Last season, the Michigan men's basketball team sold out just one game at Crisler Arena, a figure that likely reflected the Wolverines' program-record 22 losses.

Certainly, a successful program will fill the seats. But in the meantime, Michigan coach John Beilein wants to reach out to new fans in other ways. The Wolverines are a young team with nine underclassmen, and Beilein hopes fan-friendly events like last week’s Fan Appreciation Night and last Saturday’s “Garden Party” will help.

“Once they get to see (the team) and know them a little bit better, all they have to do is say, 'Dad, take me to a basketball game,' ” Beilein said. “We want to see this place sell out, and to do that, you can't stop nurturing your fan development.”

About 1,500 people filtered into Crisler Arena after the Michigan-Northwestern football game for the “Garden Party.” Saturday’s event celebrated Michigan’s advance to the championship rounds of the 2K Sports Classic, starting Thursday at Madison Square Garden. The Wolverines have not played at the storied arena since the 2006 NIT Finals.

Fans watched defensive drills, followed by the team’s annual Maize and Blue scrimmage, which the Maize team won 35-31. After the scrimmage, players and coaches sat at tables bordering the court for 30 minutes to sign autographs and pose for pictures. There were ticket giveaways to the home games against Duke, Michigan State and Ohio State — the only games that aren't free for students.

“We're just trying to build a culture — get people excited about Michigan basketball,” fifth-year senior guard C.J. Lee said. “We're doing that slowly but surely, and this is what it takes to do that.”

The Wolverines have a long way to go before an NCAA tournament berth, but Beilein has actively encouraged promotions as he develops the program.

Beilein gave a short speech before the scrimmage thanking fans and encouraging them to attend Michigan’s home games during the week of Thanksgiving.

The “Garden Party” was the second basketball fan event in eight days. Last week, the men’s and women’s teams collectively hosted Fan Appreciation Night with similar giveaways and autograph sessions.

“We just got to reach out as much as we can, because I really want people to know our players, and this is a great way of doing that,” Beilein said.

Beilein said plans for public events are still being tweaked. His ideal version of an event like Saturday’s would be one that is both “fan-friendly and student-athlete friendly.” Michigan athletes traditionally have a good relationship with one another, and the men’s basketball coaching staff stresses the importance of supporting other Michigan athletic teams.

The Wolverines attended the Michigan-Michigan State volleyball match last Friday at Cliff Keen Arena. The entire team stood beside volleyball student-fan section, the Zone, for most of the evening.

“That was a big time volleyball match,” said Beilein, who attended Friday’s home hockey game. “There was some talent out there, and I think that was good for them to see how hard those gals are working.”

Beilein said last season’s troubles on the court interfered with the team attending such events together, but attending events like Friday’s volleyball game and football games help build team chemistry.

“We just wanted to get out and support other athletic teams because we're all part of the Michigan family,” Lee said. “It’s important that we do that.”