Wednesday Morning Hive Returns to Its Normal Writer
In the Hive
After taking two weeks off from this feature, one week for a conference in Austin and the other due to having my gall bladder removed, I return to writing the Wednesday morning hives which, contrary to the claims of my counterpart on Tuesday, is actually the best day of the week. I would like to thank Margie and Vico for helping to fill in for me in my absence.
A Lament on Women’s Basketball Attendance
Sunday’s women’s basketball game against Illinois drew a season high crowd of 6,687 people. While this isn’t a bad crowd for a women’s game, it is sad that it is a season high. I understand that women’s basketball will never draw the crowds that men’s games see, nor do I expect them too, but I still find it disappointing that a Buckeye team which is ranked in the top 10 cannot draw better. Last season OSU averaged 3,849 people per game, placing them 26th in the country and 6th in the Big Ten. Gonzaga and Indiana State both outdrew Ohio State.
While it can be dangerous to compare attendance marks between different schools do to various local issues such as number of entertainment options and ticket costs, the recent historical trend for OSU women’s basketball attendance is also depressing. The 2005-2006 season saw the best attendance of the Jim Foster era as 6,874 people per game came to see a Buckeye team that had just won the first of 6 straight Big Ten titles the previous season. The next two seasons saw attendance decline to the mid-4,000 range and then decline further to approximately 3,800 in 2009-2010. This season looks to be on pace to pull in similar numbers. I blame a portion of this on fans possibly becoming bored with a team that played a fairly conservative style and struggled in the post season but I also suspect that the marketing people in the athletic department.
Whatever the reason for the declining attendance over the past few years, I hope that Ohio State fans will start to show up in greater numbers for the rest of this season. This is a team that is playing a new, fast-paced style of basketball that is exciting to watch. After losing one of the best players in program history to graduation, expectations were low for this season but the team has ignored those expectations, getting off to the best start in program history and racing up the rankings to their current spot at #9. This team has worked hard and they deserve all of your support. I urge all of my readers in the Columbus area to please go to a game, take the family, take your friends, go by yourself, but at least go and cheer loud, I bet you’ll enjoy it.
Honor for Sammy
Senior point guard Samantha Prahalis was named the Big Ten women’s basketball player of the week. Prahalis averaged 23.5 points, 7.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in wins over #20 Nebraska and Illinois. She almost pulled off a double-double in points and assists against Nebraska and then scored 8 straight points late in the game against Illinois to end the threat from the Illini. This is the 6th time in her career and 2nd time this season that Prahalis has been named conference player of the week; this is the fourth time this season that a Buckeye has received this honor.
Prahalis has an even bigger honor that is now within sight. Ever since she arrived at Ohio State, Prahalis has drawn raves for her passing abilities and now those abilities are potentially going to earn her a place in the history books. With 846 career assists, Prahalis is only 47 assists away from passing Northwestern’s Nancy Kennelly for the Big Ten career record in that category, she already owns the OSU record.
Struggles on Ice
After climbing to #2 in the country, the Ohio State men’s hockey team has hit a skid. After losing two straight to That Team Up North, the Buckeyes lost to 13th ranked Ferris State on Friday before tying them Saturday night, only to lose in the shootout. The team will look to get back on the right track this weekend with a trip to Lake Superior State.
New Opportunity for Troy Smith
After spending 2011 playing for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League, former Buckeye great Troy Smith is back in the NFL after signing a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite the fact that many OSU fans will hate to see another Buckeye wearing the Steelers’ black and gold, this is a great opportunity for Smith. Not only is he back in the NFL, he has signed with a team who is known for its ability to evaluate talent. The Steelers already have a starting quarterback obviously, however they are letting both backups, Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon, go to free agency, implying that they see something specific in Troy that interests them. As a fan of the Steelers, I know that will probably not help me gain readers, I am a big fan of this decision and I expect to see Troy on the field next season in some trick plays that take advantage of his athleticism.
Written by: Charles Kuehn |