Also you may not realize it on tv, but Nebraska's main student section is actually behind one of the baskets.
Also, Minnesota's student section is behind one of the baskets and they're one of the loudest and craziest student sections in the big ten. Where you put the students doesnt make them louder and more engaged.
Wisconsin sells out basketball consistently. The students have limitations on the number of tickets available to them. They sit behind the basket at one end. The Kohl center is the most boring venue I have seen in awhile. Its like a big concrete box with no personality...until you get into your seat and listen to the noise. You have to park in the next county and walk a half hour minimum to get to the Kohl Center.
Carver Hawkeye is one of the neatest venues in the BT. The fact that you walk in and the seating is all below you, with the concourse around the top with displays, adequate concessions, good rest rooms, easy in and out pre and post game. The individual seats are a plus; I am a big guy and I fit into my seat just fine. CH could very easily be a loud, crazy "pit" type of environment. On occasion, it has been. I have had season ticks through part of Alford, all of Lick, and all of Fran, so I have a pretty good idea of how the fans behave at games. The criticism of the "blue hairs" is nonsense. I sit in a section that is mid court, 25 rows up. Not a big donor, just bought a single ticket at the right time. The people around me are a mixed bag. Blue hairs, young couples with kids, grad students, age group is a variety. And, my section is loud when the game is exciting.
TV contracts are indeed the biggest drawback to higher game attendance. Yes, there are those who would prefer to stay home and have a beer on the couch rather than brave the elements and go to CH. So be it.
The bigger issue, I believe, is that the game times are really decimating our fan base. Tuesday night, we play Minnesota, a big rivalry, at 8:00 PM! Live in Des Moines? Ain't going. Live in Davenport? Ain't going. Live in Waterloo? Ain't going. Have school age kids? Ain't going. Work at 7:00 a.m. on Wed? Probably not.
There is nothing wrong with our basketball arena. And, yes, I had season tickets for a number of years with Ralph and Lute in the Barn. It was great. Today, the majority of fans would demand a new venue.
Win, baby, Win!