Yesterday, we wrapped up our discussion on the Buffs for the 2011-12 season. While the team should surprise people a bit this season, if you’ve gone into the recruiting board here you can see that the future looks incredibly bright for Tad Boyle & company. So today, we’re looking into the future. We’re going to discuss recruiting and facility upgrades, and we’re also going to solve two questions that Buffs fans have been debating for years now.
In case you missed any of the previous days, here’s your chance to catch up.
* Monday, November 7[SUP]th[/SUP] – The PAC-12
* Tuesday, November 8[SUP]th[/SUP] – CU in 2011-12 (Part 1)
* Wednesday, November 9[SUP]th[/SUP] – CU in 2011-12 (Part 2)
* Thursday, November 10[SUP]th[/SUP] – CU in the Future (Part 1)
* Friday, November 11[SUP]th[/SUP] – CU in the Future (Part 2)
Slogan of choice – “Who’s Your Taddy?” or “Roll Tad”? “Foam Dome” or “The Keg”?
Zach Bell – Any program other than Alabama using “Roll (insert something here)” is really weird to me so I’ll go with the former. Foam Dome is awesome, though.
Buffnik – There's no debate here. "Who's your Taddy?" and "The Keg" own this question.
Goose – “Who’s Your Taddy?” is my choice, although I’m ok with “Roll Tad” on twitter because it’s shorter. As for the second question, I know I’m in the minority, but I still feel like fighting for the Foam Dome. I REFUSE TO LET THIS DREAM DIE!
RumblinBuff – “Who’s Your Taddy?” is going to sound awesome when 3,000 students are chanting it.
I prefer “the Keg,” but anytime I use it in conversation I just get blank stares thrown back at me. I tend to just default to “the CEC” or “Coors” as a result.
Tyler Ziskin – If you follow me on Twitter @TZiskBuff you would know that my answer to this one is without a doubt Roll Tad. I remember the first time I heard it, and it's stuck with me ever since. #rolltad will continue to be used frequently on this kid's Tweets.
The Keg just has a ring to it... Foam Dome doesn't do it for me.
What are your impressions of recruiting under Tad Boyle?
Tyler Ziskin – The Buffs have NEVER had a consensus Top 100 player in the "internet recruiting" era. Their 2012 class already boasts 2 in Xavier Johnson and local big man Josh Scott. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a third, Tyrone Wallace, will be choosing the Buffs over Cal in the near future. The 2011 class had Rivals150 guy Spencer Dinwiddie and fellow Rivals150 member Damiene Cain. Unfortunately, Cain has decided not to play basketball, but regardless, it's apparent that Tad Boyle, Tom Abatemarco, Mike Rohn, Rodney Billups, and Jean Prioleau know what they are doing on the recruiting trail.
RumblinBuff – Ummmm, improved. Dramatically.
When’s the last time CU was in the discussion to grab 3 top-100 recruits? Not only is Coach Boyle going after some of the best the country has to offer, but he’s landing them as well. The 2012 class, assuming it lands this week in the form of signed NLI’s, will be the best top-to-bottom recruiting class in the history of CU basketball.
I’m giddy with anticipation.
Zach Bell – Even the biggest pessimist has to be giddy about what Tad has done. Not only is he locking up the star in-state player in Josh Scott and Wesley Gordon but he’s flexing his muscle in Pac-12 country. He recently locked up Xavier Johnson out of California who could blossom into a star in Boyle’s system. If he can land point guard Tyrone Wallace, another California kid, Tad could be looking at a Top 15 class nationally in his second try. That says it all right there. In Spencer Dinwiddie, Boyle has already locked up a member of the Buffs backcourt for the next four years so the future is looking extremely bright with Boyle at the helm.
Buffnik – Without question, this is the best recruiting we have ever seen for CU Men's Basketball. Beyond the high ratings on the prospects, these are guys who fit the system and the team culture. They're skilled, they're athletic, and they love basketball. When you observe the team it is genuinely a close-knit group and these guys will fit right in. Many of our recruits are actually drawn to CU because of the great group of guys and existing relationships with some of them.
Also, I want to add that while Boyle deserves a ton of credit we need to also spread the love to his staff. Tom Abatemarco needs a storage shed to fit his rolodex and he has a knack for identifying talent. Last year, he was able to find an unheralded Andre Roberson during the spring period. Back in the day, he found Spud Webb and lobbied to sign him at NC State when everyone was saying that he was too small to play in the ACC. He's an ace. We're also seeing great things from Mike Rohn, who got us Jeremy Adams and has been the lead recruiter for a number of the 2012 prospects. Finally, we have Jean Prioleau. Anyone who follows his tweets knows that he's organized, thorough, tireless and approachable. Rodney Billups (2005 DU grad) also gives us an Operations staff member for the program that young players can relate to. Together, we have one of the best recruiting staffs in the conference.
We have seen the impact of the practice facility already. What further facility upgrades would you like to see?
Goose – BEER! Seriously people. I’m not a huge beer guy and even I realize that this is a wasted opportunity. It’s the COORS Event Center for God’s sake. I know we have to worry about the “Why won’t someone think of the children?!?” group, but for the most part CU Basketball crowds are pretty civil. Adding beer won’t ruin that.
I hope.
As for the actual facility, they’ve done leaps and bounds already, but it’d be nice to figure out a way to increase seating somehow. It’s not important yet, but this is going to be a hot ticket, and it’d be nice to take advantage of that by adding 2-3 thousand more people. However, I’m not an engineer, so I have no idea if that’s even possible in the bunker.
Buffnik – I think they've done a fantastic job so I don't have much to say. They really gave the players what they need to compete and win with the new practice facility and improvements to the Coors Event Center.
I think the impetus has to be on fan experience at this point. We need to make the improvements that will draw a bigger crowd on a consistent basis. We need to make it so that people see value in paying premiums such as parking, seat licenses and mandatory donations. To do this, other than a winning team, we need to upgrade concessions. Recent improvements such as new scoreborads, ribbon boards and the newly expanded/improved club room and ticket office all help. Painting the ceiling black inside of Coors would help to improve the atmosphere and focus attention onto the court would probably be the short-term improvement I'd do next.
My long-term "blue sky" that I'd love to see is the roof being raised to allow for a center-court scoreboard. If done correctly, it could also allow for a premium seating 2nd level. Boxes and club seats circling the arena would pay for the project over time. If we do this, the Keg would become an impressive facility.
Tyler Ziskin – The practice facility is phenomenal, and shows dedication to the future of this program from the athletic department. Coach Bzdelik doesn't get enough credit for bringing that recruiting tool here, but that's another story. They've made more subtle, but welcoming changes in the CEC also. Down the road, I'd love to have a new arena like Oregon and USC have done in the past few years, both of those facilities are breathtaking. Coors is actually a bigger than average college arena, but I'd love to find a way to add some seats, Coors is gonna be a hot commodity in a few years.
Zach Bell – The practice facility has been huge in recruiting. I don’t think there should be much debate that the next step is a renovation of the Coors Event Center. The best way to push facility change is consistent winning so I don’t expect it to be too long until we see something happen with the gym.
RumblinBuff – More upgrades?
Over the past few years under Mike Bohn we’ve already added weight facilities in the basement, program offices in the conference level, spruced up locker rooms, and a fancy new practice facility that puts many of our competitors to shame That’s already a lot of expansion in a half-decade for a program that was routinely underfunded and forgotten by an athletic department solely dedicated to the football cash cow. You can already see the result of putting money into the program not only on the court, but in that highly-touted recruiting class that Coach Boyle is putting together. The program is in a good spot as it is.
Short of a whole new stadium, which won’t happen, I don’t know what else there is to do, other than maintaining the new stuff… How about further exterior modifications to “the Keg?” Just because it’s near the Engineering Center doesn’t mean it has to look as depressing as the EC. MOAR SANDSTONE!
Make sure you check back tomorrow as we will be wrapping up the series by looking at what CU could be putting on the court in 3 years and discussing whether the school could ever be a perennial national championship contender.
For more info, make sure you check out the following:
* Buffnik’s Twitter feed
* Goose’s Twitter feed
* The Ralphie Report
* The Ralphie Report on Twitter
* The Rumblings of a Deranged Buffalo
* Rumblin’s Twitter feed
* Tyler Ziskin’s Twitter feed
* Fans & Students Who Support CU Buffs Basketball
* CUBuffs.com
* CU Buffs on Twitter
* CU Men’s Basketball on Twitter
In case you missed any of the previous days, here’s your chance to catch up.
* Monday, November 7[SUP]th[/SUP] – The PAC-12
* Tuesday, November 8[SUP]th[/SUP] – CU in 2011-12 (Part 1)
* Wednesday, November 9[SUP]th[/SUP] – CU in 2011-12 (Part 2)
* Thursday, November 10[SUP]th[/SUP] – CU in the Future (Part 1)
* Friday, November 11[SUP]th[/SUP] – CU in the Future (Part 2)
Slogan of choice – “Who’s Your Taddy?” or “Roll Tad”? “Foam Dome” or “The Keg”?
Zach Bell – Any program other than Alabama using “Roll (insert something here)” is really weird to me so I’ll go with the former. Foam Dome is awesome, though.
Buffnik – There's no debate here. "Who's your Taddy?" and "The Keg" own this question.
Goose – “Who’s Your Taddy?” is my choice, although I’m ok with “Roll Tad” on twitter because it’s shorter. As for the second question, I know I’m in the minority, but I still feel like fighting for the Foam Dome. I REFUSE TO LET THIS DREAM DIE!
RumblinBuff – “Who’s Your Taddy?” is going to sound awesome when 3,000 students are chanting it.
I prefer “the Keg,” but anytime I use it in conversation I just get blank stares thrown back at me. I tend to just default to “the CEC” or “Coors” as a result.
Tyler Ziskin – If you follow me on Twitter @TZiskBuff you would know that my answer to this one is without a doubt Roll Tad. I remember the first time I heard it, and it's stuck with me ever since. #rolltad will continue to be used frequently on this kid's Tweets.
The Keg just has a ring to it... Foam Dome doesn't do it for me.
What are your impressions of recruiting under Tad Boyle?
Tyler Ziskin – The Buffs have NEVER had a consensus Top 100 player in the "internet recruiting" era. Their 2012 class already boasts 2 in Xavier Johnson and local big man Josh Scott. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a third, Tyrone Wallace, will be choosing the Buffs over Cal in the near future. The 2011 class had Rivals150 guy Spencer Dinwiddie and fellow Rivals150 member Damiene Cain. Unfortunately, Cain has decided not to play basketball, but regardless, it's apparent that Tad Boyle, Tom Abatemarco, Mike Rohn, Rodney Billups, and Jean Prioleau know what they are doing on the recruiting trail.
RumblinBuff – Ummmm, improved. Dramatically.
When’s the last time CU was in the discussion to grab 3 top-100 recruits? Not only is Coach Boyle going after some of the best the country has to offer, but he’s landing them as well. The 2012 class, assuming it lands this week in the form of signed NLI’s, will be the best top-to-bottom recruiting class in the history of CU basketball.
I’m giddy with anticipation.
Zach Bell – Even the biggest pessimist has to be giddy about what Tad has done. Not only is he locking up the star in-state player in Josh Scott and Wesley Gordon but he’s flexing his muscle in Pac-12 country. He recently locked up Xavier Johnson out of California who could blossom into a star in Boyle’s system. If he can land point guard Tyrone Wallace, another California kid, Tad could be looking at a Top 15 class nationally in his second try. That says it all right there. In Spencer Dinwiddie, Boyle has already locked up a member of the Buffs backcourt for the next four years so the future is looking extremely bright with Boyle at the helm.
Buffnik – Without question, this is the best recruiting we have ever seen for CU Men's Basketball. Beyond the high ratings on the prospects, these are guys who fit the system and the team culture. They're skilled, they're athletic, and they love basketball. When you observe the team it is genuinely a close-knit group and these guys will fit right in. Many of our recruits are actually drawn to CU because of the great group of guys and existing relationships with some of them.
Also, I want to add that while Boyle deserves a ton of credit we need to also spread the love to his staff. Tom Abatemarco needs a storage shed to fit his rolodex and he has a knack for identifying talent. Last year, he was able to find an unheralded Andre Roberson during the spring period. Back in the day, he found Spud Webb and lobbied to sign him at NC State when everyone was saying that he was too small to play in the ACC. He's an ace. We're also seeing great things from Mike Rohn, who got us Jeremy Adams and has been the lead recruiter for a number of the 2012 prospects. Finally, we have Jean Prioleau. Anyone who follows his tweets knows that he's organized, thorough, tireless and approachable. Rodney Billups (2005 DU grad) also gives us an Operations staff member for the program that young players can relate to. Together, we have one of the best recruiting staffs in the conference.
We have seen the impact of the practice facility already. What further facility upgrades would you like to see?
Goose – BEER! Seriously people. I’m not a huge beer guy and even I realize that this is a wasted opportunity. It’s the COORS Event Center for God’s sake. I know we have to worry about the “Why won’t someone think of the children?!?” group, but for the most part CU Basketball crowds are pretty civil. Adding beer won’t ruin that.
I hope.
As for the actual facility, they’ve done leaps and bounds already, but it’d be nice to figure out a way to increase seating somehow. It’s not important yet, but this is going to be a hot ticket, and it’d be nice to take advantage of that by adding 2-3 thousand more people. However, I’m not an engineer, so I have no idea if that’s even possible in the bunker.
Buffnik – I think they've done a fantastic job so I don't have much to say. They really gave the players what they need to compete and win with the new practice facility and improvements to the Coors Event Center.
I think the impetus has to be on fan experience at this point. We need to make the improvements that will draw a bigger crowd on a consistent basis. We need to make it so that people see value in paying premiums such as parking, seat licenses and mandatory donations. To do this, other than a winning team, we need to upgrade concessions. Recent improvements such as new scoreborads, ribbon boards and the newly expanded/improved club room and ticket office all help. Painting the ceiling black inside of Coors would help to improve the atmosphere and focus attention onto the court would probably be the short-term improvement I'd do next.
My long-term "blue sky" that I'd love to see is the roof being raised to allow for a center-court scoreboard. If done correctly, it could also allow for a premium seating 2nd level. Boxes and club seats circling the arena would pay for the project over time. If we do this, the Keg would become an impressive facility.
Tyler Ziskin – The practice facility is phenomenal, and shows dedication to the future of this program from the athletic department. Coach Bzdelik doesn't get enough credit for bringing that recruiting tool here, but that's another story. They've made more subtle, but welcoming changes in the CEC also. Down the road, I'd love to have a new arena like Oregon and USC have done in the past few years, both of those facilities are breathtaking. Coors is actually a bigger than average college arena, but I'd love to find a way to add some seats, Coors is gonna be a hot commodity in a few years.
Zach Bell – The practice facility has been huge in recruiting. I don’t think there should be much debate that the next step is a renovation of the Coors Event Center. The best way to push facility change is consistent winning so I don’t expect it to be too long until we see something happen with the gym.
RumblinBuff – More upgrades?
Over the past few years under Mike Bohn we’ve already added weight facilities in the basement, program offices in the conference level, spruced up locker rooms, and a fancy new practice facility that puts many of our competitors to shame That’s already a lot of expansion in a half-decade for a program that was routinely underfunded and forgotten by an athletic department solely dedicated to the football cash cow. You can already see the result of putting money into the program not only on the court, but in that highly-touted recruiting class that Coach Boyle is putting together. The program is in a good spot as it is.
Short of a whole new stadium, which won’t happen, I don’t know what else there is to do, other than maintaining the new stuff… How about further exterior modifications to “the Keg?” Just because it’s near the Engineering Center doesn’t mean it has to look as depressing as the EC. MOAR SANDSTONE!
Make sure you check back tomorrow as we will be wrapping up the series by looking at what CU could be putting on the court in 3 years and discussing whether the school could ever be a perennial national championship contender.
For more info, make sure you check out the following:
* Buffnik’s Twitter feed
* Goose’s Twitter feed
* The Ralphie Report
* The Ralphie Report on Twitter
* The Rumblings of a Deranged Buffalo
* Rumblin’s Twitter feed
* Tyler Ziskin’s Twitter feed
* Fans & Students Who Support CU Buffs Basketball
* CUBuffs.com
* CU Buffs on Twitter
* CU Men’s Basketball on Twitter
