[NU Sports] Basketball fans

[John Labbe]

Other than students and Pres. Bienen, does the basketball team have any 
fans?  I've been meaning to raise this question all season.

I was able to attend eight games this season.  Unlike football, there 
are too many games to attend them all, especially when they're on 
weeknights.

But even for Saturday Big Ten games, I'm usually unimpressed with the 
attendance of season ticket holders.  The purple seats are usually only 
about half to two thirds filled.  In contrast, there are usually more 
opposing team fans in the upper level, making more noise than our own 
fans (with the exception of the students).

I understand all the usual issues---we don't have as a big of a local 
fan base as other teams, we haven't been good historically, opposing 
teams' fans just get one Chicago game every year, etc., but it would be 
nice to see a better turnout from time to time.  Apparently many of the 
tickets are sold (purple seats), but the people just aren't attending.

President Bienen attends every game.  He sits on the center aisle just 
about 2 or three rows down from the break.