Big Ten Attendance: A-a-a-and we're into hoops

Last week there was a good deal of conversation about the need for "bigger" games to draw out Rutgers football fans.  And I understand that there is definitely a culture change - a paradigm shift, if you will (I love writing that) - that needs to take place.  And overall Rutgers did pretty well in attendance in its first year in the B1G.  But how did we compare, season long, to other schools, in terms of consistency. Obviously some teams had far worse or better year's on the field than RU and most have far more history and tradition. So what happened?  I'm glad you asked.

Everyone draws better for conference games, it seems.  And there definitely is an erratic pattern for most schools.  I did not check weather conditions or the records of teams.

ATTENDANCE THROUGH NOVEMBER 22 (B1G contests in red)

So, we weren't alone in seeing erratic and/or declining attendance.  And while I want to see better, we weren't the only school that had "issues".  I did believe, though, that the excitement of being in the B1G would do more.

And for all those folks who want to expand the stadium to, say, 70,000, let's keep all these numbers in mind. Fill what you've got first.

Attendance 'Round the Big Ten: football

As far as percent capacity, Nebraska led the way in what turned out to be a pretty significant West Division contest. And despite the 94+% announced at MSU, it didn't always look like a very big crowd at Spartan Stadium on TV. It was a pretty nasty day and by the third quarter, TV couldn't help but find large pockets of empty seats.

Rivalry Time in the B1G

Okay, they aren't all true "rivalry" games, but a bunch are.  And some could be.  Here's what's up this coming weekend.  We'll see what kind of numbers they draw.

And now....heeeeere's Basketball

When you have the smallest arena in the conference, it's sort of painful to review attendance.  But, we have to write about something.  And the thing is, whether it's an 8,000 seat arena in Piscataway or a 19,000 seat arena in Columbus, you want to fill it and make it a great home court.  Right, Dave?

So, while we'll write about the numbers (and cringe while doing it), it's important to simply get bodies in there and then get them excited and loud.  And by the way, folks at Rutgers, all we need are about 200 more seats and we jump ahead of Northwestern in capacity.

So, how did we do for the first week or so as a Big Ten team?

From the "Old habits die hard" file.....

Schadenfreude, or our weekly look at Syracuse football basketball attendance.

We won't be doing this anymore since those guys have a football stadium to play in. But, for what it's worth, Jim Boeheim and Co. opened with their usual array of creampuffs with the following results.