The only reason that a positive outlook will take place is if we get someone who can coach.  Otherwise, you can put coat racks in the standing room only areas because this men's program is in shambles.  It's not where you play - it is how you play and they need a coach.  I hope they also talked about replacing the coaching staff in their secret meeting.

Having a nice arena and a commitment to the university will help hire a good coach.  That's part of the process.  As for RMU outflanking us, I imagine the games will be split between different venues.  Not to mention the fact that RMU likely had the deal with PPG before Harper could get this approved.  Let's have a little optimism here people.  40 million is way more than I expected.  Honestly, I expected this to be a fake rumor!

KenOTR73 wrote:

Just tried the link and got:Error 404!The page you requested does not exist or has moved.

Interesting.  I could not find another link on their website.  Looks like they may have pulled the story.
 

Link worked for me.  Still does.

Lol, our school cracks me up.  I am hoping that Harper simply can't comment yet until an official announcement is made.  IF nothing is being done, then our program truly is sad, although I already knew that.

Hasn't been scoped yet, which invalidates all the other stuff in the original article. The chances for a major project getting funded are close to zero.

Sorry for stating the obvious.

If you were in charge at DU, would you really invest a substantial amount of money into a forty year old losing entity like the men's bb program ?  The school has been thriving during this basketball drought.

Tejas_Duke wrote:

So we are improving the appearance on the outside of the building (Who cares?) installing private boxes (who the hell is going to buy these?) and reducing the seating capacity (so if we ever get a good team, we will make less money from home attendance)

Anything good here? Or is it just me

I got my head bit off when I asked that question as well.   Again like someone above said the renovations may be only two popcorn machines.

I don't understand how reducing capacity helps anything.   


The need for private boxes is there though.   Private boxes help woo donors.  I can see why you would want that.

Perhaps if you put boxes on the old bleacher sideline and put seats above, you can improve sight lines.  Which are terrible on that sideline.  Awful as a matter of fact.

Okay, let me ask this, what would you guys want for 40 million?  You can't build an arena for that, and you aren't getting more money.  Suggestions?  I think all of the improvements sound great.  Capacity doesn't mean **** to a recruit.  They want to be wooed with amenities that look nice.  We have to stay competitive with the A10, not with Syracuse and Kentucky. 

Also, on Twitter the website who leaked the story said they stand by their article regardless of what Harper says.  I find it hard to believe that the details of the project would be that known if the news wasn't real.  Pat Barnes denied a similar story about leaving Pitt that pghsportsnow broke, so I feel confident in their news source.

Last edited by Simms (3/05/2017 8:07 pm)

I'm with Simms on this one. On the whole, pretty positive news that there is some actual planning going on, even if it cannot be formally released at the moment. My favorite part of the article:

"While at Dayton, Harper was involved with the men’s basketball program in a variety of ways, including fundraising and the hiring of coaches."

I'll sit tight with hope.
 

Maybe someone can link this for me.

https://www.vmdo.co/duquesne-aj-palumbo-center.html

Architects plans from the Pitt website on firing Ferry.

I hope the link comes across.  I would totally be on board if those are the plans. 

The link is in Pantherlair basketball forum under a link discussion about firing Ferry.