George Mason University’s men’s basketball team made it to the NCAA Tournament Final Four last year.  As a result, the average crowd size at their games this year has been just about double of that of previous years.  I have been a season ticket holder since 1984 and GMU has gone to both the NIT and NCAA tournaments before, but have always lost in the early rounds.  Until now, the average attendance has not really changed that much over the years, no matter how successful or unsuccessful their seasons have been.

This year, GMU is not having the success they did last year.  As I write this, their record is 13-9, and they are in the middle of the pack in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).  Unless they get really lucky and win the CAA Championship Tournament at the end of the season, they will not get invited to play in the NCAA tournament this year.

So, I wonder what the crowds will be like next year?  Will the attendance be as high as this year…or will I once more have my choice of parking places closer to the Patriot Center?