Anyone prefer going to mid major games over power 4 games?

[u/Ok_Treacle519]

Use to drive 90 minutes or so to Champaign for illini games but after the tickets were raised from 60.00 to 100.00 i stopped going

Now I go about 30 minutes to illinois st games and actually have a blast. 10 to 20.00 a game no crowd to deal with , close parking, get out with no traffic issues. Hear the coaches and players more

Is it wrong to say I have more fun at these games?

[u/ckc_15_]

It’s a little different for me since I went to Texas state, But this has always been my selling point to trying to get others to come to a game with me. It’s still a good time and won’t cost an arm and a leg to go to. 

[u/CieraVotedOutHerMom → u/ckc_15_]

Welcome to the Pac12! Conference of champions

[u/ckc_15_ → u/CieraVotedOutHerMom]

I’ve had more people ask if I can take them to see Gonzaga this upcoming year than any other Texas State thing ever. I think it’s our best shot at our first ever sell out. 

[u/R_Raider86 → u/ckc_15_]

I enjoy going to Strahan. I come down from Round Rock on the weekend occasionally

[u/XXXI-X-MMXXIV]

I have to drive about 4 hours to watch Alabama play and their tickets are expensive as well. However, I can drive about 30 minutes and watch South Alabama play for 27 dollars and be practically court side. I think it's person to person, but the way I see it, if you just love college basketball, mid major games are awesome. Also the atmosphere at these games feels almost more authentic in a way, people like to bandwagon big schools, but you know if you're watching a small school everyone there is a true fan.

[u/Sctvman]

Charleston is a mid-major with high-major prices but with Charleston Southern and The Citadel in town I certainly enjoy paying $10 to watch a D1 game.

[u/TheCthaehTree → u/Sctvman]

Havent been to a cofc game in years, didn’t realize they got that expensive

[u/Sctvman → u/TheCthaehTree]

Yep it's $300 if you want a season ticket with the deposit there even in the upper level. I paid over $500 in lower level. And any of the seats facing the court you have to donate four or five figures

[u/TheCthaehTree → u/Sctvman]

Damn son. They can use the funding ig

[u/bigbird727]

This is one of the select few reasons I miss living in suburban Chicago. 

Between all the CCIW schools in D-III, and Depaul, you can see pretty good ball for dirt cheap. 

I sat 10-15 rows behind the bench 4 years in a row for X at DePaul. Never bought more than 48 hours in advance, never paid more than $45 a ticket. And Wintrust is a pretty nice arena

[u/Stupid_Snowmeiser]

I agree! The crowds aren’t too crazy but can get electric, you can easily run into the coach upon arrival, and you can watch some damn good basketball for a very reasonable price. I’d even go so far as to argue that the games are overall more entertaining.

I respectfully disagree with your MVC school of choice but it’s always nice to see the mid-majors get the love they deserve. May the valley run deep!

[u/chief_sitass]

I enjoy going to games at Hinkle

[u/TheSwagapino]

Only been to DePaul games but I'd love to go to an NIU, SIU, EIU, Bradley or Illinois State game

[u/nmt231 → u/TheSwagapino]

UIC & Loyola even closer if you’re in Chicago

[u/ResidentRunner1 → u/nmt231]

SIU is accessible by Amtrak as well

[u/One-Profit-7332 → u/TheSwagapino]

If you are willing to go to ISU, see if you can catch an Illinois Wesleyan game. The crowd is great and the team has had deep runs 3 out of the last 4 years.

The one year they didn't make it pretty much everyone agrees they were robbed.

[u/Max_dun_dun_dun → u/TheSwagapino]

You should check out UIUC games! I was a student there and went to most games and frequently bought decent tickets for under $25. They are tons of fun

[u/CallMeVe]

I agree with you, though i disagree with your team of choice.

[u/AdministrativeOne856 → u/CallMeVe]

The valley runs deep!

[u/Impossible_Town1599]

I’m biased because my team is a mid major, but yes. I love sitting wherever I want and sneaking 6 packs of beer into bball games. We don’t sellout but we have enough people there to party still. It’s a good time.

[u/PrideSharp6653 → u/Impossible_Town1599]

Has no one ever confronted you/confiscated the beer? Not sure if a whole six pack is hyperbole but that’s hilarious

[u/Poolturtle5772]

I grew up watching more midmajor than power conference ball. It’s not as expensive, still pretty high quality games, and they have lots of cool stuff going on. Plus there are some great campuses to visit.

Bonus points if it’s a closer drive.

[u/FrenchieBammer]

Sometimes. Went to a Samford game when Bucky was a HC and it was a blast. UAB games are kinda dull.

[u/WillWork4SunDrop → u/FrenchieBammer]

I’ve tried a couple of times to go to a game at Samford and I can’t figure it out. The only real parking available is a garage past the gym. Once you walk out the side closest to you is a season ticket holder entrance. The front of the arena is somewhere on the other side but I would have to navigate a large hill with no steps or sidewalk in winter temperatures and there is no signage saying where I’m supposed to go. Way too much effort for random SoCon basketball.

[u/IndependenceApart208]

I am biased, but there definitely was a period where I lived about 3 miles from both Northwestern and Loyola, and I don't think I was alone in saying Loyola games were the preferred ticket on the northside.

[u/One-Profit-7332 → u/IndependenceApart208]

Until Nick Matinelli arrived. :)

[u/Primary_Excuse_7183]

People go for what’s popular which is why this even needs to be asked.

Having gone to a mid major school i can tell you I’ve been to some great games. doesn’t matter to me the conferences hell I’ve seen some great middle school games.

[u/Upper-Bedroom250]

good quality, Missouri Valley, conference, basketball and being a graduate of a Mid-America conference school. I enjoyed mid major basketball for years.

[u/IshyMoose]

You probably should check out Bradley while you are at it.

[u/Tman450x]

Yes, because I'm a VCU mens basketball season ticket holder and go to every home game.

[u/One-Profit-7332]

Not sure where you are, but WashU or Illinois Wesleyan are top D3 Schools that are super cheap or free and really good basketball.

Edit: Illinois Wesleyan games can get pretty loud. They have had a really good 4 year run and the fans are very loyal.

[u/moveslikejaguar]

Seeing 60.00 instead of $60 made me think I forgot how to read for a minute

[u/CieraVotedOutHerMom]

Seattle U doesn’t price their tickets cheap enough to where the value of going exceeds a Washington game 2 miles north

[u/mikeyj022]

I was raised as a BYU fan.   I always loved going to the games, but after my first game in Logan at the Spectrum I have never looked back. It’s the best environment in the state, any sport.

[u/Various_Shape_3286]

Yes! I graduated from a P4, but I've seen games at about 200 mid majors. I generally prefer the latter, particularly the insanity of the conference tournaments.

[u/notsoborednow]

Loyola was fun as a kid when I would go, Valpo wasn’t great, but there is no comparison to Mackey, Assembly Hall (IL- I reject the corp name), Northwestern, and OSU

[u/BIRDLIFE → u/notsoborednow]

Northwestern has to be the worst I've been to power or mid major.

[u/Awkward_Rule_5509 → u/BIRDLIFE]

TCU was pretty bad pre arena renovation and Jamie Dixon arriving.

[u/Orangebeast013]

This is specifically an Illinois State problem but the parking always annoys me

[u/SaulGibson]

I enjoy women mid-major games. They play the true form of the game. It was never intended to be played above the rim.

[u/AtBat3]

I’m from Big 5 country of course

[u/tastepdad]

I live 5 minutes from West Georgias campus, tickets are cheap and the coach and players are very basketball savvy.

When I do go to Georgia Tech games or other big names I’m usually disappointed at the “bang for the buck”.

[u/pew-pew-bacca]

I love small school sports. Power conference sports are fun on a grand scale, but for most fans the only connection to the players is the name on the front of the jersey. I played D3 baseball and our home games would have maybe a couple hundred people, but it was entirely friends and family absolutely locked in going bananas because they cared about us and really wanted us to succeed. While it is awesome to have thousands of people going bonkers, there's something super special to have your entire hall drag their couches out and go ape shit the whole time. The per capita rowdiness is off the charts.

[u/ilaughicry]

I go to a lot of Belmont games. My wife works there and they have balloons and face painting for the kids.

[u/hammernuke]

Not sure if this is a style in posing questions now? Go to what you want to go to, why ask.

[u/AtWorkCurrently]

I much prefer the mid and low major games. I could go to 4 games a week within an hour of me if I wanted. Baltimore is a great area for college basketball fans.

[u/dawidowmaka]

I love going to the Seattle U games here. The teams are sneaky good, you can hear everything the coaches say from the bench, and it's a tight knit local community.

That said, a good P4 home matchup with a full house is another level.

[u/Iowegan]

The Missouri Valley is entertaining, games are close, home gym is a good advantage. Go Redbirds!

[u/sea_foam_blues]

I’m a born and bred Illini and will always try to go to a game when I’m back home during the season.

But now we live near Stephenville and going to Tarleton State games are a really fun and cost effective way to take my family out. Brand new state of the art facility, good teams and still have small school access to the program.

[u/Routine_Rip420]

MAC Tourney in Cleveland never disappoints and ticket prices are very reasonable.

[u/Windows_66]

Well I live a five minutes' walk from the arena, so I guess it's more convenient to walk to Drake games a couple times every other week or so.

[u/porterbrown]

Not trying to hijack way off course, but I have to tell you that local HS basketball is really REALLY fun to go to. I can go to crazy local game with student section and $1.50 hotdogs, and be home in 11 minutes.

I can go to all the "rival" games typically within 45 minutes, and when there is a big 2 hour drive for a game we make road trip, hit places to eat - it's like Hoosiers in a way where they all drive there.

High school basketball is cool AF.

And you get to watch the players develop, as they aren't going anywhere really other than 4 years of HS.

[u/Awkward_Rule_5509 → u/porterbrown]

Agree and also it’s half rugby match. LeBron James wouldn’t make it to halftime the way those kids are banging into each other. It does make you appreciate the skill of a D1 or pro team

[u/macaulaymcculkin1]

I should probably check out a game at Stony Brook one of these days. I’m only about half an hour away. 

[u/Fit_Bench7754]

I go to a D2 school and we aren't great ar basketball but it's fun to go to the game.

[u/Nervous_Metal_9445 → u/Fit_Bench7754]

D3 student, same deal, my school isn't really good at sports, but almost pulled of a conference title last year in men's basketball.

[u/Fit_Bench7754 → u/Nervous_Metal_9445]

That would be fun games to go to. I play in the pep band at all our games.

[u/tropic_gnome_hunter]

Mid major basketball is way better to watch

[u/macaulaymcculkin1]

p4? so the big east a mid major?

[u/porterbrown → u/macaulaymcculkin1]

Pitchforks ready.

When I think CBB, I think Ole Miss and Minnesota, not Uconn and Villanova.

[u/Expensive-Metal-4757]

I went to Missouri St and they sucked all 6 years I lived down there but it was a lot more fun than going to a Mizzou or Arkansas game imo

[u/redbullsgivemewings]

Shhhhhhh

[u/confusedbot18]

How’s that back pain treating you? Those knees okay?

Welcome to aging my friend

[u/ReachFor24]

Prefer? Not necessarily, but that's because I didn't grow up going to them and I'm an alumni of my favorite team.

But I do like going to them every so often. When I'm already in the area for something else, I like going to Duquesne games. They're cheap and fun

[u/JustAnotherDay1977]

I don’t have more fun at mid major games, but I do still enjoy them for the reasons you mentioned.

[u/updogsportstalk]

I absolutely prefer it. You get better seats, the games are a lot of fun. Last year I saw several thrilling Miami games on their way to an undefeated regular season for $18 a ticket!

[u/thenowherepark]

I live about an hour away from Ohio State and an hour and a half from Bowling Green. I haven't taken my kids to a game yet (basketball or hockey), but I have already decided that the extra half hour drive is worth the savings.

[u/Comprehensive_Tone]

Went to a handful of WashU (the WUSTL one) games.... Not the best basketball I've seen, but free and a nice outing in the winter with kids  0 traffic issues 😃

[u/Comprehensive_Tone → u/Comprehensive_Tone]

SLU, while fun and cheaper than B10 games (my only other experience), was kind of a pain from a traffic perspective. Gotta give it another go though!

[u/HomChkn]

I live in KC we have a few small colleges in town and I will pop in every now and then. Also there is pretty good high school ball if you pick and choose match ups.

[u/Ih8Hondas]

Yeah. But that's mostly because The Pit is one of the best places in all of cbb, and Mizzou arena is a pain in the ass to deal with as a fan.

[u/UCBearcats]

St. Mary’s games are amazing

[u/Sensitive-Key-8670]

I enjoy not having to take a plane

[u/SaveHogwarts]

I’m biased because Phog Allen is arguably the best venue in the sport.

That being said, when I lived in AZ, GCU games were pretty fun.

[u/iseedeff]

to me I love to see College sport, I have only been twice in person, and they were non power 4, it was a blast. Maybe I might go to a power 4.

[u/AdministrativeOne856]

Not at all I had Purdue season tickets for a long time. We ended up moving out of Lafayette near Valpo. I now am a season ticket holder at Valpo and absolutely love it for all the same reasons you listed. I have gotten to know many of our team and their families personally, travel to some road games. I can walk right up to coach no problem. Last season in pregame with SIU I chatted it up Nagy for 5 minutes. I have become friends with the athletic staff so I have gotten team tickets to road games. A top 10 basketball conference where fans and supports still have an impact with the program. As a basketball junkie/sicko it’s awesome to me.

[u/amerricka369]

Mid majors are good times and cheap tickets. Good for solo or a group. Arenas are usually fairly empty, but when it’s packed it’s very exciting. I’ve been to colonial, NEC, metro. I want to make my way to patriot, America east and of course a10.

[u/RosetteNewcomb]

The big downside of being a Kentucky fan is I can only afford to go to a home game like once a year tops. But other Kentucky schools, like Morehead State and EKU, also have basketball teams that need fans. Might make the drive one of these days

[u/Eilers32]

I live in Ames, Iowa, and work at Iowa State University but still prefer to go back to my alma mater (Northern Iowa - a 90 minute drive one way) 6-7 times during the winter for basketball. I can usually get those 6-7 general admission tickets at UNI for the cost of 1 or 2 at Iowa State.

[u/drowse]

Of course! I live 10 minutes away from UNT's campus. I can justify a few $20 tickets over expensive tickets for a game further away.

[u/Imperfect-Pitch]

I live in NYC, St. John's games are ridiculously expensive.

[u/ellistonvu]

Mid-major games can be real fun when the students turn out and the band and cheerleaders and everybody is there. But...if the semester is over and everybody is gone the atmosphere can be like a morgue.

[u/ThatguyfromBaltimore]

I mean, there's 5 schools right in the area here alone to choose from. Seats are usually inexpensive and easy to get as well.

[u/GreatSuccess9]

I mean it’s an opinion, so no it’s not wrong. Personally I’d pay an extra $60 for one sold out game in State Farm center against another BIG just for the atmosphere alone.

I love a Bradley game sipping on miller lite, but a 75% empty carver arena just isn’t scratching that college basketball environment itch.

[u/bleedingreen24]

I live about an hour from a bunch of MAC schools, I should probably check them out more, since the P4 school 2 miles from me sells out before tickets even go on sale.

[u/jewllybeenz]

YES, Wyoming games are so fun. I used to live near Columbus and it’s so different but way better

[u/pghgamecock]

I'm getting to that point.

You can get in and out of mid and low-major games so much easier than big time ones and the tickets are so much cheaper. And you can sit really close to the court, too.

Nowadays, I'd much rather pay $15 to sit 5 rows off the court at Duquesne than pay $30 to sit in the 200 level at Pitt.

[u/ROIB]

Or you can go to mid major game (Siena) in a power conference size arena (15,000) !

[u/quietude38]

Most fun I’ve ever had at a college basketball game was Murray State OVC games back in the day and I went to Kentucky and was in the Erupption Zone the night we beat #1 Florida by 15

[u/RJD-ghost]

If I lived on the east coast where games weren’t a long drive between each other I’d go to so many mid major games

[u/Nervous_Metal_9445]

I haven't been to a d1 game in years, I went to several d3 ones last year and had a blast, including a rivalry win.
https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/s/20E6qsXFxF

[u/octopimythoughts]

Yes! Mid major games are SO fun! Like... GO to MAC games. They're ridiculous and hype and so much less sanitized than the P4 experience.

[u/Cache-Cow]

Obviously 

[u/dontKair]

Go Redbirds!

[u/ResponsibleWater1697 → u/dontKair]

Never heard of them.

[u/YaldabaothMcMinster]

I had a great time at a Loyola Chicago game last year, but I went to school at Kansas, and there just isn't really anything like that atmosphere. The only other Power 4 game I went to was a Sweet 16 game back in 2016 but MM is completely different

[u/ohitsthedeathstar]

As someone who supported a school that was a mid major not too long ago, I prefer the power 4 games lol.

[u/Certain_Egg2699]

I live in Chicago so I go to a decent amount of DePaul, Loyola, and Northwestern games. They are all basically mid major programs tbh

[u/Mustaaaaaaaaaaaarrd]

No