South Carolina Gamecocks: A Tale of Two Teams
The South Carolina Gamecocks' basketball programs are experiencing contrasting fortunes, and the numbers tell a compelling story. Under the leadership of Dawn Staley, the women's team is riding high with a stellar 29-2 regular-season record, positioning them as strong contenders for the national title once again. Meanwhile, the men's team is facing a tougher road, missing out on March Madness for the second year in a row after a 13-18 finish marred by 14 SEC losses.
A closer look at fan engagement reveals a widening gap in support for the two teams. Data obtained through an open records request shows that while the announced attendance for the women’s games was a robust 15,953, the actual turnout averaged 8,626 fans per game. This figure accounts for tickets sold, student tickets, and the band.
In comparison, the men’s games had an announced average attendance of 10,797, but the real number of attendees was just 4,398 per game. This means the women's team was drawing nearly twice the crowd of the men's team.
The trend was evident early in the season. During non-conference games, the women attracted around 7,500 fans per game, while the men drew just under 4,400.
Weather played a role, too. A winter storm led to the women's game against Vanderbilt drawing under 6,000 fans, their lowest for an SEC matchup.
Similarly, snow affected attendance at the men's game against LSU, which saw only 1,662 fans.
Highlighting the peak moments, the women's team had their highest attendance against Texas in mid-January, with 13,164 fans cheering them on, closely followed by a game against Ole Miss with 12,746 attendees. On the men's side, the only game to break the 6,000-fan mark was a Saturday matinée against Georgia, drawing 6,396 spectators despite a loss.
As the Gamecocks continue their respective journeys, the disparity in fan support underscores the different trajectories of these programs. While the women's team is thriving and captivating large audiences, the men's team faces challenges both on and off the court.