NCAA Attendance Leaders
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. ââ'¬" For just the fifth time in the last 17 years, the Purdue men's basketball team finished the season in the top 20 in average attendance the NCAA announced today.
Widely regarded as one of the loudest arenas in America, Mackey Arena averaged 13,819 fans per game to rank 18th nationally in average attendance, the program's highest ranking since finishing 17th in attendance during the 2010-11 season.
It marked just the fifth time in the last 17 years that Purdue ranked in the top 20 (18th in 2016-17; 20th in 2015-16; 17th in 2010-11; 20th in 2009-10; 18th in 2008-09). In terms of percentage of capacity, Purdue was at 93.3 percent this year to rank 12th nationally in that category.
In all games played (home, away, neutral), Purdue ranked 10th nationally as 478,834 people saw Purdue play this past season.
It marked the 48th time in 50 seasons that Purdue averaged at least 11,000 fans per game. In 50 seasons of play at Mackey Arena, the Boilermakers own a 605-138 all-time record, including a 169-34 mark in 12 seasons under head coach Matt Painter.
For the 41st consecutive season, the Big Ten led the nation's conferences in attendance, setting a new conference record with 3,119,823 fans through the turnstiles. The league also led the country in average attendance at 12,235 fans per game, almost a thousand fans more than second place (ACC; 11,257).
Purdue is coming off a 27-8 season and its league-best 23rd Big Ten regular-season championship. The Boilermakers will return six of its top seven scorers and welcome in a highly-regarded recruiting class.
