Remaining schedule bodes well for FSU basketball home attendance

The Florida State basketball team did its part this week, taking to the road to capture its first ACC win of the season by defeating North Carolina State in Raleigh, NC. A 1-3 conference start is hardly a blight on the 'Noles, though, who've played three of those games on the road. But there's light on the horizon for FSU fans: the Seminoles are about to play numerous games in Tallahassee, and the schedule should facilitate ample attendance at those contests.

To begin, the 'Noles have more home games remaining (eight) than any other ACC team. And while Florida State has been saddled with numerous midweek, 9 pm tip-offs in years past, there's just one of those left at the Tucker Center. In fact, six of the eight games left in Tallahassee are on weekends, which should certainly spike home attendance (and unlike last year, that does not include a home game on Super Bowl Sunday).

Moreover, the quality of FSU's opponents should also produce more fans in the stands. Today's game is against No. 13 Virginia. Next Saturday afternoon's tilt sees the No. 20 Pitt Panthers come calling. The Saturday after that has the ACC's most overachieving team, Clemson, in town for a noon tip. Just over two weeks later, the arch-rival Miami Hurricanes, currently No. 8 in the country, are in Tally on a Sunday. And the 'Noles close out with a pair of Saturday home games against national brands Notre Dame and Syracuse.

Florida State's early conference schedule may not have been optimal for a slew of Seminole supporters who were excited to see their young, talented team. But now they get a great chance to do so against some of the best teams in the country, at convenient times, and down the stretch-- when it matters most.