Georgia Basketball: What We Learned From the UGA Cagers in 2015

Feb 14, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs fans shown in the stands with a poster of forward

(2) prior to the game against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum. Auburn defeated Georgia 69-68. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Basketball is a lot more fun when the students show up.

Maybe the students make basketball more fun because students have more time on their hands than the regular season ticket holders. Or maybe it’s because they are cheering for their friends and classmates.

Maybe it’s just the gifts of youth, but only students bring large big head photos of their classmate players, chant carefully crafted taunts at opponents, wear outrageous outfits of everything from fruit to super heroes, or create squads ranging from Spikes to Zombies.

The students are loud. The students put the gas in the home court advantage and it’s fun affecting the game.

The old folks will do their best, but it’s the students that rock the Steg. And when the students rock, the games are fun.

Student attendance was up 40% over the 2014 season. While the Kentucky game is the most noted, the students rocked the Stegeman Coliseum throughout January and February. While mid-week games and early Saturday afternoon games often lack student attendance, there is a growing contingent of students who will back the basketball Dawgs no matter. Build on this support and the Steg will be as formidable a home venue as any.

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