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Attendance for Syracuse University's men's basketball games has dropped this year, marking the third-lowest in the history of the JMA Wireless Dome. The team averaged 17,600 fans over 18 home games, a significant decline compared to previous seasons. Despite the decrease, Syracuse still ranks sixth nationally in attendance, benefiting from the large capacity of the dome.
The Orange struggled throughout the season, finishing with a 15-16 record, including 12-6 at home. The most-attended game was against North Carolina on February 21, drawing 23,606 fans. However, only three games exceeded 20,000 attendees, a far cry from the program's past when it frequently set attendance records with over 30,000 fans.
The decline in attendance has financial implications, affecting gate revenue, concessions, and merchandise sales. This could influence potential coaching changes, as fewer fans mean less income for the program. Syracuse.com reports that Syracuse has led the nation in attendance 28 times since the dome opened in 1980, with the last top ranking in the 2019-20 season.
Syracuse's attendance drop is notable as the team prepares for the ACC Tournament, facing SMU today. The game will be broadcast at 4:30 p.m. on the ACC Network. Looking forward, the Orange aim to improve their performance and attendance figures in the upcoming seasons.