Mississippi State basketball fans and MSU students Josh Fisher, Ben Stroud and David Kiesel smile in front of a Humphrey Coliseum crowd before the Bulldogs face Kentucky on Feb. 15, 2023. Theres a reasonable chance this arena will move into the top 25 if the Cavs keep up their spot near the top of the ACC. So please let me assure you your school is very special in its own ways, and who I am to speak on that precious relationship you have with it? Like in Durham, the small confines in Spokane give the arena an intimidating feel for opponents, especially when the focus is a raucous student section. Kentucky has won 89.5% of its all-time games at Rupp and has only lost eight of the 132 games it has played there under John Calipari, to give you an idea of just how much of a home court advantage the Wildcats enjoy. 15 Best College Basketball Arenas 2. It was the final conference game between the Blue Devils and the Tar Heels. Unlike other traditional blue blood programs, Duke has rather small arena with 9,314 seats. The following is a list of German indoor arenas for handball games. With March Madness approaching, here's a look at some of the loudest college arenas in the NCAA: The McCarthey Athletic Center is a 6,000-seat indoor arena on the campus of Gonzaga University that is home to the university's Bulldog basketball program. The location of the student section, called The Izzone, is absolutely prime. Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country - there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. Who has the loudest student section? With a seating capacity of 23,500, it's the largest off-campus home for a Division I team in the country. Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke Blue Devils) Home Record Since 2000: 284-22 (.928) Advertisement. 8: Kentucky (Rupp Arena) It might offend some Kentucky fans to see me ranking them outside of the top five, and they might have a point. Cameron Indoor is iconic for a host of reasons, and one of the biggest is the atmosphere. McKale Memorial Center 14. 9. The HURD elicit fear into the psyches of its opponents. In terms of atmosphere, the Wildcats have a top-25 college basketball environment in The Pavilion. The atmosphere is even more special during afternoon games when the daylight shines through the windows amid the throngs of spectators. Now thats what you call home court advantage. Though the students dont get a huge amount of the seating dedicated to them, Wichita State is one of the rare schools in college basketball whose older crowd is ready and willing to get very, very loud and rowdy. In a video released by NCAA.com, it says. It got so loud that some of the lights broke. Xavier fans are ferociously dedicated to their Musketeers, and their dedication to the program is part of why it has risen up to the Big East. When it opened in September 1980, it was famously nicknamed, "The Loud House.". Xfinity Center (Maryland). In college basketball, going to an NCAA game is one of the most exhilarating experiences for a fan, and college campuses are where you are bound to find the loudest basketball arenas. Talk about a true home-court advantage, try visiting the home of the Aggies in Logan, Utah. Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, North Carolina. Opened in 1971, the arena has seen great success over the years, including 576 Indiana wins that power an .834 winning percentage. The Allen Fieldhouse, at the University of Kansas, is home to the Kansas Jayhawks men's and women's basketball teams. Largest College Basketball Arenas in the SEC ranked 1-14. The Detroit Redwings throw octopi on the ice, so why dont Hoosier fans throw chairs onto the court? Best Big Ten Basketball Rivalries Right Now, This article was originally published on Fivestar News, more than 11,000 seats larger than the second-largest arena in the sport, they dont care if they need binoculars to see the ball from their seats. The last few years havent been what Arizona would have preferred, but the atmosphere at the McKale Center remains one of the best in college basketball. Ubel said in The Gazette, (Michigan States) atmosphere, their students, the way its set up the students are completely surrounding the court. Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. 14. That's not far off, as the school also boasts that no other arena has hosted more games or opponents than The Palestra. Top 5 Largest College Basketball Arenas in NCAA Division I Sports #3: KFC Yum! The results appear in the magazine's Nov. 15 issue, which is available on newsstands. People in the midwest know a thing or two about tornadoes and the noise of natural distasters. This venue is renowned for its raucous game-day environment and multipurpose availability. Playing away is tough in itself, but if you're playing at one of these arenas then it's pretty much game over. For a long time, Syracuse has had one of the best atmospheres in college basketball, I suspect thats something that will remain true for a long time. From 2005 to 2018, Kansas won every single Big 12 regular season title 14 to be exact. The aluminum ceiling contains the loud cheering of student fans and adds to the unique character of Mackey Arena. Theres question of the fanbases passion, but the consistency of the atmosphere isnt there for me to justify a top-10 spot. Always free! While the arena hosts much more than sports, it is famously home to the Indiana Hoosiers mens basketball team. Assembly Hall, Illinois 9. Mar 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. After years of planning, the University of Idaho has finally broken ground on a dedicated basketball arena. Jokes aside, Ive seen the Carrier Dome erupt into some of the most incredible celebrations and really make opponents pay for daring to enter Upstate New York. Id expect the atmosphere to remain insane at GCU moving forward. These are the top-25 best college basketball atmospheres in Division I mens hoops, as ranked by a scientist I mean bracketologist. Few venues can match the uniquely designed Assembly Hall when it comes to noise. Home Team. No matter if its blatantly obvious that the call is correct, Iowa State fans will boo it and boo it with purpose if it goes against their Cyclones. Established in 1968, it stands as the eldest arena in the association. Opened in November 2004, the Kennel is the smallest arena on this list, but its atmosphere has made Gonzaga one of the most successful programs at home. That makes Duke tough and loud, but not the toughest and loudest (though one man likened the crowd to that of a jet engine). From cheerleaders and bands, to painted co-eds and mascots, college basketball arenas -- with the thousands of fans that fill the seats -- can be one of the loudest places in the country. In that same span, the Jayhawks lost 13 games at home. McOnnel Court- University of Oregon 4. NBA Preview 2021-22: Who Claims the Crown? It means every orange-clad, snow-loving student gets every chance to optimize the strength of his or her vocal cords. Full disclosure: I attended Maryland, including many mens basketball games, including many mens basketball games in the student section. This is a new-money type of atmosphere, but that doesnt make it any less imposing for visiting college basketball squads. Confined within the multipurpose home of the Spartans, the group dresses up, brings props and uses mini-megaphones that make great souvenirs for the kids. I imagine it gets much, much more deafening when IU is actually in the building. The "Cathedral," which seats roughly 8,700, opened in 1927, and even after recent renovations it has not lost its charm while remaining the trendsetter for other great college basketball venues that followed. Lanxess Arena. The atmosphere is crazy, whether theyre on a three-game losing streak or a three-game winning streak.. Sanford Stadium. Its size is unmatched with 34,616 seats, Syracuses home is more than 11,000 seats larger than the second-largest arena in the sport. How loud does it get in The Phog? Nothing epitomizes the state of Indiana's love of basketball more than Butler's legendary fieldhouse. Rupp opened in 1976 and has regularly seen crowds of over 24,000 during its 30 plus year history. UNC is one of the most storied, successful programs in the sport, and the potential for an insane atmosphere is there when a situation calls for it. At a time where we can't seem to agree on . Up high are the season ticket holders, down low are the Smurfs, better knows as the Cameron Crazies. If youre ever lucky enough to walk through the doors at this historic venue, you can feel its age, history, and importance to the game within moments. Save Share Show Less The fearsome and historic Cameron Indoor, which opened way back in 1940, earns the top spot on our list. Fans in the famous student section, called the Cameron Crazies, are known for painting themselves blue and white and doing signature moves, like reaching out an arm while an opposing player is inbounding the ball. But with how the student section is placed around more than half of the court and right up near the action and the schools inclination for hoops, the potential for an elite atmosphere is always there at Illinois. With March Madness approaching, here's a look at some of the loudest college arenas in the NCAA: 10. The Pit is aptly known, with its court settled 37 feet below street level. Mackey is widely known as one of the best, loudest, college basketball arenas in the country, especially when the hated Hoosiers are in town. There arent many cities in America more obsessed with college basketball than Indianapolis, and Butler is part of that puzzle. And if youre there for a game against Cincinnati, Dayton, Butler, or another team the fans have a special distaste for, you can expect some extreme nastiness. The arena is named after Phog Allen, a former player and head coach for the Jayhawks whose tenure lasted 39 years.The arena's nickname, The Phog also pays homage to Allen. Some of the rowdiest, loudest, most despicable (in a good way, if you ask me) atmospheres Ive ever seen at a college basketball game have been at The Octagon of Dome. Its that way pretty much every time K-State welcomes KU to town. The Palestra 7. Considered one of the rowdiest places to watch college basketball, Oklahoma State's arena is named for two of the school's greats: basketball coach Henry Iba and legendary wrestling coach Hank Gallagher. I believe that a home crowd can make a difference in a game it takes a player on the court to hit a shot and a coach on the sideline to call the play, but the fans at Kansas have won games for their team on many occasions. The students, who are given 10 of the arenas 26 sections, especially feel compelled to ensure everyone in the area knows that IU sucks, regardless of whether or not IU is in the building. Are there times where Assembly Hall falls victim to older fans with money taking up the best seats and spending the entire game sitting down? But under Eric Musselman, the program has been reinvigorated, and thats brought the Hogs out in a big way the last couple of seasons. Likes. In a video released by NCAA.com, it says, It's twice the. What is the largest college basketball arena? Consistently ranked among the best college basketball arenas in the nation in terms of attendance and overall acclaim, "The Pit," as it's more affectionately known, has housed the Lobos since 1966. Kansas allots 4,000 of the arenas 16,300 capacity to students and puts them behind both baskets and largely in a four-section span in one of the corners. Views. The home of the Wildcats has packed in as many as 24,000 for basketball games, despite the official capacity being listed as 23,500. The Pit is renowned for being one of the loudest places to play in college basketball, with sound levels reaching up to 125 decibels, about as loud as a jackhammer. Like we did for the top 10 upsets of the last decade and the 10 best uniforms in college hoops, we arrived at this overall top 10 ranking by averaging the responses, with more weight given based on the 110 scale. The Jack Breslin Student Events Center is a 16,280-capacity venue that is home to the Michigan State Spartans men's and women's basketball teams. Syracuse's basketball arena is the biggest by a landslide, coming in first place with 34,616 seats. Small sections of bleachers jet out from both baselines, while seats extend up the sides where balconies also exist which might not cater to fans with height issues. KFC Yum! Rank Arena Team Capacity Opened; 1: Rupp Arena: Kentucky: 23,500: 1976: 2: Thompson-Boling Arena With this in mind, we polled our college basketball staff and asked them to rank what they feel are the 10 toughest places in the country for opposing teams to play. Some are steeped in tradition, while others offer modern-day amenities but still remain a pain for the opposition. Allen Fieldhouse is one of college basketball's most . This article was originally published on Fivestar News. to see one of college basketball's great facilities up close. But as Oklahoma State basketball has suffered, Oklahoma State football has produced, and Cowboys fans have understandably shifting their focus further to the gridiron. The last few years, The Izzone hasnt quite been as engaged as it was when I was growing up, and so maybe the Breslin Center has dropped a couple of spots since then. You have to respect a fanbase that has such a dedication to pure and unadulterated hatred for its enemy. McCarthey Athletic Center - Gonzaga The McCarthey Athletic Center is a 6,000-seat indoor arena on the campus of Gonzaga University that is home to the university's Bulldog basketball program. The Hilton Coliseum is a 14,267-capacity arena that is home to the Iowa State University Cyclones men's and women's basketball teams, as well wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball programs. Widely regarded as one of the best venues in North American college sports, the McKale Center is . One of The Pits legendary moments came back in 2010, when San Diego States D.J. In an interview with Yahoo! It is also fitting, perhaps, that the winningest program in college basketball history plays its' games here on these hallowed grounds. As compiled by Collegiate Basketball News, the median winning percentage of the 351 Division I men's teams in their current arenas is 67.7%, with 144 of those 351 schools having a winning. Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. With arguably the most passionate fans in college . The crowd is loud. Villanova doesn't play all of its home games at the quaint, 6,500-seat on-campus court, as the glitzier Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia also plays host to the Wildcats. The stadium itself is actually 37 feet below street level due to the fact that it was built on a mesa. But similar to UNC, a lot of the fans given priority seating in Rupp Arena are very far from current students, and it costs several thousands of dollars for season tickets near the action. As visiting teams will agree, it can be more intimidating than it looks especially when filled to capacity as the sound is contained well due to the building's configuration. 405. At least it gets those dag nab bit iGoogle Crapple Twitterbooks out of their hands. Its crowds have reflected that, with the 10,250-seat arena being either at or near capacity night in and night out for the Musketeers, creating a hostile environment for any opponent hoping to come in and leave with a W. In fact, only three teams in the country have a better home winning percentage in their current arena than Xavier: Gonzaga, Oregon and Kentucky (though Kansas is right on the Musketeers heels). Rupp Arena- University of Kentucky 1. When the Jayhawks were winning Big 12 titles every year for more than a decade, nobody was winning at Allen Fieldhouse but them. It might not have the historical value or intimacy of its rival down Tobacco Road, but the "Dean Dome" can hang with any other in the game in terms of noise or intimidating the opponent. The trip to the desert has been one of the hardest in the Pac-12 for decades, in part because of the quality of the teams that have often blessed Tucson, but also because of the insane environment Wildcats fans create in the building. Kansas has a lifetime 774114 record at Allen Fieldhouse, which works out to a .872 win percentage going back to 1955. When enough people can make a 22,000-seat arena shake, thats loud, intimidating and cause for exodus. That has got to have Bill Self, Kansas head coach, screaming for joy. It has become the hub of one of the most impressive programs in the sport and been an important piece of Gonzagas climb into the national limelight. Big Ten Basketball Arenas, Ranked Before I go further, let's outline the criteria I'm using for these very definitive rankings: atmosphere, home-court advantage, banners, history, and name. Payne Whitney Gym 8. McKale Memorial Center (Arizona Wildcats) February 1, 2023 will mark the milestone 50-year anniversary of the McKale Center's opening. A recent renovation has the Pavilion looking good while still maintaining the intense atmosphere that visiting teams find far from inviting. Playing at home can make all the difference in college basketball. ESPNs Anne Catherine Clemmons writes, But to feel a record crowd of 22,125 shaking the much larger dome that is the Smith Center (which soaks in enough sunlight for the Tar Heels to practice without electric lighting when open in the early afternoon) is something else entirely. Cameron Indoor Stadium 3. Since then, the Zags have lost just 18 games (entering the week) at their 6,000-seat home. The United Center has the highest capacity of any current NBA . Carrier Dome 12. With the largest student section in the country at 7,800 seats, Assembly Hall is far from a friendly site for opponents when its rocking. For big games especially, Rupp can get very, very loud. Dash and steal the ball from your opponent in head-to-head matches! The likes of Dwayne "Pearl" Washington and Carmelo Anthony have starred here, making it a one-of-a-kind experience for the college basketball fan. That has an effect on the atmosphere. A loud court makes it impossible to communicate. Georgia's Sanford Stadium is home to electrifying fans and a great atmosphere. What's the biggest arena in the world? And for that reason, the atmosphere at Rupp Arena is worthy of a very high place in the pecking order. "The World's Most Famous Arena" has been a college basketball staple for decades. It opened in 1928 but does not show its age thanks to renovations and impeccable upkeep. Pain begins at 125 dBs and a jet engine at 100 feet is 140 dBs, so consider that the next time youre in western Upstate New York. Since Miller took over the program in 2009-10, Arizona has won more than 140 home games. Jan 12, 2023. Big Game Boomer @BigGameBoomer . During the Big 8 Conference finals, former OKU wrestling coach Myron Roderick said, "It got s loud, lot f the lights busted n Gallagher. As if Gonzaga didn't need any more of an advantage, the student section's close proximity to the court and the building's overall cozy atmosphere continue to make playing there a daunting challenge for the opposition. The circular configuration of Koch Arena has provided a huge home-court advantage for the Shockers, especially in recent years when they've ranked among the nation's best. When filled to capacity of more than 10,000, the noise level surrounds the floor, leaving little room to escape for the opposition. There's close to 6,000 students at Allen Fieldhousethree times more than Dukeand they've earned the title of loudest college arena. Gay was fouled shooting a three with his team down two and one second remaining. Theres no question the students go very hard for their Tar Heels. Go for slam dunks, fire off long 3-point shots, use superpowers, win matches and earn cups! The Aggies finished 13-5 at home a year ago and much of that can be credited to this loud and verbally abusive venue. The Cameron Indoor Stadium, which opened way back in 1940, is a 9,314-seat arena that is home to the Duke Blue Devils and serves as the home court for Duke men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball. 2018-2021 All Rights Reserved Nothing But Nylon is powered by, News & gear by players, for players Powered by. The Aggies are ignited by that "Spectrum Magic," which has been responsible for only 18 non-conference home defeats since the 1996-97 season. For non-Duke fans, it's another reason to loathe the Blue Devils. Duke fans come up with different things and they're really, really clever. But the potential is still there, and Utah State is still one of the toughest places to play in the Mountain West. Officially the world's largest by capacity, Pyongyang, North Korea's Rungrado 1st of May Stadium takes top spot. The following courts are the loudest, biggest, baddest, meanest venues to visit. Kentucky Wildcats: Rupp Arena, opened in 1976 The downtown arena holds around 23,5000, and there is rarely a time when Rupp isn't at capacity these days. All that said, the biggest reason Kansas State is here for me is because of how it gets up for the Kansas game, which has made that contest a must-see and something I look forward to every year. As Virginia has improved under Tony Bennett, so too has the atmosphere at John Paul Jones Arena. The ceilings are incredibly high, the floor is raised, and you can feel the history of the place even through the TV. There is zero controversy in saying this ACC fans will chase you down a long, busy hallway for no reason other than to make sure you know that College Park is hell on earth and Terps fans are the scum of humanity, you know, for your own safety. Honorable mentions are at the bottom. As if playing a possible two-platoon Wildcat team isnt intimidating enough, the fans in Lexington bring the noise. But part of what makes Hilton so deadly is the passion and noise making isnt relegated to just the students the adults sitting around the arena are poised and ready with their boo birds, too. Purdues Terone Johnson said in The Gazette, It gets ridiculous. But you wont find many arenas in this sport with a better atmosphere at its best. From signs to body paint to shaking their hands in coordination at opposing players inbounding the ball, Duke clearly has one of the best student sections in the country, and by extension have one of the best atmospheres as well. So loud," Mike Roberts, radio voice of the Lobos from 1966 to 2008, said in an ESPN story, "you can feel it in your bones.". This is one of the best college basketball arenas in 2022 as it has state-of-the-art facilities and a capacity for a maximum of 17,472 seats. The indoor basketball venue holds 17,222 seats and also houses the largest student section in the country at 7,800 seats. Its no doubt in large part due to its dedicated and famous student section, dubbed the Cameron Crazies. The group is known for many things, including camping out in Krzyzewskiville, covering themselves in blue and white paint and taunting opposing players with signs, chants and their signature move where the entire student section reaches out an arm while an opposing player is inbounding the ball. Wichita State games are the real deal. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. From the team benches on the baseline to the expanded court area, the home of the Commodores is something to behold. It is currently the largest arena by seating capacity in the Big Ten Conference, with 19,049 seats, which is reduced to 18,809 for Ohio State men's basketball games. That's historically been the case at Provident Credit Union Event Center. Carrier Dome Carrier Dome, Syracuse | 34,616 seats The Carrier Dome is the largest in college basketball. When packed, the building rocks and the dark seating corners add a nice touch to the experience. Stadium. Big Ten basketball players vote on the league's loudest gym. Named after famed Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, the home of the Wildcats is one of the most recognizable arenas in all of sports. My story on one of the sport's most unique places and how the Lobos turned it all around: Matthew Knight Arena, Oregon ESPN the Magazine recently asked engineers from Penn State's graduate acoustics program to help answer the question. Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt) Its like playing basketball at Boeings jet-engine testing facility. 30 toughest college basketball arenas to play in. The Jayhawks won that night, just as they do so often on their home floor. What does that mean? How historic is this building? On top of that, there are no air conditioning units in the building, no white-noise humming in the background. It was Hilton Magic that helped propel Iowa State over Oklahoma three years ago, coming back from a 21-point second-half deficit for the win. Rupp Arena, Kentucky Size matters in Kentucky. There might not be a better experience for a sports fan than catching a college basketball game at a campus arena. Students are extremely engaged from the start to finish of every game, and the 7,000-seat GCU Arena is often rocking. Thats why I have North Carolina this high. Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State) Rob Ferguson/USA TODAY Sports Considered one of the rowdiest places to watch college basketball, Oklahoma State's arena is named for two of the school's. Students are placed behind both baskets, occupying a large chunk of the space around the court, meaning their spirited chants and curses can be heard and felt intimately by opposing players on the floor. The Mountaineers take huge pride in how Bob Huggins coaches his players to play, and that passion comes out during games through tons of noise, a super-rowdy atmosphere, and really one of the more vicious college basketball settings in the country. I dont care if The Pit isnt the official name of New Mexicos basketball arena. Ask West Virginia, who was present on Feb. 13, 2017, when the 16,300 in attendance set the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar at an indoor sporting event (130.4 decibels). Enter the Iowa State Cyclones. Rutgers' basketball arena was originally titled the Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) when it opened in 1977. The 12th-ranked Volunteers announced that Zeigler tore his left ACL in a win over Arkansas. Nope, the Blue Wall doesnt have the Izzone. For those in journalism (ahem) who know that newspapers are dead, the Izzone is a refreshing bout of paper-in-hand newsprint, even if it is simply to mock. Stephen C. O'Connell Center, also known as the O'Dome, is a 10,500-seat arena that is home to the Florida Gators athletic programs. ", Roy Williams, UNCs head coach, also added, "That was the loudest I have ever heard the Smith Center.. Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. ESPN The Magazine's Loudest Arenas 1. Great sightlines. Fans sit in a hole in the ground literally which makes even the farthest-away seats feel relatively close to the court. Good luck inbounding the ball with dozens of blue extended wiggling fingers casting a hex on you. original sound - Heath Adams. Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 . On its surface it sounds more like a U Masss Blue Wall Cafe, just a benign hangout to get a morning bagel. Center (Louisville, KY) - Louisville Basketball (22,090 Capacity) . So yes, the midwest knows its noise. Maryland has one of the nastiest, least-welcoming fanbases in the country. In addition to being one of the loudest in the nation, the arena has also helped Kansas compile a 140-3 home record since 2007, statistically one of the best in all of sports. It has been called The Loud House and once registered a decibel level of 120. Without question, the Peterson Events Center has the capacity to be one of the loudest arenas in the nation, in large part thanks to the Oakland Zoo student section. But for the most part the students are civil and often downright clever with their chants. The Carrier Dome is one of the most unique settings in college basketballand, because it doubles as a gridiron, in football as well. Petersen Events Center (Pittsburgh) The Razorbacks are celebrating the 25th season of basketball at their arena named after Walmart's co-founder. The atmosphere at the Spectrum isnt what it was in the 2000s, and for that it just barely misses out on my top 25. | So it's clear that playing at home can make a big difference in college hoops, especially when you have dedicated fans and can pack an arena. But is it a tough section to play in front of? The arenas serve as home venues for both the men's and women's teams except where noted. The 9,314-person capacity at Cameron is far smaller than many of Dukes blue blood competitors, but it makes for a tight, cramped and electric atmosphereespecially when that team in Carolina blue comes to town. Sure, they lull you to sleep with the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant, but dont let that fool you. Thats about as loud as Rupp Arena gets, which is still pretty darn loud. There have been so many Kansas games Ive watched over the years where the crowd so clearly willed its team back into the game and simply refused to let the Jayhawks lose.