For those of you that attended both games....how did student attendance compare for the OU and KU games? I know there were a ton there for OU. Did attendance drop off a bit for KU?
I was thinking back to my early days at OSU. Hamilton was in his final season as our HC. I wasn't a huge basketball fan, and went to a couple of games, with buddies, just because it was something to do. Watching the passion/skill of guys like Byron Houston, Corey Williams and Darwyn Alexander had me hooked in short order. When Eddie came to town, the style of play/hustle made it even more enjoyable.
Fast forward to now....what I am thinking about is that there has to be a significant number of students, who attended the OSU and KU games, that are really looking forward to the Baylor game. Both of the last 2 games were against top 5 opponents. The team played well in both games and both were a lot of fun to watch. In both games, Evans put on a show that even a fringe bball fan can appreciate.
The GIA attendance issues are well documented. If Evans, and his teammates, can keep the fire burning, it seems realistic that student attendance, for the remainder of the season, can be what we all remember. If that happens, will it snowball into more and more alumni/season ticket holders coming to games? I think watching the packed, crazy student section, enjoying themselves so much, is a huge part of what makes attending games so much fun.
This post is really just a verbose way of endorsing the idea that winning is the answer to GIA attendance issues. But, I would add that having a player like Evans adds in a huge opportunity. Players like him don't come along that often. Smart was special, and while I think it is fun to watch a player put the team on his shoulders and refuse to lose, basketball is played with 5 men on the floor. I think fans would much rather watch a kid like Evans, who makes basketball a team sport and brings out the best in everyone on the floor.
I was thinking back to my early days at OSU. Hamilton was in his final season as our HC. I wasn't a huge basketball fan, and went to a couple of games, with buddies, just because it was something to do. Watching the passion/skill of guys like Byron Houston, Corey Williams and Darwyn Alexander had me hooked in short order. When Eddie came to town, the style of play/hustle made it even more enjoyable.
Fast forward to now....what I am thinking about is that there has to be a significant number of students, who attended the OSU and KU games, that are really looking forward to the Baylor game. Both of the last 2 games were against top 5 opponents. The team played well in both games and both were a lot of fun to watch. In both games, Evans put on a show that even a fringe bball fan can appreciate.
The GIA attendance issues are well documented. If Evans, and his teammates, can keep the fire burning, it seems realistic that student attendance, for the remainder of the season, can be what we all remember. If that happens, will it snowball into more and more alumni/season ticket holders coming to games? I think watching the packed, crazy student section, enjoying themselves so much, is a huge part of what makes attending games so much fun.
This post is really just a verbose way of endorsing the idea that winning is the answer to GIA attendance issues. But, I would add that having a player like Evans adds in a huge opportunity. Players like him don't come along that often. Smart was special, and while I think it is fun to watch a player put the team on his shoulders and refuse to lose, basketball is played with 5 men on the floor. I think fans would much rather watch a kid like Evans, who makes basketball a team sport and brings out the best in everyone on the floor.
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