The University athletic department is now one step closer to the start of the men’s basketball season after student season tickets went on sale Monday at 9 a.m.

Brian Amentt, assistant athletic ticket manager, said there are 3,500 student tickets available. “The first week is always pretty slow,” Amentt said. “But we sold out the last five or six years, and we expect to again.”

Amentt said students should turn in order forms at the same time as their friends to ensure sitting together, because these tickets are assigned seats and not general admission. Not many students have turned in ticket forms yet, but Amentt credits that to students trying to round up their friends. He added he does not expect last year’s 16-19 record to affect ticket sales.

Seats are designated on a points system. Points are awarded based on students’ year in school and previous ticket purchases, for both football and men’s basketball. The more points one accumulates, the closer one sits to the floor. However, by turning in a ticket order with friends, points in the group are averaged to assign the seating, Amentt said.

By early Monday afternoon, students had made their way to the athletic ticket office at Assembly Hall. Most expressed a positive outlook on the upcoming season, despite the team’s subpar year last season.

“I’m pumped for the season,” said James Walsh, a first-year graduate student and first-time buyer of basketball season tickets. “It might be a rebuilding year, but I’m excited. I can’t wait to see a game in Assembly Hall.”

Joe Levar, a sophomore in Aviation who attended many games last year, said he plans on joining Orange Krush, a registered student cheering section run by Illini Pride.

“I like how the students pump up the crowd, and I want to see how Jeffrey Jordan advances this season,” Levar said.

For some, the quality of the team that takes to the court in November takes a back seat to the atmosphere at Assembly Hall.

“I’m very excited for the season,” said Sam Ringo, a freshman in Media who said she plans on going to all of the home games. “Even if the team isn’t that great, I want the experience of being with my friends and cheering on my team. I love seeing the school spirit.”

Tickets are $156 for the season, said Josh Hall, a ticket salesman at the athletic box office. That includes all home games while school is in session, but not the games during winter break, he said.

Tickets can be ordered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the athletic ticket box office at the Assembly Hall.