Where are the students?

[blueblood]

The last couple games have had the student section one-third to one-half full.

Why? Is there some student boycott going on? I thought exams were next week, so what is the reason for the poor attendance?

[BandAid]

Sometimes the week before exams can be worse than the week of exams, especially as more professors switch to projects instead of exams.

But that's not a legitimate excuse. At least it wasn't when I was in school.

[Fireball]

As impressed as I was at the student turnout during the opening homestand for some non-prime time games, that's as disappointed as I am in the student section for the last couple. Amazing how the student section was never that barren during my time at Xavier, and we had to take buses to the game at the Gardens!

No excuse for a student turnout this light when all you have to do is walk across campus to the arena.

[Masterofreality]

I agree, WTF?

The week BEFORE exams should not be an issue. It's a two hour break for a basketball game with a short walk. No reason not to show.

Hell, we used to get more students over to Schmidt than I've seen in Cintas the last two games....and we sucked rocks as a team. C'mon, kids, step it up!

BTW. My Musketette Grad daughter and my future son-in-law were there- enschonched in Muskies/My seats. She texted that she'd never seen Cintas so empty as it was last night, so there is plenty of blame to be spread.

Add/edit. There was an official attendance last night of 9,086. That means that there were 200 less than Saturday- and most of those were empty student seats.

[UnCaged]

It was embarassing to see the student section that empty. I understand studying for a test, but taking 2.5 hours out of your day of sitting around and watching Maury Povich and Roseanne reruns isn't asking that much. Freshman and Sophomores, you can WALK TO THE DAMN GAME in 3-4 minutes.

I was at the Morehead game and I kept commenting on how great the student section was on that night. Just a ton of energy, organized chants and it was packed down there. The team is 7-3 not 1-9....this is not Fordham. Please present the University in a good light and show up to on campus games. You've been given a great, great thing...don't waste it (and make me yell at the tv screen while sitting on my couch).

[boozehound]

I thought that the students that were there last night were pretty fired up, but I agree that I can't recall seeing worse student attendance than these past few games.

The plus was that the wife and I were able to move down into some unoccupied student seats for the second half.

[BMoreX]

It's been half full since the Abilene Christian game. That one I can attribute to maybe some students skipping Tuesday classes and leaving for Thanksgiving Break early.

Not many excuses for a 2 PM Saturday game or a 7 PM Tuesday game.

[Cheesehead]

Calling all students! Show the f up. One day your 4 years (or 5) will be up and you will look back w/ regret on how much of loser you were for not going to the games. Now, buckle up and get to the friggin games!

[coasterville95]

Did anybody keep the TV on to watch Seton Hall. The prudential center was very empty. Seemed like people had entire rows to themselves.

We may have been bad, but we weren't that bad.

[nuts4xu]

It wasn't just the student section, the past 2 games our crowd has been very dismal. I don't know what to blame it on, but last night was about as empty as I ever remember that place. I have seen bigger crowds there for women's games that what showed up last night.

[blueblob06]

Crowd has been sparse for the last 2 games...pretty sad turnouts. Hope we get some energy in Cintas for the Wake/St John/Butler games as they are all before the semester starts back up.

I've seen e-mails and coupons for discount ticketes for these games so Xavier clearly has lots of empty seats to fill for those games.

[Juice]

Did anybody keep the TV on to watch Seton Hall. The prudential center was very empty. Seemed like people had entire rows to themselves.

We may have been bad, but we weren't that bad.

There were definitely some rows like that in the upper areas of Cintas last night.

[boozehound]

There were definitely some rows like that in the upper areas of Cintas last night.

There were some rows like that in the lower sections as well. Not good.

[sweet16]

I'm afraid apathy is setting in. Student section empty. Rows upon rows of empty seats throughout Cintas. Traffic down on messageboards. I wonder if there are leading indicators that signal programs in decline?

[casualfan]

Obviously you'd like the arena to be full for games, but the real problem won't show up until next year when those same people not showing up to games just flat don't renew.

I think most people looked at last year as an outlier. Sure attendance for games last year was down after the team started losing, but my understanding is that it had little affect on season ticket sales for this year as I think most people expected us to bounce back.

As we get further and further away from the Dez fallout and the struggles have developed into a trend I worry about what it will do to season ticket renewals next year.

I have a feeling a lot of those people not showing up to games will throw in the towel if these struggles continue.

[GoMuskies]

Traffic down on messageboards.

Other than PMI's disappearance, I'm not sure I follow.

And how did Sweet16 get so many green dots?!?

[drudy23]

We're no different than any other program...fans show up when you're really good or when expectations are high. Don't know that the fan base is feeling great in either regard...not saying the sky is falling mentality, but we're not that good now, and that leads to uncertainly overall.

[XU3232]

I would be worried about the program if it wasn't for the fact that we have an awesome recruiting class next year, which also happens to be our best ever. We just have to ride this year out and hope for the best until we finally have some shooters come in. We desperatley need it.

[Caveat]

Fans tend to get a little apathetic when their team gets taken to OT by Bowling Green (the same Bowling Green whose last tournament appearance happened before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon) and has to overcome a double-digit deficit to beat Evansville.

[Retire33]

Fans tend to get a little apathetic when their team gets taken to OT by Bowling Green (the same Bowling Green whose last tournament appearance happened before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon) and has to overcome a double-digit deficit to beat Evansville.

That's pretty sad; if that is the case. The environment in the arena has been toxic all year long. For fans to not show up for game they have already paid boggles the mind. There are plenty of opportunities through multiple channels to give those tickets to friends, families, and even charity. Leaving that many seats unused is not only selfish but fails on all level to "prove a point" if they are not attending as a way to protest status quo.

I can think of teams that started off similar and even worse during Miller, Matta, and Skip eras. People still attended in force. There is another dynamic out there causing such lack of attendance and fury in the arena.

As for the students, all I can say is that is a damn shame. Five minute walk to arena and you still don't show?? As a student athlete I would be embarrassed by the support and would use it as a motivator. As an administrator, I would looking yesterday to get solutions to the problem. Maybe they need to blackout FS1 on campus during games? (half joking of course)

[blueblood]

Do students have to pay for their tickets or does the school just hand them out?

[X-band '01]

I would say camping out for Shootout tickets, but I haven't seen a thread devoted to that yet.

Or maybe Luther Smith found a way to do a reflection session away from social media.

[XUFan09]

Do students have to pay for their tickets or does the school just hand them out?

School hands them out. You have to go to the ticket office ahead of time, but really, you can just walk up at game time if seats are still available.

[GoMuskies]

It's tough being a college student.

Oh, wait, actually it's not.

[Pablo's Brother]

I have seen bigger crowds there for women's games that what showed up last night.

Can we all agree Nuts went to the women's game because he thought the men were playing?

[vee4xu]

When I was at X the basketball was putrid, but I showed up to Schmidt pretty much every game. Living in Brockman and Husman over the years, that was a pretty long hike. So, agree no excuse especially for frosh and sophs. As a season ticket holder since the 'tas opened and attended almost every home game from C-bus, I have not been to a single game yet this year. Reasons are mostly personal and don't have much to do with how X is playing. But, I do feel better about my not going when they play games like BGSU and Evansville. As for the students, they need to be there to support the team. If not, then start selling their tickets to the public.

[Emp]

Things are much more competitive for Xavier students these days, in many ways. For starters, it costs a lot more, more debt is being assumed, a graduate degree is in play for many. Grades matter, a lot more than a basketball game, like it or not.

Even back in the day, when we played 12 home games ,not 17-18, it was rare for the lower level student seats at Schmidt to be filled unless it was Marquette or Dayton.

As for big open blocks of season ticket holders......18 home games is a lot, and three straight mid- to-lower level teams is just not much to raise expectations, especially when one can turn on the game in HD from the comfort of the den and the proximity of the refrigerator.

Is no one paying attention to attendance in Clifton? Why would Xavier be immune to the same ennui ? If seats are open for Gtown, Nova, Creighton, that's a another matter.

[xubrew]

College basketball is the ultimate fair weather sport. Everyone who frequents this board is a die hard, but most people are not.

Look at Miami FL. They played in front of a half empty house for years. Last year, they sold out every game once they got into the rankings. This year, the place isn't even half full.

Look at Maryland. Half empty.

Look at Iowa before last year. They were rammed when Alford was the coach, they were almost never full under Lickliter, and now that they're in the rankings they're sold out again.

Look at Michigan under Amaker. Look at them now.

Look at Mississippi State ten years ago. Sold out every game. Look at them now.

Same with Tennessee under Pearl. Look at them now.

Ole Miss, who has seemingly sucked for forever, was selling games out last year.

In basketball, if you don't have a tournament caliber team, even if you have brand name program, people won't show up. There are literally only two exceptions that I can think of. One is New Mexico, and the other I won't mention because the thread will derail if I do. Those are the only two programs I can think of where 10,000+ fans turn out even if the team is lousy for several years in a row. Even Indiana wasn't selling games out a few years ago. If a big time program has a bad year, the fans will usually still show up. Once they get into that second year.....forget it.

In college football, there are several mediocre teams that can still pack the stands. In college basketball, you have to win. Simple as that. That doesn't apply to anyone on this board, but it applies to the majority of people who "support" a program. They're only there if you're winning. That's true for Xavier. That's true for just about everyone.

With that being said, props to all those who are there.

[vee4xu]

Therein lies the difference. When Emp and I attended X Marquette and ND were the only games that may have filled the arena UD to some degree, but not the same as the others. Back then we went just to see what great basketball looked like despite watching X get thrashed to the tune of something like 94-57. Now, when we go to the Cintas Center, we all expect X to win, even when they play teams like Alabama, Wisconsin and other similar teams that X has beaten at home since the new arena opened. It is easier for today's kids to stay away because they no longer want to go and see PLAY a high level team, but want to BEAT that team. So, to Brew's point, the kids today don't show because X is no longer a cinch to beat every team that steps onto our home court. Not making the NCAA tournament last year didn't help support either. Ideally, we would love to see the students be there for every game, win or lose, good opponent or bad. However, human nature suggests otherwise. Many people succumb to the frontrunner, fair weather fan status when things are humming along. At least, I know I do and like many of you, I bleed Xavier blue. Winning cures many ills. Also, with new conference teams coming in for the first time, I think the students and the rest of us fans will be primed for that.

[xu82]

College basketball is the ultimate fair weather sport. Everyone who frequents this board is a die hard, but most people are not.

Look at Miami FL. They played in front of a half empty house for years. Last year, they sold out every game once they got into the rankings. This year, the place isn't even half full.

Look at Maryland. Half empty.

Look at Iowa before last year. They were rammed when Alford was the coach, they were almost never full under Lickliter, and now that they're in the rankings they're sold out again.

Look at Michigan under Amaker. Look at them now.

Look at Mississippi State ten years ago. Sold out every game. Look at them now.

Same with Tennessee under Pearl. Look at them now.

Ole Miss, who has seemingly sucked for forever, was selling games out last year.

In basketball, if you don't have a tournament caliber team, even if you have brand name program, people won't show up. There are literally only two exceptions that I can think of. One is New Mexico, and the other I won't mention because the thread will derail if I do. Those are the only two programs I can think of where 10,000+ fans turn out even if the team is lousy for several years in a row. Even Indiana wasn't selling games out a few years ago. If a big time program has a bad year, the fans will usually still show up. Once they get into that second year.....forget it.

In college football, there are several mediocre teams that can still pack the stands. In college basketball, you have to win. Simple as that. That doesn't apply to anyone on this board, but it applies to the majority of people who "support" a program. They're only there if you're winning. That's true for Xavier. That's true for just about everyone.

With that being said, props to all those who are there.


I can't disagree with anything here, but I want Xavier to be different and last nights attendance was disappointing. We don't have football or beaches to compete with. What else are we doing on a Tuesday night in Norwood? (Yeah, exams, I know... but a couple hour break?) The Xavier "brand" has been built around the hoops program. How many students never would have heard of Xavier if not for the prominence of the basketball program? I personally know only one current student and I know X was on his radar mostly because he followed college hoops. (His parents are Dukies, but we like them anyway.) You're right, winning cures all ills, but I walked all over campus (which i barely recognized) and saw students everywhere - except the game!

[X-band '01]

Exams are next week - I'd have a bigger problem with the coaches if they did schedule a game during exam week.

[94GRAD]

You want to know what's sad? Just saw a tweet that the student allotment for the Crosstown wasn't completely distributed today. 36 remain to be picked up tomorrow.

[Retire33]

You want to know what's sad? Just saw a tweet that the student allotment for the Crosstown wasn't completely distributed today. 36 remain to be picked up tomorrow.

That's terrible. No, terrible doesn't begin to explain the above.

[Nocalmuskie]

Great enthusiasm first few games, then seemed dead last night on TV and seems like they didn't use of allotment for Shoothout.

[Juice]

Let's get real. College students don't have shit to do. Spending two hours at a basketball game isn't a big deal, especially when the tickets are free.

[xubrew]

Whatever the shit is that they are doing, they obviously prefer it to going to the game.

[GoMuskies]

Whatever the shit is that they are doing, they obviously prefer it to going to the game.

I hope it's sex. If it is, I understand. If not, I hate them.

[vee4xu]

You want to know what's sad? Just saw a tweet that the student allotment for the Crosstown wasn't completely distributed today. 36 remain to be picked up tomorrow.

This is a far cry from the days not so long ago when XU students camped out in tent city for days prior to X distributing UC game tickets at Cintas.

[xu82]

Funny, I commented in the game thread before realizing this warranted it's own thread. It was shocking to me as I rarely attend in person. My son at FSU got a text from his friend at X wondering if a license plate up at Dana's was mine. I responded to tell him he needs to spend less time at Dana's and more time rounding up students to attend games! Or, maybe more of both... Enjoy your youth.

[Nocalmuskie]

Xavier fans are spoiled. If the team isn't winning every game by 30 fans get upset. Attendance MUST pick up if X is to be considered an elite program/

[StanleyOwnsYou]

The Ticket Office really dropped the ball on this one. I don't know all of the logistics but I know on MONDAY they required students to log on to their usual site for Shootout tickets. That is mistake #1. You can't expect the same requests for the UC game as normal home games, there is obviously going to be a huge demand from students. Apparently after you logged on, you were either chosen to get a ticket or not (kinda lame bc it is completely luck). Later on MONDAY, if you were lucky enough to be chosen, you had to go to Cintas and pick up a voucher of some sort that you would have to show them Today (WEDNESDAY) to pick up the physical ticket. 36 of these went unclaimed after today.

If the Ticket office as smart they would've said, in order to be put into the lottery to win UC tickets, you should be required to attend the Evansville game TUESDAY. Then, those students who attended would've been put into a lottery for the 800 or so tickets. Do the lottery and email them telling to pick up their tickets today with their All Cards.

[GIMMFD]

I'm a student here I'll explain everything if that's alright with you guys:

First, Crosstown Tickets: Students log online and claim their tickets, just like every other home game, I got on my computer at 1:20 (pick up was at 1:30) and was placed in line, every single ticket was sold out within 12 minutes actually. The tricky part is, that day you had to pick up your ticket from 5:15-7 at Cintas, or the next day from 9am-4pm at Cintas, the reason their are 36 more tickets is because 36 students did not pick up their tickets, I know some people camping out right now as we speak so they are guaranteed a ticket to the Shootout.

Attendance: Sure you guys went to college, I get that, but it's kind of hard when you have 5 papers due, and are studying for Biology based exams, it's hard to really get time out, all I really did the last week or so was study, sleep, and eat. Plus, a lot of people don't want to go to games like Abeline Christian, and Bowling Green where they aren't big time programs, the feel around campus these days are that we are going to wipe the floor with them. Refer to the atmosphere during Tennessee, that game felt pretty electric in my opinion.

Any other questions, please feel free to ask, I'll try to answer them from a student's perspective guys.

[SemajParlor]

Agreed. I was watching the Evansville game and just assumed it was during Finals week. When I found out it wasn't, I was shocked. What is going on?

Bring me back to early 2011 season. *cries*

[gladdenguy]

Blame it on Mike Sham. He is the dirty piece of dung.
I heard him say last night he didn't want to be there to a man on the floor. I threw a peanut shell and drilled him in the eye.
At least the students who were there didn't chant his pathetic name.
He is toxic. This program starting to feel the wrath.

[Xavier]

. Plus, a lot of people don't want to go to games like Abeline Christian, and Bowling Green where they aren't big time programs, the feel around campus these days are that we are going to wipe the floor with them. Refer to the atmosphere during Tennessee, that game felt pretty electric in my opinion.

Any other questions, please feel free to ask, I'll try to answer them from a student's perspective guys.

A lot of people don't want to go because they weren't playing a big time program. That's the problem. Use exam/studying as an excuse if you want, but that's not the real reason. Not a good sign of a strong student section. Though, when full, the student section has been great.

[GIMMFD]

A lot of people don't want to go because they weren't playing a big time program. That's the problem. Use exam/studying as an excuse if you want, but that's not the real reason. Not a good sign of a strong student section. Though, when full, the student section has been great.

True, but it's very hard to get up and be excited for a game when nobody has any damn idea about the other team. I'm not using it as an excuse, just a point on why the turn out may have been a little dry the last few games. I also think that it was way more fun being in the crowd when we were top 25, and had Tu and Lyons going off at any given point, sure we've seen Semaj do that, and yes I support this team through thick and thin, but some people just really aren't up for games like Evansville. I actually even forgot that we had a game that day to be quite frank. I think we need more buzz around campus, and more student give aways, because those really get the people in the crowds. People love getting free shirts, or the glow lights like Butler last year, I think we'll see a significant increase in student section support starting with the Big East play.

[Masterofreality]

Jeezuz, now I've heard all the excuses. "Not a big time program". It is a Top half of the Missouri Valley Conference program. Not chopped liver.

Hell, we went to games vs Union,Ky, Aquinas, and Thomas More for Gawds sake. C'mon. Show up.

[Juice]

Jeezuz, now I've heard all the excuses. "Not a big time program". It is a Top half of the Missouri Valley Conference program. Not chopped liver.

Hell, we went to games vs Union,Ky, Aquinas, and Thomas More for Gawds sake. C'mon. Show up.

Students are supposed to show up. That's why the cut out that entire section for them each game. And for the students to only want to show up for good opponents is bullshit.

[Milhouse]

As a '12 grad I echo the sentiment that the week before final exams is much worse than finals week.

Nearly every single class has a final paper/project due and THEN you've got exam prep on top of that.

Can't blame the students at all.

[ammtd34]

I guess I just took school a less seriously than that.

[GoMuskies]

Yes, students can be blamed. College just isn't that hard. You've got about 12 hours of actual commitments per week (and I know some work and that adds to it), and in most classes those are "soft" commitments. You can skip quite a few classes and still do just fine. Yes, there are papers and tests, but you can also stay up until the middle of the night to do all that.

To not be able to be bothered to take a break from the studies for two hours to walk about 100 yards to Cintas Center for a game? I don't get it. This generation of students apparently just do not think basketball is as important, which I guess is okay everywhere other than this messageboard. But it's hard for someone like me to understand it when they've got it so damned good and apparently don't even realize it.

[xubrew]

Some of my best friends went to every game and watched every away game on TV.

Some of my other best friends were vaguely aware that Xavier had a basketball team.

It was a weird realization to come to, but it is the reality. The vast majority of people don't care about it nearly as much as I do, or as the regular posters on this board do. They just don't. The ones that do are there, and it's silly to yell at them. The ones that don't can't understand why we would give a shit about them not going to something that they don't care about in the first place. I don't think they're lazy or spoiled. I think they're uninterested.

When the team and in the rankings and playing in big games, it's fun. The better you are, the bigger the games are. More people will come. As things stand now, the only people that are going to come out to the games are the diehards. We've actually got more of those than what most programs have, including big time programs. Kansas State, the octagon of Doom is pretty baron these days.

Like I said earlier, in basketball, you have to win at an NCAA Tournament level. If you do, they'll come. If you don't, they won't. Seemingly no matter who you are.

[Retire33]

I'm a student here I'll explain everything if that's alright with you guys:

First, Crosstown Tickets: Students log online and claim their tickets, just like every other home game, I got on my computer at 1:20 (pick up was at 1:30) and was placed in line, every single ticket was sold out within 12 minutes actually. The tricky part is, that day you had to pick up your ticket from 5:15-7 at Cintas, or the next day from 9am-4pm at Cintas, the reason their are 36 more tickets is because 36 students did not pick up their tickets, I know some people camping out right now as we speak so they are guaranteed a ticket to the Shootout.

Attendance: Sure you guys went to college, I get that, but it's kind of hard when you have 5 papers due, and are studying for Biology based exams, it's hard to really get time out, all I really did the last week or so was study, sleep, and eat. Plus, a lot of people don't want to go to games like Abeline Christian, and Bowling Green where they aren't big time programs, the feel around campus these days are that we are going to wipe the floor with them. Refer to the atmosphere during Tennessee, that game felt pretty electric in my opinion.

Any other questions, please feel free to ask, I'll try to answer them from a student's perspective guys.

Not going to games because the team is going to win is that elitist mentality that's been creeping into the fan base over the past five or so years. You are going to support your fellow student. You are going to show that support win or lose. Just because you think it will be out of hand is no reason not to go. The players work hard to represent the university and that should be reciprocated in students showing appreciation and supporting them 100% win or lose.

Not to mention, in sure some of those same players on the court have papers, exams, projects, etc due as well.

[xu drew]

This is a conversation that is not unique to Xavier. It is being seen and felt throughout much of both college and professional athletics, and in all different sports. In fact, it was even a topic down in Lexington of all places yesterday: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/12/11/2983413/john-clay-exploring-the-culprits.html

[GoMuskies]

Like I said earlier, in basketball, you have to win at an NCAA Tournament level. If you do, they'll come. If you don't, they won't. Seemingly no matter who you are.

There was one other exception to that rule you missed: Louisville. Louisville packed them in for a couple of really bad Denny Crum teams there at the end.

[RealDeal]

So if the games were still at the Gardens zero students would show up. Ok. Can you guys transfer to Mount St Joe? I think that's a better fit.

[ammtd34]

So if the games were still at the Gardens zero students would show up. Ok. Can you guys transfer to Mount St Joe? I think that's a better fit.

Hell, my brother went there and still went to every basketball game.

[xubrew]

There was one other exception to that rule you missed: Louisville. Louisville packed them in for a couple of really bad Denny Crum teams there at the end.

Very true. But, even then I don't think Crum ever missed the tournament twice in a row. Louisville was absolutely pathetic in his last season, though, and they still sold out every game. They even sold out every game of the conference tournament that year, which Louisville hosted. Louisville was eliminated in their first game, but people had already bought tickets for every game in case they advanced all the way to the finals, I guess.

I'm curious. How many years would it take of Louisville missing the tournament before fans stopped coming?? They did miss it twice in a row, but that was Crum's last year, and Pitino's first year, so there was still a lot of energy around the program. I don't think they could last for more than two years. Indiana didn't.

[blueblood]

Exam week preparation must be the answer, because the student section was filled for all of those other early season games against poor teams.

Kudos to the ones who work it into their schedule. They were loud and proud at the last couple games.

I'm guessing they've had 15 home games per year for the last 30 years, so I've probably attended 420 of those 450 games. I guess I can't relate to not being able to work it into the schedule.

[Milhouse]

http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2012/01/24/low-attendance-forces-duke-athletics-sell-student-seats


Problem at Duke too. Guess the Program's in huge trouble.

[Caveat]

Wait...people studied for exams in college?

[Juice]

Jeff Borzello ‏@jeffborzello 3m
UK fan called into @KySportsRadio and complained UK has become too focused on education. It's hilarious. Listen: http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/chester-questions-uks-priorities-in-one-of-his-best-calls/ …


This is one UK fan's take on the student attendance problem.

[X-band '01]

I wanted to think that was a planted call, but judging by the title of the blog, "Chester" is a regular on their show.

Other fanbases also have fans with similar mentalities, but they're just smart enough to not say it on a local radio show.

[danaandvictory]

Heh, last year Chester called in and blamed the liberal agenda for Kentucky's exclusion from the NCAA Tournament.

[boozehound]

Jeff Borzello ‏@jeffborzello 3m
UK fan called into @KySportsRadio and complained UK has become too focused on education. It's hilarious. Listen: http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/chester-questions-uks-priorities-in-one-of-his-best-calls/ …


This is one UK fan's take on the student attendance problem.

That is just awesome. I kind of wondered at first if it was a Louisville fan trying to make UK fans look stupid.

[X-band '01]

Yeah, because Louisville fans are that smart. Right Go?

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, because Louisville fans are that smart. Right Go?

We just know UK fans don't need any help in that regard.

[GIMMFD]

Not going to games because the team is going to win is that elitist mentality that's been creeping into the fan base over the past five or so years. You are going to support your fellow student. You are going to show that support win or lose. Just because you think it will be out of hand is no reason not to go. The players work hard to represent the university and that should be reciprocated in students showing appreciation and supporting them 100% win or lose.

Not to mention, in sure some of those same players on the court have papers, exams, projects, etc due as well.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely support them, I've only missed one game this season (Evansville), and I didn't miss a home game last year (barring breaks) and that was with Organic Chemistry and Physics in my schedule. It's just the cold hard facts however, some people love Xavier basketball, and will go all out and come to every game, and other people don't give two craps unless we are playing a good program. I think if we did damage in Battle 4 Atlantis that this wouldn't even be a question, and the student section would be packed because we would be ranked.

[Joshh967]

I hate when peoples dedication to the team is called into question. It may stink that the student section is not completely filled but when you drop that much on an education, you can't really "afford" to screw around.

[ammtd34]

I hate when peoples dedication to the team is called into question. It may stink that the student section is not completely filled but when you drop that much on an education, you can't really "afford" to screw around.

I certainly get your stance, but you're talking to a lot of people from the same school who did a lot of screwing around.

[Juice]

I hate when peoples dedication to the team is called into question. It may stink that the student section is not completely filled but when you drop that much on an education, you can't really "afford" to screw around.

Christ. Are we actually trying to pretend that college students do anything? We're talking about a group of people that is able to go out and drink at least 3 times a week (If you aren't, you are doing it wrong).

[RealDeal]

Christ. Are we actually trying to pretend that college students do anything? We're talking about a group of people that is able to go out and drink at least 3 times a week (If you aren't, you are doing it wrong).

Yep, if spending a few hours a week at a game is going to kill your GPA, I suggest you drop out and save the money. College isn't for everyone.

[Joshh967]

Well, I think as it was pointed out before that it's also closer to exam time. It's true students will screw around most the semester but I didn't know many that screwed around within a week or two of exams. Plus, you know, it's ok to have differing levels of fandom.

[Cheesehead]

As a '12 grad I echo the sentiment that the week before final exams is much worse than finals week.

Nearly every single class has a final paper/project due and THEN you've got exam prep on top of that.

Can't blame the students at all.

It's called time management and it's a skill you will need when you are really an adult. I somehow managed to do it as a student. Some of my best memories from X are from games.

Too bad you guys are whussies and missing out.

[GoMuskies]

I certainly get your stance, but you're talking to a lot of people from the same school who did a lot of screwing around.

In my experience, finals week was the easiest week of the school year.

[blueblob06]

No way I ever studied all day and night the week before finals (or any other time). I never understood the people who "crammed" at the end of semesters. At some point, you've done all you can do in a day and you're just mentally exhausted so you aren't going retain anymore. I knew one got that would get some worried about studying, papers, etc that he would throw up. Gotta give youself a break and time to relax and have fun. IT'S COLLEGE!!! Gotta enjoy it while you're there. CHERISH IT young men and women!

Above all, Go Muskies!

[Muskie in dayton]

Jeff Borzello ‏@jeffborzello 3m
UK fan called into @KySportsRadio and complained UK has become too focused on education. It's hilarious. Listen: http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/chester-questions-uks-priorities-in-one-of-his-best-calls/ …


This is one UK fan's take on the student attendance problem.

This, my friends, is the classsic Walmart Wildcat. By far the largest segment of UK's fandom.

NOT having fans like this is another reason I love X.

[blueblood]

Well, I think as it was pointed out before that it's also closer to exam time. It's true students will screw around most the semester but I didn't know many that screwed around within a week or two of exams. Plus, you know, it's ok to have differing levels of fandom.

If this "exam week preparation" is the reason it is a new phenomenon. In the past the student section has always been full until break started and the out-of-town students were gone.

But I've only been going to the games for 30 years, it might have been different before then. :)

[blobfan]

This is a far cry from the days not so long ago when XU students camped out in tent city for days prior to X distributing UC game tickets at Cintas.


Jeff Borzello ‏@jeffborzello 3m
UK fan called into @KySportsRadio and complained UK has become too focused on education. It's hilarious. Listen: http://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/chester-questions-uks-priorities-in-one-of-his-best-calls/ …


This is one UK fan's take on the student attendance problem.
It was worth wading through this entire thread to find this audio clip. Truly hilarious.

[Masterofreality]

With the cliffhangers of whether the NFL Playoff games would sell out or be Blacked out this weekend, seems like a good time to resurrect the discussion.

While football is played outdoors for the most part, even Indy was having trouble selling tix. It appears that the vast improvement in television technology is having a very large effect on whether people decide to leave their friendly, comfy confines to go to a game in person...even when parking is free and the tickets are reasonable. FS1 is doing a great job televising Xavier games in Hi Def and I can see where folks would rather lay on the couch and see multiple replays from various angles. No doubt that the in-person game experience is cool, but TV is free.

Xavier is probably better positioned than most to still get good game site crowds, just because we are all so loyal to the school and people continue to pay their Premium Seat fees. I do believe that all sports, especially the pros, are going to have more trouble filling seats as TV's continue to get bigger and clearer with awesome sound systems.

[NY44]

I think it's clear what's happened. We joined the Big East and suddenly the best games of the year switched from non-conference to conference play. I graduated last year and the biggest games I can remember were all out of conference, Butler, Purdue and UC obviously come to mind. The only A10 game that was consistently as hyped as any of those was Dayton. The passionate basketball head fan was there for every game, but there's probably not a student section worth of those kids. When you get the students who are there to be part of the the "big" campus event of that week and don't really care about the season, is when the student section is off the wall. Those games are usually televised, primetime, and close to the weekend, when there's no reason not to go and everyone you know is going too.

I can vividly remember people who would only go to Dayton and UC games. I can understand that these people don't want to go see Gardner-Webb or travel to school on New Years Eve from wherever they are. I once made the drive from home in NY over break for the Florida New Years Eve game. I was then surprised how few people made much shorter trips to the game, but looking back, I may have been the crazy one. I expect every home game from here on out, besides maybe Depaul and Seton Hall, to be wild. There are plenty of freshmen who were probably sold on Xavier just because of the Big East.

[xumuskies08]

I think it's clear what's happened. We joined the Big East and suddenly the best games of the year switched from non-conference to conference play. I graduated last year and the biggest games I can remember were all out of conference, Butler, Purdue and UC obviously come to mind. The only A10 game that was consistently as hyped as any of those was Dayton.

Disagree. It's not like we jumped from the Big Sky or something up to the Big East. The A10 is great conference. I don't think the reason the students didn't show up for a couple games was because we are in the Big East.

[NY44]

Disagree. It's not like we jumped from the Big Sky or something up to the Big East. The A10 is great conference. I don't think the reason the students didn't show up for a couple games was because we are in the Big East.

The quality of our home non-conference schedule has steeply declined this year. Whether that was caused by the Big East transition is up for debate. For example, in 2011-12 we got Georgia, Purdue, Cincinnati and Gonzaga at home. If I'm not mistaken, 3 of those teams were ranked when they came to Cintas. This year we got Tennessee and Wake Forest.

[coasterville95]

Sports in general will need to adapt to the fact that the television experience is starting to surpass the in stadium experience.

The picture quality is much improved, you generally get to see the game from angles unimaginable in the stadium. (Even if it is the hanging from the bottom of the score cube upside down drunk experimental cam they tried a season or two ago), you get to sit in the comfort of your family room, with your food, your beer, a private restroom. You get to see controversial instant replays they won't show in the arena. Factor in parking and traffic and white death. And in the NFLs case insane ticket prices. $100 for top row of canopy to sit in freezing rain and snow, or Watch on CBS in HDTV. Even if I went to the game I would have bought from 333 seat and payed that same $100 to sit like 21 rows from the field in the end zone.


Oh and to whomever said Fox Sports 1 is free, may I send you my cable bills now? thanks.

[XUFan09]

Disagree. It's not like we jumped from the Big Sky or something up to the Big East. The A10 is great conference. I don't think the reason the students didn't show up for a couple games was because we are in the Big East.

The A10 is a decent conference with nowhere near the same prestige as the Big East. And like NY44 said, this wasn't exactly an awesome non-conference slate.

[xumuskies08]

The A10 is a decent conference with nowhere near the same prestige as the Big East. And like NY44 said, this wasn't exactly an awesome non-conference slate.

I can buy the reason the students didn't show up for a couple games was because the non-con was less than stellar. I can't buy the reason the students didn't show up for a couple games was because we are in the Big East.

[xumuskies08]

The quality of our home non-conference schedule has steeply declined this year. Whether that was caused by the Big East transition is up for debate. For example, in 2011-12 we got Georgia, Purdue, Cincinnati and Gonzaga at home. If I'm not mistaken, 3 of those teams were ranked when they came to Cintas. This year we got Tennessee and Wake Forest.

This year's home schedule has definitely been lighter than past seasons. Most non-con games are scheduled years in advance. Bobo (he was responsible for this years non-con) would've had to have some incredible foresight to schedule this year lighter than past years in anticipation if is moving to the Big East. Anything's possible, I guess.

Anyway, off to the game.