The Syracuse Orange and Kentucky Wildcats aren't just doing battle for the No. 1 ranking in the polls or the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

They're also battling for No. 1 in average home attendance this season. And right now, it's a close race.

SYRACUSE — Averaging 23,085 fans through 18 home games (415, 531 total fans). One home game remaining: Louisville, Saturday, March 3.

KENTUCKY — Averaging 23,638 fans through 16 home dates (378,208 total fans). Two home games remaining: Vanderbilt, Saturday and Georgia on Thursday.

Unfortunately for both of us, it looks like it's the Louisville Cardinals making a late surge...

LOUISVILLE Averaging 21,400 fans through 18 home games (385,638 total fans). Two home games remaining: Pittsburgh, Sunday and South Florida on Wednesday. The Cardinals figure to finish with the most total home attendance because they will play two more home games than Kentucky and one more than Syracuse.

/stepsonsoapbox

All of this brings up a bit of a point. For all the complaining about the amount of home games Syracuse plays, it ends up being one more than Kentucky and one less than Louisville.

/stepsoffsoapbox

Pack that Carrier Dome next Saturday, people. It's our last chance to secure the season's best average attendance.