The Xavier men's basketball team's hot start this season has "carried over to the ticket office," as the team is "on pace to set the school's all-time attendance record," according to Steve Watkins of the CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER. Xavier, which is 15-2 and at No. 10 ranking in both national polls, is averaging 10,402 fans per game at Cintas Center to date, "well ahead of last season's record attendance of 10,282 per game." The team has already matched last season's mark of 12 sellouts, and upcoming games against Marquette, Georgetown and No. 1-ranked Villanova "will sell out, too." Cintas Center this season has a "slightly lower capacity than in the past" due to renovations. The current 10,224 capacity is "down slightly this year from 10,250 because of wider seats in the lower section near the court." Meanwhile, Xavier AD Greg Christopher said that sponsorships also "are on the rise." Christopher: "Our sponsorship numbers have been growing each of the last three years. That's a strength of our program, and our TV visibility has helped" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/9).
WELCOME ADDITIONS: In Indianapolis, David Woods noted the addition of Xavier, Butler and Creighton has "elevated the Big East" in national relevance. Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said the schools have been "phenomenal" since joining the conference in '13. Willard: "What's great now is our fans understand how great a basketball that Butler, Xavier and Creighton play. And they want to come out and watch." Woods noted Creighton was "fifth in the nation last year with average home crowds of 17,412, and has been in the top 25 in each of the past 12 seasons" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/9).
