anyone engage this issue so far amongst our euphoria about the situation, and please don't think for a second that I fault anyone for it (I simply have the benefit of two extra hours to think thanks to trains and their influence on the development of time zones...). I do, however, think that this is something that those going to the first round game on Sunday need to take into consideration.

Now, believe me, and as I have had to say before, I feel like a total hypocite being the one to pose this question given the fact that there is no possible way that I can make it to this game. But believe me, it is absolutely killing me inside. Indeed, I have never had a personal connection to a team that I have been so proud of - seriously. I guess I would just like to see those of you that live within a feasible distance of West Lafayette think about this as early as you can!

Why, oh why, could this game not have been in Tucson or Denver?!?! Seriously, I'm going to be doing research in Santa Fe all week! I could have made it up to Denver with no problem!!!!!

[Peregrinner]

Unfortunately (and it's going to hurt very badly), I'll probably have to miss the game if (and/or when) we play Tuesday. I have classes and work until 4PM, and I'm fairly sure that does not leave me time to plan, pack, and drive to the game.
BUT, as I did when I had to leave an important (BG v. ND) hockey game, I will be at work, sporting my BG gear, and will make a strong case to have the radio tuned to WBGU (if they have a feed) or have a laptop in my area with a gametracker running. I would simply call off work or try to find someone to cover, but I've called off twice for hockey already, and I'm calling off Thursday for a concert... and I need to keep that job.
I hope everyone else who can possibly make it out will strongly consider it. A strong showing in this tournament will do wonders for the MAC and reducing the amount of disrespect and skepticism shown towards our fine (for the most part ) teams.

[Bleeding Orange]

Unfortunately (and it's going to hurt very badly), I'll probably have to miss the game if (and/or when) we play Tuesday. I have classes and work until 4PM, and I'm fairly sure that does not leave me time to plan, pack, and drive to the game.
BUT, as I did when I had to leave an important (BG v. ND) hockey game, I will be at work, sporting my BG gear, and will make a strong case to have the radio tuned to WBGU (if they have a feed) or have a laptop in my area with a gametracker running. I would simply call off work or try to find someone to cover, but I've called off twice for hockey already, and I'm calling off Thursday for a concert... and I need to keep that job.
I hope everyone else who can possibly make it out will strongly consider it. A strong showing in this tournament will do wonders for the MAC and reducing the amount of disrespect and skepticism shown towards our fine (for the most part ) teams.

I really don't want to hijack my own thread (so if this doesn't apply to you directly, please disregard and roll along), but I really hope that people like you don't think that I was calling you out, P. I recall that I (kind of sarcastically) gave you a hard time about going to the MAC tourney (at least I think it was you - it is late now), and you did me one better. Not only did you go, but you went by yourself and with an orange wig on! I actually saw you on the teevee (if you'll consider the teevee my computer) along with AlwaysaFalcon and her papa. I couldn't believe it at the time, and I can't believe that I haven't said anything unitl now about it. You are a phenomenal Falcon fan (as futher evinced by your perceptive, and constructive analysis of the future of our beloved Icers), and you should in no way feel guilty about not being able to make it to a second round game. I truly hope that I have not made you feel that way.

I really hope that we all realize how great of a fant that we have in Perrigriner. We can't ask for anymore students that are as dedicated to BGSU as P. is. I just want to make that known. Thank you, and Roll Along.

[Peregrinner]

I really don't want to hijack my own thread (so if this doesn't apply to you directly, please disregard and roll along), but I really hope that people like you don't think that I was calling you out, P. I recall that I (kind of sarcastically) gave you a hard time about going to the MAC tourney (at least I think it was you - it is late now), and you did me one better. Not only did you go, but you went by yourself and with an orange wig on! I actually saw you on the teevee (if you'll consider the teevee my computer) along with AlwaysaFalcon and her papa. I couldn't believe it at the time, and I can't believe that I haven't said anything unitl now about it. You are a phenomenal Falcon fan (as futher evinced by your perceptive, and constructive analysis of the future of our beloved Icers), and you should in no way feel guilty about not being able to make it to a second round game. I truly hope that I have not made you feel that way.

I really hope that we all realize how great of a fant that we have in Perrigriner. We can't ask for anymore students that are as dedicated to BGSU as P. is. I just want to make that known. Thank you, and Roll Along.

No worries at all, I didn't for a second think you were calling me out. I was just expressing my personal disappointment that I won't be able to be there for the possible upset of Purdue.
I remember your comment, and I took it with the appropriate intended sarcastic tone. I know how much you wanted to be there, and I understand you just wanted to let everyone know that there are plenty of BG fans who wish they could be in attendance, so why pass up the opportunity when it's practically throwing itself at you.
Glad to know you caught my TV appearance(s)... apparently there were a couple, as I had multiple reports/jokes at my expense from people who watched.
(hope I'm not hijacking this too much)I really want to say that I was pleasantly surprised and somewhat moved by the number of people who came out to support BG in Cleveland.. Considering we outdrew TU and (I think) Kent State, that says a lot about the support we're showing for these ladies. I hope/think that can carry over into the NCAA's. I am immensely proud of this team (as many others obviously are), and I think we can expect a considerable crowd to support them. I know it's for Sunday's game, but the fact that at least one car/hotel room arrangement was full no more than an hour after the announcement makes me think we'll do more than OK.
OK, that's enough hijacking from me, I'll disappear back into the shadows now.

[Falconfliccbone]

I totally understand your concern BO. Does anyone know what time the game on Tuesday would be at? I would love to make it, but I have class until 2:15. If the game is at 7, I could be there. Regardless, I'll be supporting the girls in spirit if not in person.

[TG1996]

I totally understand your concern BO. Does anyone know what time the game on Tuesday would be at? I would love to make it, but I have class until 2:15. If the game is at 7, I could be there. Regardless, I'll be supporting the girls in spirit if not in person.

7 or 9:30, last I saw last night, it's still TBA (probably for ESPN reasons, I'd guess, so they can see who's left)

[Metz]

The Purdue crowd will still have students at class then, too...and our athletic band is one spirited group! There will be a lot of parents of the players there...between them and the band, we will have a rowdy crowd regardless. Sure Purdue may be louder, but we will hold it down!

[Jham]

I can only imagine what the UCLA coaching staff would do with this thread if they found it. ... I hope they don't.

[San Diego Falcon]

I can only imagine what the UCLA coaching staff would do with this thread if they found it. ... I hope they don't.

Don't worry about that. They're probably still confused as to why we're listed as the Falcons instead of the Hilltoppers.

[Falcon30]

Thundering Herd...duh

[Falconboy]

What are we doing wondering about what we're gonna do for fan support for or after the Purdue game when we haven't even played the UCLA game yet? This is baffeling to me. I know wer're all in a state of euphoria but lets get a firm grip here. I'm hereing people talk about us allready in the game with a Purdue when we haven't won a NCAA Tournament game yet. Please people lets calm down and not shade our glassed to darkly with orange and brown.

UCLA is even more physically talented than UK with 3 6'4 girls at F/C is and we're talking of beating them just cuz they turn the ball over alot and give up average of 71pts a game? Please lets focus on UCLA first , IF we beat them THEN we can talk about Purdon't if they win their game Ok?

[Metz]

This is baffeling to me.

That's definitely not a first

[bg_bball]

What are we doing wondering about what we're gonna do for fan support for or after the Purdue game when we haven't even played the UCLA game yet? This is baffeling to me. I know wer're all in a state of euphoria but lets get a firm grip here. I'm hereing people talk about us allready in the game with a Purdue when we haven't won a NCAA Tournament game yet. Please people lets calm down and not shade our glassed to darkly with orange and brown.

UCLA is even more physically talented than UK with 3 6'4 girls at F/C is and we're talking of beating them just cuz they turn the ball over alot and give up average of 71pts a game? Please lets focus on UCLA first , IF we beat them THEN we can talk about Purdon't if they win their game Ok?

Not to mention, they have the 3 best guards we've faced all year. Their starting center played the 3 in HS, so theres another threat on the perimeter. At this point, we should be just as concerned about these guards as we are about their size.

UCLA can give up 71 a game, but they can score with anyone. All they want to do is RUN RUN RUN, and if you think Coach Miller is gonna let the air out of the ball and play a 1/2 court game, you've lost your mind. It's gonna be a uptempo shootout and whoever executes the best on offense will win the game.

We're talking about their "turnover problems", well they also got something like 14 STEALS a game in the Pac10 tourney, not TURNOVERS, but STEALS. They're gonna put tremendous pressure on the ball, and if we can't handle it, we give them easy points off turnovers and jump start their fast break.

We shouldn't be thinking about anything past Sunday right now, b/c we're a few days away from facing one hell of a team. This is the biggest test of the year for the girls, and I'm sure they're ready to prove something.

[Falconboy]

What are we doing wondering about what we're gonna do for fan support for or after the Purdue game when we haven't even played the UCLA game yet? This is baffeling to me. I know wer're all in a state of euphoria but lets get a firm grip here. I'm hereing people talk about us allready in the game with a Purdue when we haven't won a NCAA Tournament game yet. Please people lets calm down and not shade our glassed to darkly with orange and brown.

UCLA is even more physically talented than UK with 3 6'4 girls at F/C is and we're talking of beating them just cuz they turn the ball over alot and give up average of 71pts a game? Please lets focus on UCLA first , IF we beat them THEN we can talk about Purdon't if they win their game Ok?

Not to mention, they have the 3 best guards we've probably faced all year. At this point, we shouldn't even be more concerned about their size, we need to stop these guards.

UCLA can give up 71 a game, but they can score with anyone. All they want to do is RUN RUN RUN, and if you think Coach Miller is gonna let the air out of the ball and play a 1/2 court game, you've lost your mind. It's gonna be a uptempo shootout and whoever executes the best on offense will win the game.

We're talking about their "turnover problems", well they also got something like 14 STEALS a game in the Pac10 tourney, not TURNOVERS, but STEALS. They're gonna put tremendous pressure on the ball, and if we can't handle it, we give them easy points off turnovers and jump start their fast break.

We shouldn't be thinking about anything past Sunday right now, b/c we're a few days away from facing one hell of a team. This is the biggest test of the year for the girls, and I'm sure they're ready to prove something.

My thoughts exactly.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I realize that I am getting a bit ahead of things

You 2 need to pay attention. He puts a caveat in and still gets ripped.

We all realize we are playing a very good team, and none of us think we will walk away with this one. There is also no harm in fans discussing things like this. The mindset of the fans has nothing to do with the team. We can be as cocky as we want and get ahead of ourselves all day long if we feel like it. The team can't, and this team won't.

I don't think we have the same talent as UCLA, but a think we're almost as good of a team as they are. The team is what matters -- not a smattering of height, speed, or talent. They're a good team, and so are we. I would probably install them as 3-5 point favorites if I were an oddsmaker. If we shoot well, I think we win.