Look, I know the team is struggling. Their performance has been spotty, and they aren't where we expected them to be on January 28. But on Tuesday night, we got a ghastly preview of what the Qwest Center might look like if the Jays ever had a down year, because apparently many folks believe THIS is a down year.
How else to explain almost 30% of the courtside seats sitting empty? That's inexcusable. Come on, if you really feel like you don't want to go to the game because the team is struggling, fine. But give your tickets away! Hell, sell 'em! But make sure someone is enjoying them.
How else to explain a student section at less than 50% occupancy? The students reminded me of the pre-2003 days at the Civic. And for those of you who don't remember those days, trust me, this is not a good thing. For any students reading this, you DO NOT want to be compared with the student sections of my years.
How else to explain Billy Bluejay forgetting there was a game? The kid who masquerades around as Billy didn't show up for the game, and rumor has it the reason is that he forgot there was a game. Come on man, at least have the decency to pull a Dennis Howard and claim you didn't have a ride to the arena! But don't try to excuse yourself by saying you forgot there was a game. Too bad Dirty Billy isn't around anymore, the understudy could have taken center stage last night.
I don't know what's more pathetic: that these things happened, that people are giving up on the team, or that such a large percentage of people actually believe this is a down year. Inconsistent? You bet it is. Frustrating? Absolutely. But down? Folks, the Jays are 16-6 and 6-4 in the league. If that's considered a down year then let me tell you, the program has already reached that coveted "next level" that so many fans pine for. 16-6 IS NOT a down year.
Rick Johnson coached down years until they became so frequent he was s***canned. 16-6 is not down. Indiana State, sitting this morning at 4-17, that's DOWN.
Its just a hunch, but I'm guessing if the game had been a little more exciting, the 12K who actually showed would have been louder than the 17K that were there on Saturday. The no-shows are probably many of the same people who are the enemies of hardcore fans -- the people who gripe when you stand up to cheer, the people who show up late and leave early, the people who don't recognize Rodney Buford when they show him on the video board.
For the first time we can remember, when I stood up to cheer along with the guy in front of me, we weren't told to sit down. Because there was no one behind us. That's not always a bad thing...
As for the actual game, its hard to get too upset because this game marked the start of the second half of Valley play, and wins are more important than style points. Its great to run up impressive scores and stats in December and January. In February and March, wins are what I want to see. Period.
The 73-62 win was not pretty, and up until the ten minute mark, the outcome was still very much in doubt. Although Indiana State's post players are weak, which is usually a recipe for this particular Jays team to succeed, the Jays were missing open shots and bricking free throws. That combination kept the Trees in the game, despite the teams being even on the boards.
P'Allen Stinnett sparked the run that put the game away, scoring all 13 of his points in the last nine minutes. He also soiled any goodwill from that nice run by hanging on the rim on a fastbreak dunk with 50 seconds left, earning a technical foul. Fans booed the refs for making the call, but it was the right call. There wasn't another player within ten yards of P, and he swung like an Olympic gymnast dismounting from the rings. It was impressive, but it was also a T. Against a better team, it might have allowed them back into the game. That's a bonehead play, pure and simple, and there is no defense for it. None. I will not argue this.
*****
How are these for oddball stats? Taken from the official game story on GoCreighton.com: "Indiana State's first five field goals were three-point baskets, and its only two-pointer of the first half came with 1:54 remaining. The Sycamores were 6-for-11 from three-point range in the first half and 1-for-10 from two-point range in the opening 20 minutes and did not score in the paint in the first half."
That's absurd, isn't it?
*****
Tonight's Polyfro Player of the Game is brought to you by The Guy Who Sits In Front Of Me. I've had my same seats at the Qwest Center since the building opened, and as such I've gotten to know the people who sit around me. The guy in front of me likes to make one dollar bets with whatever little kids happen to be sitting in proximity to us that game, which is something everyone finds amusing. Usually its silly stuff, but the kids love it, and anything that distracts other people's kids from whatever language might be coming out of my mouth is welcome by me.
Last night there were no little kids, so his dollar bets turned to trivia. The first question was "Who did Kevin McKenna beat with a last second shot?" He preceded the question by noting it was probably the most famous shot in Bluejay history. I replied "Indiana State. Wasn't it Larry Bird's team? I think it might have been their only loss all year."
Of course, I was right. Flabbergasted, he told me about how he waiting in line three hours to get in to the old Civic, how the fire marshal looked the other way when the gym went past capacity, and how nuts it was when the shot went in. I needled him by saying I was one year old when the game happened.
"How do you know all about it, then?" he asked. I do a lot of reading, I love history, and I remember trivia like nobody's business, I replied.
The next question: Name the last five Bluejay coaches...IN ORDER. "Hmm, DA, Rick Johnson, Tony Barone, Willis Reed, Rick Apke."
I was unsure on this one, because for some reason I thought there was a coach in between Reed and Barone. But what the hey, I gave it a try. The Guy In Front Of Me turned to some of the other folks and like a game show host, asked the judges if he should accept the answer. Because it was "Tom" Apke, not Rick. Stupid technicalities. But they gave it to me, against the wishes of my buddy Gilby who claimed Trebek wouldn't accept it on Jeopardy.
On then to the Player of the Game. Justin Carter picked an opportune time for his best game so far in a Jays uniform. On a night when not a lot else was going right, he was spectacular, contributing 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Good stuff.
You Bet.
