"We had an outstanding year on the court and that translated to an increase in the popularity of Summit League basketball," said Commissioner Tom Douple. "Certainly these attendance figures are exciting and very welcome news. Seeing our attendance rise at a significant rate bodes well for our league."

A total of 341,489 fans attended 127 games hosted by Summit League teams in 2008-09, an average of 2,689, up 30 percent from the previous year. The average attendance total placed the league No. 16 nationally, up from a No. 22 ranking and 2,072 average in 2007-08. Only three other leagues increased their attendance during the past season.

The Summit League averaged 4,421 fans per game for its 2009 tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D., up nearly 50 percent over its 2007-08 average of 2,975 in Tulsa. Only one league saw a larger attendance increase at its 2009 tournament.

Oakland University posted the second-largest increase among individual schools during the 2008-09 campaign. The Golden Grizzlies drew an average of4,156 fans in 14 home dates, nearly doubling its total over the previous season with an increase of 2,074 fans per contest. Texas Tech led the NCAA with an increase of 2,330 fans per game this season, but its percentage

jumped 32.5 percent compared to Oakland's 99.6 percent.