Fran has done well, but Iowa Basketball simply does not occupy where it once did in this State

[JRHawk2003]

Looking at the UMKC crowd and likely crowd tonight for W. Illinois I wonder where the fan base went. Iowa Basketball was huge in the 80's and 90's. I go when I can. I remember when they would get a full house for a game like this. Those days are gone. Sure, Alford and Lick hurt, but that can't explain all of it. I think the BTN did somewhat as well.

What happened?

 

[DanL53]

1) Thousands of fans were in Indianapolis.
2) The schedule reflects the values of the Big Ten, television revenue. Late games during the week, no Big Ten games at home on Saturday, morning games.
3) Attendance is becoming an issue all over the country. Iowa was top 20 in attendance last year.
4) Attributing to the overall attendance problems, probably the biggest reason, is cheap High Definition televisions and numerous sports channels.
5) In the 1990's College basketball earned 6% in a poll about which sport was a person's favorite. That same poll today reflects half that, 3%. I suggest it is the nature of the game, the way it is called, the television timeouts, and that the "stars" leave early for the pros.

Fran has done a remarkable job, but he can't fix these problems.

 

[C/Seahawk]

Looking at the UMKC crowd and likely crowd tonight for W. Illinois I wonder where the fan base went. Iowa Basketball was huge in the 80's and 90's. I go when I can. I remember when they would get a full house for a game like this. Those days are gone. Sure, Alford and Lick hurt, but that can't explain all of it. I think the BTN did somewhat as well.

What happened?

I thought once Iowa returned to being a consistent winner attendance would change and get back to what we were accustomed to in the late 80's, 90's and even the early 00's. However, I think its pretty clear except for major games, especially on the weekends, we're never going to see attendance like we did before, and this isn't just an issue for Iowa, its happening across the country. First, unlike football, we have very few home games on Saturday afternoon, the ideal time to stage a game. With the cable companies and BTN directing the schedule and time slots, it is not appealing to go to many of the games. These mid week late tip-offs are killers for anyone that lives more than 30 miles away from Carver, especially if you are more than an hour and a half drive, just really tough to do. Folks were willing to go the extra mile 20 years ago because watching on TV wasn't the same as it is today. Now with HD, large screens and the comforts of our own homes to watch every game, traveling 180 miles round trip on a weekday night getting home past midnight just isn't appealing anymore, at least to a large percentage of the fan base. There will always be a segment of the fanbase that will go no matter what, but now more than ever the University really has to appeal to the students and folks that live within a 30 mile radius of campus.

 

[StormHawk42]

Not having any home B1G Saturday games this year is really going to hurt attendance most likely.

Attendance will however likely pick back up soon since FB is basically over. That's kinda the trade off with having a football-first school. Regular folks like myself only have so much $$$ to spread between the two teams.

Of course, Carver not exactly being a great bball arena doesn't help either. If a new arena is ever designed, it needs to 1) be an actual bball arena and not a wrestling arena and 2) only hold about 11 or 12k

 

[JRHawk2003]

I have no doubt that attendance will pick up for the Big 10 season once football is over.

There was a nice Thursday-Saturday schedule back then with all games on statewide free TV. It just had a lot more exposure too. Now you have to have BTN and the times move all over.

I agree with other reasons posted here. I guess I figured it would come back more than it has.

Wasnt the Carver remodeling going to add some suites and take out some seats? That might not be a bad idea. I agree you don't need an arena over 12K anymore.

 

[CeMar_Clone]

Only about 200 single game tickets left for the remainder of the year in Ames. 10 of the 13 games already sold out.

 

[StormHawk42]

As they should. If Iowa were a top 5 team, this likely wouldn't be a thread. Don't get me wrong, the Cyclones almost always outdraw Iowa in recent memory, but it's not surprising to have a top 5 team (which is also a bball school) sell out every game.

 

[JRHawk2003]

Only about 200 single game tickets left for the remainder of the year in Ames. 10 of the 13 games already sold out.

Enjoy this year.

Also, when your football program is non existent its easier.

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

ISU has a much bigger city nearby. But yes, obviously the biggest factor is the top 5 team.

That's more than Iowa basketball can say in Damn near a generation. Despite how last year ended, ISU has had a much better program in recent years then Iowa. Did you really need to come here seeking our validation on that?

 

[C/Seahawk]

Only about 200 single game tickets left for the remainder of the year in Ames. 10 of the 13 games already sold out.

You are also a basketball school with a heck of a run the past five years or so, plus you have a a football program that is a cellar dweller and rarely goes to a bowl game, so I would be shocked if your arena weren't full every game. CycloneNation eagerly awaits basketball season as their football team finishes in the bottom of the league nearly every year and fails to go to a bowl game 80% of the time.

 

[DanL53]

In 2014 Iowa averaged 14,972 in paid attendance. Iowa State averaged 14,192. I may be wrong but that's pretty much a sellout in Hilton. Congrats?

 

[CanadaHawk]

In 2014 Iowa averaged 14,972 in paid attendance. Iowa State averaged 14,192. I may be wrong but that's pretty much a sellout in Hilton. Congrats?

This is the real story here. In spite of their success on the court, Iowa still draws more than ISU.

 

[DanL53]

This is the real story here. In spite of their success on the court, Iowa still draws more than ISU.

Yes, and I just looked it up. Hilton holds 14,384 so State fans can't even claim they are selling all their games out. But the bigger picture is probably that in Iowa we don't have pro sports to get in the way so perhaps we are a tad insulated from the attendance issues plaguing the rest of the nation? I don't know. I do know though that when we are in the top twenty, we aren't the ones with the worst problems.

 

[CyCity]

In 2014 Iowa averaged 14,972 in paid attendance. Iowa State averaged 14,192. I may be wrong but that's pretty much a sellout in Hilton. Congrats?

Paid attendance doesn't help much when half the people don't show up like it's happening now. Just a perfect storm of bad timing for Iowa so far with the football buzz. If it is still only 2/3 full in January during B1G play then that will probably be something to be concerned about

 

[DanL53]

Paid attendance doesn't help much when half the people don't show up like it's happening now. Just a perfect storm of bad timing for Iowa so far with the football buzz. If it is still only 2/3 full in January during B1G play then that will probably be something to be concerned about

Yeah, that's something the Cyclones don't have to worry about. But I'm sure nobody buys tickets to an Iowa game without intention to use them. The students though, I've always wished there was a really good method for them to sell their tickets to someone else. I understand they can, but the process is difficult.

 

[hawkit3113]

Yes, because we should all rush out and get our tickets for the University of Mizzo at KC. Give me a break OP.

 

[Vbeachawk]

I don't know how you would get it done, but Iowa needs to find a way to get a lot more students to the games.

 

[silasstarr]

Not having any home B1G Saturday games this year is really going to hurt attendance most likely.

Attendance will however likely pick back up soon since FB is basically over. That's kinda the trade off with having a football-first school. Regular folks like myself only have so much $$$ to spread between the two teams.

Of course, Carver not exactly being a great bball arena doesn't help either. If a new arena is ever designed, it needs to 1) be an actual bball arena and not a wrestling arena and 2) only hold about 11 or 12k

Iowa doesn't have any Sat BT home games but they do have a bunch of Sunday games. What's the difference?

 

[LuteHawk]

Welcome to the 21st Century:

1. The Big Ten Network has carved out a nice niche in
Iowa Hawkeye Basketball. It is easier to watch the game
on TV in your home, then drive 120 miles round trip to
Carver Hawkeye Arena.

2. When Iowa has important Conference games, they can
sometimes be found in the ESPN family instead of BTN.

3. There has been a dramatic decrease in games on Saturday.
In fact, Iowa has NO HOME Games on Saturday this season.
This was the best day to take the whole family and not worry
about the kids going to school the next day.

 

[Packer54]

For these non high profile games I would be working out how to get 4 to 5k students to the games.

 

[DanL53]

Just to blather. But since the discussion has turned to the oft golden egg of a full and maniacal student section, here is what I think would be the best solution. And please, keep in mind I'm only an idiot on a keyboard so some of this is probably ludicrous.

Picture a site, something like Hawkeye Report only it doesn't include recruiting information or many of the great articles, so it doesn't occupy the same space as HR. But on this site would be access to schedules, ticket information, a place to buy and sell tickets. You are a student? You bought the whole package like the good student you are, paid for it up front like is required, can't go to a game. Advertise it on the site I'm talking about. And with their student id's other students could buy the thing!

Meanwhile. Anybody can go watch classic games on this site. Or tour the facilities. Hey, why not have interviews with players and coaches and whoever else might be fun to listen to?

Statistics. Information on what is coming, Blackout games, Bobbleheads.

Hey, it's the Wonka Chocolate Factory of College Sports!!!!! And, all Hawkeye!

This could be done. The U of I could set something up like this and I wager it would take little in finances to run it. And students could get tickets to games. So could other people. Recruits when they are twelve could look on the sit and see an internet U of I sports program that is social media ahead of all others in the country.

Heck, the Hawks Nest Student section could even come up with chants and rants and all show up in underpants!!! All planned out and even approved ahead of time!

There, to me, is the fix. If people can shoot Walking Dead Zombies online, why can't people have this?

 

[rufus-hawk]

Iowa doesn't have any Sat BT home games but they do have a bunch of Sunday games. What's the difference?

People who live far away can't come to Sunday games without getting home really late. (Obviously.)

 

[Cyanide]

This is the real story here. In spite of their success on the court, Iowa still draws more than ISU.

Oh brother. Anyone with eyeballs can see that what Iowa SAYS are butts in seats ain't the case when you look at the TV and see countless empties.

 

[silasstarr]

S

People who live far away can't come to Sunday games without getting home really late. (Obviously.)

ome of them start at noon others at 2. How far do people drive?

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Tough to draw big crowds for games. Outside of duke, kentucky, unc, msu and a few others. The list of programs that fill their arena to capacity is relatively small compared to those with empty seats.
Can't fault Fran's effort in trying to give us fun basketball and an exciting product to watch.

 

[Hawk68]

Iowa doesn't have any Sat BT home games but they do have a bunch of Sunday games. What's the difference?

Pro football and bowl games.

 

[Chewback]

1) Thousands of fans were in Indianapolis.
2) The schedule reflects the values of the Big Ten, television revenue. Late games during the week, no Big Ten games at home on Saturday, morning games.
3) Attendance is becoming an issue all over the country. Iowa was top 20 in attendance last year.
4) Attributing to the overall attendance problems, probably the biggest reason, is cheap High Definition televisions and numerous sports channels.
5) In the 1990's College basketball earned 6% in a poll about which sport was a person's favorite. That same poll today reflects half that, 3%. I suggest it is the nature of the game, the way it is called, the television timeouts, and that the "stars" leave early for the pros.

Fran has done a remarkable job, but he can't fix these problems.

Biggest kiss of death came when the Iowa games were no longer covered by one of the Cedar Rapids stations. Back then, you knew every game would be televised without regard to time of day or day of week and you wouldn't get weird times or weird days. Now we're at the mercy of ESPN and the stupid B10 network. We end up on ESPN3, which nobody can see, or ESPNU, which nobody in Iowa City can watch. Don't waste your time telling me to watch it on my computer because I don't like watching on my computer. It sucks.

 

[SSG T]

Yes, because we should all rush out and get our tickets for the University of Mizzo at KC. Give me a break OP.

If I were able to actually attend the game, I'd have been there with my sons. That goes all of the games. I went through the schedule when single game tickets went on sale, there are two games this year that I don't have conflicts with. Basically, the scheduling (not necessarily Iowa's fault) sucks.

 

[SSG T]

S

ome of them start at noon others at 2. How far do people drive?

I drive 2 hours, the noon game is out. 2 will work, but it's a rush to get there.

 

[SSG T]

For these non high profile games I would be working out how to get 4 to 5k students to the games.

Keep in mind, I'm not an Iowa student, nor have I ever been. I think student tickets should be free. Give them access prior to tickets sales starting, to determine the number required, then put the rest up for single game sales.
If there are 5k requested per game fine, if there are 1k requested fine. Give them first dibs on non season tickets, then sell the rest to the public.

 

[And1Hawk]

Only about 200 single game tickets left for the remainder of the year in Ames. 10 of the 13 games already sold out.

Look I attended a game in Ames the other night with a friend. There were plenty of empty seats snd not much energy. That's no knock but it is hard to go bonkers on some of these opponents, You look silly when you have 100x the talent.

ISU is desperate to cheer about something and the bball program is it. There's going to come a time in the years to come when it could get mudane. Winning raises expectations and what level used to be exciting and enjoyable becomes boring. Prices go up and then choices get made on if it's worth it. Let it play out and see.

 

[clickhere 01]

A horrible non-conference schedule is another reason attendance suffers. People, including myself, don't want to drive in to watch a blowout against another crappy team..

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

Oh brother. Anyone with eyeballs can see that what Iowa SAYS are butts in seats ain't the case when you look at the TV and see countless empties.

Somebody is paying for them, I don't think you can just make up a number. And what is your point, anyway?

 

[yiana]

The Florida St crowd was pathetic. I think Ill get season tics next year and bring some energy.

 

[hooper56]

For some reason the students won't support this team. We need to get this figured out. We need 3000+ students in there every game screaming their guts out.

 

[KeyWest Tim]

I don't know how you would get it done, but Iowa needs to find a way to get a lot more students to the games.

Start by giving them good seats.

Then let them have some fun.

That will liven up the place, which looks and sounds like the dining room of a nursing home some nites.

 

[sanjosebill]

Every game has looked like there has been about 2,500 fans in the seats. Even the BIG challenge game was empty.

Does having so many non-native Iowans as students play a role?

 

[JRHawk2003]

Welcome to the 21st Century:

1. The Big Ten Network has carved out a nice niche in
Iowa Hawkeye Basketball. It is easier to watch the game
on TV in your home, then drive 120 miles round trip to
Carver Hawkeye Arena.

2. When Iowa has important Conference games, they can
sometimes be found in the ESPN family instead of BTN.

3. There has been a dramatic decrease in games on Saturday.
In fact, Iowa has NO HOME Games on Saturday this season.
This was the best day to take the whole family and not worry
about the kids going to school the next day.

You do realize that Iowa Basketball was on free TV and more available than it is now?

 

[JRHawk2003]

Why not drop the ticket price for the non-con games outside of ISU and the ACC Challenge to like $10. Get people in the door.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Why not drop the ticket price for the non-con games outside of ISU and the ACC Challenge to like $10. Get people in the door.

How much are student tickets? They were dirt cheap back in the early 80s. In the late 70s and early 80s LOTS of students wanted to see Hawk games. Alford and Lick hurt, but high quality BB, which is the B1G, is incredibly entertaining.