Last season, I rejoiced at the 6,060 non-conference attendance average the program enjoyed. That was a 49% increase over the previous four-year average, and, when factoring in improvement in conference attendance, helped the program notch the nation's most improved attendance average over a four-year period.
The thing is, those numbers pale in comparison to what we're seeing in 2012-13. Despite playing one fewer home game than in 2011-12, CU crushed the non-conference attendance numbers from last season, 61,513 to 42,418. Buoyed by record-setting season-ticket sales, the per-game average of 10,252 is a 69% increase over '11-'12's numbers. That includes CU's all-time single-game attendance record: the 11,708 that showed up to see the CSU game.
Hell, the Buffs drew 10,228 on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of winter break against Hartford. That's right, despite the lures of ski season, the Hartford Hawks are now facing the same environment once reserved for only the KU game. In fact, only one of the six home games played this season has taken place in front of a crowd of less than 10k (Texas Southern).
It's been an incredible time to watch CU basketball, and the CEC is solidifying it's new-found reputation as a difficult place to steal a win from. Yes, some of those numbers have appeared slightly inflated, probably coming from the "tickets sold" vs "butts-in-seats" debate, but the GA sections have been packed, and tickets are scarce. I hope you've made your plans, and grabbed your seats already, because by the time Cal and Arizona come to town, there won't be any more room at the inn.
GO BUFFS!
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