loudest college basketball arenas
The stadium itself is actually 37 feet below street level due to the fact that it was built on a mesa. Shockers fans are riotous about their team and are constantly filling their roughly 10,000-seat gym to the rafters. 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. The huge multi-level arena doesn't . With March Madness approaching, here's a look at some of the loudest college arenas in the NCAA: 10. The Aggies are ignited by that "Spectrum Magic," which has been responsible for only 18 non-conference home defeats since the 1996-97 season. Since 1928, Hinkle Fieldhouse has been at the center of it all and was named as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. All rights reserved. Great staff. 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. Theres no question the students go very hard for their Tar Heels. At least it gets those dag nab bit iGoogle Crapple Twitterbooks out of their hands. Explore a new way to challenge real players on this multiplayer Basketball game! That makes Duke tough and loud, but not the toughest and loudest (though one man likened the crowd to that of a jet engine). 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. 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 "Izzone" is one of the most active and genius student sections in the game. Its twice the size as Cameron [Indoor Stadium] with three times the students sitting courtside. 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. You could argue Maryland should be a bit lower if you want, but you cant say its inclusion on this list and at least near the top 10 isnt warranted. 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. The actual hardwood in the 16,300-seat arena, called the James Naismith Court in his honor, confers an incredible home advantage. That has got to have Bill Self, Kansas head coach, screaming for joy. Few venues can match the uniquely designed Assembly Hall when it comes to noise. Im sure some will say this top-10 placement is based on bias, which Im willing to give some credence to. Come on: "Hoosiers" was filmed here. "The World's Most Famous Arena" has been a college basketball staple for decades. I dont know if people who arent familiar with Cincinnati and the general region, but basketball, particularly college basketball, is EXTREMELY important. 405. 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. 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 team's 150-game non-conference home winning streak was ended earlier this season with a loss to Stephen F. Austin). This is my article. Mar 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. 486. The 12th-ranked Volunteers announced that Zeigler tore his left ACL in a win over Arkansas. Top 5 Loudest CBB Arenas? If there was one place I dreaded the Buckeyes going to every year, it was the Breslin Center in East Lansing. 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. 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. Lanxess Arena. Dean E. Smith Center (North Carolina) 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. What is the loudest college basketball arena? 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. In the last five seasons, the Jayhawks have only lost five times total in Lawrencethree of which came in 201718. This venue is renowned for its raucous game-day environment and multipurpose availability. Home Team. Bruce Waynes not climbing out of this pit. The KFC Yum! 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. This is my list, and in my world, its The Pit. The United Center has the highest capacity of any current NBA . Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler) Sorry about the shaking.i was a little excited. 5. Rupp Arena, Kentucky 4. The building continues to provide a strong home-court advantage for both Maryland's men's and women's programs. Not so on the Beltway, when the Maryland Terrapins play host. 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. A bucket-list destination for basketball fans everywhere, tickets to watch a game in this gym can be expensive and hard to acquiredepending on Duke's . for the loudest crowd roar at an indoor sporting event (130.4 decibels). By, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. And once the ball is tipped, theres not a louder college basketball arena in the country. It is also fitting, perhaps, that the winningest program in college basketball history plays its' games here on these hallowed grounds. Widely regarded as one of the best venues in North American college sports, the McKale Center is . 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. Their Allen Fieldhouse has been helping them with the home-court advantage since 1955 and continues to be one of the best in the country for college hoops. The HURD elicit fear into the psyches of its opponents. Payne Whitney Gym 8. 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 largest mostly-college basketball arena with 23,500 seats (and more than 24,000 if needed), Rupp sat in the Guinness Book of World Records for the loudest arena for 17 days two seasons ago . From 2005 to 2018, Kansas won every single Big 12 regular season title 14 to be exact. Mackey is widely known as one of the best, loudest, college basketball arenas in the country, especially when the hated Hoosiers are in town. If the fans are up for a game, even if Indiana isnt ranked or particularly good, Assembly Hall will be deafening. Unlike other traditional blue blood programs, Duke has rather small arena with 9,314 seats. 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. 1. It was the final conference game between the Blue Devils and the Tar Heels. The arena's primary tenant is the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team. 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. It's the toughest place to play. Bramlage Coliseum, Kansas State 8. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. Save Share Show Less 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. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall opened as Assembly Hall during the 1971-72 season is one of the most notorious arenas in basketball. Students have prime seating behind the bench areas and stretching to behind one of the baskets, which is very helpful to creating one of the most raucous atmospheres in college basketball. Honorable mentions are at the bottom. According to the school, no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament gamesthan UD's 125. Sanford Stadium. Kentucky is one of the most successful NCAA basketball programs in the country, and playing in front of fans in Rupp Arena is a plus. Celebrities and athletes are often in attendance in the historic arena that now holds over 23,500 people, which makes it the largest arena in the country for indoor sports. Ive felt like Hilton was on the verge of riots on a handful of occasions, particularly when Kansas comes to town. The bar is high to reach the top 25. 10. Allen Fieldhouse is one of college basketball's most . Their fans have also led the country in average attendance in each of the last three seasons. Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 . Its first game pitted Iba's Oklahoma A&M (the school's name at the time) squad against Kansas, coached by Phog Allen. 14 Petersen Events Center;. But you wont find many arenas in this sport with a better atmosphere at its best. 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. However, the Cameron Crazies make it one of the loudest and most intimidating places to play in college basketball. Really, were all in agreement here; Maryland fans are obscenely obnoxious, and they wouldnt want it any other way. The huge space makes more sense once you know that the Orange football and lacrosse teams also . College basketball arenas, both big and small, make for some of the best atmospheres in sports thanks to eccentric student sections, unique venues and never-ending tradition. At its peak, like for a Duke game or other big-time opponent, the Dean Dome can offer the greatest atmosphere in college basketball. 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. Virginia Cavaliers: John Paul Jones Arena, opened in 2006 A decade ago, a trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, was nowhere near the toughest in the league. Thanks to a devoted student section that seats about 4,000, the noise level can be an issue for the opposition. However, it still offers a somewhat intimate atmosphere near the court when filled. Thats Metallica-concert loud, or just a shade below. Mackey Arena has a secret to its rowdiness that not many venues can 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. 15 Best College Basketball Arenas 2. 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.". 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. 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. Finneran Pavilion (Villanova) 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. 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. 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. Its been a long time since this allegedly happened36 years to be exactbut if it did happen then Oklahoma States Gallagher-IBA Arena is boss. 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." 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. ALLEN FIELDHOUSE, KANSAS 2. 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. Center (Louisville, KY) - Louisville Basketball (22,090 Capacity) . That team, led by Sean May, erased a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes. With arguably the most passionate fans in college . 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. Playing away is tough in itself, but if you're playing at one of these arenas then it's pretty much game over. 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 . Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State 10. Students are extremely engaged from the start to finish of every game, and the 7,000-seat GCU Arena is often rocking. The famous "C-A-T-S, Cats, Cats, Cats" and "Go Big Blue" cheers are usually heard in the crowds. Mackey Arena is one of the biggest best college basketball arenas since it has a capacity of over 14,000 fans. I think we all knew what the top two would be, and rightfully so. Opened in 1967, Mackey holds a little more than 14,000 people, and those people do not hesitate to yell. And for that reason, the atmosphere at Rupp Arena is worthy of a very high place in the pecking order. Shot from student section. On its surface it sounds more like a U Masss Blue Wall Cafe, just a benign hangout to get a morning bagel. 2. 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. 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. With the smaller size and acoustics in Hinkle mean the screaming fans, particularly the students, are magnified even more. 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. 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. It's also been a quality home for the team to thrive in. Students are given absolutely priority at Cameron Indoor, and it makes all the difference. 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 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 Aggies finished 13-5 at home a year ago and much of that can be credited to this loud and verbally abusive venue. 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). 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. 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. They put spells on opponents. Jan 12, 2023. 3. Its like playing basketball at Boeings jet-engine testing facility. #newmexico #lobos #thepit #basketball". 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). 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. Rated 5 / 5. Playing at home can make all the difference in college basketball. On top of that, there are no air conditioning units in the building, no white-noise humming in the background. That's what makes it special and that's why players hate playing there. Theres a reason they say, Pay Heed, All Who Enter: Beware of the Phog, because Allen Fieldhouse is loud. X dont play. The Pit - Dreamstyle Arena 13. 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. 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. Its capacity is 6,000, and Zags fans pack it constantly. 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. 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. 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 location of the student section, called The Izzone, is absolutely prime. Carrier Dome Carrier Dome, Syracuse | 34,616 seats The Carrier Dome is the largest in college basketball. "The Phog" exudes basketball history upon entrance and remains a must-see for any college hoops fanatic. Ive watched too many games at the Dean Dome and heard the shoes squeak for me to put it in the top 10. What is the largest college basketball arena? The Jayhawks won that night, just as they do so often on their home floor. Newbill (2) shoots a game winning shot over Minnesota Golden Gophers guard . The "WatShot" against Kentucky. MacKey Arena 9. Former Kentucky guard John Wall elicited a 110.1 when he returned in 2011. I have to pay my respects to the Winning Team, Losing Team chant. 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. The Cats have led the nation in . 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. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. 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. Retweets. The aluminum ceiling contains the loud cheering of student fans and adds to the unique character of Mackey Arena. 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. Who has the loudest student section? I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and have loved basketball for as long as I can remember. Dean Smith Center 5. 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. It provides a solid combination of comfort and intimacy, which makes for quality basketball viewing. 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. The Crazies were issued a gag order of sorts as they were told from the powers that be to clean up the chants. Conference affiliations reflect those in the current 2022-23 season; all affiliation changes officially took effect on July 1, 2022. Thats Opeth, Lamb of God and Metallica territory. Hailing from the ABQ, where the fictitious Walter White cooked his famous blue crystal meth, the Lobos home court is burrowed in the earth. 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. ESPN the Magazine recently asked engineers from Penn State's graduate acoustics program to help answer the question. 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. Each point you score gets you closer to filling the ball basket . Here are the loudest basketball arenas in the NCAA, 8. 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. The Kennel, as its also known, is rowdy even when Gonzaga is beating up on another WCC victim on a long list of WCC victims, but its a hurricane of hysteria when St. Marys, BYU, or a big-name program comes to Spokane. Who's got the loudest college basketball arena in the country? Rupp opened in 1976 and has regularly seen crowds of over 24,000 during its 30 plus year history. 1. 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. 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. The cushioned seating is a nice touch while still not taking away from the intense atmosphere that's usually associated with Cyclones basketball. Opened in November 2004, the "Kennel". And, of course, it witnessed much of the Hoosiers 197576 undefeated seasonthe last perfect season in men's college hoops. It's perhaps the most unique gymnasium in all of college basketball. Home of the Izzone, the well-known Michigan State student section (named afteryou guessed it, Tom Izzo), the Breslin Center is always a tough trip for opponents to make. After years of planning, the University of Idaho has finally broken ground on a dedicated basketball arena. Under Coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks have had multiple home . In that same span, the Jayhawks lost 13 games at home. 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. Regardless of the team, the atmosphere has the potential to be electric, especially if the matchup is right. The Value City Arena is located on the campus of Ohio State University and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Their fans are great, but they have no filter. Theres question of the fanbases passion, but the consistency of the atmosphere isnt there for me to justify a top-10 spot. I've been to Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue, Arizona and around the country. 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. Indiana has won five NCAA Championships in men's basketball (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987). You could argue for Duke or Kansas to be in this spot, but you have no argument for anyone else. It might offend some Kentucky fans to see me ranking them outside of the top five, and they might have a point. Sure, they lull you to sleep with the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant, but dont let that fool you. 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. 5. That's historically been the case at Provident Credit Union Event Center. KU's Allen Fieldhouse is literally the statistically loudest arena in all of of College Hoops. 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. . The indoor basketball venue holds 17,222 seats and also houses the largest student section in the country at 7,800 seats. 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.
