In the 2024-25 season, both Oklahoma State basketball teams aimed to boost fan presence in Gallagher-Iba Arena. Under new leadership for the Cowboys and a strengthening Cowgirls program, coaches Steve Lutz and Jacie Hoyt respectively encouraged greater student and community attendance. Despite these efforts, an analysis of scanned ticket data obtained through an open-records request reveals discrepancies between actual gate counts and announced figures. This report delves into the numbers to uncover patterns and assess the engagement levels during a pivotal year for both programs.

For men's basketball, the season under first-year coach Lutz saw an average of 3,291.7 fans per game based on scanned tickets, significantly lower than the announced average of 6,113.1. Key games such as the December 30 matchup against Houston and the annual Remember the Ten game drew higher interest, yet the largest gap occurred during the January 21 game versus Arizona, where only 2,850 fans were confirmed by scans compared to the reported 6,355. Conversely, the smallest discrepancy was noted in the March 18 NIT game against Wichita State, illustrating variability across different types of matches.

The women's basketball team, led by Hoyt, experienced similar trends with an average of 1,816.1 fans according to scanned data, contrasting sharply with the university's announcement of 2,997.47 attendees per game. Notable contests included the February 8 clash against Kansas State and the November 22 game versus Central Arkansas, both drawing over 3,000 scanned attendees. However, significant differences emerged, particularly in the Central Arkansas game where 3,050 fans attended but OSU declared 4,714 present. These variations highlight the challenge of aligning official announcements with real-world attendance metrics.

Overall, Big 12 matchups consistently attracted larger crowds, whether due to competitive rivalries or special event designations. The top three most attended games belonged to men's basketball, while women's basketball claimed the fourth spot. Looking ahead, both programs anticipate building on recent successes to further engage their audiences. With anticipated improvements in rosters and continued strategic outreach, future seasons may see enhanced alignment between actual and reported attendance figures.

While the current data indicates challenges remain in accurately reflecting fan turnout, ongoing efforts by both coaching staffs suggest positive momentum. As both teams progress into new seasons, fostering stronger connections with their communities remains crucial to achieving fuller arenas and more consistent attendance reporting.