Quote Originally Posted by AXD1985 View Post
So if we go 6-6, or 8-5 in football for a few years, its "only fair to expect" that our fandom goes down due to lack of success?
Naturally, it would. But it wouldn't be as drastic as that of Basketball because we have spent the better part of the last two decades establishing a tradition and history of football success. Since we don't have that for basketball, the swings are much more drastic.

That's why making the tournament is important. It's the establishment of a tradition where before one didn't exist. Finishing in the top 4 of the ACC or whatever is nice, but it's not going to do much in terms of establishing "tradition." Winning conferences does, making the tournament does, and doing well in the tournament does. Fair or not, it's just how it is - you play to make the tournament. Do that a few times and you keep the fans interested, do it enough and interest remains strong even during lean years. Don't do it enough, and people just stop caring.

It's just how it works.