Missouri Tigers: It's Time for the Fans to Embrace This Team

The No. 13 Missouri Tigers are off to their first 6-0 start since the 2006-2007 season, but you wouldn't know it by looking in the stands. The Tigers' average attendance through four home games this season is 6,685—which ranks eighth in the Big 12 Conference.

I've heard this saying several times this season: "Win and they will come." Okay, but how much do you have to win before people actually start attending games?

Missouri has gone to three consecutive NCAA tournaments, has one conference tournament championship and a 79-26 record over the last four seasons. Missouri's record at Mizzou Arena during the last four years is 55-3. That is a 95-percent winning percentage at home, so—once again—how much do they have to win before Tiger fans start supporting this team on a regular basis?

Attendance numbers will rise once the conference season starts like it always does, but I think it's important to show this team support during the non-conference schedule as well.

I know all of the arguments. It's a two-hour drive from both Kansas City and St. Louis to Columbia, which makes it hard for a lot of alumni to attend weekday basketball games. They have also played a weak non-conference schedule at home that doesn't draw a lot of fans. I get all of that and I understand it, but what about the lack of student support?

Kansas State seems to have a lot of the same problems that Missouri has. Manhattan, Kansas is two hours away from Kansas City and they have played nobody of note at home, but yet they have averaged 12,502 fans, placing them second best in the conference.

In my opinion, the difference is student support. I've attended games in both Manhattan and Columbia, and the biggest difference I see on a regular basis—especially for lesser opponents—is the student section. PowerMizzou writer Gabe DeArmond tweeted the following before Sunday's game against Binghamton:

"Seven minutes before tipoff, there are 63 people in the #Mizzou student section, 10 Antlers and about 40 ZouCrew shirts. I just counted."

Even during Thanksgiving break, that is very disappointing. It's time to start supporting this basketball team, Missouri students. Trust me, the players notice if you are there or not, and they want more of you in the stands. The Tigers are very good this year, and it looks to be an exciting season. There are no reasons not to go.

Anyone who has attended a game at Mizzou Arena, or any arena for that matter, knows that the atmosphere is 100 times better when there are actually butts in the seats. I don't know how many students will actually read this, but I think there should be a goal of at least 10,000 fans at the game tomorrow against Northwestern State. If you have tickets and can't go or don't want to go, then give them to someone who does. Invite your friends to the game and spread the word around campus that this team is good and needs your support. Trust me, the players will notice and will be very thankful.

Average Home Attendance

Kansas: 16,300

Kansas State: 12,502

Iowa State: 12,232

Texas: 9,620

Texas Tech: 9.374

Oklahoma: 7,541

Oklahoma State: 7,514

Missouri: 6,685

Baylor: 6,483

Texas A&M: 5,762