Utah State may not be a headliner on the basketball court, but don't tell its student section that. 1. Here are the loudest basketball arenas in the NCAA, 8. Georgia's Sanford Stadium is home to electrifying fans and a great atmosphere. It provides a solid combination of comfort and intimacy, which makes for quality basketball viewing. The fearsome and historic Cameron Indoor, which opened way back in 1940, earns the top spot on our list. Big Ten basketball players vote on the league's loudest gym. Students are placed a couple sections deep behind both baskets, plus with sections into the 200s on the east end, meaning theres no escape for opponents no matter which basket theyre attacking. After years of planning, the University of Idaho has finally broken ground on a dedicated basketball arena. Since then, the Zags have lost just 18 games (entering the week) at their 6,000-seat home. My story on one of the sport's most unique places and how the Lobos turned it all around: The huge multi-level arena doesn't . Screaming, because Kansas fans once hit 122 on the decibel thingamajig. With March Madness approaching, here's a look at some of the loudest college arenas in the NCAA: 10. Carrier Dome Carrier Dome, Syracuse | 34,616 seats The Carrier Dome is the largest in college basketball. 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. Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. McKale Memorial Center (Arizona Wildcats) February 1, 2023 will mark the milestone 50-year anniversary of the McKale Center's opening. If your teams arena didnt make this list, it doesnt mean your atmosphere is bad. The student section of the stadium has been dubbed the "Rowdy Reptiles. Dick Vitale, on assignment at the Florida-Kentucky game in 2006, said the O'Connell Center is one of the toughest places to play in college basketball. 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. I have to pay my respects to the Winning Team, Losing Team chant. The New York Knicks' stadium is an iconic landmark of the NBA's rich history. We have the VGK and Raiders (who themselves would hardly ever play at the same time as a UNLV hoops game), whoo hoo. 30 toughest college basketball arenas to play in. But its still one of the premier crowds in the country for now. Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State 10. He missed one of the three free throws as the game went to overtime, where New Mexico prevailed. Sports' Jeff Eisenberg, former Wake Forest star Ish Smith said: I know people will automatically say Cameron and we never won in Cameron, but Cameron was fun to play in. At least it gets those dag nab bit iGoogle Crapple Twitterbooks out of their hands. And once the ball is tipped, theres not a louder college basketball arena in the country. I know the name changed. Under Coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks have had multiple home . All rights reserved. From 1928 until 1950, Hinkle was the biggest college hoops arena in the country; after a 1950 renovation (and a name change), Williams Arena became the largest -- a title it held until 1971. Still, the Razorbacks have had one of the most formidable home atmospheres in the SEC for some time, knocking off tons of ranked teams at home in the 2010s despite missing the NCAA Tournament more often than not. The Syracuse Orange men's basketball team drew the highest average home attendance in college basketball in 2015-16, with an average crowd of 26,253. For the unbiased college basketball fan, it's a bucket list item, even to see it empty. The 12th-ranked Volunteers announced that Zeigler tore his left ACL in a win over Arkansas. Rupp Arena- University of Kentucky 1. Its been a minute since the Panthers were nationally relevant, having last made the NCAA Tournament in 2016, and with every passing year that they remain near the bottom of the ACC, the worse the atmosphere will get. Amusing, possibly, but since thats patently foolish, they can scream for Tom Crean. Largest College Basketball Arenas in the SEC ranked 1-14. Emailed daily. 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). It was the final conference game between the Blue Devils and the Tar Heels. 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 percentage over .700. At its peak, like for a Duke game or other big-time opponent, the Dean Dome can offer the greatest atmosphere in college basketball. The results appear in the magazine's Nov. 15 issue, which is available on newsstands. On top of that, there are no air conditioning units in the building, no white-noise humming in the background. The arenas serve as home venues for both the men's and women's teams except where noted. It makes it the largest arena in the country that is used only for indoor sports, and when you combine that with the success of the Wildcats you get a nightly crowd thats always ready to rock. 9. Theres no question the students go very hard for their Tar Heels. While the stadium may hold far less than its competitors, the electric atmosphere brings them high on the list. KFC Yum! 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. 1. The Show, the San Diego State student section, is one of the most creative in the country. The Value City Arena is located on the campus of Ohio State University and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes. But the potential is still there, and Utah State is still one of the toughest places to play in the Mountain West. That announcer was ESPN's Dave O'Brien, and he said the Hilton Coliseum was "louder than anything in the ACC.". X dont play. This venue is renowned for its raucous game-day environment and multipurpose availability. Penn State. The Detroit Redwings throw octopi on the ice, so why dont Hoosier fans throw chairs onto the court? Known as one of the "best, loudest, and most intimidating" stadiums in college football, upwards of 92,000 people can fill the seats to watch the action between the hedges. The placement of your student section is crucial to building a top atmosphere, and Michigan State has set itself up perfectly. Gonzaga's new "Kennel" opened in 2004. Officially the world's largest by capacity, Pyongyang, North Korea's Rungrado 1st of May Stadium takes top spot. Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh 7. The second closest program is Kansas State, with their duo of Fort Snyder and. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. And conversely, Maryland fans will wholeheartedly agree and wear their reputation as a badge of honor. Up high are the season ticket holders, down low are the Smurfs, better knows as the Cameron Crazies. and volleyball teams and is the nation's oldest on-campus arena that still serves as the primary home to a Division I basketball program. 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. "The Phog" exudes basketball history upon entrance and remains a must-see for any college hoops fanatic. But is it a tough section to play in front of? 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. When the Jayhawks were winning Big 12 titles every year for more than a decade, nobody was winning at Allen Fieldhouse but them. Zeigler is leading the Southeastern Conference in assists, averaging 5.4 per game. Assembly Hall arena is on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and home of the Indiana Hoosiers. 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. Retweets. The "WatShot" against Kentucky. As if playing a possible two-platoon Wildcat team isnt intimidating enough, the fans in Lexington bring the noise. 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). Not so on the Beltway, when the Maryland Terrapins play host. It's loudreal loud thanks to a famed student section known as the "Oakland Zoo." Opened in 1989, the mayflower shaped . Remember when I said Cincinnati and that general region are obsessed with college basketball? 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. A recent renovation has the Pavilion looking good while still maintaining the intense atmosphere that visiting teams find far from inviting. At Xavier, basketball is THE sport in a part of the country where college basketball is giant. Bramlage Coliseum, Kansas State 8. This is a new-money type of atmosphere, but that doesnt make it any less imposing for visiting college basketball squads. Ive felt like Hilton was on the verge of riots on a handful of occasions, particularly when Kansas comes to town. Any opposing team that steps into the arena in Ames, Iowa, has to deal with the looming threat of Hilton Magic, the belief that theres something extraperhaps even unexplainablethat joins with the fans to boost the Cyclones to victory at home. If youre tasked with traveling to Rupp Arena, it will not be easy or pleasant. Fans are often seen using paint and props to create crazy energy in the stands, along with bouncing in unison in the same, or different, directions. 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. Prepare for adrenaline-pumped moments! The atmosphere is crazy, whether theyre on a three-game losing streak or a three-game winning streak.. Seating roughly 10,200, there's only one level, so even those at the highest points of the arena are still not too far from the action. That has got to have Bill Self, Kansas head coach, screaming for joy. Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. What is the largest basketball arena? 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. Playing at home can make all the difference in college basketball. In addition to providing Kentucky with a distinct home-court advantage, Rupp has hosted several NCAA Tournament games, most notably the 1985 Final Four when Villanova stunned heavily favored Georgetown for the national title. 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. in the NCAA tournament picture and, perhaps more importantly, The Pit is rocking again. 5. original sound - Heath Adams. Not only is it loud, but the violence of the vocals makes it about as inviting as a swim among piranhas. The Pit is aptly known, with its court settled 37 feet below street level. So, when you come to play against Maryland in College Park for a big game or as a team the fans are predisposed to dislike, it will not be a pleasant experience. With arguably the most passionate fans in college . They put spells on opponents. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. 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. Im sure some will say this top-10 placement is based on bias, which Im willing to give some credence to. 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. 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. 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. Rupp Arena, Kentucky 4. The Roundhouse, as its known for reasons that should be self-explanatory, the Shockers forged one of the best home records in the country for years in the building. 311. While the arena hosts much more than sports, it is famously home to the Indiana Hoosiers mens basketball team. With March Madness approaching, here's a look at some of the loudest college arenas in the NCAA: 10. I dont care if The Pit isnt the official name of New Mexicos basketball arena. 1. The location of the student section, called The Izzone, is perfect. Purdues Terone Johnson said in The Gazette, It gets ridiculous. Mackey Arena has a secret to its rowdiness that not many venues can #newmexico #lobos #thepit #basketball". Updated December 05, 2019 Its the largest domed structure on a U.S. college campus and can hold 33,000 for basketball games and 56,250 for concerts. New Mexico has taken a step back in recent years after making four of five NCAA tournaments from 2010 to 14, but opponents would never be wise to underestimate The Pit. From 2005 to 2018, Kansas won every single Big 12 regular season title 14 to be exact. But on its day, Chapel Hill turns this arena into a madhouse, and I have to respect that. 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. He's also tied for second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.7 points, while leading the team and ranking in the SEC's top 5 in steals. to see one of college basketball's great facilities up close. Talk about a true home-court advantage, try visiting the home of the Aggies in Logan, Utah. That atmosphere, combined with the rise of the Zags as a program, has helped the team compile an astounding .924 winning percentage at McCarthey, losing only 16 times since its opening in 2004. Their efforts in particular gives The Kennel one of the best atmospheres in college basketball. 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. You could argue for Duke or Kansas to be in this spot, but you have no argument for anyone else. 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. You know a team of this sort is loud when a noted college basketball announcer says it's every bit as loud as an ACC arena. Also known as The Barn, Minnesotas Williams Arena is one of the most unique in the sport. Conference affiliations reflect those in the current 2022-23 season; all affiliation changes officially took effect on July 1, 2022. The atmosphere at Illinois waned some during the long stretch of years when the program wasnt really a factor in the Big Ten, let alone on a national scale. 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. The ceilings are incredibly high, the floor is raised, and you can feel the history of the place even through the TV. What is the largest college basketball arena? no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament games. It is also fitting, perhaps, that the winningest program in college basketball history plays its' games here on these hallowed grounds. 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. 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. 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. According to BGB, the duo of Jordan-Hare Stadium and Neville Arena is the loudest in all of college sports. The same goes for the University of Kansas, who recently won the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship in 2008. As UVA has been a national and regional contender, the students have been bringing their A-game, and its made a difference. It opened in 2004, several decades later than the majority of arenas to crack this top 25. Even when MSU lost an uncharacteristic 15 games in the 201617 season, only two of those came at Breslin, and it dropped just one game all year at home last season. Former Kentucky guard John Wall elicited a 110.1 when he returned in 2011. The arena is relatively tiny, seating just a bit more than 9,000 people at one of the premier basketball entities in the game. The student section at men's basketball games, known as the Buckeye Nuthouse, is seated behind the team bench as well as behind the basket that the opponent shoots at during the second half, which allows them to be visible during television broadcasts. They put the "wild" in Wildcats. The crowd is loud. Center (Louisville) This arena is one of the more raved-about in the country and one of the biggest as it houses 22,090 fans on a nightly basis. Widely regarded as one of the best venues in North American college sports, the McKale Center is . Kohl Center (Wisconsin) Fans absolutely pack out the place to the point of bursting, and with the old-timey concrete and wood and giant windows allowing the sun to shine through, the feeling is uniquely incredible. In a more formal test of how loud Cyclones fans can get, they measured a 109 reading. McKale Memorial Center (Arizona) A loud court makes it impossible to communicate. The arena seats 16,300 spectators and ESPN The Magazine referred to the stadium as the loudest for college basketball in the country. The arena's primary tenant is the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team. What's the biggest arena in the world? Memorial Gym, Vanderbilt 10. It opened in 1938 and underwent a major renovation in 2001. The 30 Toughest College Basketball Arenas to Play In By Bex Walton - July 3, 2016 There's something about some arenas in basketball that make it almost impossible to win a game in. According to the school, no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament gamesthan UD's 125. Center 15. 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. Even though the Gophers havent always matched the atmospheres on the court, I have seen plenty of games in The Barn go the way of the home team because of the energy the fans provided the players. Not many venues can claim they play in a dome, but thats what the Syracuse Orange do. Villanova has won a tremendous amount of games in the building, especially in the last handful of years as the program claimed multiple national championships and Big East crowns. I graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Maryland in 2017, co-founding The Left Bench and spending time at The Columbus Dispatch, USA Today and San Antonio Express-News. Few venues can match the uniquely designed Assembly Hall when it comes to noise. Cameron Indoor Stadium Thats what i think, what yall think? The airlock doors Thats how they get you first. 2. UNM Arena, New Mexico 5. 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? During the Big 8 Conference finals, former OKU wrestling coach Myron Roderick said, "It got s loud, lot f the lights busted n Gallagher. Theres a reason why the NCAA puts the First Four in Dayton every March and has for years the city cannot get enough college basketball. Thats why Im handing out a few honorable mentions so a handful of fanbases dont feel totally ignored, and I acknowledge some other great places to experience college basketball. Big Game Boomer . Originally named Purdue Arena, it was renamed in 1972 to honor Purdue alumnus and long time athletic director Guy "Red" Mackey. 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. Maybe baseballs sabermetricians should analyze how many wins certain home courts are worth. Named the loudest college basketball arena in the country, fans at Allen Fieldhouse aren't afraid to make some noise (and it's safe to say they won'r quiet down any time soon after the Jayhawks took home their fourth national championship in program history on Monday night). Though no numbers could be found on the decibel level of screaming fans at the Dean Smith Center, testimonial of one 2005 game says all you need to hear. 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? The fact is, Syracuse fans love the Orange so much, they dont care if they need binoculars to see the ball from their seats; theyll show up anyway. Students are given the sections nearest to the floor behind one of the baskets and along one of the sidelines, plus a couple of sections in the 300s. The Jayhawks won that night, just as they do so often on their home floor. Lanxess Arena. One of The Pits legendary moments came back in 2010, when San Diego States D.J. Id suspect that as the program continues to improve and remain among the elite in the SEC, Arkansas will find itself itching up this list. Dean Smith Center 5. I know the dynamic may change since it's Utah-Utah State. Every section that lines the edges of the court is filled with students, well known as the Cameron Crazies. No matter where an opposing player or coach turns, they will inevitably come face-to-face with a teenager painted blue with veins popping out of their head as they not-so-politely explain how bad their enemies are at what they do. Sorry about the shaking.i was a little excited. Id expect the atmosphere to remain insane at GCU moving forward. 3. Sure, they lull you to sleep with the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant, but dont let that fool you. Back in 2012, Nebraskas Brandon Ubel made specific mention of Michigan States Breslin Student Events Center. Opened in 1967, Mackey holds a little more than 14,000 people, and those people do not hesitate to yell. The Pit is 37 feet down into the crust, funneling the vocals and screams from the red and white down onto the court. 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. Each point you score gets you closer to filling the ball basket . Regardless of the team, the atmosphere has the potential to be electric, especially if the matchup is right. It's big, but not mammoth, and can feel like a cigar box to opponents when 16,300 are packed in to root on the Jayhawks. Finneran Pavilion (Villanova) However, the Cameron Crazies make it one of the loudest and most intimidating places to play in college basketball. Ive never attended a home Dayton game, but I did witness the two NCAA Tournament games Dayton played in Columbus in 2015, and if that was anything to go by, contests in UD Arena are bonkers. The only team that seems to have cracked the code to succeeding there is BYU, which had won three straight in The Kennel before Gonzaga knocked the pesky Cougars off this past February. Allen Fieldhouse- Kansas 3.Oconnel Center- Florida 2. San Jose State's Provident Credit Union Event Center: When you can count the actual attendance by hand, you know the atmosphere leaves something lacking. The indoor basketball venue holds 17,222 seats and also houses the largest student section in the country at 7,800 seats. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and have loved basketball for as long as I can remember. That said, Kentucky fans are animalistic about their Cats. The seating towers over the floor, and with such a wide-open, cavernous feel, it can be one of the most intense atmospheres in college basketball when it reaches above 15,000 screaming fans. The student section, The eRUPPtion Zone, is one of the best ones in the country if only it werent relegated to a few sections behind one basket and a few more sections up in the rafters. Thats Opeth, Lamb of God and Metallica territory. Theres close to 6,000 students at Allen Fieldhousethree times more than Dukeand theyve earned the title of loudest college arena. How loud does it get in The Phog? "The Barn" opened in 1928, and thanks to several renovations and upgrades over the years, it stillupholds the strong tradition of Golden Gophers basketball. 1,000 percent. From 2005 to 2018, Kansas won every single Big 12 regular season title, and while its teams are usually very good, the fans also cultivate a difficult environment for opposing teams to handle. If youve never watched a game at GCU Arena before, you owe it to yourself to do so as soon as possible. Opponents can attest to the fact that the arena seems smaller and more intimidating when all 19,300-plus seats are filled. However, it still offers a somewhat intimate atmosphere near the court when filled. Scheduled for completion in 2021, the 62,000-sq.-ft. Idaho Central Credit Union Arena will be the new home for Vandals' basketball, regional tournaments, lectures, as well as "small and mid-size" events, other . The San Diego State mens basketball program was built into a nationally-relevant program by Steve Fisher in the 2000s, and as the program gained steam, so too did the eager crowds at Viejas Arena. From the "Cameron Crazies" on top of the action to the "Krzyzewskiville" commune outside, the intimate 9,300-seat venue offers the greatest home-court advantage in the country. When looking at the east coast venues, Dukes Cameron Indoor Stadium stands above as the loudest and most turbulent environment to play. State. 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. Allen Fieldhouse is an indoor arena on the University of Kansas (KU) campus in Lawrence, Kansas.It is home of the Kansas Jayhawks men's and women's basketball teams. But its also because the fans turn Allen Fieldhouse into an incredibly-difficult environment for opposition to handle. upholds the strong tradition of Golden Gophers basketball. Quote Tweets. Then you come into the arena, and the depth of it is so magnified because its such an open space youre not used to playing in something like that and thats when they get you. Since 1928, Hinkle Fieldhouse has been at the center of it all and was named as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. The Allen Fieldhouse, at the University of Kansas, is home to the Kansas Jayhawks men's and women's basketball teams. I imagine it gets much, much more deafening when IU is actually in the building. 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.
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