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UNC Basketball Program Leads Nation in Home Attendance

UNC basketball was one of only two to average at least 20,000 patrons per home game in 2023-24.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball mascot Rameses
UNC basketball mascot Rameses / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
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Across 15 home games last season, the average attendance that the UNC basketball team drew to the Dean E. Smith Center was 20,593. That's just over 1,000 shy of the Smith Center's listed capacity of 21,750.

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And it was just enough to finish No. 1 in the country in average attendance, roughly 200 more per game than No. 2 on the list in fellow ACC program Syracuse (20,288).

UNC and Syracuse are the only two over the 20,000 mark.

SEC schools round out the top five: Kentucky (19,928), Tennessee (19,664), and Arkansas (19,106).

The 2024-25 UNC basketball roster includes reigning ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis, his backcourt co-star in Elliot Cadeau, a pair of five-star freshmen in Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, and a deep supporting cast of returning players and inbound transfers. So, the Tar Heels figure to sit among the top 10 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

With that in mind, one would think the program has a chance to attract over 20,000 fans per game to the Dean E. Smith Center once again.

UNC begin its campaign, the fourth of the Hubert Davis era, at home against Elon on Nov. 4.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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