[Schfourteenteen]

One of the best atmosphere's I've ever been at in the Vines. VMI game was good but this was great. Becky Falwell just posted on Facebook "The Furnace is back". For those of you that were here during its heyday, is our crowd getting back to where it should be?

Clarify?

[ToTheLeft]

I don't care why or how. If LU fans are excited about basketball games, then I'm happy.

The fact is, we're not used to exciting victories around here anymore. Football doesn't have them at home, and no one shows up for basketball even if it is exciting. The VMI game got the kids back into the mood for basketball, and then they got to see a really exciting game, and didn't know how to handle it. And that's good. Hopefully it brings them back for more!

I want to get to a point where we expect the kids to know how to act when we beat a team like that. But for now, be happy that we have enough fans excited enough about this team to stay until the end and be ecstatic about a win.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Back in the early to mid 90s we had large crowds VERY often and that place rocked. Tonight is the loudest I've heard it in a long time. Great atmosphere indeed, but not there yet. We need more people. Excitement will make that happen.

[Kolzilla41]

One of the best atmosphere's I've ever been at in the Vines. VMI game was good but this was great. Becky Falwell just posted on Facebook "The Furnace is back". For those of you that were here during its heyday, is our crowd getting back to where it should be?

Clarify?

I've seen pictures when the word "Furnace" was on the floor and every seat was taken, some where in the mid to late 90's and even early 2000's. I was just curious if anyone who has been here longer saw this as a momentum swing in attendance and the Vines center getting back to the type of atmosphere it used to have.

[Stevev]

I think that we averaged 5K+ for our better years attendence wise during the Peter Aluma, Marcus White era teams. I think that making the NCAA tourney really sparked the fans into coming to the games and that exitement lasted for maybe 4 years. Then Hanky came along.

[Stevev]

When we played Virginia Tech at home back then we usually sold out (8K to 9k). JMU, VCU, and Radford brought them in as well.

[LUphanatik08]

I've been at the university since fall 2005, back when Karcher was still coaching football. I've missed maybe a handful of home basketball games. Without a doubt, tonight's atmosphere was the most electric that I have ever experienced in the Vines aka "The Furnace". Hopefully, we will see better attendance on Saturday. I expect the student's to be at the game in full force following tonight's win. Give the roads another day or two to clear, and the word to get out, I'm hoping to see the "other" side packed.

[olldflame]

We're not quite there when compared with the height of the Meyer era, but getting close. I think there is enough enthusiasm. We just need to get another 1000 or more in the building. IMHO when you get about 5500-6000 in the Vines, you reach a "critical mass" and the furnace goes nuclear.

[Kolzilla41]

I think that we averaged 5K+ for our better years attendence wise during the Peter Aluma, Marcus White era teams. I think that making the NCAA tourney really sparked the fans into coming to the games and that exitement lasted for maybe 4 years. Then Hanky came along.

You mind giving some more detail on this? I don't know a lot about the program during this time.

[BJWilliams]

we had some pretty good crowds my early years on the mountain but really this is the most excitement Ive seen since then...and its good for us to get the buzzer beater instead of being on the receiving end (anybody who was here knows exactly which play Im talking about)

[olldflame]

I've got news for you BJ. We have lost at the buzzer more than once.

[JLFJR]

Great win!! It would have been quite embarrassing to lose after the students talked me into crowd-surfing!

[BJWilliams]

WEll in that case...

[youtube]

[/youtube]

[jenkins]

No doubt that was the loudest the atmosphere has been since the title game in 04. It was nice to pull one out at the buzzer. We have had a bunch of L's on close games like that in the past 7 years. I'm not sure John Williams even quite touched the rim ont aht dunk, that was impressive. It's a shame he coudln't develop a jump shot because athletically that guy is a monster. Cunningham is a tough matchup for us. JVP is just too skinny and Antwan didn't have the height. that team matches up with us very well.

[From the class of 09]

Good win didn't really play our game the 2nd half. We got exposed in the middle have to find a way to stop their pigs if we see them again. Although you have to love the heart of this team just finding a way to win.

Also unless you were at the game don't talk about rushing the court. The emotions were flowing in this one and with the last second shot to win the place blew up. If we would've won by 10 points in regulation no one would have been on the court. It had nothing to do with UNCA and everything to do with how the game played out.

I don't think JB or Sommy made any friends tonight they fought hard down low.

[SuperJon]

The kids in black sounded great and were involved, were clever, and were just downright good. We've just gotta get them in red.

[Hold My Own]

Really mad I couldnt make it out there tonight...seemed like I was playing catch up all day.

Purple...I dont understand how you are surprised that both teams can find fault in officials....this is possible and actually likely! If you're a bad official then you cant control when your good and when you're bad....it's just different degrees of bad! Dont come on here and give me stats either about how many calls they get right on their evaluation, because we all know who's doing the evaluating....old referees! That's the only thing worse then a current ref

[BJWilliams]

the leader of that group is my RA and he actually just dropped me a line explaining why they wear black:

(Name withheld)

"btw to answer your friends on flamefans we wear black because we want to stand out from everyone else in the student section so that we resemble a "box" in the student section hence the name boo box if they would recommend another color other than black thats fine but red wouldnt stand out. you can tell them that if you want"

[SuperJon]

the leader of that group is my RA and he actually just dropped me a line explaining why they wear black:

(Name withheld)

"btw to answer your friends on flamefans we wear black because we want to stand out from everyone else in the student section so that we resemble a "box" in the student section hence the name boo box if they would recommend another color other than black thats fine but red wouldnt stand out. you can tell them that if you want"

That makes no sense whatsoever. The goal of a group leading chants and cheers isn't to stand out but to unify a student section. A group that big unified could bring 6000 students together. If you're doing it to stand out then you're wanting the attention to be on you and not on Liberty. Our goal as Liberty fans is to support Liberty above all else. They've got so much potential and it's just such an eye sore on tv.

[LUphanatik08]

the leader of that group is my RA and he actually just dropped me a line explaining why they wear black:

(Name withheld)

"btw to answer your friends on flamefans we wear black because we want to stand out from everyone else in the student section so that we resemble a "box" in the student section hence the name boo box if they would recommend another color other than black thats fine but red wouldnt stand out. you can tell them that if you want"

That makes no sense whatsoever. The goal of a group leading chants and cheers isn't to stand out but to unify a student section. A group that big unified could bring 6000 students together. If you're doing it to stand out then you're wanting the attention to be on you and not on Liberty. Our goal as Liberty fans is to support Liberty above all else. They've got so much potential and it's just such an eye sore on tv.

Super, couldn't agree more. The Flames wear red (albeit, I'm OK with fans wearing white), but black is definitely not one of our colors. I like the idea of the "boo box", but those students need to wear red......lead by example.

[alum82]

The Meyer Era lasted about 17 years, I think. During many of those years, the crowd was actually chanting "FIRE MEYER" but he did have some good years and getting in the NCAA tournament in 94 was a really big motivator for the fans. LU was much smaller then and didn't have a lot of other exciting things happening so the NCAA tournament appearance was a really big deal. Ten years later, when we made the tournament, it wasn't viewed as such a big deal because LU was growing and other big things were happening. Something big is brewing now though--something different. There is a steady consistency starting to emerge that we never had before and, if it continues, LU basketball will move up to a different level, a level where it has never been before. I hope it is not just wishful thinking on my part but I think the basketball program is growing with the school and benefitting from all the other positive things happening at LU. I think the forward progress this time is permanent and sustainable, not just hap hazard and flukish like it was in the past.

[sporter]

Had to leave with 6 minutes left in regulation to take my son to a lesson - kept up on my phone but really want to see the end. Does anyone know if there will be a replay available - either on MASN or on the internet somewhere?

[Hold My Own]

[The Flames wear red (albeit, I'm OK with fans wearing white), but black is definitely not one of our colors. I like the idea of the "boo box", but those students need to wear red......lead by example.

On the other hand....

The Flames dont always wear red....I've seen the Flames wear black travel suits for years and even wore black uniforms our last home game of year in football.


Obviously thats tongue-in-cheek and no, black is not in LU's branding...but I do find it some what humorous when athletic teams go against the University branding and even the motto of your own department. I dont think the kids should wear black but then again...we do send mixed signals

*No I'm not suggesting they should wear red every time they play....just think this is some what funny.

[WinterIsComing]

[The Flames wear red (albeit, I'm OK with fans wearing white), but black is definitely not one of our colors. I like the idea of the "boo box", but those students need to wear red......lead by example.

On the other hand....

The Flames dont always wear red....I've seen the Flames wear black travel suits for years and even wore black uniforms our last home game of year in football.


Obviously thats tongue-in-cheek and no, black is not in LU's branding...but I do find it some what humorous when athletic teams go against the University branding and even the motto of your own department. I dont think the kids should wear black but then again...we do send mixed signals

*No I'm not suggesting they should wear red every time they play....just think this is some what funny.

I'm ok with us being "Back in Black" as long as we play some AC/DC to accompany it! Besides, a unified dorm in black alone nearly doubles our attendance at some games (exaggeration intended).

[BJWilliams]

I am watching the game on ESPN3 now...cant wait to see Ray and SCAR's call on that last play