Your Argument for Basketball Attendance Isn’t Valid

Arkansas fans used to love their Razorback basketball games but what has changed for the Hog loyal? Is it as simple as the team not being good the past year or is there more to it?

Last night, Arkansas won their second game of the season against Southern Illinois putting the Hogs ar 2-0. They are off to a great start for the year but watching on T.V. I couldn’t help but see how empty the stands were. The worst part about it was the student section looking like a nursing home field trip.

You never want the opponents coach to say something about the lack of support for your team. After the game, SIU head coach, Barry Hinson had plenty to say in his post-game press conference about the lack of “butts in seats” last night.

Warning! Video has mild language.

Tut Tut Looks Like Rain

Coach Hinson is known for being a very vocal and passionate coach but what does this say about Arkansas fans? If you are on twitter, you know exactly what I mean when I say there are a ton of people that will “stand with the Hogs” after a terrible loss on the football field. On the flip side, where are these fans when it comes to the basketball team?

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The most common reason I hear for the lack of support is that they are sick of seeing Arkansas be such a low-quality team. Although I completely understand how some could feel that way, I am just going to say that this is the exact definition of a fair weather fan.

The truth is, Hog fans gave up on this squad before they ever took the court. Fans should show Mike Anderson the same amount of support that they show Bret Bielema. Especially when Anderson’s record is far better than Bielema’s.

In case you didn’t know, Mike Anderson had the number 1, 3 and 6 best JUCO players transfer and are currently on this team. No, they aren’t full of McDonalds All-American players like Kentucky but this is still a really good team. Fans need to realize that last year is just that. It’s last year. Welcome to a new team with new talent.

The Overlap

Personally, when football and basketball season overlap it’s my favorite time of the year. I do however understand that it costs a lot of money and time to go to both. I definitely agree with you there but to only have maybe 2,500 to 3,000 in BWA when they won their last game is still a poor showing.

Recruiting

Believe it or not, recruits pay attention to fan attendance. Yeah, they want to go to a winning school but a great atmosphere goes a LONG way to build a solid program after the down years. This tweet from Kurt Voigt pretty much sums up how I feel and how recruits see the unsupportive fans here in Arkansas.

There were a lot of factors at play with Malik Monk but do you actually think the lack of support from fans didn’t play a factor? If you think it didn’t, you obviously don’t pay attention to recruiting and what they say about their visits to different schools. It’s extremely important to a young man who wants to play in a great environment.

Must Read: Arkansas Gives Southern Illinois A Beat-down

Fans can make whatever excuses they want but at the end of the day, there is still empty seats for a team that deserves to have a great crowd. We sell out Razorback football games when they aren’t even actually competitive in the SEC but when we have a pretty good basketball team we are nowhere to be found. Make an effort Hog fans and get your butts in those seats and show this team and the teams to come that Arkansas fans stand with their teams no matter what. Woo Pig!