Can UALR become to UA what Creighton is to U of Nebraska?

[edemire]

Former Parkview point guard Wes Flanigan thinks so, as quoted in the article below.

I think it's true the Trojans don't have a pig's prayer of competing with UA-Fayetteville in terms of number of fans, intensity of those fans, facilities or revenue. But on the court, they MAY have a chance, at least one out of every 5-6 years.

Of course, we'll never know b/c the teams don't play, unlike Creighton and Nebraska. Lack of in-state competition hurts the state's economy and the development of basketball in Arkansas, as argued at the end of this Sync article:

http://sync.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/mar/15/ualr-and-basketball-rising/

[losthawg68]

It wouldn't bother me to see them play.  It isn't like playing ASU in football.

[Smithian]

Former Parkview point guard Wes Flanigan thinks so, as quoted in the article below.

I think it's true the Trojans don't have a pig's prayer of competing with UA-Fayetteville in terms of number of fans, intensity of those fans, facilities or revenue. But on the court, they MAY have a chance, at least one out of every 5-6 years.

Of course, we'll never know b/c the teams don't play, unlike Creighton and Nebraska. Lack of in-state competition hurts the state's economy and the development of basketball in Arkansas, as argued at the end of this Sync article:

http://sync.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/mar/15/ualr-and-basketball-rising/

No. They can't.

[nextlevel]

It wouldn't bother me to see them play.  It isn't like playing ASU in football.

Yeah, but its a gate-way game...

[losthawg68]

Yeah, but its a gate-way game...

I scare...

[IronHog]

No. They can't.

All they have to do is win the Sun Belt once or twice a decade and they'll be blowing the doors off the current Hog program.

[Ironhawg]

Arkansas has nothing to win and everything to lose by playing either UALR or any other in-state school.  If they win, they were suposed to win.  If they lose, it is a huge boost for the other program.  It makes no sense.

[Smithian]

UALR, UAPB, UCA, and Arkansas State should have a tournament each year. Hold it at Verizon Arena in Little Rock. Half the proceeds go to the University of Arkansas, they can split the rest.

The reward?

They get to play a game in Bud Walton Arena against the Razorback. If 15,000 tickets aren't sold, they have to make up the difference financially for us.

Not the UofA's fault they in their history didn't put in the effort to become an elite, BCS level program(academically and athletically). They have to provide incentive for us to play them.

[IronHog]

They get to play a game in Bud Walton Arena.

If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound?

[losthawg68]

If a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound?

If a tree falls on a woman, what was she doing out of the kitchen?

[edemire]

UALR, UAPB, UCA, and Arkansas State should have a tournament each year. Hold it at Verizon Arena in Little Rock. Half the proceeds go to the University of Arkansas, they can split the rest.

The reward?

They get to play a game in Bud Walton Arena.

Not the UofA's fault they in their history didn't put in the effort to become an elite, BCS level program(academically and athletically). They have to provide incentive for us to play them.

I think you're getting around to a good idea. But wouldn't every bball game between UA and UCA or UALR or ASU or UAPB be a sellout? Especially if each one of those teams rotated playing UA every season. The Hogs paid Grambling State to destroy them at Fayetteville this season - why not pay an in-state SWAC team (UAPB) to do the same thing? That way the guarantee money UA pays out at least stays in the state - is invested in the state - and will ultimately help all Arkansans.

Have the UALR, ASU and UCA games against UA at Verizon arena on rotating years and you'll sell that place out every year, no matter how well either team is doing. As the article points out, think how many ticket sales and hotel and restaurant taxes are lost each year by NOT doing this. It makes total financial sense for Arkansas as a whole - which in turn will help each public university.

http://sync.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/mar/15/ualr-and-basketball-rising/

[IronHog]

If a tree falls on a woman, what was she doing out of the kitchen?

Digging for gold?

[RockChalkJayhawk]

UALR, UAPB, UCA, and Arkansas State should have a tournament each year. Hold it at Verizon Arena in Little Rock. Half the proceeds go to the University of Arkansas, they can split the rest.

The reward?

They get to play a game in Bud Walton Arena.

Not the UofA's fault they in their history didn't put in the effort to become an elite, BCS level program(academically and athletically). They have to provide incentive for us to play them.

What a crappy attitude you have.  As if Arkansas basketball has done a damn thing lately.  I've got news for you, playing in an empty BWA is no "reward" ...... that is SO bogus, dude. 

Click away and see where these teams play for their guaranteed, buy-a-wins .... they don't need your charity.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2029/arkansas-pine-bluff-golden-lions

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2031/arkansas-little-rock-trojans

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2110/central-arkansas-bears

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2032/arkansas-state-red-wolves

[Kicking Wing]

UALR doesn't have the support to become anything near that.  There are probably more ASU and UCA fans in LR than UALR fans.  At the first round matchup with UALR, ASU fans outnumbered UALR fans about 10 to 1 despite it being a 45 minuted drive from LR.  If Corliss gets UCA winning, they will surpass UALR fairly quickly in support.

[Razorback88]

Creighton plays in a 17,000 seat arena in a very respectable conference.  Also worth noting is 16 NCAA tourney appearances. 

UALR is a commuter school with no fan base and crappy athletics.

No.

[Smithian]

I think you're getting around to a good idea. But wouldn't every bball game between UA and UCA or UALR or ASU or UAPB be a sellout? Especially if each one of those teams rotated playing UA every season. The Hogs paid Grambling State to destroy them at Fayetteville this season - why not pay an in-state SWAC team (UAPB) to do the same thing? That way the guarantee money UA pays out at least stays in the state - is invested in the state - and will ultimately help all Arkansans.

Have the UALR, ASU and UCA games against UA at Verizon arena on rotating years and you'll sell that place out every year, no matter how well either team is doing. As the article points out, think how many ticket sales and hotel and restaurant taxes are lost each year by NOT doing this. It makes total financial sense for Arkansas as a whole - which in turn will help each public university.

http://sync.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/mar/15/ualr-and-basketball-rising/

Unless Arkansas State or UAPB brought tons of fans, I think only UCA would sell out. UCA-Arkansas would be most intense game, even if it would likely be the least competitive on the court. UCA and Arkansas are actually competing over students and there is a slight level of animosity between the two schools.

The reason I prefer playing someone like Grambling over UAPB is it's just another game for Grambling. Yeah, our guys would sorta be up for a game against UAPB, it would be their Super Bowl. That makes me nervous.

Again, I just don't want there ever to be a situation where some resident of Arkansas has to cheer against the University of Arkansas, the flagship institution of this state. I want everyone in this state to have some level of support for the UofA. When you start playing against eachother, that's when feelings get hurt and divisions are made.

What a crappy attitude you have.  As if Arkansas basketball has done a damn thing lately.  I've got news for you, playing in an empty BWA is no "reward" ...... that is SO bogus, dude. 

Click away and see where these teams play for their guaranteed, buy-a-wins .... they don't need your charity.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2029/arkansas-pine-bluff-golden-lions

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2031/arkansas-little-rock-trojans

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2110/central-arkansas-bears

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2032/arkansas-state-red-wolves

Did I say they "need" our charity? No. The thing is Arkansas State and company are all wanting to play the UofA. If they want to play us, they need to make it worth it to us. Any game would be a financial windfall for them where a loss could be shrugged off and a win would be something they would celebrate for years as something they try to use to put themselves on an equal footing with the UofA.

You tell those people to stop calling out the UofA and I'll stop looking down on them.

[terri_odoole]

UALR, UAPB, UCA, and Arkansas State should have a tournament each year. Hold it at Verizon Arena in Little Rock. Half the proceeds go to the University of Arkansas, they can split the rest.

The reward?

They get to play a game in Bud Walton Arena against the Razorback. If 15,000 tickets aren't sold, they have to make up the difference financially for us.

Not the UofA's fault they in their history didn't put in the effort to become an elite, BCS level program(academically and athletically). They have to provide incentive for us to play them.

"US to play them" what a joke.  "You" should be able to sell out BWA if "you" are the elite program "you" claim to be.  As for academics you haven't  been paying attention as of now UALR has passed the UofA as an academic powerhouse according to the Harvard school of business.  If it gets too hot, get out of the kitchen.

[Smithian]

"US to play them" what a joke.  "You" should be able to sell out BWA if "you" are the elite program "you" claim to be.  As for academics you haven't  been paying attention as of now UALR has passed the UofA as an academic powerhouse according to the Harvard school of business.  If it gets too hot, get out of the kitchen.

Then why is the UofA more recognized nationally than UALR?

See, this is why you don't play in-state. Instead of us all supporting the UofA, this thread will turn into a crap throwing match between schools at some point. Thankyou for proving my point.

[ark30inf]

As an ASU fan, I have zero interest in playing UA any more.  I do however ask that all parties shut..the..heck up about each other. The other in-state teams play each other...UA doesn't.  It is pathetic to trash talk programs you refuse to play and it is creepy to obsess on teams that don't want to play you.

[terri_odoole]

So now we can only support one school.  Shows a little immaturity doesn't it, Oh I forgot where I was for a second.  GO HOGS, TROJANS, INDI..RED WOLVES, GOLDEN LIONS, BEARS, ETC....   

[TrueBlue]

UALR doesn't have the support to become anything near that.  There are probably more ASU and UCA fans in LR than UALR fans.  At the first round matchup with UALR, ASU fans outnumbered UALR fans about 10 to 1 despite it being a 45 minuted drive from LR.  If Corliss gets UCA winning, they will surpass UALR fairly quickly in support.

ASU fans? Really?

You guys averaged 3285 in attendance (42,709 for 13 games) and supposedly won/tied for the division crown while little 'ole commuter college UALR averaged 3085 this year (46,281 for 15 games). The only way ASU averaged more for the year was because the final home game with UALR drew 5836.

And people call us Hog fans delirious at times. ASU fans are full of themselves for NO REASON WHATSOEVER!!!!

[Demi]

I heard this truism somewhere (Radio maybe?) when UALR made the tourney:

"Little Rock isn't a basketball town, it's a Razorback town."

I don't think it matters one bit if we play UALR.

[phadedhawg]

I would love to see the in state teams play as evidenced by the number of smites I've received...LOL 

One factor that I've never seen mentioned is Arkansas' population is growing and there may be room for another program to emerge from Arkansas.

Also the idea that we have nothing to gain doesn't hold much water in my opinion.  We play a ton of games before conference that we have nothing to gain from.  Might as well make a couple of those games interesting.

[Inhogswetrust]

Lack of in-state competition hurts the state's economy and the development of basketball in Arkansas,
http://sync.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/mar/15/ualr-and-basketball-rising/

I don't believe this for a second.

[edemire]

I don't believe this for a second.

Again, think of all the media attention and tax dollars that DON'T happen because of the absence of these games. That media attention is converted into interest and buzz, which ultimately turns into more people caring about basketball, which turns into better basketball being played in the state.

As far as the economy, I refer to my previous point:

But wouldn't every bball game between UA and UCA or UALR or ASU or UAPB be a sellout? Especially if each one of those teams rotated playing UA every season. The Hogs paid Grambling State to destroy them at Fayetteville this season - why not pay an in-state SWAC team (UAPB) to do the same thing? That way the guarantee money UA pays out at least stays in the state - is invested in the state - and will ultimately help all Arkansans.

Have the UALR, ASU and UCA games against UA at Verizon arena on rotating years and you'll sell that place out every year, no matter how well either team is doing. As the article points out, think how many ticket sales and hotel and restaurant taxes are lost each year by NOT doing this. It makes total financial sense for Arkansas as a whole - which in turn will help each public university.

[secfan30]

If a tree falls on a woman, what was she doing out of the kitchen?

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHHA!!!!!!!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1 because I just read it to the wife and she rolled her eyes. I followed that by "well babe I didn't mean you because everyone knows you can't cook"

[secfan30]

UALR doesn't have the support to become anything near that.  There are probably more ASU and UCA fans in LR than UALR fans.  At the first round matchup with UALR, ASU fans outnumbered UALR fans about 10 to 1 despite it being a 45 minuted drive from LR.  If Corliss gets UCA winning, they will surpass UALR fairly quickly in support.

This I agree with. I am from Little Rock and in the past went to a few games. Will always be a Hog Fan above all else. In fact I still burn when I think of the bumper stickers "UALR, Arkansas REAL NCAA Tournament Team". I live in Conway now and follow UCA closer than i do UALR.

[Big Poppa Z]

Arkansas has nothing to win and everything to lose by playing either UALR or any other in-state school.  If they win, they were suposed to win.  If they lose, it is a huge boost for the other program.  It makes no sense.

Other than proving, 100% without question, who the Big Dog is.

That matters.

The question is asked?  ANSWER IT.

If we can't/are afraid?   

[cityhog]

If a tree falls on a woman, what was she doing out of the kitchen?

If the woman is out of the kitchen , who is fixing me dinner?



I keed, I keed.

[Kicking Wing]

ASU fans? Really?

You guys averaged 3285 in attendance (42,709 for 13 games) and supposedly won/tied for the division crown while little 'ole commuter college UALR averaged 3085 this year (46,281 for 15 games). The only way ASU averaged more for the year was because the final home game with UALR drew 5836.

And people call us Hog fans delirious at times. ASU fans are full of themselves for NO REASON WHATSOEVER!!!!

You don't have a clue.  Talk to anyone that was at any of the three UALR vs. ASU games this year as I was all three.  At UALR, they announced a sellout despite 1500 seats being empty.  Still, almost half the crowd was ASU.  In Jonesboro, it was a legit 5600 and about 50 were UALR fans.  The real telling sing was the 2000+ ASU fans that travelled to HS for a 9:15 p.m. game on a Sunday vs. the 250 UALR fans that were there.

UA is the big draw in this state BY FAR.  ASU drew very well a few years ago until Dickey Nutt ran the program into the ground.  Brady is turning things around in a steady fashion but much like sellouts at Bud Walton, I don't know that ASU will get back to averaging 6-7000 per game.  I imagine some of that has to do with the other distractions people have now compared to before and the readily available technology to follow games.  People just don't go to college basketball games like they used to.

Bottom line is that UA dwarfs all the other programs in support but ASU dwarfs UALR and UCA in that regard and UCA stands the best chance of those two of closing the gap some in my opinion.

As for selling out a game vs. UA, anyone that thinks UCA is the best bet ot do that is delusional.  ASU sold out a WOMEN'S game against UA recently.  For whatever reason, it would be a definite sellout.  I don't care anymore and don't want to beat that dead horse, but be honest.

[Kicking Wing]

This I agree with. I am from Little Rock and in the past went to a few games. Will always be a Hog Fan above all else. In fact I still burn when I think of the bumper stickers "UALR, Arkansas REAL NCAA Tournament Team". I live in Conway now and follow UCA closer than i do UALR.

I think you are dead on with that being the attitude of most in LR.  I see more ASU and UCA tags and stickers in LR than I do UALR by FAR.  ASU fans bitch about coverage in the ADG and it does suck, but if anyone has a gripe it's UALR.  The ADG is a LR paper and they don't cover the home team at all.  At least ASU fans have the JB Sun and UCA has the Log Cabin.

[Inhogswetrust]

Former Parkview point guard Wes Flanigan thinks so, as quoted in the article below.

I think it's true the Trojans don't have a pig's prayer of competing with UA-Fayetteville in terms of number of fans, intensity of those fans, facilities or revenue. But on the court, they MAY have a chance, at least one out of every 5-6 years.

Of course, we'll never know b/c the teams don't play, unlike Creighton and Nebraska. Lack of in-state competition hurts the state's economy and the development of basketball in Arkansas, as argued at the end of this Sync article:

http://sync.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/mar/15/ualr-and-basketball-rising/

Why would anyone listen to a guy that went to Old Misses!

[Inhogswetrust]

I think you're getting around to a good idea. But wouldn't every bball game between UA and UCA or UALR or ASU or UAPB be a sellout? Especially if each one of those teams rotated playing UA every season. The Hogs paid Grambling State to destroy them at Fayetteville this season - why not pay an in-state SWAC team (UAPB) to do the same thing? That way the guarantee money UA pays out at least stays in the state - is invested in the state - and will ultimately help all Arkansans.

Have the UALR, ASU and UCA games against UA at Verizon arena on rotating years and you'll sell that place out every year, no matter how well either team is doing. As the article points out, think how many ticket sales and hotel and restaurant taxes are lost each year by NOT doing this. It makes total financial sense for Arkansas as a whole - which in turn will help each public university.

http://sync.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/mar/15/ualr-and-basketball-rising/

Yeah buddy. Those UCA and UALR people would fill up hotel rooms!? Get real.  Heck I hear UALR's team didn't even stay in a hotel in Hot Springs for the conference tourney!

[Wild Bill Hog]

Somebody remind me where Wes Flannigan went to college.

[linuspfs]

the women dream of being like UALR

[PoormansRobbyHampton]

UALR, UAPB, UCA, and Arkansas State should have a tournament each year. Hold it at Verizon Arena in Little Rock. Half the proceeds go to the University of Arkansas, they can split the rest.

The reward?

They get to play a game in Bud Walton Arena against the Razorback. If 15,000 tickets aren't sold, they have to make up the difference financially for us.

Not the UofA's fault they in their history didn't put in the effort to become an elite, BCS level program(academically and athletically). They have to provide incentive for us to play them.

I've got to admit, I'm hating you less and less lately.

I still wouldn't want to play an in-state team though, even if it is one game, too much to lose.

It's still better than just outright scheduling them though.

[linuspfs]

UALR, UAPB, UCA, and Arkansas State should have a tournament each year. Hold it at Verizon Arena in Little Rock. Half the proceeds go to the University of Arkansas, they can split the rest.

The reward?

They get to play a game in Bud Walton Arena against the Razorback. If 15,000 tickets aren't sold, they have to make up the difference financially for us.

Not the UofA's fault they in their history didn't put in the effort to become an elite, BCS level program(academically and athletically). They have to provide incentive for us to play them.

brilliant

[Inhogswetrust]

Somebody remind me where Wes Flannigan went to college.

I did two posts above you.

[Inhogswetrust]

I've got to admit, I'm hating you less and less lately.

I still wouldn't want to play an in-state team though, even if it is one game, too much to lose.

It's still better than just outright scheduling them though.

I have to agree with you PMRH. Smithian has had some posts lately I can actually agree with.

[Kenny Dowell Loggains]

People in Little Rock care about the Razorbacks!, not UALR.  They claim to be Trojan fans, but are only on the UALR bandwagon when the Hogs fail to make the NCAA tourney.

[BartIV]

I think the world would end if the UofA and another instate school played.

[RAF]

"US to play them" what a joke.  "You" should be able to sell out BWA if "you" are the elite program "you" claim to be.  As for academics you haven't  been paying attention as of now UALR has passed the UofA as an academic powerhouse according to the Harvard school of business.  If it gets too hot, get out of the kitchen.

Link?  Everyone knows that UA's business program is better than UALR's.  So, even if the "Harvard school of business" is ranking universities with little authority on the subject, they've obviously made a mistake.

[IronHog]

I think the world would end if the UofA and another instate school played.

After about the 3-4th time it wouldn't be all that big a deal as long as UAF was doing what it is supposed to be doing.


Now football would be different.......Henderson vs the Hogs would be a draw!

[HogBreath]

UALR, UAPB, UCA, and Arkansas State should have a tournament each year. Hold it at Verizon Arena in Little Rock. Half the proceeds go to the University of Arkansas, they can split the rest.

The reward?

They get to play a game in Bud Walton Arena against the Razorback. If 15,000 tickets aren't sold, they have to make up the difference financially for us.

Not the UofA's fault they in their history didn't put in the effort to become an elite, BCS level program(academically and athletically). They have to provide incentive for us to play them.

That's a great idea, a early/preseason tourney at Alltel, put the Hogs in the tourney with AState & UALR, and maybe invite Tulsa, La/Monroe, Mizzou State or some one close.