Rhody Fans may have shorter wait 'til 2013 Midnight Madness

[ATPTourFan]

Great news for all of us who can't wait to see more Rhody hoops.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... lier-start

[TruePoint]

Good find, ATP.

[rambone 78]

Good time to start this, too. Between the practices for Italy, then the trip, then 6 weeks more practice. All good, in addition to all the time in practice last year for the transfers.

This team should hit the ground running next season.

[ace]

Same number of practices permitted, just a longer time frame in which to get them in

[Rhody72]

Is the first game in the rule change, the first exhibition game or the first game regular season game? In either case, wouldn't you want to schedule your first game as early as possible to get in more practices for the season? I wonder what the reason is behind the proposed rule change.

[Billyboy78]

I would think that 30 days of practice in a 4 week period would be rather difficult...

[ace]

Is the first game in the rule change, the first exhibition game or the first game regular season game? In either case, wouldn't you want to schedule your first game as early as possible to get in more practices for the season? I wonder what the reason is behind the proposed rule change.

There's a rule about how early the first game can be. There's pretty much a rule about everything, actually.

I think the reason for the rule change is to have a more gradual move into the season's practice schedule. This way, there can be more off days. And the four weeks has always really meant the four-ish weeks before the regular season.

[reef]

Like this change, more practice time for DH to get the team up to snuff

[Blue Man]

wait...is there actually going to be a midnight madness?

Or is it going to be another freaking "Rhody Rally" where we need to have all the other teams in there and do it at 7pm.

Bring back the midnight madness atmosphere with the lights off and harrick getting crowdsurfed or GTFO.

[rodfromcranston]

Last year, the women's team was involved in Madness.
I don't have any problem with that.
Neither do our players, who attend the women's games.
It's URI basketball.
If we do it at Ryan, the lights can't be dimmed or shut off.
How sad is that? Cut so many corners, and that was one of them.
How about Harrick coming in on a motorcycle with a du-rag, in 1998-99
Midnight Madness?
As much as I like Dan, I don't see him bodysurfing or biking into the place.

[bigappleram]

this and the italy trip should help expedite our biggest growing pains for this coming season:
-on-court chemistry
-defining roles

[Blue Man]

You can use a shutter system aftermarket i believe. I'd assume that's on the wish list...

http://www.sportslighting.com/products/arena/

[rodfromcranston]

That was mentioned. So was the new floor, overhead scoreboard and those lights that go around the
facia of the upper deck.
No idea on when these will take place, but at least they're on it.

[ATPTourFan]

Yes, ability to dim lights is on "the list". It can be achieved with after market systems as Blue Man mentioned or they can simply upgrade the court lighting system for something more efficient but with the shading functionality.

[Rhody72]

I want to enjoy the experience of attending games. Blasting out music, flashing signs and an annoying PA announcer would be/are a negative for me. The basketball was so much better last season while the non-basketball experience left much to be desired.

[rambone 78]

I think the entire experience, from the product on the court, to all other aspects of going to games, is going to be unlike anything we've seen for many years, if ever, with this program.

Hurley is everything Baron wasn't, and that's a good thing all the way around.

[ATPTourFan]

Yep. Last year should not be looked at as the new standard for Hurley-led Rams.

[Billyboy78]

@JonRothstein The start of college basketball season has been bumped up two weeks. Practice now starts on 9/27. Great news for all of us.

[ramfan85]

Before you know it, it will be a year-round sport.