I’ve written before about the atrocities committed by Arizona Diamondbacks fans at the end of last season, when Chase Field didn’t sell out for the final NLDS home game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Now I’m afraid I’m going to have to address an issue much closer to home for ASU students: Attendance for the ASU men’s basketball team this season has been downright pitiful.
Granted, ASU (7–16, 3–8 Pac-12) is having a rough go at it thus far. The Sun Devils have dropped games to some cupcake opponents (Fairfield, NAU), struggled with suspensions and have been near the bottom of the conference standings for the entire season. Obviously, ASU hasn’t exactly been wooing people to Wells Fargo Arena with their play.
Regardless of how this team is faring in 2011-12, men’s basketball is supposed to be the school’s marquee winter sport. The fact that the Sun Devils are only drawing an average of 5,178 fans through the first dozen home games — which translates to roughly 48 percent of total capacity — indicates that ASU has a very fickle fan base.
There’s no doubt that if the Sun Devils were having a good season, there would be a lot more butts in the seats.
Just look at the football numbers from this past fall, when ASU had the largest average attendance increase in the nation at 11,064 more fans per game, thanks to snazzy new digs and ultra-high expectations.
If the basketball team received half the preseason hype the football team did, Wells Fargo Arena wouldn’t look so barren on game days.
It seems to me the allegiance of Sun Devil fans fluctuates from season to season, based on how well the team is doing. This is the worst type of fan base a team can have. When the squad is losing, they need support more than ever.
However, the loyal fans that have stuck by ASU’s side during this trying time are sure to be rewarded. This is a team that’s still searching for its identity. There is not a single senior on this year’s roster, and the young Sun Devils are still adjusting to the learning curve. This most likely explains ASU’s inconsistencies on the court as well as its behavioral problems off of it.
Also, don’t forget the Sun Devils have a solid leader at the helm. Coach Herb Sendek isn’t one to let his program wallow in mediocrity for too long, and I, as well as all of Sun Devil nation, should have confidence in this guy as he undergoes a rebuilding year.
The good news for ASU fans is that they, just like the players, always have room for improvement. While we must be patient for the team to come into its own, the fan base can begin improving itself this weekend. The Sun Devils play host to Utah (5–18, 2–9 Pac-12) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday before taking on Colorado (16–7, 8–3 Pac-12) at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
This home stand will serve as a good opportunity for ASU to get a pair of conference wins under its belt. The Utes are Pac-12 cellar-dweller buddies with USC, and the Buffaloes are beatable if the Sun Devils bring their “A” game.
Being a fan is like being married, ASU. You’ve got to stand by your team through thick and thin, ‘til death do you part.
Reach the columnist at kjnewma2@asu.edu
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