By Mackenzie Prince
Michigan State University’s men’s basketball team defeated the University of Maryland, 58-55, Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Anticipation soared in College Park as UMD basketball fans packed the XFINITY Center arena, filling over 17,000 seats. Despite this support, onlookers continue to raise questions about poor Maryland student attendance compared to other Big Ten schools.
A 2022 Washington Post article reported that UMD has the second-lowest home attendance rate in its conference, ranking just above Northwestern University.
Maryland fans have faced widespread criticism online for failing to show up for their AP-ranked men’s and women’s basketball teams. Former University of Illinois basketball player Mike LaTulip expressed his frustrations on his podcast, “Field of 68.”
“That thing needs to be 100 [percent full] for this team, because we know in college basketball [things change] from one year to the next,” LaTulip said. “I’ll look into the camera to say this: ‘Maryland students, get out to the game.’”
Taylor Burkett, a freshman in Letters and Sciences, frequently attends university sports games because she enjoys building school spirit with her friends. However, she has noticed that other students lack the same initiative.
“For a majority of regular season games, I definitely think attendance is lower compared to other schools,” Burkett said. “I know people who have school commitments during sports games and prioritize that over supporting the university’s teams.”
Sports games, other than football, commonly take place during the week, possibly making it difficult for students to attend.
Marykatharine Anglim, a freshman kinesiology major, agrees with Burkett’s sentiment. As a sorority member and a women’s field hockey player, her extracurricular commitments often prevent her from attending games despite her enthusiasm.
“I try to make it to as many sports games as I can, but sometimes, it’s just not possible,” Anglim said. “This semester, I have been a lot busier.”
However, with the games Anglim does attend, she hasn’t noticed a lack of attendance, noting how difficult it can be to find a seat in the student section.
Nevertheless, the university has seemingly noticed issues with support as well, using free merchandise in an attempt to entice fans.
Abi Limbird, a freshman English major, notices the benefits of offering incentives for students to attend.
“I think promoting games using more unique keepsakes than just shirts would motivate people to go to games for sure,” Limbird said, continuing to describe assorted merchandise she received, such as free scarves and shirts.
The University of Maryland’s men’s basketball team, ranked No. 13, will be facing Northwestern University on Saturday, Mar. 8, ending the Terrapins’ 2024-2025 season. Tickets are sold out. Free t-shirts will be available for the entire student section.
Featured Image: The University of Maryland’s men’s basketball team faced Michigan State University Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the XFINITY Center arena. Photo by Mackenzie Prince.