Colorado men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle knows the roar of 10,000-plus inside Coors Events Center.
Just not lately.
The Buffaloes host two Pac-12 heavyweights this week — No. 4 Arizona State at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and No. 14 Arizona at noon Saturday — but it might prove difficult to crack five-figure attendance, like CU did a record 12 times through the 2012-13 season. That CU squad rode the momentum of an unlikely Pac-12 Tournament championship run. The 2018 Buffaloes (8-6, 0-2) enter their most prominent conference matchups in Boulder with less fanfare after an NIT berth.
CU drew an average of 6,946 in attendance after six nonconference games this season, good for sixth-most in the league. That total will undoubtedly rise with Pac-12 teams now visiting Boulder. But last season through all 17 home games the Buffaloes averaged just 7,772 — one year after an NCAA Tournament appearance — and fell more than 2,600 seats shy of their total in 2012-13 (10,392).
CU is not alone in its difficulty filling seats year-to-year, and it would appear success is not the only indicator. Arizona State ran off 12 consecutive wins to start the season, including eight at home, but managed an average attendance of just 7,919 in Tempe, far fewer than the Sun Devils’ Pac-12 counterparts at Utah (11,988) and Arizona (14,224).
How are teams taking steps to create more fan interest in attending games?
CU had sold 4,974 season tickets as of late Wednesday, a team spokesman said, and also created an incentive for extra support against the Sun Devils. For just $15, a general admission ticket will grant access to stand in the student section when purchased through the athletic department’s “Be a Student” program. More information can be found at cubuffs.com.
While these promotions might be short-term solutions, they show a concerted effort by CU to grant a wish from its head coach. Before the Buffaloes’ trip to Fort Collins earlier this season, Boyle made a point to emphasize the need for fan participation for the state’s biggest games.
Considering the strength of opponents, this week is no different for the Buffaloes.
“These games need to be sold out,” Boyle said.
Average Pac-12 basketball attendance (through Jan. 1): 6,961
1. Arizona: 14,224
2. Utah: 11,988
3. Arizona State: 7,919
4. Oregon: 7,336
5. UCLA: 7,305
6. Colorado: 6,946
7. California: 6,845
8. Washington: 5,798
9. Oregon State: 4,707
10. Stanford: 4,131
11. USC: 3,677
12. Washington State: 2,666
Average Mountain West basketball attendance (through Jan. 1): 6,173
1. San Diego State: 11,032
2. New Mexico: 10,474
3. UNLV: 10,096
4. Nevada: 8,155
5. Utah State: 7,028
6. Fresno State: 5,597
7. Boise State: 4,745
8. Wyoming: 4,585
9. Colorado State: 3,176
