Crowd Expectations - NIT

[GT Hawkaholic]

I have been pleasantly surprised at the response in ticket sales, coming off of a disappointing BTT and three straight NCAA trips I think many expected an empty arena, which is often the case at big schools..

The ticket office this morning announced over 9,500 tickets had been sold. I've been monitoring the interactive map since that point and it looks like 3 sections on the sides have sold out and only scattered singles remain in those sections. The ends are only about 40-50% accounted for but obviously the sides need to fill up first before people "settle" for those seats.

I expect the final number would end up at least around 13K or so and it should be a pretty energetic crowd. With spring break, you'll probably see more families/younger kids that are more enthusiastic than some of the regulars.

I bet if they advance to face a TCU/Fresno and then Clemson/Alabama it would approach a sellout.

I'm hoping to get to the quarterfinal if they make it there but the schedule this week didn't allow for travel.

 

[Clifford C. Clavin]

I was also surprised when I went to buy mine. That's moving a lot of tickets in a short time. Should be a good time.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

It should be a great crowd! These games get the diehard fans that cannot afford the regular season tickets. Good for them to get the chance to watch the Hawks.

The best part about these fans, is that they do Not sit on their hands! Much better crowds...

Should be a good game.

Go Hawks!

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Great opportunity for families, with Youth tickets only $5. Good move.

 

[paladinhawk]

Any clue about when the next game would be if they win tomorrow night?

 

[GT Hawkaholic]

Any clue about when the next game would be if they win tomorrow night?

That's the worst part of the NIT. I think they often times wait to see who wins before they set TV times and locations. Obviously, if South Dakota beats Iowa and plays Fresno State, ESPN may take a hard pass at that from a prime TV spot. Conversely, if Iowa plays TCU, it'll likely get the best available TV slot.

The 2nd round is listed as the 16-20th which is rather broad.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

If you play on Tuesday isn't your next game slated for Friday or Saturday??

If you play Wednesday can't you play anytime from Sunday-Monday.

ESPN has the women tournament going on this weekend, so I am sure that will clog up some of the TV access.

Im betting if Iowa wins, they will play Monday next week. Just a hunch.

We got our tickets. Hell at 20 bucks a pop you can't beat it. Plus with it being spring break they kids can stay up a little later. So thats why were going (during the season it seemed like every home game was at 8:00pm).

 

[Carolina Hawk]

An NIT crowd of 10-12k isnt too bad IMO. More would be great though

 

[hawkeyez]

The NIT game against Dayton in 2012 was one of the most energetic crowds I've ever seen at Carver. Less blue hairs and more young/diehard fans.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

The NIT game against Dayton in 2012 was one of the most energetic crowds I've ever seen at Carver. Less blue hairs and more young/diehard fans.

We were there it was like 75 degrees out that day and people were tailgating in the parking lots prior to the game! It was a great atmosphere. The loudest I have heard Carver in a LONG TIME!

 

[ichawk24]

I expect a more energetic crowd than normal. More kids, more non-season ticket holders, more fun. With a Hawkeye victory!

 

[InsHAWK]

Every ticket sold equals a fan in the seat. All present are vocal excited fans, not just casual people that came up with a ticket. It will be awesome if it is like previous NIT games.

 

[Jumpshot00]

Good job Iowa! So there are fans willing to go to carver and make noise? It's been re-hashed I know, but cmon Iowa administration- figure out a way to get butts in the seats all season. Put in some luxury boxes for the donors and then fill that place up, at least for the all the big ten games.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

If you play on Tuesday isn't your next game slated for Friday or Saturday??

If you play Wednesday can't you play anytime from Sunday-Monday.

ESPN has the women tournament going on this weekend, so I am sure that will clog up some of the TV access.

Im betting if Iowa wins, they will play Monday next week. Just a hunch.

We got our tickets. Hell at 20 bucks a pop you can't beat it. Plus with it being spring break they kids can stay up a little later. So thats why were going (during the season it seemed like every home game was at 8:00pm).

If they win Wednesday, anything official set for the next game date/times? I can't make it Wednesday. Might be able to swing it for Monday depending on the start time.

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

If they win Wednesday, anything official set for the next game date/times? I can't make it Wednesday. Might be able to swing it for Monday depending on the start time.

Looks like 16-20th is the 2nd round and the quarters is the 21st or 22nd so I would assume we'd play next Wednesday to go to New York if we win the next 2 games.

 

[InsHAWK]

Just got my tix for Wed. mens game and Thurs womens game. Go Hawks1!!

 

[navyrules]

Got the print at home tix today too. Has anyone ever tried to just download the print at home ticket on their phone and use that barcode to get in the game? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Probably wrong here, but haven't other NIT games for the Hawks been on a Tuesday? More time for tix sales maybe?

 

[hawkfan55]

The game time change to 8 might affect the size and attitude of the crowd.

 

[iowahawkeyes1982]

The game time change to 8 might affect the size and attitude of the crowd.

Yeah we bought tickets and won't be able to go now. Too late for my 2 year old. Sucks because we were really looking forward to it.

 

[ichawk24]

The game time was changed to 8? This ****ing sucks. Everyone hates the 8pm starts, and the earlier tip was a big reason why we decided to take the kids.

 

[Keeker16]

Didn't realize they changed the time. As for the crowd it's all about expectations. Coming into the season I figured we would be 12-18 or so. So this is exciting just to have more bb. If we were supposed to be in the NCAA tourney no one would be excited. There won't be as much excitement next year if we are talking about nit games

 

[2bagger22]

Probably wrong here, but haven't other NIT games for the Hawks been on a Tuesday? More time for tix sales maybe?

2013 was a Wednesday game.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

2013 was a Wednesday game.

Ok! So I was right about being wrong!

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Yeah we bought tickets and won't be able to go now. Too late for my 2 year old. Sucks because we were really looking forward to it.

Go. Kids are tough.

 

[Urohawk]

It should be a great crowd! These games get the diehard fans that cannot afford the regular season tickets. Good for them to get the chance to watch the Hawks.

The best part about these fans, is that they do Not sit on their hands! Much better crowds...

Should be a good game.

Go Hawks!

I remember going to the Iowa LSU game in the NIT with my family who normally doesn't attend. I was a student season ticket holder. Place was crazy insane.

 

[zachbacker54]

Yeah we bought tickets and won't be able to go now. Too late for my 2 year old. Sucks because we were really looking forward to it.

Would buy tix from you but only need 1

 

[iahawks10]

Yeah we bought tickets and won't be able to go now. Too late for my 2 year old. Sucks because we were really looking forward to it.

I'm sure a two year old would be worthless the next day after an 8 PM tip.

 

[SpartanHawk]

Perhaps this year with both men's and women's teams hosting NIT games, more fans are able to attend both, not having to pick and choose whether to travel to see one of them and not be home when the other is playing in one of the NIT tourneys. Also, how many South Dakota fans are getting tickets? I wonder if more of them might be attending, with expectations of perhaps being able to stay to watch a second round Women's NIT game between Iowa women's team and the defending WNIT champions South Dakota in the coming days. If that were the case, they probably wouldn't be bothered by a later starting time either, if they plan on staying a few days later in Iowa City.

 

[83Hawk]

Why in the world would anyone take a 2 year old to the game?

 

[iowahawkeyes1982]

Would buy tix from you but only need 1

The Univeristy is offering refunds (which is nice of them) so I think we'll go that route. Tickets aren't sold out, why not just buy ticket a directly through the University?

 

[iahawks10]

Why in the world would anyone take a 2 year old to the game?

Gotta support the team.

 

[iowahawkeyes1982]

Why in the world would anyone take a 2 year old to the game?

Um...well...she has a lot of fun being there. We get to watch the game live and support the team. It's not a big deal if it's a 6pm game, 8pm is a different story. You must not be familiar with two year olds...

 

[iahawks10]

The Univeristy is offering refunds (which is nice of them) so I think we'll go that route. Tickets aren't sold out, why not just buy ticket a directly through the University?

Assuming your seats are better than what's available. But if he's only buying a single, probably not the case. Also, scalpers sell singles for well under face value.

 

[iowahawkeyes1982]

I'm sure a two year old would be worthless the next day after an 8 PM tip.

Yeah. Could we do it? Sure. Would it be a total nightmare, pretty much. Oh well, maybe we can make the next game.

 

[iowahawkeyes1982]

Assuming your seats are better than what's available. But if he's only buying a single, probably not the case. Also, scalpers sell singles for well under face value.

Right. Our seats aren't great, they would be better off getting their own.

 

[83Hawk]

Um...well...she has a lot of fun being there. We get to watch the game live and support the team. It's not a big deal if it's a 6pm game, 8pm is a different story. You must not be familiar with two year olds...

Yes......I am. Likely more experience than you do.

 

[iahawks10]

Um...well...she has a lot of fun being there. We get to watch the game live and support the team. It's not a big deal if it's a 6pm game, 8pm is a different story. You must not be familiar with two year olds...

Serious question, you guys get to watch the entire game and your two year old doesn't distract you or those around you during the game?

The reason I ask is because I am familiar with two year olds and I've been to several games where I've sat next to younger children.

Not saying it's impossible, but two hours is an eternity for a child to sit still.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Serious question, you guys get to watch the entire game and your two year old doesn't distract you or those around you during the game?

The reason I ask is because I am familiar with two year olds and I've been to several games where I've sat next to younger children.

Not saying it's impossible, but two hours is an eternity for a child to sit still.

The opportunity to take a young child to a game doesn't come along very often. It's fun to expose your child to crowds and cheering for the home team. I've never taken a 2 year old to a game, but more power to someone that wants to. Future Hawk fan recruiting never stops!

 

[iowahawkeyes1982]

Serious question, you guys get to watch the entire game and your two year old doesn't distract you or those around you during the game?

The reason I ask is because I am familiar with two year olds and I've been to several games where I've sat next to younger children.

Not saying it's impossible, but two hours is an eternity for a child to sit still.

The one and only time we brought her, we moved to an empty part of the stands for just that reason.

But even then, she was really good the entire game. She was enthralled with watching everything going on.