In Reply to: OT: I watched some of the Tennessee - Mississippi State game posted by mh on September 27, 2025 at 23:39:44
I can understand that it's annoying to watch a State home game. It's a pretty horrible ruckus.
But, it doesn't give them a big competitive advantage. My recollection is that the bells were banned for quite a long time, they even would do a "bell search" when you entered the stadium. Had buckets where you could leave your bell and pick it up after the game. That lasted for quite a while. And, it didn't work well.
So, after many years of failed enforcement, they made a deal, at the ref's signal, the bells have to stop ringing (like how the home band can't play while the opposing O is lined up, the bells can't be clanked). There is a penalty if they clank after the no-clank signal. So, it's not a competitive advantage.
It is obnoxious to hear on the tv. You know the cure for that.
I agree about props to distract the free throw shooter. Shouldn't be legal. But, players seem to handle it pretty well.
About 30 years ago a friend brought one of those plastic horn things. At the world cup that was in South Africa they called them "vuvuzela's." I was in heaven. I blasted that thing all night. They are loud! UCLA fans should adopt the vuvuzela.
Best part was when the band would play Iron Man, I'd join in on the vuvuzela. I found that hilarious. The blue hairs around me, not so much.