It couldn’t have been packaged more attractively. Between Notre Dame, Lou Henson and the ballyhooed reopening of a colorful State Farm Center, Wednesday’s basketball show even drew two former athletic directors. Ron Guenther attended for the first time since he stepped down, and recently ousted Mike Thomas was present to witness his handiwork.
But it wasn’t quite a sellout. All the premium loges haven’t been sold, and a few openings remained in the upper stratosphere.
Which raises a question. With the buildup of disappointments, which gathered steam late last season, will fan interest be sustained going forward as the 3-5 Illini wade into the softer, five-game lead-up to the Big Ten campaign?