Correction: A story in yesterday's edition of the Daily (Cagers see decline in ticket sales) incorrectly reported that there were nine men's basketball home games last year and eight home games this year. It should have said that those numbers are for weekday home games.

For whatever reason, something caused student season ticket sales for men's basketball to fall by more than 40 percent this season.

Numbers obtained from Associate Athletic Director Marty Bodnar show that while nonstudent sales dropped just 7 percent, the number of students buying season tickets this season declined from 1,563 to 920. This drop occurred despite a price decrease from $160 to $130, which resulted from a lower number of home games this year. Last season, Michigan hosted three Preseason NIT matchups but did not compete in the tournament this year.

The biggest reason for the lower sales was the loss of an anonymous donation that had boosted sales in the past two years, Bodnar said. The benefactor purchased all 520 bleacher seats, which the Athletic Department distributed free to students based on credit hours and the number of years they had held season tickets.

This year, Bodnar sent out an e-mail announcing there would be no donation and that all students, including those seated in the bleachers, would have to pay for their tickets.

The Athletic Department expected the negative effect the withdrawal of the donation would have on sales, Bodnar said.

Although Education senior Dave Stuart, president of the student fan group Maize Rage, said he was disappointed that the donation was withdrawn, he said limiting season tickets to students who pay for them will create a better fan environment.

"Honestly, it's important to get the real fans here - to get the people who really want to be here in Crisler," Stuart said. "We really want those who bleed maize and blue to be sitting on this wood."

The high expectations at the beginning of last season, coupled with the poor results that followed, may also have played a role in lower ticket sales. Coming off an NIT win in the 2003-04 season, Michigan lost two starters for the majority of the season. Guard Lester Abram was out with an injury, while guard Daniel Horton missed time due to an injury and a suspension. The team finished with a 13-18 overall record, going just 4-12 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines closed the year by losing 13 of their last 14 games.

"To me, it's just not worth spending ($130) on a team like that when the games aren't exciting," said LSA sophomore Eric Meer, who didn't renew his tickets this season.

Meer added that weekday games are inconvenient to attend, pointing to the Friday- and Saturday-night model of hockey as a more student-friendly system. Last year, Michigan hosted nine games and will play eight games at home this season.

Michigan coach Tommy Amaker said he was unaware of the sharp decline in sales and said he hopes his team's performance this season will draw fans to Crisler.

"If we can create a buzz with what we're doing and how we're playing, hopefully we can get off to a good start," Amaker said. "Now, we have to do a little bit of our job on the court to make (fans) want to be a part of it, and I'm sure they will once we get things going in the direction that we think we will to start this year off," he added.

Season tickets can no longer be purchased. Single-game tickets, as well as Big Ten packages, can be bought at www.mgoblue.com/tickets.