Classic still dogged by meager attendance

Empty seats have been the rule, not the exception, since the Las Vegas Classic became part of the college basketball landscape eight years ago.

It likely will be more of the same today and Sunday for the 2007 edition at the Orleans Arena.

Advance ticket sales have been sluggish for the eight-team tournament, which includes Alabama, Purdue, Iowa State and Missouri State.

Aside from occurring on the weekend before Christmas, the event comes when there are other attractions in town, such as the Las Vegas Bowl and UNLV basketball hosting Tennessee-Martin today.

Ticket prices are another part of the equation. The best seats are $118 for a two-day pass. In an attempt to lure more locals, the tournament has made that package available at half-price to Nevada residents who come to today’s session, highlighted by Alabama-Missouri State at 5 p.m. and Iowa State-Purdue at 7:30.

“Last year we had a $40 ticket and we had Kansas State, USC and an undefeated Wichita State and nobody came,” promoter Chris Spencer said. “One year we offered $10 tickets for the locals at Valley (High School) and we hardly sold any.”

Spencer said he remains committed to Las Vegas, despite the lack of local support for his two annual events. This year’s Las Vegas Invitational final between North Carolina and Brigham Young drew about 5,000 fans to the 7,500-seat Orleans Arena.

Local fans who buy a ticket to this weekend’s tournament will received a $25 discount toward next year’s Las Vegas Invitational, which is scheduled to include Kentucky, West Virginia, Iowa and Kansas State. Those tickets list for $94 and $168, and are sold as two-day packages.

This year’s Classic already has had an upset in the early rounds, which were played at home sites. Wofford upset Purdue 69-66 in the second round Wednesday at West Lafayette, Ind. The Terriers (5-4) also had Alabama in trouble before losing 80-73 in the first round.

“We were looking for a tailwind coming to Vegas,” Wofford coach Mike Young said. “To beat Purdue on their court was a very big win for our program.

“It’s such a long year. But we’re playing well. I like the leadership and the direction this team is headed.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.