Just like the Binghamton men’s basketball team will be doing on the court, the BU Zoo will use tonight’s game against Division II Mansfield as a practice for the rest of the season. In today’s installment of the BU Zoo guidelines, we offer intermediate techniques for fans that have been to some games before, but haven’t taken the next step.

Know your own.

Get to know your team. Read Pipe Dream’s basketball preview before the season starts, and you’ll find out all you need to know about our players —who’s the superstar, who’s the raw talent, who’s going to make big improvements this year.

Know the players’ names and nicknames. Don’t be that guy who cheers, “Let’s go Bearcats,” after Duane James slams a dunk home. Instead, chant, “King James!” or “All hail King James!” After Andre “Ya Heard?” and Sebastian “Sea-Bass” Hermanier graduated last year, there could be a lack of quality nicknames on this year’s squad. Make them up as the season goes along. Newcomers Rich Forbes and Marvin Lee could be called “Forbes 500” and “Marvin the Martian,” for example. Improvise.

Don’t stop there. Get to know the cheerleaders and go crazy when they pull off a tough flip. And of course, cheer for Steve, the male cheerleader. When the band plays “Let’s Go Band,” sing, “Let’s Go Steve!”

Know what to do when Binghamton gets fouled.

After a foul is called against the other team, shout “You! You! You! You! Ooooon you!” It’s tough to coordinate but fun to do.

When our player goes to the line, be quiet, put your hands up and show your spirit fingers. If the shot goes in, pull your arms in and say, “Whoosh!” This has a pretty cool effect when everyone does it.

Know what to do with opponents’ free throws.

When an opponent goes to the line at the opposite end of the floor by the Junior Bearcats, chant “Pizza Box!” over and over until Pizza Box Guy comes out and psyches out the shooter. Pizza Box Guy first harassed the opposition at last year’s game against New Hampshire, the second-best free throw shooting team in the country. Much to the delight of the Zoo, UNH shot just 57 percent from the line that night.

For those who don’t know Pizza Box Guy, it’s Michael Quinn, the sophomore catcher for BU’s baseball team. Sorry to call him out, but he’s desperately needed this season. There’s nothing intimidating about a bunch of Junior Bearcats waving the box around.

When the opponent shoots on the BU Zoo’s side, traditionally we go crazy and shout insults at the player. I don’t think that’s the best idea. Neuroscientist Daniel Engber actually conducted a study of the science of free throw distractions. His report said, “When you see a lot of little objects moving crazily back and forth, all the different motion signals that get sent to the brain cancel each other out.”

I propose we take a hint from the Cameron Crazies from Duke on this one. When the player lines up for his shot, point your arms upward and toward the left. As he begins the shooting motion, shift your arms to the right. If everyone does this, it disorients the shooter. Engber’s study explains, “If I were at the free-throw line as the world drifted to the right, my shooting motion would automatically compensate for what I perceived to be my own motion to the left.”

Bobbing for 3’s.

When our player hits a three-pointer, jump up and down and shout “oooooh!” on the ensuing defensive possession. This one’s also stolen from Duke, but it’s a staple of most cheering sections in the country, including the BU Zoo.

See you at the game tonight. I’ll be the idiot trying to coordinate the new free throw distraction.