To make room for more fans, ASU basketball takes down wall in upper deck at Wells Fargo Arena

Arizona State fans attending Thursday’s home contest against Oregon at Wells Fargo Arena may notice something different.

The wall is gone.

To deal with increased ticket demand, the school recently removed the wall that circled the top of the arena, blocking off the highest rows. The decision increases the arena’s capacity by about 4,000 seats to 14,100. The plan is to keep it down for the rest of the season.

ASU’s strong start caused all this. Expected to fight for an NCAA Tournament bid this season, coach Bobby Hurley instead has led the Sun Devils into the national rankings. ASU finished a strong non-conference season as college basketball’s final unbeaten team, climbing as high as No. 3 in the AP Top 25. After recent losses to Arizona and Colorado, the Sun Devils (13-2 and 1-2 in the Pac-12) are No. 11 this week.

To help create a more intimate atmosphere, ASU in 2010 erected the wall, which features photos of the school’s athletic standouts, including James Harden. It lowered the arena’s capacity to 10,734. Even so, the team usually sold out only one game, the annual clash with rival Arizona.

That hasn’t been the case this season.

On Dec. 17, a week after defeating No. 2 Kansas, ASU sold out Wells Fargo Arena for a non-conference game against Vanderbilt. The Sun Devils then drew 9,308 for a home game against Longwood and 10,646 against Pacific.

After opening Pac-12 action with three consecutive road contests, Thursday’s Oregon game tips off at 8 p.m. and will be ASU’s first home conference game. The Sun Devils then host Oregon State at 4 p.m. Saturday.

RELATED: ASU basketball schedule for 2017-18 season

Entering this week, the Sun Devils rank third in the Pac-12 in home attendance, averaging 7,919 fans. Arizona (14,244) leads the conference, followed by Utah (12,199). Last year, ASU – which finished 15-18 – averaged 6,501 home fans, which ranked eighth.

ASU offers three prices for the new seats. For Maroon games (against Oregon State, Colorado and California), tickets cost $20, $15 or $10. For Gold games (Oregon, USC, UCLA, Utah and Stanford), prices are $30, $25 or $20.

Tickets for the Feb. 15 Arizona game will have different prices. They will go on sale Jan. 18. Details: 480-727-0000.

MORE: ASU basketball falls out of top 10, Arizona also drops

RELATED: ASU overcomes foul trouble, escapes Utah with 1st conference win

MORE: Pac-12 reprimands ASU coach Bobby Hurley for comments on officiating

Contact Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller. Download the ASU XTRA app for iPhone and Android.