As the classic Dad joke goes, there will be no more beer served at the Menominee Nation Arena this season.
The Wisconsin Herd lost the opener.
The Herd began their NBA G-League season on Friday night, taking one on the chin in a 129 to 111 loss to the Windy City Bulls. The home team had it close before the Bulls rolled late and built a huge lead.
Win or lose, it’s a pretty cool thing they have happening down in Oshkosh.
If you haven’t taken in a game in the first two seasons, make a point to get to the arena. Some of the world’s best players — just not quite at the level for the world’s greatest basketball league — take the floor in an arena that feels a lot like a really big high school field house. It’s huge dudes, big dunks, wicked blocks and pinpoint threes. The worst seat in the house is still a damned good seat.
And in the finest of minor league traditions, the Herd will sweeten the pot throughout the season. Theme nights and giveaways dot the schedule — and that’s where your Valley Review comes in.
We’ll let more knowledgeable websites handle player analysis and game breakdown. We, however, can give a pretty good swag preview.
The best giveaway will take place on Dec. 17. Mark your calendar and get your tickets early. It’s an MVP celebration and fans will take home a Giannis Antetokounmpo bobblehead.
A second bobblehead night will feature Herd mascot Pointer. There’s also a lunchbox giveaway on the schedule.
Theme nights will celebrate the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s with Herd jerseys mimicking Bucks jerseys of those eras. Film fans can take in a “Star Wars Episode III” night and “Office Space” Appreciation Day.
Giveaway nights are as follows:
Wed. Nov. 13: That 70s Herd license plate key chain
Sat. Dec. 7: holiday sweater koozie
Tues. Dec. 17: Giannis bobblehead
Thurs. Jan. 9: Bucks hat designed by Eric Bledsoe
Thurs. Jan. 16: lunchbox
Thurs. Jan. 30: Stranger Things Herd hat
Tues. Feb. 4: Pointer the Great bobblehead
Thurs. Feb. 13: fanny pack
Tues. Feb. 25: Herd Mardi Gras beads
Thurs. Feb. 27: “The One Where I Got a Free T-Shirt”
Fri. March 6: mouse pad
Tues. March 17: hands-free koozie
Sat. March 21: Team thank you poster
