Million Fan Update?

[ISUbballfan]

I don't remember who was keep the HoopScoop Million Fan March totals. I was wondering if you could give an update.

[schooner2]

Taking attendance from when we all compiled the numbers January 24th, I added in attendance through games of January 30th. Here is where the Big 12 stands:

<pre style="font size: 10pt;">
KSU 65,239
TTU 106760
BU 51477
UT 60984
ISU 111271
TAMU 18047
KU 9297
OU 38589
NU 30257
CU 25282
MU 19872
OSU 20595
Total 557,670
</pre>

[CyRox98]

It just mystifies me as to why OU's numbers are so low. They have had nothing but success the last three years, but the fans still won't fill the LNC. We were surprised while watching some of the OU/KU game and the relative lack of fans in the stands. Granted, this was Kansas coming to town, but I sorta expected a better turnout. OU should be averaging 7,000 to 9,000 a game this season, in my opinion. Anyone have any ideas on what's (or what is NOT) happening there? Just curious to hear what Sooner fans have to say...

[schooner2]

They're not low really. Oklahoma has only played 8 home games all year. Adding in the Kansas game yesterday, OU is averaging 5480 a game. OU is averaging 6903 per game in conference play (4 games). That probably puts us behind ISU, TTU, and KSU. But that is it.

Granted we haven't seen the meteoric rise of an Iowa State or Kansas State here, but it is a steady, solid increase. Last year, Oklahoma averaged 3872 per game during conference play. That's a 78.3% increase in attendance so far this season. I'm quite pleased with that.


[This message has been edited by schooner (edited 02-03-2002).]

[CyRox98]

I don't know, it just seems like people aren't buying into the OU program the way I would have expected them to, especially considering the size of the metro area the school is in (more than twice the size of the Des Moines metro - which doesn't even include Ames).

But then, I'm a fan who has been disappointed in Iowa State's attendance all year also. Our numbers are not where they have been the last two years. This year, we should have had over 13,000 for Tech on a Saturday. It was listed at over 12 (which was generous), but the place was not that full. Ok, so I'm hard to please when it comes to this stuff. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by CyRox98 (edited 02-03-2002).]

[schooner2]

The men don't draw real well here either. It's talked about a lot on local sportsradio. Everything has been suggested as a reason such as OU has a dominant football team so fans aren't likely to dish out more money to watch sports past football.

[swok34]

Considering last years attendance when Texas A & M came to town...
1405, 5254 is actually pretty good. I think the OU/Texas men's game on TV may also have affected the attendance, it started at 3 pm and was on TV. I noticed that Fox tends to show the "west" side and the areas behind the basket........most fans tend to sit on the east side, first.....even in the upper levels before they sit on the east side of the arena.

[soonerborn]

Another reason for the low attendance on Saturday could have been the ice storm that knocked out power to thousands of Oklahomans last Wednesday. Fans may have been at home - stocking up on the dry ice or trying to get the broken trees out of their front yard - not a good Saturday for basketball. I agree with Swok34 regarding where the fans sit - the majority of fans are on the east and southeast side. The Sooners shoot the second half at the south goal.

[This message has been edited by soonerborn (edited 02-05-2002).]

[Big12Bear]

I just don't see us reaching the goal. I know we had 800,000+ last year, which is still very good, and we lead the nation in attendance this year too.

Is that KU total correct? 9,000 is pathetic! They get close to twice that for ONE mens game.