UNC, N.C. State in top 25 in attendance

Although North Carolina and N.C. State saw their home men's basketball crowds shrink in 2009-10, both remained among the top 25 in Division I attendance according to figures released this week by the NCAA.

North Carolina ranked fifth in Division I with an average of 17,786 fans per home date. N.C. State's average of 13,184 fans ranked 24th.

Kentucky (24,111), Syracuse (22,152), Louisville (19,397) and Tennessee (19,168) were the four schools ahead of North Carolina in the rankings.

The Tar Heels' attendance dropped by more than 3,000 fans per game as they missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in coach Roy Williams' seven seasons. North Carolina averaged 21,035 fans in a 2008-09 season that saw the Tar Heels win the NCAA title.

N.C. State's attendance dropped by 272 fans per game from its 2008-09 average of 13,456.

Ken Tysiac