Aug. 30, 2012
Albuquerque, N.M. — For the 46th consecutive year, the University of New Mexico men’s basketball program has finished in the top 25 in attendance, ranking 16th according to the official NCAA attendance report, released today. UNM led the Mountain West and was one of three MW teams in the top 30.
The Lobos have been in The Pit for 46 years, and UNM has never finished lower than 23rd in any of those year. The 2011-12 season is the second consecutive season that the Lobos finished 16th in attendance. According to the NCAA, New Mexico averaged 14,454 fans per game last year for UNM’s 16 home games (UNM reports 14,455, but the NCAA doesn’t round up).
Kentucky led the nation in attendance, averaging 23,721 fans per game, and it was followed by Syracuse and Louisville in the top three. The Lobo were the top team in the Mountain West, one slot ahead of UNLV, which was 17th with an average attendance of 14,025. San Diego State was 29th at 12,096, giving UNM three teams in the top 30.
UNM under head coach Steve Alford is extremely successful in The Pit, going 77-10 in his first five seasons at New Mexico. He understands the fans’ passion, and the home court advantage that UNM’s fans give to the Lobos.
“We have the best fan base anywhere, and our fans prove their loyalty and passion every year,” said Alford.
New Mexico has 16 homes games next season, including eight non-conference matchups that feature six postseason teams, four of which were conference champions. The 2012-13 season will begin at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 12 when the Lobos host Davidson on ESPN as UNM takes part in the ESPN 24 Hours of College Basketball Marathon.
Rank School G Attendance Average 1. Kentucky 18 426,978 23,721 2. Syracuse 19 448,736 23,618 3. Louisville 20 430,052 21,503 4. North Carolina 18 362,867 20,159 5. Wisconsin 18 309,255 17,181 6. Creighton 16 266,632 16,665 7. Tennessee 19 314,321 16,543 8. Ohio St. 20 330,210 16,511 9. Indiana 19 312,770 16,462 10. Kansas 17 279,557 16,445 11. Memphis 20 324,670 16,234 12. BYU 16 246,777 15,424 13. Marquette 16 242,205 15,138 14. Illinois 18 269,739 14,986 15. Michigan St. 18 266,346 14,797 16. New Mexico 16 231,262 14,454 17. UNLV 19 266,469 14,025 18. Vanderbilt 18 246,561 13,698 19. Arizona 18 244,829 13,602 20. North Carolina St. 19 257,638 13,560 21. Purdue 17 226,504 13,324 22. Maryland 17 224,090 13,182 23. Arkansas 21 275,020 13,096 24. Iowa St. 18 234,266 13,015 25. Kansas St. 16 204,527 12,783