Breslin Center represents what Carver used to be (plus real attendance numbers)

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Iowa players and coaches look at the Breslin Center and see loud, intense crowds with students reaching a fever pitch in Michigan State's den of destruction.

The No. 6-ranked Spartans are unbeaten at the Breslin Center, and they are aided by a frenzy-like atmosphere created by their crowd. It has a reputation that has players talking.

“These guys said it's an insane place to play,” said Iowa freshman Eric May, who will play in his first game at Michigan State. “I'm excited to go up there and give it my best shot.”

Michigan State averages a sellout at the Breslin Center and no doubt the place will be rocking tonight when the Spartans host Iowa. But for some, going to Michigan State is a reminder of what Carver-Hawkeye Arena once was to opponents.

From 1978 through 2006, Iowa ranked in the top 25 nationally every year in attendance. Seven times during that span Iowa averaged a sellout, the latest was in 2001. From the time it opened in midseason 1983 through 2002, Iowa averaged more than 15,000 tickets sold 13 times.

Today, Iowa ranks ninth among Big Ten schools, averaging 9,164 tickets sold per game, and is one of three schools without a sellout this year. The actual attendance figures are even more startling, however.

Iowa's actual attendance average is 4,591, slightly more than half of the announced attendance at each game. The largest crowd was 7,659 - officially listed at 12,468. The smallest was 2,521 - listed as 8,021 - against Tennessee State.

Some of it is bad luck. Seven of the home games were held during winter break. But Iowa's actual attendance of 4,274 against Virginia Tech (officially listed at 8,755) is inflated because 600 students attended the game for free.

“I know the students are gone; the schedule hasn't been kind to us to have these home games during break,” Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter said. “The ones that are here are positive. I think that's great.”

Iowa sophomore Matt Gatens has attended Hawkeye basketball games for most of his life. His father, Mike, played at Iowa in the mid-1970s and the attendance drop is tough for Matt to fathom.

“It is disappointing, but I'm sure if we started winning a little more, they'd start showing up,” Gatens said. “It's kind of out of our control in that we can't make people come in. I think if we start winning more and start putting more wins on the floor, they'd come out and support us.

“When Carver's full, it's an incredible arena.”

Iowa cut ticket prices this year by 20 percent, but the results are mixed. The public bought 4,211 season tickets, down about 400, and faculty sales are down by about 30. Student season tickets increased by about 400 and next week against Ohio State, students receive free tickets.

“As a coach, if I say anything other than we need to win, then it appears that I'm pointing fingers,” Lickliter said. “I don't want to do that. I understand my responsibility, and I hope that everybody is doing the very best that they can to create the right environment to entice the people to come, to want to come and stay to be involved in what we're trying to do.”

So tonight, when the Breslin Center buzzes with chanting students circling the floor, Iowa players and coaches will look around and wonder if their home can become a similar passion pit. Or that it ever was.

Here are the figures representing the announced crowds consisting of ticket sales and the actual number of people attending Iowa games:

OPPONENT                  ANNOUNCED ACTUAL

Texas-San Antonio     8,486                       3,703

Duquesne                       7,943                       3,108

Bowling Green              9,010                       4,347

N. Carolina Central     8,433                       3,760

Virginia Tech                8,755                       4,274

Prairie View A&M       8,375                       3,693

Drake                                9,921                       5,871

S. Carolina State          8,561                       3,303

Purdue                            12,468                    7,659

Minnesota                     9,588                       5,794

Michigan State            9,924                       5,832

Tennessee State          8,021                      2,521

Penn State                     9,651                       5,829