Women’s NCAA Tournament attendance up in some locations

Fans watch as Maryland and Princeton players chase after a rebound in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Monday, March 23, 2015, in College Park, Md. Buoyed by a move back to host sites and more weekend games, overall attendance rose at the women's NCAA Tournament in the opening two rounds. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Fans watch as Maryland and Princeton players chase after a rebound in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA tournament, Monday, March 23, 2015, in College Park, Md. Buoyed by a move back to host sites and more weekend games, overall attendance rose at the women's NCAA Tournament in the opening two rounds. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

By Associated Press March 24, 2015 4 min read

Steps taken by the NCAA to address the ongoing attendance concern at the women’s NCAA Tournament are working, at least in some places.

Buoyed by two moves in particular – to once again have top teams host first and second-round games and scheduling more weekend games – overall attendance was up. Average attendance for those 48 games was 4,709 fans, nearly 1,000 more than last season and the most since 2008.

Still, it could have be better.

Some arenas where host teams usually have robust fan support had more empty seats than usual, a problem coaches say was caused in part by unappealing starting times.

Duke played its two games at noon on Friday and noon on Sunday. The Blue Devils drew 2,000 fans less for each game than they did the rest of the season.