Basketbowl

The Basketbowl, between Michigan State University and the University of Kentucky was the most attended basketball game in history. It occurred on December 13, 2003 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan setting an attendance record of 78,129. Kentucky won the game 79-74. The NCAA was impressed with the massive size of the crowd that they decided in 2008 to expand the seating capacity for the Men's Division I Basketball Championship to a minimum of 70,000 starting with the 2009 Final Four, which would be held in that stadium.

The Teams

Both schools entered into the contest with significant on-court accomplishments. Combined, both school have nine national championships (2 for Michigan State, 7 for Kentucky), and 18 Final Four appearances (5 for Michigan State, 13 for Kentucky). Michigan State and Kentucky had met 20 times previously with Kentucky holding a 11-9 advantage. MSU had defeated Kentucky 71-67 the previous year at Rupp Arena.

The Court

The basketball court for the game was moved from Michigan State's Breslin Center and reassembled on the 50 yard line of Ford Field, giving the promotional title "Basketbowl: Hoops on the 50!" In addition, the entire court was raised off the field by a custom stage deck installed by SGA Production Staging, Inc. to improve sight lines for those sitting in the upper bowl of the stadium.

The Crowd

Michigan State and Kentucky share one of the most respectful rivalries in college basketball and before the game many fans from the two schools tailgated together in the surrounding Downtown Detroit area. In fact, they faced each other in the 1999 and 2005 NCAA Tournament Regional Finals (Michigan State won both). Both schools brought sizable fan bases, a student section, and their marching bands. Normally, a smaller "pep band" would perform at a game in smaller arenas and the NCAA Tournament.

Previous Record

The previous record of 75,000 was held by the Harlem Globetrotters during their exhibition game at Berlin, Germany's Olympic Stadium.

"BasketBowl II"

It was announced on April 15th, 2008 that Ford Field will host "BasketBowl II" between the Spartans and North Carolina as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge on December 3rd of that year. That game will be televised on ESPN. [http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/msu/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/QuickFacts.pdf Source]