From Enquirer.com

Orange pass UK in attendance

Kentucky, which had been the nation’s leader in attendance since 1996, was bested last season by Syracuse.

The Orange returned to the top spot after being there from 1985 through 1995. Syracuse averaged 22,978 fans over 18 games in the Carrier Dome, while UK averaged 22,520 fans in 15 home contests last season.

Several things jump out at me about this stat.

First, it’s interesting that two teams have dominated this category for 20 years now and I never knew that Syracuse had such a following, especially back in the 80s and early 90s.

Second, Duke isn’t in the top twenty. VERY surprising to me! Once I think about it, though, neighboring UNC probably draws bigger crowds and more local, non-alumni fans than Duke, since it’s a more storied program and because of coaches such as Dean Smith and Roy Williams. But then again, NC State had a higher average than Duke…

Thirdly, two KY schools about an hour apart, are in the top four. Take that, state of North Carolina!

Lastly, this reinforces how much of a basketball mecca this area of the country is - UK, UL, Dayton, Indiana, Ohio State are all on the top twenty.