The Univ. of Minnesota is coming off a second-round NCAA Tournament appearance last season, but men's basketball attendance has been "stagnant" this season, according to Marcus Fuller of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Overall attendance numbers at Williams Arena are down "slightly," mirroring a "national trend," with the average home crowd for UM games at 9,560, compared with 10,063 through seven home dates a year ago. Minnesota coach Richard Pitino said it has been "challenging, but I want the Barn to be packed," as it is a "fun environment to be in when it gets going." Fuller notes the season following Pitino's first NCAA Tournament appearance in '17, average home attendance in the first two months was 11,800, including "announced sellouts" of 14,625 against Miami and Harvard. D-I college hoops in general has seen average attendance drop to "record lows" the past few years. UM Assistant AD/Marketing Mike Wierzbicki said "everyone is dealing with the same attendance challenges." Fuller notes the schedule "plays a part, too." Pitino: "I beefed up the [nonconference] schedule. ... I've tried to reward our fans with some good nonconference games in the Barn because there's a loyal group there that wants to see that" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/5).
