“They don’t dunk. It’s just boring to watch. The men’s games are so much more fun.”
I hear these excuses and claims all the time from LSU “fans” who maintain women’s basketball just isn’t worth their time.
If you’re one of the many people who feel this way, maybe talking to one of the likely 15,000-plus fans who will attend tonight’s prime-time LSU-Tennessee game in Knoxville could change your outlook.
Yes, that’s right, 15,000. It’s not a typo. A match-up of the top two basketball teams in the Southeastern Conference deserves that much attention.
There’s no doubt it’s much easier to give resounding support to a team like Tennessee.
The program has won the most games (996) in Division I-A history and has the winningest coach (903 wins) in men’s or women’s Division I-A history to partner with six national championships.
But a lack of success is not the answer to LSU’s depressing average attendance figure of 5,172.
Consider these stats, courtesy of the Lady Tigers: a 27-game home winning streak, a 21-game SEC winning streak and an 80-12 record the past three seasons.
With LSU’s recent success, fans are still not turning out by the tens of thousands to see this team in action. LSU is light-years behind Tennessee, who averages 14,469 fans per game. I realize the PMAC only seats 13,472, but keep reading.
The atmosphere surrounding Tennessee’s squad has not only won the admiration of its fans but also LSU’s players.
Senior guard Scholanda Hoston said she is always anxious to walk onto Tennessee’s home floor and see the number of people in attendance.
“I love to see [their turnout],” Hoston said. “It just means we’re finally getting some of the notoriety, the respect, we should be getting. I see the beauty and the growth of women’s basketball.”
So what’s the solution?
Maybe the Athletic Department needs to come out with a new space-age slogan like “Welcome to the NOW” or “Evo Devo” to help attract a new fan base.
“Welcome to the NOW in Lady Tiger Basketball, Tiger fans! It’s Evo Devo time.”
But for the selected few who aren’t immediately awe-struck with such a catchy, insightful slogan, try asking yourself these three questions:
One:
How loud do you scream “OOOOooo” when Tyrus Thomas swats some helpless shooter’s shot six rows into the stands?
Sophomore center Sylvia Fowles averages 2.5 blocks per game and towers above most of her competition, standing 6 feet 6 inches tall.
Two:
How fast do you jump out of your seat and curse out the officials when the opposing team’s point guard clearly walked with the basketball?
Referees tend to make bad calls in women’s games also.
And three:
How energized do you get when Darrel Mitchell drains a three-pointer to cap a 10-0 LSU run that gives the Tigers the lead, and you hear the band begin to play “Pregame”?
Last time I checked, women’s basketball had three-pointers and scoring streaks too. And, yes, the band plays at the women’s games – they didn’t forget about the team.
My challenge to non-LSU women’s basketball fans is to start by watching tonight’s game on ESPN2. Observe the atmosphere Tennessee fans create and the excitement surrounding the game. After seeing the enthusiasm in their arena, ask yourself why the Lady Tigers don’t deserve that much support.
Then, take Seimone Augustus’ advice: “Come out to one game,” and make that game this Sunday when LSU plays another nationally-ranked opponent and SEC rival, Georgia.
If you’re not impressed after Sunday’s game, maybe it’s not for you, and that’s fine.
At least you gave it a shot.
Contact Kyle Whitfield at [email protected]