by Ann Arbor News

The timing couldn't have been better.

When University of Michigan students received an offer to purchase men's basketball season tickets for $99 in conjunction with their season football tickets, the Wolverines had just returned from their first NCAA Tournament trip in 11 years.

The response was overwhelming.

As of last week, 2,076 student season tickets have been sold as opposed to 480 that were sold last year, according to Michigan ticket manager Marty Bodnar.

In addition to bigger numbers, the university will, for the first time, release Maize Rage seating on a first-come, first-served basis, which Bodnar said was the most fair way to allow students into the sections right behind the benches.

The remainder will be seated in gold seating areas and behind Michigan's pep band.

The first-come, first-serves rule applies to every game except for the premium games, which this season includes home dates against Michigan State and Connecticut.

For those games, the blue lower bowl student seating will go to those who exhibit perfect attendance over the course of the other home dates. But clearly, last year's return to the Big Dance didn't hurt season ticket sales in the least.

"With (the team) having a great season and finishing so strong and winning an NCAA game, it really works well and the students are excited," Bodnar said.

"We're real excited to build off of last season and get more and more student engagement."

Renewals for season-ticket holders will go on sale in September, Bodnar said. The Wolverines sold out three games last season: against Duke, Michigan State and Ohio State.

Bodnar said with more students attending games, the Crisler Arena environment is raised a notch - something third-year coach John Beilein is excited about as his team attempts to make a run at its second straight NCAA appearance.

"It's really great to have that (environment), and our kids have earned that," Beilein said Friday. "People understand the culture of the rest of the Big Ten and we're very much like them. Our students have general interest and a passion in their team."

Jeff Arnold can be reached at jarnold@annarbornews.com or at 734-994-6814.

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