Oh, I don't know. Maybe the extreme arrogance and passive put downs.
I think there are many variables to the problem you and Celtic are discussing. For you to think you know the exact cause of apathy in college basketball is false. College basketball could be down for some of the same reasons you cite and the problem be compounded by issues such as what Celtic is referring to. At this point 40 million people could tell you the turnover and system are not helping them gain interest and you'd label everyone of them anecdotal. I'm surprised that you wouldn't take the position that it's more complex than just one thing.
For example, do you not believe if Kentucky had a top 5 team (legitimate top 5) with three Richies and a Darius Rupp wouldn't be packed every game?
I can be surprised that a smart guy like Celtic makes a claim like that without being mad.
There are obviously lots of variables, but when it's happening in all sports and the way we operate here is so rare even within our sport, it's almost impossible to give that any consideration.
If it were only in college basktball or college sports, maybe you chalk it up to disillusionment with the entire system. But it's everywhere. And it's ongoing.
There might be outliers. Duke might not see it because they play in a broom closet. A team might have the best year they've had in decades in the NFL and set an attendance record.
But it isn't the overall trend at all, so it can't be the particular performance, style, operations, etc of any one franchise or program.