RUNNIN’ REBELS RANKED NO. 1 IN MOUNTAIN WEST, 14TH IN NATION IN HOME ATTENDANCE
UNLV men’s basketball was in the NCAA’s top 25 in home attendance for the fifth straight season in 2012-13
For the fifth straight year, the UNLV men’s basketball program has found itself among the nation’s top 25 in home attendance as the 2012-13 figures were released by the NCAA this week.
The Runnin’ Rebels’ home games last season had an average crowd of 15,196 (22 games/334,320 total fans), which ranked 14th in the country and No. 1 in both the Mountain West and among all programs on the West Coast (states of California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington). It is also the fifth straight season the program has earned top home attendance figures among those states.
In addition, UNLV’s games at the Thomas & Mack Center during the 2012-13 season had an average crowd of 15,678 (21 games/329,251), which was the program’s highest in 22 years (since the 1990-91 season). The Runnin’ Rebels’ game against La Verne at the Orleans Arena in December counted as a home game in the NCAA figures.
UNLV’s home crowds improved by an average of 1,171 fans per game from the 2011-12 season when the Runnin’ Rebels came in at No. 17 in the country. The 2012-13 season also saw an increase of 1,943 fans per game from two seasons ago (2010-11) when UNLV ranked 23rd in the country in home attendance.
The Runnin’ Rebels played in their fourth straight NCAA Tournament this past season and their sixth in the last seven years. Only 12 programs nationally have matched that and it is tops in the Mountain West over that span.
Head Coach Dave Rice led UNLV to another 25-win season in 2012-13 and the 51 wins by the program over the last two seasons is the most ever by a UNLV coach after his first two years leading the program (Jerry Tarkanian had 44 wins in his first two years).
UNLV, which won four games over ranked teams last year and ranked in the top-10 nationally in assists, rebounding and blocks, returns two starters and six players overall from last year. Nine new players are on the 2013-14 roster, including three that used their redshirt year while practicing with the team in 2012-13.
A limited number of season tickets in the lower bowl of the Thomas & Mack Center for the 2013-14 season are on sale now. Seats are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis and may be purchased in person at the Thomas & Mack Center box office, by calling 702-739-FANS (3267) or online at UNLVtickets.com. Supplies are limited and prices vary based on location with a priority seating donation required in addition to the ticket price.
For more information on season tickets, click here.