UTSA Men's Basketball... try it! (Houston, Bowie: college, price, gym)

[Bo]

I attended a UTSA men's basketball game today for the first time in a few years.

The pluses: For the price of a $10 ticket, we each saw an exciting game against a bigger-name program (Univ of Houston) from seats near midcourt, about 4 rows from the floor. The parking was free and convenient. This game went down to the wire and was decided on the final play.

The minuses: There were instances at halftime when the gym was as quiet as a library, which is a little eerie for any indoor sporting event.

There was 1 concession stand open, with 1 line for the whole gym. The line was constantly 10 people or more deep. We paid for the ticket package that included a hot dog, chips and a drink, but since the line would have required a long commitment away from the game, we opted not to get our food.

The UTSA cheerleaders seemed underprepared, underenthused and not terribly interested in the game. Mrs. Bowie overheard one telling another after the game "I'm glad they won." (It was her team that won. )

Some of the young male fans seated at floor level seemed more interested in loudly mocking the opponents' names and quirks than in supporting their own players. Some of their chants used language you might expect to hear in a PG-13 film, so this probably isn't the place to bring your impressionable little kids.

Bottom Line: For the price, it was good entertainment. If you're used to the extravaganzas put on by the Spurs, you might find it a little lacking. If you like sports and don't mind a few rough edges, you might like it. Consider it a ground-floor opportunity, as the program will likely gain stature when UTSA adds football in 2011.

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

It will get way better after the new semester starts. It can get quite loud in the Convo center when the Blue Crew is in there.

[tgannaway89]

I'm guilty of not supporting my own roadrunners. I have only attended a few games and not a single this year.

The homecoming game is a lot of fun. Tons of freebies are handed out! The place gets packed and all the cheer squads come out. If you don't have plans on February 19th, come on out for affordable fun!

Go 'runners!

[The Rising Suun]

The concessions are completely under Aramark now. The upstairs stands have been OOC for a bit.

I'm tickled with your comments about the cheerleaders. Most likely these are the new girls. They have a full time coach, but given the turnover and the winter break, I'd say it's lucky they any squad.

These winter games can be kind of dead, but like HillCountryHotRodMan said, it'll get better.

The heckling is just kindof a thing to do at college basketball games. I've seen it at plenty of places.