Big Sky releases basketball attendance figures

With the recent NCAA release of basketball attendance figures for the 2018-19 season, the Big Sky Conference saw many positive outcomes including large increases in the average attendance for the Big Sky Championships, according to press release.

For the men, the conference tournament average grew from 1,128 in 2018 to 2,641 to rank 25th among all NCAA Division I conferences. The men’s championship game between Montana and Eastern Washington attracted 3,737 fans — an increase of 896 from 2018 – while the semifinals pulled in 2,900 fans.

On the season, the league ranked 20th with an average of 2,199 fans as Big Sky teams hosted a combined 159 games.

Weber State led the Big Sky in average attendance for the 11th-straight season and 16th time in the last 18 years with an average of 6,755 fans across 15 contests. The Wildcats sat more than 5,000 fans in all 15 home games.

Regular season and tournament champion Montana ranked second with 4,234 fans per game.

Weber State’s Dec. 1 game against in-state foe BYU drew the largest home crowd of the season with 8,731 fans.

In conference play, 7,891 fans watched Weber State host Northern Colorado on Jan. 19.

A total of 23 Big Sky games drew more than 4,000 fans with seven of Montana’s conference games eclipsing that mark.

On the women’s side, Montana ranked 38th nationally and averaged 3,180 fans in 14 games last season. Montana State ranked second in the Big Sky with 2,017 fans per game.

The Big Sky ranked in the top half of Division I conferences at 14th with an average of 1,055 fans.

In conference tournament action, the league increased by an average of 799 fans to improve to 1,802 fans for 18th.

Montana State’s season opener against Montana’s Carroll College drew a league-high 6,772 fans while Eastern Washington’s game against Portland State was the highest for a Big Sky contest with 4,124 fans.

A total of 1,424 fans witnessed the championship game between Portland State and Eastern Washington — an increase of 160 — while the semifinals drew in an average of 1,389 and the first round saw an impressive 1,545 average.

The 2019-20 basketball season is set to begin Nov. 5.