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. I've been to Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue, Arizona and around the country. 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. 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. Center (Louisville, KY) - Louisville Basketball (22,090 Capacity) . Take the late Rick Majerus, who coached all over the country, lastly at St. Louis. 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. You wouldnt think one of the more-recent entrants into Division I mens college basketball would have one of the best atmospheres in the sport, but Grand Canyon does. No, not Banes pit prison from The Dark Knight Rises. The Crazies were issued a gag order of sorts as they were told from the powers that be to clean up the chants. 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. When it opened in September 1980, it was famously nicknamed, "The Loud House.". In a more formal test of how loud Cyclones fans can get, they measured a 109 reading. Opened in November 2004, the "Kennel". Allen Fieldhouse- Kansas 3.Oconnel Center- Florida 2. Mackey Arena is one of the biggest best college basketball arenas since it has a capacity of over 14,000 fans. 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. I lost partial hearing for days on multiple occasions after basketball games, and sometimes my voice would go, too. That's what makes it special and that's why players hate playing there. At just under 18,000 capacity, the home of the Terps is one of the bigger venues in college basketball. The building continues to provide a strong home-court advantage for both Maryland's men's and women's programs. Rupp opened in 1976 and has regularly seen crowds of over 24,000 during its 30 plus year history. Great sightlines. 1. It's not mean-spirited, it's not like you're going to get hit with a hot dog or anything. Save Share Show Less Not many venues can claim they play in a dome, but thats what the Syracuse Orange do. But at Maryland, they do whatever it takes to get you off your game. Im nobody, but its 2021 and the internet is ubiquitous, so get ready for my opinion, world! "The Phog" or "The Cathedral of Basketball," as it is affectionately called, was opened on March 1, 1955 and now holds 17,000 people. Its an intense environment, but Duke has moved past the mindset of doing things that would be hurtful or cross a line thats too personal. When it comes to sports, performing in front of a home crowd can produce a much-needed jolt that aids in success. Come on: "Hoosiers" was filmed here. Of course, there are several, gyms, stadiums, arenas or domes that stand out in the college game. 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. On Feb. 13, 2017, 16,300 fans in attendance at Allen Fieldhouse set the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar at an indoor sporting event (130.4 decibels). 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. 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. Home of the Duke Blue Devils, Cameron Indoor Stadium is arguably one of the most iconic basketball arenas in the U.S., if not the world. Fans sit in a hole in the ground literally which makes even the farthest-away seats feel relatively close to the court. The criteria to determine college basketball's elite arenas are endless, but here are the top 25 that seem to cover the basics: history, look, volume and then some. Allen Fieldhouse is one of college basketball's most . Yes, definitely. If you haven't been . Students are extremely engaged from the start to finish of every game, and the 7,000-seat GCU Arena is often rocking. 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. Its the largest domed structure on a U.S. college campus and can hold over 35,000 for hoops games, as it did for a February 2014 game against Duke where it set the arenas record for an NCAA mens basketball game. A loud court makes it impossible to communicate. 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. 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. The "WatShot" against Kentucky. Talk about a true home-court advantage, try visiting the home of the Aggies in Logan, Utah. 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). If youve never watched a game at GCU Arena before, you owe it to yourself to do so as soon as possible. I've been to Duke. The famous "C-A-T-S, Cats, Cats, Cats" and "Go Big Blue" cheers are usually heard in the crowds. Originally named Purdue Arena, it was renamed in 1972 to honor Purdue alumnus and long time athletic director Guy "Red" Mackey. And for that reason, the atmosphere at Rupp Arena is worthy of a very high place in the pecking order. Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, North Carolina. Sure, Bramlage will be one of the hardest arenas you visit all season long if the Wildcats are in the midst of a good or great year, but even when theyre not tournament caliber, a crowd shows up and makes noise. Most schools have some sort of flair that make them unique, from a traditional chant or song to a gorgeous arena from before your grandparents were born. Since Xavier began play there in 2000-01, it's won more than 250 games in the building. 311. That seems to have changed, and the environment in Champaign has improved, but theres still some room to grow before I can put Illinois back in my top-25 best atmospheres. Playing away is tough in itself, but if you're playing at one of these arenas then it's pretty much game over. Dubbed the Carnegie Hall of College Basketball by legendary announcer Gus Johnson, Assembly Hall is known for its steep side seating and the Hoosier-crazy fans that fill it. Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 . Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. Wichita State has a hidden gem of an atmosphere. 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. Memorial Gym, Vanderbilt 10. Opponents can attest to the fact that the arena seems smaller and more intimidating when all 19,300-plus seats are filled. However, the Cameron Crazies make it one of the loudest and most intimidating places to play in college basketball. Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler) 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's consistently one of the most well-attended arenas in the Pac-12, and why not? The Wildcats are a perennial national power. The Lobos have won a whopping 732 home games since the arenas opening in 1966, with their fans making it a daunting place to play. Playing at home can make all the difference in college basketball. KFC Yum! Home court matters. Ive felt like Hilton was on the verge of riots on a handful of occasions, particularly when Kansas comes to town. The arenas serve as home venues for both the men's and women's teams except where noted. upholds the strong tradition of Golden Gophers basketball. 5. Thats quite a lot of people who can pack inside the Domes doors and scream obscenities at opposing players and coaches. 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. Come on.thats ridiculous. Prepare for adrenaline-pumped moments! Petersen Events Center (Pittsburgh) The crowd is loud. to see one of college basketball's great facilities up close. All rights reserved. Dayton is very much included in that. That being said, when in-state rival Kansas comes to town, throw the records out the door, as the 12,528-seat arena turns into one of college basketball's loudest environments. It still remains one of college basketball's special gyms. I know the dynamic may change since it's Utah-Utah State. The Jayhawks won that night, just as they do so often on their home floor. A&M sophomore Alec Hankins made up his mind that he would not risk missing Saturday's game with many believing the crowd will break the attendance record for Reed Arena 14,036 set in 2022 . Mackey Arena has a secret to its rowdiness that not many venues can They put the "wild" in Wildcats. 132 Likes, TikTok video from Heath Adams (@thecybermentor): "The Pit in NM is one of the loudest college basketball stadiums in the country. That announcer was ESPN's Dave O'Brien, and he said the Hilton Coliseum was "louder than anything in the ACC.". The Carrier Dome is one of the most unique settings in college basketballand, because it doubles as a gridiron, in football as well. Up high are the season ticket holders, down low are the Smurfs, better knows as the Cameron Crazies. Its the largest domed structure on a U.S. college campus and can hold 33,000 for basketball games and 56,250 for concerts. The United Center has the highest capacity of any current NBA . Boo birds at Hilton Coliseum are a different breed of boos, piercing through the building like daggers aimed at their target. Top 5 Largest College Basketball Arenas in NCAA Division I Sports #3: KFC Yum! Who can forget Jim Valvano running around the floor of "The Pit" looking for someone to hug after North Carolina State's shocking upset of Houston in the 1983 national championship game? Obviously, it wasnt a long drive, especially compared to Providence and Oklahoma, but Flyers fans turned Nationwide Arena into a madhouse. The Rock, Chalk, chant provides aneerie calm before the deafeningstorm. 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. So yes, the midwest knows its noise. The Musketeers boast one of the nicer and more multifunctional venues in the college game. McOnnel Court- University of Oregon 4. Cincinnati is one of those cities where people take their high school allegiances very seriously, and if thats the case, then you know itll kick up a notch when it comes to college. The following is a list of German indoor arenas for handball games. This venue is renowned for its raucous game-day environment and multipurpose availability. Though the Antelopes jumped to DI in 2013, theyve established themselves as one of the top mid-major programs on the rise, especially after reaching their first NCAA Tournament in 2021. 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. Its first game pitted Iba's Oklahoma A&M (the school's name at the time) squad against Kansas, coached by Phog Allen. 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. Sanford Stadium. In that same span, the Jayhawks lost 13 games at home. There might not be a better experience for a sports fan than catching a college basketball game at a campus arena. 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. You dont know passion until youve heard thousands of people covered in red methodically spell out D-A-Y-TEEEE-O-O-O-O-N as loudly as they can enough times to the point where the song is still burned into your memory more than six years later. Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion 11. Im sure some will say this top-10 placement is based on bias, which Im willing to give some credence to. 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. It opened in 2004, several decades later than the majority of arenas to crack this top 25. 2018-2021 All Rights Reserved Nothing But Nylon is powered by, News & gear by players, for players Powered by. What is the largest college basketball arena? Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Rick Pitino says UNC, Duke and rest of ACC run clean programs. Officially the world's largest by capacity, Pyongyang, North Korea's Rungrado 1st of May Stadium takes top spot. Widely regarded as one of the best venues in North American college sports, the McKale Center is . Dean E. Smith Center (North Carolina) While the stadium may hold far less than its competitors, the electric atmosphere brings them high on the list. Rupp Arena- University of Kentucky 1. Theres close to 6,000 students at Allen Fieldhousethree times more than Dukeand theyve earned the title of loudest college arena. The students are given almost every section nearest to the court, as well as a handful of sections at the very top of the arenas north side, which means they have their enemies surrounded. 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. When filled to capacity of more than 10,000, the noise level surrounds the floor, leaving little room to escape for the opposition. While the arena hosts much more than sports, it is famously home to the Indiana Hoosiers mens basketball team. 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. Full disclosure: I attended Maryland, including many mens basketball games, including many mens basketball games in the student section. 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. 1. And once the ball is tipped, theres not a louder college basketball arena in the country. And conversely, Maryland fans will wholeheartedly agree and wear their reputation as a badge of honor. This is my list, and in my world, its The Pit. I dont care if The Pit isnt the official name of New Mexicos basketball arena. It was renamed in 1986 as the Louis Brown Athletic Center but the nickname stuck through . But all the qualities that have made this arena a nightmare for opponents are still there, and a trip to East Lansing is still very intimidating. It's perhaps the most unique gymnasium in all of college basketball. Opened in 2000, Cintas Center is one of the newer arenas on this list, but it very quickly became one of the most daunting for opposing teams to enter. I've been to the Pit. This is my article. Louisville is one of the most successful programs in the sport, and it has some very passionate fans. 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. 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. Kansas has a lifetime 774114 record at Allen Fieldhouse, which works out to a .872 win percentage going back to 1955. According to BGB, the duo of Jordan-Hare Stadium and Neville Arena is the loudest in all of college sports. Is there any major sport that can create a home-court advantage like college basketball? There is one thing you have to hand to Kansas State fans: they are fiercely loyal, whether their team is good or not. Duke fans come up with different things and they're really, really clever. With March Madness approaching, here's a look at some of the loudest college arenas in the NCAA: 10. It was the originator of blowing up players faces to create the big heads you now see across college basketball atmospheres, and their efforts have had an effect on the Aztecs winning eight Mountain West regular season titles since 2006. 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. 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. In a video released by NCAA.com, it says. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. Not only is it loud, but the violence of the vocals makes it about as inviting as a swim among piranhas. But for the most part the students are civil and often downright clever with their chants. Unlike most of the buildings on this list, McCarthey Athletic Center isnt very old. With the smaller size and acoustics in Hinkle mean the screaming fans, particularly the students, are magnified even more. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and have loved basketball for as long as I can remember. 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 arena is built in a way that fans appear to be almost on top of the players, intensifying the environment and adding to the noise potential. 15 Best College Basketball Arenas 2. 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. no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament games. If Arizona doesnt get back to the upper echelon of the Pac-12 in the next handful of years, the atmosphere at the McKale Center might lose some luster and dip in these rankings. Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country - there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. The University of New Mexico Perhaps one of the quirkiest college basketball venues in the nation, the University of New Mexico's home arena, dubbed "The Pit," was a shoo-in for this list. Bud Walton Arena (Arkansas) 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. 1 Tiger Stadium - LSU 2 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - Florida 3 Arrowhead Stadium - Kansas City Chiefs 4 Ohio Stadium - Ohio State 5 nd tht s the loudest I've ever heard it. Which 10 schools create the most challenging atmospheres for opponents? 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. For big games especially, Rupp can get very, very loud. Theres no question the students go very hard for their Tar Heels. ALLEN FIELDHOUSE, KANSAS 2. There arent many cities in America more obsessed with college basketball than Indianapolis, and Butler is part of that puzzle. The airlock doors Thats how they get you first. And thus, ISU had built one of the most intimidating atmospheres in all of college basketball. Add in the history of the place, and its undoubtedly one of the marquee places to see a basketball game in the world, regardless of level. But quality college basketball arenas are not exclusive to only the elite teams. As Virginia has improved under Tony Bennett, so too has the atmosphere at John Paul Jones Arena. The way the arena is designed, the students are given the sections along almost all of the sidelines, as well as a giant wall that looks incredibly intimidating from below. Ive watched too many games at the Dean Dome and heard the shoes squeak for me to put it in the top 10. McKale Memorial Center (Arizona Wildcats) February 1, 2023 will mark the milestone 50-year anniversary of the McKale Center's opening. Watch popular content from the following creators: Live life To The Fullest(@ballisendless), Live life To The Fullest(@ballisendless), cbbcr3(@cbbcr3), cameronhellgeth(@cameronhellgeth), Ryan Hammer(@ryanhammer9), cameronhellgeth(@cameronhellgeth), Caroline(@cmakauskas), Cooper Deck(@cooperdeck . 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. When enough people can make a 22,000-seat arena shake, thats loud, intimidating and cause for exodus. Assembly Hall arena is on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and home of the Indiana Hoosiers. They know how loud those can be. Xfinity Center (Maryland). When Gonzaga played at North Carolina last season, members of the school's athletic department made the trip to see one of college basketball's great facilities up close. 2. Not so on the Beltway, when the Maryland Terrapins play host. The huge space makes more sense once you know that the Orange football and lacrosse teams also . It opened in 1938 and underwent a major renovation in 2001. What's the biggest arena in the world? We also have 10 times the population as we did during Tark's heyday. Shows how loud assembly hall can get. 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. All Rights Reserved. Always free! If there was one place I dreaded the Buckeyes going to every year, it was the Breslin Center in East Lansing. But its still one of the premier crowds in the country for now. One of The Pits legendary moments came back in 2010, when San Diego States D.J. Since Jan. 28, 2012, Iowa State has a winning percentage of 70-plus at home against Top 25 opponents. 2/20/2020 Tom M. Boiler Up! It opened in 1928 but does not show its age thanks to renovations and impeccable upkeep. When the Orange are struggling, the arena can look cavernous with empty spots, yet when Jim Boeheim's program is playing well it truly is the "Loud House." From being the part-time home of St. John's basketball to hosting the Big East Tournament (and even the Big Ten Tournament in 2018) and the final rounds of the postseason NIT, MSG has just about seen it all. I dont know if people who arent familiar with Cincinnati and the general region, but basketball, particularly college basketball, is EXTREMELY important. It especially matters when you have a bunch of emotionally charged, chemically enhanced co-eds painted every color of the rainbow yelling invectives at an equally young man shooting a free throw. Regardless of the team, the atmosphere has the potential to be electric, especially if the matchup is right. But the potential is still there, and Utah State is still one of the toughest places to play in the Mountain West. So I'd have to say Maryland. 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. Gay was fouled shooting a three with his team down two and one second remaining. 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. Charles Koch Arena (Wichita State) At Xavier, basketball is THE sport in a part of the country where college basketball is giant. 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. Go for slam dunks, fire off long 3-point shots, use superpowers, win matches and earn cups! Indiana has won five NCAA Championships in men's basketball (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987). Gonzaga's new "Kennel" opened in 2004. 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. Utah State may not be a headliner on the basketball court, but don't tell its student section that. Jan 12, 2023. I can think of several games Ive watched at this arena over the years that felt like my TV was vibrating. Largest College Basketball Arenas in the SEC ranked 1-14. Few venues can match the uniquely designed Assembly Hall when it comes to noise. Allen Fieldhouse Allen Fieldhouse - Kansas. 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. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. 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. 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. Students are given absolutely priority at Cameron Indoor, and it makes all the difference. The place can be downright deafening when the Hoosiers are on their game. The huge multi-level arena doesn't . With about one-fourth of the fans coming from the student body, youve already created a rowdy atmosphere. The Spartans have won 86.9% of their home games since the arena opened in 1989, as the fans in East Lansing have given a team that is annually among the sports elites a further advantage.