The GCI Great Alaska Shootout was my first time in the Alaska Airlines Center and my first time watching basketball in person in about a decade.  I am not a basketball expert, but I had tickets for every session of the shootout and only missed on game (UAA vs Missouri State due to the early schedule) and parts of two others free shuttle downtown for the treelighting.  Given some of the uncertainty around the future of the event I wanted to experience it.  I enjoyed the event!  Of the 12 men's games only three of them were really not competitive down the stretch.  The rest were good games especially Nevada's come back vs Oakland and the last two games!  Based on a bit of googling, the seating capacity of the AAC is 5000.  Given the attendance number in the article the arena was about 65% full at peak for the championship game.  For the rest of the days it hovered around 50% for the most attended evening sessions.  I hope this tournament is viable in the future!