I went to the State basketball game last night and watched from our seats (my wife and I have season's tickets) three rows back in the upper level of the RBC Center. The seats aren't bad. But as I watched State and Marquette, I kept wishing the game were being played in Reynolds Coliseum. A cold night, a good opponent, a visit from DT and the rest of the '74 champs -- it had all the elements for a Reynolds classic. Instead the announced crowd of 16,819 (it didn't seem that big to me) didn't make much noise until the end.
State lost some home-court advantage when it moved into the RBC Center, just as Carolina did when it moved into the Dean Dome. Play that game last night in Reynolds and State wins. OK, I can't prove it but I'll say Reynolds was worth four points a game more than the RBC Center. Reynolds had some quirks -- the heat, the proximity of the students, the noise, the dim lights -- that worked to State's advantage because State's players were used to them. There was a real home-court advantage that isn't as much in a sterile place like the RBC Center.
I'm glad State plays a few men's games a year in Reynolds. Check out the picture of Dennis Horner from Dec. 13 for a good look at the old place. But I wish State would play a strong team -- like Marquette -- in Reynolds. It wouldn't make any sense from a business point of view to
sell several thousand fewer tickets. But it would be great fun for those of us who get sentimental about the place. If you are one of those people, read this piece I wrote in 1999 for The Charlotte Observer, when State was finishing up its last season in the House That Case Built.
-- John Drescher
Comments
It's time for a dose of NCAA reality
Mon, 12/29/2008 - 15:46 — xpukguyWithout the RBC Center, NCSU can't compete financially. Bottom line. It's time for NCSU fans to stop looking at a checkered history and get a slap of reality. Reynolds is nice for women's basketball and brings back memories but the men don't even fill it when they play there. And they're not going to play a decent team there when they can get more cash playing at the RBC.
Or maybe its cause NC State
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 01:20 — JPMajorOr maybe its cause NC State fans cant fill up the RBC Center ( Carolina Hurricanes Arena) but they can the smaller Reynolds.. UNC may have moved into a larger arena, but they still fill it up every night...
Reynolds
Wed, 12/24/2008 - 15:18 — braskamyrnaI totally agree. I'm a '89 alum of NCSU. Reynolds was great. I remember a game against SMU when they had Jon Koncack (I think that's the name). SMU was ranked #2 in the nation. It must have been around '85 since Nate McMillan and Spud Webb were on the team. Anyway, it was an NBC national game on a Saturday afternoon. We were down by 20 at halftime. The crowd literally willed the team back into the game; we won the game in OT. I lost my voice during the game; best game in Reynolds other than some of those UNC wins. Yes, Reynolds was smoky, hot, and cramped, but it was our home and nothing like that atmosphere with the sound level at the top. Yes, Reynolds would have been the difference.
Reynolds
Wed, 12/24/2008 - 14:31 — sbas2If i had my way, State would play a few games at the RBC and the rest at Reynolds.
My wife and I said the same
Wed, 12/24/2008 - 00:11 — dbunceMy wife and I said the same thing at the game last night! At least get some of the lower level sideline seats out of the corporations and get them to fans that will attend the game. Having the game at Reynolds would have done that.
Reynolds vs. RBC
Tue, 12/23/2008 - 23:31 — arcourieI agree!!!:)