379 replies to this topic

[Mackus]

Not at all, just nostalgia. I miss it. Xfinity hasn't gotten particularly close to how it felt at Cole. I just miss it, and that stuff is part of the brand. Playing at Xfinity, scares no one IMO.

 

As Stoner said, winning will help. 

 

I don't agree with this part.  Students still completely surround the court. The Wall is cool.  The place rocks when the team is good.  

 

Cole was special, which Comcast isn't.  But it's still a great arena to watch a basketball game, gets quite loud and raucous, and can be an intimidating place for an opponent to play.

[BSLChrisStoner]

When MD is good, Xfinity is 100% special, and a place that definitely intimidates.

 

[BSLChrisStoner]

[BSLChrisStoner]

[BSLChrisStoner]

But it's also 18k seats, that isn't going to be full for a OOC like Mt. St Mary's or a January game vs. Minnesota if MD isn't really good. 

- MD has to be good.

- The OOC opponents have to register for the MD fanbase to care.

- Against the middle and lower of the Big Ten... same thing, MD has to be good for the fanbase to show and care.

[Mackus]

When MD is good, Xfinity is 100% special, and a place that definitely intimidates.

 

I guess I'm using a rather personal version of the word special. Totally agree that Comcast can be a terrific environment for a college basketball game and is a fantastic arena by every measure.

 

But I don't get, and I don't know if anyone else does get, any sort of nostalgia bomb walking into Comcast.  Even seeing the trophy and the Hall of Fame and those things, it's nice and it's interesting.  But it isn't special.  Cole, even after they stopped playing there, was a really cool place to walk into even if I was just going to take an exam or play a flag football game.  The building itself had a personality.  It felt lived-in and like a piece of history.  Comcast is just a building.  A very nice, well-designed one.  But it doesn't have the same heart and the very best games at Comcast don't quite reach the feeling of the very best games at Cole.  They're still great, just not quite as great.

 

It's a decidedly finer experience.  It just isn't as great.  I understand if that doesn't make any sense.

[BSLChrisStoner]

I guess I'm using a rather personal version of the word special. Totally agree that Comcast can be a terrific environment for a college basketball game and is a fantastic arena by every measure.

 

But I don't get, and I don't know if anyone else does get, any sort of nostalgia bomb walking into Comcast.  Even seeing the trophy and the Hall of Fame and those things, it's nice and it's interesting.  But it isn't special.  Cole, even after they stopped playing there, was a really cool place to walk into even if I was just going to take an exam or play a flag football game.  The building itself had a personality.  It felt lived-in and like a piece of history.  Comcast is just a building.  A very nice, well-designed one.  But it doesn't have the same heart and the very best games at Comcast don't quite reach the feeling of the very best games at Cole.  They're still great, just not quite as great.

 

It's a decidedly finer experience.  It just isn't as great.  I understand if that doesn't make any sense.

It makes sense for you - and frankly many others - but doesn't match my own feelings / experience. 

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Maybe its because I was younger. Teen and college age but for just a reg season Florida St or Wake game nothing matched or exceeded it except for the '14 playoff games. Atmosphere and intensity out the ass. X doesnt come close.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Fatts Russell and Eric Ayala were named as All-Big Ten honorable mentions.

[Mike B]

Fatts Russell and Eric Ayala were named as All-Big Ten honorable mentions.

Seems fair, and both have picked up their games at the end of the schedule.  

[glenn__davis]

Since 21/22 was a pretty lousy season, I watched the 2004 ACC tourney over the past week or so to remind me of better times.  A few things stood out:

 

• I forgot how good of a player Jamar Smith was.  Underrated in Terp lore IMO.
• John Gilchrist - don't know what happened between him and GW to make that blow up, but man was he a good player.  Wish he would have kept his head on straight his junior year.
• How pleasant it is to see an offense run well.

[BSLMikeLowe]

• I forgot how good of a player Jamar Smith was.  Underrated in Terp lore IMO.

 

One of a number of JUCO guys that played under Gary and did well, IIRC.

[Mackus]

One of a number of JUCO guys that played under Gary and did well, IIRC.

Not just JuCo but all the same one. Allegany College sent us Steve Francis, Jamar Smith, Sleepy Randle, and Sterling Ledbetter.

[BaltBird 24]

Not just JuCo but all the same one. Allegany College sent us Steve Francis, Jamar Smith, Sleepy Randle, and Sterling Ledbetter.

Ledbetter was a bit if a disappointment, though. Wasn't he more of a football guy, or am I thinking of another two sport star? The others definitely produced, though.

My favorite JUCO was Bambale Osby.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Ledbetter was a bit if a disappointment, though. Wasn't he more of a football guy, or am I thinking of another two sport star? The others definitely produced, though.

My favorite JUCO was Bambale Osby.

 

Ledbetter never played football that I'm aware of. Maybe you're thinking of Calvin McCall? He was set to be the starting QB when Fridge took over, but decided to play basketball full time.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Smith, and Randle were both solid players for Gary. Especially their senior years. Ledbetter not so much.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Ledbetter was in a car accident, after he was signed, and before his first game as a Terp.  Apparently lost athleticism.

[McNulty]

So he wasn’t yellow

[Mike B]

Ledbetter was a bit if a disappointment, though. Wasn't he more of a football guy, or am I thinking of another two sport star? The others definitely produced, though.

My favorite JUCO was Bambale Osby.

Boom really got better in his time at Maryland.  His physical style of play would fit well in the B10.    He busted his ass when he was on the court.

[Mike B]

Ledbetter never played football that I'm aware of. Maybe you're thinking of Calvin McCall? He was set to be the starting QB when Fridge took over, but decided to play basketball full time.

Yep McCall was the 2 sport guy.