Lurker

If Skinner stays, what's the ETA for him being the next whipping boy for the 'fans' to complain about?...

Spot on. It amazes me how miserable some people can get over what's essentially an entertainment option. Maybe its because, aside from Dave and Busters, there isn't enough to do around here...

That happens everywhere. It happened when Hurley left, and Nate was able to overcome it.... https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/sports/ct-abn-basketball-nate-navigato-st-0426-20150424-story.html https://www.ubbullrun.com/2015/4/24/8465005/buffalo-points-guard-shannon-evans-will-transfer-to-bobby-hurley-at As I said, Nate was able to overcome it.... https://big4talk.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/cj-massinburg-set-for-official-visit-to-buffalo/

They may be a middling SEC team right now, but with good coaching from Nate they'd probably win 80% of the time against MAC teams like U.B. 'Bama just had a lottery pick (Colin Sexton, 8th overall by Cleveland) and have a bunch of 4-and 5-star recruits so they have had quality rosters. As to the Tide's basketball chops, while they've been overshadowed by the football program, they've had some success too (briefly #1 in the country in 2003, eight sweet 16 appearances and 16 NIT trips, reaching the championship game on two occasions). BTW, Hurley's team a year from now--when his young players (12 freshmen and sophomores vs. just 5 upperclassmen) have more experience--will be a lot more formidable than the group that lost to U.B...

And you'd lose to a Power-5 team 90% of the time. There's a reason mid-major teams not named Gonzoga rarely get to the sweet 16... (and, as a part of SUNY--where the faculty is diametrically opposed to big-time sports--it would be difficult to replicate the Gonzaga model)

Well, I didn't want to go there. But since you brought it up... That has more to do with ADA building requirements than anything. Can't design an "Aud" experience anymore. It's just not up to current codes...

5th best recruiting class (in the SEC) and 19th in the nation with a 'hot' new coach that got plenty of praise by talking heads on TV during the past two tourneys? Even if he loses a few guys this year, he should be able to ramp recruiting back up in 2020 and have equal success to Johnson. Nate's a players coach and 'Bama's committed to driving the basketball program into a higher gear. BTW, what was UB's recruiting class rated? 117th. Nate will have a hell of a good run in Tuscaloosa, especially if he can land Trendon Watford... https://247sports.com/player/trendon-watford-84000/ Oh boy! As a NU alum, I applaud that hire if they can finalize it!...

Not to be argumentative, but there have been no shootings in the CBD during sporting events or concerts either (right, Sabres fans). I get your suburban angst and personal experiences elsewhere. And to be truthful, OP is safer than the CITY of Buffalo. But downtown around Canalside or any of the major event venues? How about finding me some real (not imagined) data to back that up?

I'm sorry to hear that you had a problem. I lived downtown for five years and have worked in the CBD for 30-plus. Walked to and from work, to and from parking ramps, many times late at night. In all that time, I can only remember one mugging incident of someone I knew and just a handful of panhandlers. Crime is not an issue that has to be factored into a stadium location decision, IMO...

I wonder if an older guy like Joe Mihalich could be enticed to leave Hofstra? He seems like someone that would fit that profile and have instant fan support in WNY... https://1495sports.com/2019/03/15/hofstra-basketball-head-coach-mihalich-named-finalist-for-skip-prosser-award/

A lot more interesting than Robert Kraft's knob polishing, that's for sure....

No. Training camp is in Pittsford, outside the city...

'Bama was a pre-season top-30 team that underperformed this year (hence the job opening). Coaching a young group (including 5-star recruit Kira Lewis) in a power-5 conference, I think he'll be OK. https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2018/10/31/college-hoops-rankings-every-team-kansas-duke-kentucky

Sure you would sparky...

50,000+ people work downtown every day....

The Big 12 (1st rank BPI) should--and did--mop the floor with MAC teams (15th rank BPI), including U.B. 'Bama is in the SEC (5th rank BPI) and had a 18-16 record in 2018, so he's moving on up big time here... U.B. did the extension to get a bigger buyout. They knew he was gone and made a smart move to grab some $$$ on the way out the door... Again, who here would turn down a 3X raise ($2.4 million vs. $837,000)? Crickets chirping....

Bama' $2.4 Million U.B. $837,000 Tell me you would turn that down...

Wow! Nice raise and impossible offer to turn down...

It's your entertainment dollar. Resist any way you want...

I'm 62 and would go with a downtown dome as well. The folks who resist change are destined to always be disappointed...

Naming rights are typically a revenue play, not a capital investment. I can't see any rights holder chipping in for stadium construction...

He's got the bucks to live across the bay now....

Hummm.. Buffalo versus Vegas. I wonder which city is more fun to live in nine months a year....

Nope. Most of the folks on this board would clamor for that hat after AB was done, hoping to get Jim Kelly to sign it...