Frank Martin calls GIA "crazy." But arena has been "sane" lately
Published: 1/20/2012 4:36 PM
Last Modified: 1/20/2012 4:36 PM
I called ESPN personality and former Oklahoma State point guard Doug Gottlieb for a story on the state of the OSU basketball program.
The story runs Saturday and (sneak preview) Gottlieb says he’s not ready to bail out on the 9-9 Cowboys. But he made an interesting point when talking about those who have already abandoned ship.
I didn’t broach the subject of dwindling homecourt attendance with Gottlieb since it’s a topic that has been written about on multiple occasions the past few years. He referenced attendance and said this is funny (in a non-humorous way):
“So many people think of themselves as these real hard-core Oklahoma State basketball fans. You know what? Now is when they need you.”
Gottlieb said Gallagher-Iba Arena was packed when Eddie Sutton coached OSU’s last Final Four team in 2004. But that team was loaded with players who would go on to play in NBA arenas.
“The truth is they didn’t really need (fan support) then,” Gottlieb said. “They had good enough players and a good enough team. But when you have a young team that needs a boost from (the crowd), that can really help you.”
OSU will play its first Saturday home game of the Big 12 season when Kansas State visits Stillwater and it's anyone's guess if attendance will be mediocre again. At least one person who will be in the building still has a high opinion of GIA’s atmosphere.
“It is crazy,” Kansas State coach Frank Martin said Thursday.
“Last year, we were managing the game (in Stillwater), and then we came apart at the seams. I think we had four players foul out. Jamar (Samuels) got a tech. We were up eight, and we just came apart at the seams.
“Two years before that, we went in there and it is the only time I went in there and told a team that we have to win the game. Once again, we turn it over on back-to-back possessions, and we cannot finish them off.
“That building is hard. The crowd is off the charts and they feed off of that.”
Martin likely isn’t the only person in the K-State family who feels that way. This is why: The Wildcats haven’t won in Stillwater since 1993.
--Jimmie Tramel.
Written by
Jimmie Tramel
Sports Writer
