Alright athletic department, I am going to suggest something.
After the first media timeout, around the 15 minute mark in the first half, all seats in the building should become fair game to the people that have general admission tickets.

If someone has your seat ticket and shows up late, politely say sorry and move to a different seat.

But for the entire lower bowl to be empty for a wednesday night game.... come on. It is simple. Let the upper bowl folks come on down if they want.

Seems like a dang easy way to get some energy near the court.

And it cost nothing.