Warming up to winter hoops

Build it, and they will come.

Bryant takes on LIU at a packed Chace Athletic Center on Jan. 26, 2013 

Well, they sure did on this particular Saturday. Everyone loves a winner. That's no secret.  My recent saying is "there's plenty of room on the bandwagon, jump on board."

In this particular instance, Bryant basketball has taken its fair share of lumps on the chin with its move to Division I.  A jump that is not easy to do by any stretch. It takes time and patience and there were many nights where the gym was "filled" with a few students, family and occasional strangers who happened to wander into the building looking for a restroom.

Fast-forward to 2013. Things have changed quite dramatically.  The team has some players.  Players wo can score.  Players who can rebound. And they are being rewarded in the win column.

Crazy crowd at the Chace today for Bryant and LIU @bryantathletics twitter.com/jasonsullivan5…

— Jason Sullivan (@jasonsullivan5) January 26, 2013

On Saturday, the Bulldogs played host to two-time defending championship Long Island, and the fans came out in droves. Bryant's had some great crowds before. In 2005, the team hosted then No. 2 Bentley College in a game where the fire marshall ordered the doors closed as the gym was at full capacity.

With LIU in town, the gym didn't reach capacity, but certainly came close, with 2,300 screaming fans turning the place into a sweaty sauna.

Like the Bentley game, the Bulldogs came up just short in the final seconds, but something magical is happening in Smithfield.

Get your ticket early.