I have written about Iowa State’s Hilton Coliseum before. “Hilton Magic” is popular term in this state coined by a former Des Moines Register sportswriter. The magic seems to propel the Cyclones to victory.
The magic is working especially well this season. Iowa State has yet to loss a game in the building.
I experienced Hilton Magic again in person last week. The mission was to watch the Baylor Bears oppose Iowa State. Baylor played with Iowa State for about 35 minutes before the Cyclones pulled away. Baylor knows too well Hilton Magic as the Bears have never won in Hilton in 10 or 11 tries.
The crowd was 14,000 plus and electric. At times, you couldn’t hear yourself think or talk to the person next to you. When Baylor shot free throws, the students waved signs and made extreme noise. When Iowa State shot a free throw, a “quiet” sign went up.
Home court is talked about all the time in college basketball. There are numerous tough places to play. But once again, I was reminded that Hilton Coliseum ranks next to the toughest in America.
Just ask Baylor.
Showing posts with label Hilton Coliseum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hilton Coliseum. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Magic Returns
Iowa State men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg said when it took the Cyclone job over two years ago that Hilton Magic needed to be a part of the Iowa State landmark again.
Hoiberg got his wish Saturday when the Cyclones rolled No. 5 Kansas in Hilton Coliseum.
“Hilton Magic” is a term to describe the game day atmosphere in Iowa State’s basketball facility and the tremendous home court advantage the building seems to provide.
The place was rocking-and-a-rolling Saturday. Even via the TV, you could tell the building was extremely loud. The fans were “willing” the Cyclones to grab a victory.
Probably more than any other team in the Big 12 Conference, Kansas knows all about Hilton Magic. The Jayhawks often come to Ames highly ranked and often leave Hilton Coliseum highly disappointed. So the Kansas ending was familiar on another Saturday.
The outcome wasn’t without some drama however. The Jayhawks kept it close until the end. Contrary to popular brief, Iowa State’s Royce White can make free throws. Kansas fouled the much maligned free throw shooter hoping to get back into the contest in the later stages. White calmly sunk two free throws with 1:47 remaining. It was like a knife to the heart for Kansas.
We’ll see if Hilton Magic is here for an extended stay or just a glimpse of the past. Kansas State appears in the building Tuesday. Iowa State should expect a tough game because the Wildcats were upset by Oklahoma in Manhattan Saturday. The Cats should be angry.
Hoiberg got his wish Saturday when the Cyclones rolled No. 5 Kansas in Hilton Coliseum.
“Hilton Magic” is a term to describe the game day atmosphere in Iowa State’s basketball facility and the tremendous home court advantage the building seems to provide.
The place was rocking-and-a-rolling Saturday. Even via the TV, you could tell the building was extremely loud. The fans were “willing” the Cyclones to grab a victory.
Probably more than any other team in the Big 12 Conference, Kansas knows all about Hilton Magic. The Jayhawks often come to Ames highly ranked and often leave Hilton Coliseum highly disappointed. So the Kansas ending was familiar on another Saturday.
The outcome wasn’t without some drama however. The Jayhawks kept it close until the end. Contrary to popular brief, Iowa State’s Royce White can make free throws. Kansas fouled the much maligned free throw shooter hoping to get back into the contest in the later stages. White calmly sunk two free throws with 1:47 remaining. It was like a knife to the heart for Kansas.
We’ll see if Hilton Magic is here for an extended stay or just a glimpse of the past. Kansas State appears in the building Tuesday. Iowa State should expect a tough game because the Wildcats were upset by Oklahoma in Manhattan Saturday. The Cats should be angry.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
A Special Day in Ames, Iowa
The bad news was No. 3 Kansas beat a scrappy Iowa State squad last night in Ames.
The good news was Iowa State honored legendary basketball coach Johnny Orr yesterday. Orr receives the credit for putting Cyclone basketball on the map in the 80s and 90s.
Iowa State unveiled a lifelike statue of Orr during a ceremony at Hilton Coliseum. The statue sits inside Hilton Coliseum along with displays of Orr’s teams and accomplishments. There is also a bar for Iowa State donors in the same area.
I watched the ceremony online and it brought back fond memories of my time at Iowa State during the Orr years. Hilton Coliseum was one rocking place then.
The 83-year-old Orr was vintage Orr during his remarks with one exception. He became emotional when he thanked Iowa State for the honor and his time as Cyclone coach. Then he returned to his usual barbs that endeared Johnny to Iowa State fans.
He said that when he is dead, people cannot get rid of him now because he has a statue. He told current coach Fred Hoiberg (a former Orr player) that Kansas great Danny Manny never won a game in Hilton Coliseum. Talk about putting some pressure on the former pupil when Hoiberg battled Kansas that same night.
It was also great to see Orr’s wife with him. She has experienced major health challenges in recent years.
Johnny Orr loves people. Iowa State showed yesterday how much it loves Johnny Orr.
The good news was Iowa State honored legendary basketball coach Johnny Orr yesterday. Orr receives the credit for putting Cyclone basketball on the map in the 80s and 90s.
Iowa State unveiled a lifelike statue of Orr during a ceremony at Hilton Coliseum. The statue sits inside Hilton Coliseum along with displays of Orr’s teams and accomplishments. There is also a bar for Iowa State donors in the same area.
I watched the ceremony online and it brought back fond memories of my time at Iowa State during the Orr years. Hilton Coliseum was one rocking place then.
The 83-year-old Orr was vintage Orr during his remarks with one exception. He became emotional when he thanked Iowa State for the honor and his time as Cyclone coach. Then he returned to his usual barbs that endeared Johnny to Iowa State fans.
He said that when he is dead, people cannot get rid of him now because he has a statue. He told current coach Fred Hoiberg (a former Orr player) that Kansas great Danny Manny never won a game in Hilton Coliseum. Talk about putting some pressure on the former pupil when Hoiberg battled Kansas that same night.
It was also great to see Orr’s wife with him. She has experienced major health challenges in recent years.
Johnny Orr loves people. Iowa State showed yesterday how much it loves Johnny Orr.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Remembering Hilton Magic
Last night, I attended my first game at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa since the early 90's. Back in those days, the Iowa State Cyclones rarely lost a home game.
Coach Johnny Orr was leading the Cyclones then and after one particular game, a beat writer described the Iowa State victory as Hilton Magic. The term would have a long life.
Orr put Iowa State on the basketball map. He would enter Hilton Coliseum to John Carson's Tonight Show theme. Orr would walk all the way to the visiting team's bench and clinch his fists to an adoring crowd. Orr became a celebrity. Orr was a big part of Hilton Magic.
His teams could play too. Visiting teams didn't want to come to Ames to battle Orr, his players or the crowd.
Sadly, Hilton Magic appears gone. People still refer to it, but Hilton Coliseum isn't that scary environment any longer. The last few years under Greg McDermott, visiting teams have racked up some wins. Case-in-point, the Cyclones are a .500 team this season at 13-13.
But thanks for the memories Hilton Magic. It was a magical ride.
What are your favorite Hilton Magic moments?
Coach Johnny Orr was leading the Cyclones then and after one particular game, a beat writer described the Iowa State victory as Hilton Magic. The term would have a long life.
Orr put Iowa State on the basketball map. He would enter Hilton Coliseum to John Carson's Tonight Show theme. Orr would walk all the way to the visiting team's bench and clinch his fists to an adoring crowd. Orr became a celebrity. Orr was a big part of Hilton Magic.
His teams could play too. Visiting teams didn't want to come to Ames to battle Orr, his players or the crowd.
Sadly, Hilton Magic appears gone. People still refer to it, but Hilton Coliseum isn't that scary environment any longer. The last few years under Greg McDermott, visiting teams have racked up some wins. Case-in-point, the Cyclones are a .500 team this season at 13-13.
But thanks for the memories Hilton Magic. It was a magical ride.
What are your favorite Hilton Magic moments?
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