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. But under Eric Musselman, the program has been reinvigorated, and thats brought the Hogs out in a big way the last couple of seasons. How much better does it get? Mackey Arena has a secret to its rowdiness that not many venues can . 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. It is loud, so much so that it agitates the marrow buried deep within. While the stadium may hold far less than its competitors, the electric atmosphere brings them high on the list. Quote Tweets. Dayton is very much included in that. Its capacity is 6,000, and Zags fans pack it constantly. 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. 1. The unusual setting can give the Orange an advantage over opponents who arent used to the domes confinesor sizehelping Syracuse win 83.1% of its games in the arenas history. original sound - Heath Adams. It's big but doesn't lose its roominess, especially when crowded. The Pit is SO LOUD. And for that reason, the atmosphere at Rupp Arena is worthy of a very high place in the pecking order. Only 14 D-I men's teams have won less than 50% of their games in their current homes. It provides a solid combination of comfort and intimacy, which makes for quality basketball viewing. 1,000 percent. The Show, the San Diego State student section, is one of the most creative in the country. But the potential is still there, and if Pitt improves in the near future, it will be much higher on this list in a few years. "The Barn" opened in 1928, and thanks to several renovations and upgrades over the years, it stillupholds the strong tradition of Golden Gophers basketball. 14 Petersen Events Center;. Unlike other traditional blue blood programs, Duke has rather small arena with 9,314 seats. Syracuse's basketball arena is the biggest by a landslide, coming in first place with 34,616 seats. 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 have to pay my respects to the Winning Team, Losing Team chant. The stadium itself is actually 37 feet below street level due to the fact that it was built on a mesa. 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. The largest arena designed specifically for college hoops, the 23,500-seat Rupp Arena for the University of Kentucky opened in 1976 and is. 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 Blue Devils are ranked fourth all-time in wins of any NCAA mens basketball program and the Cameron Indoor Stadium fans never let you forget it. t ws unbelievable.". . 486. Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. When enough people can make a 22,000-seat arena shake, thats loud, intimidating and cause for exodus. The Pit - Dreamstyle Arena 13. The New York Knicks' stadium is an iconic landmark of the NBA's rich history. The Dunk is quickly becoming one of the loudest college basketball arenas in the country, and another raucous sell-out crowd was on hand last night. I have never seen a fanbase so ready and willing to boo anything and everything. That's what makes it special and that's why players hate playing there. But on its day, Chapel Hill turns this arena into a madhouse, and I have to respect that. 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. From 2005 to 2018, Kansas won every single Big 12 regular season title 14 to be exact. 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. Opened in 1971, the arena has seen great success over the years, including 576 Indiana wins that power an .834 winning percentage. 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. Allen Fieldhouse is one of college basketball's most . When filled to capacity of more than 10,000, the noise level surrounds the floor, leaving little room to escape for the opposition. The arena's primary tenant is the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team. Dean E. Smith Center (North Carolina) But things have changed under eighth-year . Allen Fieldhouse Allen Fieldhouse - Kansas. Mackey Arena is a concrete barrier built for capturing as much sound as possible. The location of the student section, called The Izzone, is absolutely prime. I imagine it gets much, much more deafening when IU is actually in the building. So I'd have to say Maryland. The Pit is 37 feet down into the crust, funneling the vocals and screams from the red and white down onto the court. 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 . Theres question of the fanbases passion, but the consistency of the atmosphere isnt there for me to justify a top-10 spot. The Carrier Dome is one of the most unique venues in all of college basketball. 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. 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. This is a list of arenas that currently serve as the home venue for NCAA Division I college basketball teams. According to the school, no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament gamesthan UD's 125. The Detroit Redwings throw octopi on the ice, so why dont Hoosier fans throw chairs onto the court? 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 home of the Wildcats has packed in as many as 24,000 for basketball games, despite the official capacity being listed as 23,500. 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). 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. Their efforts in particular gives The Kennel one of the best atmospheres in college basketball. 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? 2/20/2020 Tom M. Boiler Up! That said, Louisville can be electric for the right opponents, and you shouldnt take a trip there lightly if the fans have a reason to get up for you. It's a historical venue in the middle of the most exciting city in the world and can elevate the games of those fortunate to play there. Yes, its for the basketball, but also the college, and by that we mean the insane, untamed, sometimes-alcohol-infused atmospheres that can be found in arenas across the country. 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 results appear in the magazine's Nov. 15 issue, which is available on newsstands. The students are given almost every section nearest to the court, which is a prime setup to surround the opposing team. This is a new-money type of atmosphere, but that doesnt make it any less imposing for visiting college basketball squads. 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. 5. Mackey is widely known as one of the best, loudest, college basketball arenas in the country, especially when the hated Hoosiers are in town. 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. 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. 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. Officially the world's largest by capacity, Pyongyang, North Korea's Rungrado 1st of May Stadium takes top spot. That adds to the atmosphere, which the fans complete. Arkansas won a national championship in the building's first season, and though the school's recent teams have not enjoyed that same elite success, the program still ranks among the national leaders in home attendance. With about one-fourth of the fans coming from the student body, youve already created a rowdy atmosphere. The Rock, Chalk, chant provides aneerie calm before the deafeningstorm. It's loudreal loud thanks to a famed student section known as the "Oakland Zoo." By, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. 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. 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. Bramlage Coliseum, Kansas State 8. 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. The fearsome and historic Cameron Indoor, which opened way back in 1940, earns the top spot on our list. I have attended a Purdue game at Mackey before, and it was one of the loudest things Ive ever experienced (no, it was not the game below). 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. Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country - there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. 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. Largest College Basketball Arenas in the SEC ranked 1-14. I remember getting to the line and it was so loud my ears started to hurt, and I think for a split second I lost my focus, Gay would later say of his miss. 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. Take the late Rick Majerus, who coached all over the country, lastly at St. Louis. 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 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. Its a cool setup, good atmosphere and the fans are involved constantly.. The Coliseum has been dubbed as one of the finest facilities for collegiate basketball, and with the student sections placed deep behind both baskets, fans have no choice but to scream, cheer and boo for the duration of the game. Thats Metallica-concert loud, or just a shade below. There arent many cities in America more obsessed with college basketball than Indianapolis, and Butler is part of that puzzle. Big Game Boomer . Rupp Arena, Kentucky 4. MacKey Arena 9. In that same span, the Jayhawks lost 13 games at home. 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. nd tht s the loudest I've ever heard it. Maybe baseballs sabermetricians should analyze how many wins certain home courts are worth. 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. Conference affiliations reflect those in the current 2022-23 season; all affiliation changes officially took effect on July 1, 2022. Gonzaga's new "Kennel" opened in 2004. 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 Aggies are ignited by that "Spectrum Magic," which has been responsible for only 18 non-conference home defeats since the 1996-97 season. Jan 12, 2023. The crowd is loud. The aluminum ceiling contains the loud cheering of student fans and adds to the unique character of Mackey Arena. When its full, and thats been a more common occurrence as the Cavs have been regularly competing for ACC championships the last several years, JPJ can be raucous. When you put together the prioritizing of student seating with a basketball school and a fanbase that prides itself in being horrible to outsiders, you will formulate one of the premier atmospheres in college basketball. When it opened in September 1980, it was famously nicknamed, "The Loud House.". 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. Kohl Center (Wisconsin) 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 huge space makes more sense once you know that the Orange football and lacrosse teams also . Cameron Indoor Stadium The loudest arena in college basketball has given the Duke Blue Devils the best home-court advantage for more than a decade. At Xavier, basketball is THE sport in a part of the country where college basketball is giant. ", Roy Williams, UNCs head coach, also added, "That was the loudest I have ever heard the Smith Center.. 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. 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 Palestra 7. Big Game Boomer @BigGameBoomer . Over the past two seasons, Duke is 33-0 at home the past two seasons and hasnt lost an out-of-conference game at home since Feb. 26, 2000. I can remember watching many Arizona home games over the years where the crowd was absolutely out of its mind, with Derrick Williams game-saving block against Washington in 2011 the first example I think of. 311. What is the largest college basketball arena? With March Madness approaching, here's a look at some of the loudest college arenas in the NCAA: 10. But is it a tough section to play in front of? Their fans have also led the country in average attendance in each of the last three seasons. 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. Id expect the atmosphere to remain insane at GCU moving forward. 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. Assembly Hall arena is on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and home of the Indiana Hoosiers. If he could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High and Grand Lakes University. So yes, the midwest knows its noise. 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. Rated 5 / 5. The Carrier Dome is a domed arena on the campus of Syracuse University, home to the Syracuse Orange football, basketball and lacrosse teams. Hoosier fans can dial it up. 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. 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. It might offend some Kentucky fans to see me ranking them outside of the top five, and they might have a point. It's also been a quality home for the team to thrive in. The placement of your student section is crucial to building a top atmosphere, and Michigan State has set itself up perfectly. The insane home record Kansas boasts is partially because its teams are generally very, very good. to see one of college basketball's great facilities up close. The students fully embrace The Barnyard nickname, and its normal to see them wearing outfits emulating various farm animals, crops, and other farm-related items. People in the midwest know a thing or two about tornadoes and the noise of natural distasters. 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. That's historically been the case at Provident Credit Union Event Center. 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. 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. The atmosphere at the Spectrum isnt what it was in the 2000s, and for that it just barely misses out on my top 25. 5. 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. Top 5 Largest College Basketball Arenas in NCAA Division I Sports #3: KFC Yum! Playing away is tough in itself, but if you're playing at one of these arenas then it's pretty much game over. 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. KU's Allen Fieldhouse is literally the statistically loudest arena in all of of College Hoops. 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. 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. 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. What is the largest basketball arena? Stadium. 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 youve never watched a game at GCU Arena before, you owe it to yourself to do so as soon as possible. Sure, they lull you to sleep with the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant, but dont let that fool you. For non-Duke fans, it's another reason to loathe the Blue Devils. Bramlage Coliseum (Kansas State) no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament games. Former Kentucky guard John Wall elicited a 110.1 when he returned in 2011. Big Ten basketball players vote on the league's loudest gym. 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. 30 toughest college basketball arenas to play in. Shockers fans are riotous about their team and are constantly filling their roughly 10,000-seat gym to the rafters. Its first game pitted Iba's Oklahoma A&M (the school's name at the time) squad against Kansas, coached by Phog Allen. 5. 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. It means every orange-clad, snow-loving student gets every chance to optimize the strength of his or her vocal cords. Jerry Walker, a former Seton Hall player, said in The Star Ledger: They have you go through these doors where if one door is open and you open the other door, itll crush your bones or something. Matthew Knight Arena, Oregon The following courts are the loudest, biggest, baddest, meanest venues to visit. Opponents can attest to the fact that the arena seems smaller and more intimidating when all 19,300-plus seats are filled. 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. Who has the loudest student section? Williams remains one of the more unique arenas in the nation, particularly for the player seats below the raised court, meaning it takes some effort to check into the game and run the famous Minneapolis floor. in the NCAA tournament picture and, perhaps more importantly, The Pit is rocking again. 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. Indiana has won five NCAA Championships in men's basketball (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987). 9. Cameron Indoor is iconic for a host of reasons, and one of the biggest is the atmosphere. That announcer was ESPN's Dave O'Brien, and he said the Hilton Coliseum was "louder than anything in the ACC.". Opened in 1967, Mackey holds a little more than 14,000 people, and those people do not hesitate to yell. The way the dome is formed and the seating portion of the building is largely walled off from the concourse areas, all of the sound bellowing from Boilermakers bounces up, down, and all around to trap you inside this gray ball of unending noise. You could argue for Duke or Kansas to be in this spot, but you have no argument for anyone else. Jan 14, 2020. It was renamed in 1986 as the Louis Brown Athletic Center but the nickname stuck through . Hinkle Fieldhouse is basketball not college basketball, but basketball. Petersen Events Center (Pittsburgh) 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. 10. 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. Back in 2012, Nebraskas Brandon Ubel made specific mention of Michigan States Breslin Student Events Center. The arenas serve as home venues for both the men's and women's teams except where noted. Many fans have complained about the quality of the arena, but thats for a separate discussion. 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 . Also, the name sucks, and corporate staleness is not good for college basketball. The huge multi-level arena doesn't . KFC Yum! Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State 10. 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. 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. 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. If the fans are up for a game, even if Indiana isnt ranked or particularly good, Assembly Hall will be deafening. That has got to have Bill Self, Kansas head coach, screaming for joy. It opened in 1938 and underwent a major renovation in 2001. Originally named Purdue Arena, it was renamed in 1972 to honor Purdue alumnus and long time athletic director Guy "Red" Mackey. Top 5 Loudest CBB Arenas? It is also fitting, perhaps, that the winningest program in college basketball history plays its' games here on these hallowed grounds. New Mexico has won more than 80 percent of the games its played in The Pit since it opened in 1966, and with the built-in advantages the arena provides, it makes some sense. Utah State has an Oakland Raider mentality without the knives and guns. And thus, ISU had built one of the most intimidating atmospheres in all of college basketball. 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. David Aldridge writes on Duke Report.com: The Crazies have become known as one of the most clever student sections in sports, but I think many guys come into the arena looking forward to hearing what theyll come up with. Not only is the trip out to West Virginia a long one for any of the other nine (current) Big 12 teams, the environment that awaits them is unfriendly, to say the least. 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. And conversely, Maryland fans will wholeheartedly agree and wear their reputation as a badge of honor. What does that mean? 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. | But the potential is still there, and Utah State is still one of the toughest places to play in the Mountain West. 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. Theres close to 6,000 students at Allen Fieldhousethree times more than Dukeand theyve earned the title of loudest college arena. Good run. All Rights Reserved. McOnnel Court- University of Oregon 4. Rupp Arena, Kentucky Size matters in Kentucky. Not so on the Beltway, when the Maryland Terrapins play host. 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. Few venues can match the uniquely designed Assembly Hall when it comes to noise. 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. Many sell-out arenas will average about the same noise level, but vitriol adds an extra slice to the tympanic membrane, and now they take that venom from the ACC to the Big 10. Breslin Student Events Center - Michigan State, On Feb. 13, 2017, 16,300 fans in attendance at Allen Fieldhouse set the. 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. Dean Smith Center 5. If there was one place I dreaded the Buckeyes going to every year, it was the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The MAC, or even more commonly, The Kennel, is even smaller than Cameron Indoor, with a capacity of only 6,000. Full disclosure: I attended Maryland, including many mens basketball games, including many mens basketball games in the student section. If you haven't been . Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion 11. Bruce Waynes not climbing out of this pit. 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. Memorial Gym, Vanderbilt 10. Theres no question the students go very hard for their Tar Heels. 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. Im nobody, but its 2021 and the internet is ubiquitous, so get ready for my opinion, world! The building continues to provide a strong home-court advantage for both Maryland's men's and women's programs.