Maryland basketball had the nation’s 7th-largest average attendance in 2016-17

Maryland basketball had the seventh-largest average attendance in the country during the 2016-17 season, according to figures released Tuesday by the NCAA.

The Terps drew an average of 16,628 fans to Xfinity Center across 18 home games (the arena’s capacity is 17,950). That’s a lower number than the 17,863 that filled the building every night in 2015-16, but it marks Maryland’s first time drawing over 16,500 in consecutive years since 2010. Attendance dipped outside the top 25 when the Terps were missing postseasons, but enjoyed the largest increase in the nation between 2015 and 2016.

The Big Ten had the highest league-wide attendance for the 41st consecutive year. Only Wisconsin out-drew Maryland in the conference, ranking sixth in the country with an attendance average of 17,286.

Kentucky led the nation with over 23,000, followed by Syracuse, Louisville, North Carolina and Creighton.

In other news

The price of the Cole Field House renovations is up to $196 million, per the Baltimore Sun. Phase two of the project, expected to be completed in 2019, is expanding in scope.

Maryland football was recognized by the NCAA for its high APR scores, which were in the top 10 percent in the country. This may or may not mean that the Terps can make a bowl with five wins, but it’s too early to say for sure.

We continued Specialists Week with Wade Lees, who’s got a stronghold on Maryland’s punter job.

InsideMdSports’ Josh Stirn looked at the team’s culture change under DJ Durkin, and how that impacts veterans like safety Josh Woods.