Upon reading The State News editorial "Athletic antics" (SN 6/2), I got the message that the editorial staff seems to think " The BasketBowl" at Ford Field is a bad idea.

What I didn't understand, however, was the reasoning for this conclusion.

They state moving the game from the Breslin Center takes the game "away from MSU students" and "home field advantage could be lost."

The logic behind that is apparently, because of our students, MSU can only enjoy a home-court advantage in East Lansing.

Anyone who attended the two games MSU played at The Palace of Auburn Hills in the 2000 NCAA Tournament will know MSU can indeed have an incredible home-court advantage in the Detroit area.

It seems to follow that the Ford Field crowd will be an overwhelmingly pro-MSU group as well, and one that will probably be four times as big as in East Lansing.

As far as taking the game away from the students, I suppose that's a matter of opinion, but only as a question of convenience.

It might not be as easy as to walk from Case Hall and get there right before tip-off, but that doesn't mean students should feel like they've had something taken away from them.

The athletics department has decided to hold 5,000 tickets behind the baskets solely for MSU students at a price of $14 per ticket.

This seems to be more than an adequate attempt to maintain the energy and excitement that students bring to home games.

While it won't be the Izzone wrapped around the court, officials have clearly made an effort to accommodate students and recognize their importance to the game's atmosphere.

Also, it provides students without the hard-to-get season tickets an opportunity to see an important game.

I hope all students do not share the State News editorial staffs' feelings about the game and decide to go make Ford Field a suitable Breslin Center East for the day.

Chris Braverman
MSU-DCL student