McCarthey Athletic Center - Gonzaga The McCarthey Athletic Center is a 6,000-seat indoor. If youre tasked with traveling to Rupp Arena, it will not be easy or pleasant. That's not far off, as the school also boasts that no other arena has hosted more games or opponents than The Palestra. Newbill (2) shoots a game winning shot over Minnesota Golden Gophers guard . Few venues can match the uniquely designed Assembly Hall when it comes to noise. I think we all knew what the top two would be, and rightfully so. With arguably the most passionate fans in college . Bramlage Coliseum (Kansas State) The HURD elicit fear into the psyches of its opponents. It's consistently one of the most well-attended arenas in the Pac-12, and why not? Talk about a true home-court advantage, try visiting the home of the Aggies in Logan, Utah. The crowd is loud. Any time the Jayhawks have to go to Ames, I circle that date on my calendar and make sure I watch, even if the teams are lopsided, because that crowd is liable to explode at any point in the game. The largest arena designed specifically for college hoops, the 23,500-seat Rupp Arena for the University of Kentucky opened in 1976 and is. But it suffers from a similar problem that Rupp and the Dean Dome do, as well as some other arenas across the country big-money donors get the priority seats, students are relegated away from the action, and the atmosphere suffers. They put the "wild" in Wildcats. Emailed daily. Great staff. 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. As UVA has been a national and regional contender, the students have been bringing their A-game, and its made a difference. What's the biggest arena in the world? Students are extremely engaged from the start to finish of every game, and the 7,000-seat GCU Arena is often rocking. Carrier Dome Carrier Dome, Syracuse | 34,616 seats The Carrier Dome is the largest in college basketball. 2. Views. McKale Memorial Center 14. This is my article. Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country - there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. 132 Likes, TikTok video from Heath Adams (@thecybermentor): "The Pit in NM is one of the loudest college basketball stadiums in the country. 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. 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. The actual hardwood in the 16,300-seat arena, called the James Naismith Court in his honor, confers an incredible home advantage. But when the Bulldogs have a marquee game in the building, theres nothing welcoming about the environment. A loud crowd makes any sporting event better, so here's our list of the top 25 loudest stadiums.Arrowhead Stadium holds the record for the loudest stadium having recorded a noise level of 142.2 decibels. The arena's primary tenant is the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. There's close to 6,000 students at Allen Fieldhousethree times more than Dukeand they've earned the title of loudest college arena. For the unbiased college basketball fan, it's a bucket list item, even to see it empty. The Cats have led the nation in . 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. Also known as The Barn, Minnesotas Williams Arena is one of the most unique in the sport. 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 2017-18, the Musketeers set a single-season home record with 17 victories. The Musketeers boast one of the nicer and more multifunctional venues in the college game. in the NCAA tournament picture and, perhaps more importantly, The Pit is rocking again. How much better does it get? Its like playing basketball at Boeings jet-engine testing facility. The location of the student section, called The Izzone, is absolutely prime. Rupp opened in 1976 and has regularly seen crowds of over 24,000 during its 30 plus year history. 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. Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh 7. McKale Memorial Center (Arizona) The Pit is aptly known, with its court settled 37 feet below street level. Not too long ago, GIA would have been unquestionably in the top 25. The Carrier Dome is one of the most unique venues in all of college basketball. The Cyclone faithful are a dedicated bunch that pack the 14,384-seat arena and are worthy of rounding out our top 10. 1. The arena broke the Guinness World Record for the loudest indoor roar on Feb. 13, 2017, against West Virginia at 130.4 dB, breaking the record Rupp Arena established less than three weeks. Nope, the Blue Wall doesnt have the Izzone. For those in journalism (ahem) who know that newspapers are dead, the Izzone is a refreshing bout of paper-in-hand newsprint, even if it is simply to mock. Shows how loud assembly hall can get. 10. It got so loud that some of the lights broke. 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. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Maybe baseballs sabermetricians should analyze how many wins certain home courts are worth. How loud does it get in The Phog? 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. Since the Cintas Center opened in 2000, Xavier has been one of the most remarkably consistent programs in college hoops, missing the NCAA tournament only twice in that span. Utah State has an Oakland Raider mentality without the knives and guns. Hinkle Fieldhouse is basketball not college basketball, but basketball. Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. Stadium. The University of Pennsylvania dubs the grand room as the "most storied gymnasium in the history of collegiate athletics." I lost partial hearing for days on multiple occasions after basketball games, and sometimes my voice would go, too. College basketball is a special sport, and the atmospheres across the country take credit for a good deal of that. 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. When it opened in September 1980, it was famously nicknamed, "The Loud House.". If your teams arena didnt make this list, it doesnt mean your atmosphere is bad. 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. The Hilton Coliseum is a 14,267-capacity arena that is home to the Iowa State University Cyclones men's and women's basketball teams, as well wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball programs. 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. 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. "The World's Most Famous Arena" has been a college basketball staple for decades. Good run. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and have loved basketball for as long as I can remember. Now thats what you call home court advantage. 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. 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. Mississippi State basketball fans and MSU students Josh Fisher, Ben Stroud and David Kiesel smile in front of a Humphrey Coliseum crowd before the Bulldogs face Kentucky on Feb. 15, 2023. Its capacity is 6,000, and Zags fans pack it constantly. 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. Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler) Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Of course, there are several, gyms, stadiums, arenas or domes that stand out in the college game. However, the Cameron Crazies make it one of the loudest and most intimidating places to play in college basketball. The United Center has the highest capacity of any current NBA . Their efforts in particular gives The Kennel one of the best atmospheres in college basketball. to see one of college basketball's great facilities up close. Opened in 1989, the mayflower shaped . 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. Save Share Show Less Dayton's home arena is not flashy, but it's the place where the madness of March officially begins with the First Four. The bar is high to reach the top 25. Center 15. 486. Loudest Mountain West basketball arenas 11. 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. 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. 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. The Value City Arena is located on the campus of Ohio State University and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes. 1.1M. 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. 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. Add in that people in Kansas really, really, really care about college basketball, and then also add in the aura and legend of Allen Fieldhouse, and you begin to understand why opponents must beware of the Phog. 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. "The Phog" or "The Cathedral of Basketball," as it is affectionately called, was opened on March 1, 1955 and now holds 17,000 people. On top of that, there are no air conditioning units in the building, no white-noise humming in the background. Indiana has won five NCAA Championships in men's basketball (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987). While the arena hosts much more than sports, it is famously home to the Indiana Hoosiers mens basketball team. The place can be downright deafening when the Hoosiers are on their game. The following courts are the loudest, biggest, baddest, meanest venues to visit. The arena is named after Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, a former player and head coach of 39 years for the Jayhawks. I've been to Duke. It's the house that Lute Olson made famous and one that continues to provide a daunting challenge to opponents on Sean Miller's watch. The second closest program is Kansas State, with their duo of Fort Snyder and. As Virginia has improved under Tony Bennett, so too has the atmosphere at John Paul Jones Arena. 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. Come on: "Hoosiers" was filmed here. Enter the Iowa State Cyclones. But at Maryland, they do whatever it takes to get you off your game. It opened in 1938 and underwent a major renovation in 2001. Breslin also has played host to some of the world's greatest musical acts, including Aerosmith, KISS, Pearl Jam and The Beach Boys. Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, North Carolina. 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. But is it a tough section to play in front of? ESPN the Magazine recently asked engineers from Penn State's graduate acoustics program to help answer the question. I dont care if The Pit isnt the official name of New Mexicos basketball arena. That adds to the atmosphere, which the fans complete. 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. 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. The airlock doors Thats how they get you first. 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. And conversely, Maryland fans will wholeheartedly agree and wear their reputation as a badge of honor. 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. These are the top-25 best college basketball atmospheres in Division I mens hoops, as ranked by a scientist I mean bracketologist. Up high are the season ticket holders, down low are the Smurfs, better knows as the Cameron Crazies. 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 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 placement of your student section is crucial to building a top atmosphere, and Michigan State has set itself up perfectly. Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke 3. 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. The Carrier Dome is a domed arena on the campus of Syracuse University, home to the Syracuse Orange football, basketball and lacrosse teams. Likes. But as Oklahoma State basketball has suffered, Oklahoma State football has produced, and Cowboys fans have understandably shifting their focus further to the gridiron. Dayton is very much included in that. Rupp Arena- University of Kentucky 1. If youve never watched a game at GCU Arena before, you owe it to yourself to do so as soon as possible. Almost the entirety of the seats behind the north basket at the McKale Center belong to students, so if youre trying to score on that hoop, good luck with verbal communication. Hailing from the ABQ, where the fictitious Walter White cooked his famous blue crystal meth, the Lobos home court is burrowed in the earth. Hoosier fans can dial it up. 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. It opened in 2004, several decades later than the majority of arenas to crack this top 25. 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. Big Ten basketball players vote on the league's loudest gym. 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. That makes Duke tough and loud, but not the toughest and loudest (though one man likened the crowd to that of a jet engine). In the last five seasons, the Jayhawks have only lost five times total in Lawrencethree of which came in 201718. Unfortunately, I have always been too short and Jewish to play at a high level, so I instead settled for watching and reporting from the sideline. The school allows wealthy donors to have the best seats in the house, and those fans dont have a reputation for getting loud. Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt) In a video released by NCAA.com, it says. The Pit is SO LOUD. Full disclosure: I attended Maryland, including many mens basketball games, including many mens basketball games in the student section. Go for slam dunks, fire off long 3-point shots, use superpowers, win matches and earn cups! Theres no question the students go very hard for their Tar Heels. A recent renovation has the Pavilion looking good while still maintaining the intense atmosphere that visiting teams find far from inviting. 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 . 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. Kentucky isnt just a passionate fan base, its kind of rabid, and thats no insult. Not many venues can claim they play in a dome, but thats what the Syracuse Orange do. I've been to the Pit. After undergoing a $1 billion renovation in. 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. Home court matters. But its still one of the premier crowds in the country for now. 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. Conference affiliations reflect those in the current 2022-23 season; all affiliation changes officially took effect on July 1, 2022. It provides a solid combination of comfort and intimacy, which makes for quality basketball viewing. 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. 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. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. 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. And thus, ISU had built one of the most intimidating atmospheres in all of college basketball. 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. 1 of 13 The loudest arena in college basketball has given the Duke Blue Devils the best home-court advantage for more than a decade. 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. Its a cool setup, good atmosphere and the fans are involved constantly.. Not only is it loud, but the violence of the vocals makes it about as inviting as a swim among piranhas. 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. 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. 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. 311. Playing away is tough in itself, but if you're playing at one of these arenas then it's pretty much game over. 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 . The Wildcats are a perennial national power. 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. The Palestra 7. Boo birds at Hilton Coliseum are a different breed of boos, piercing through the building like daggers aimed at their target. Named after famed Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, the home of the Wildcats is one of the most recognizable arenas in all of sports. The Cameron Indoor Stadium, which opened way back in 1940, is a 9,314-seat arena that is home to the Duke Blue Devils and serves as the home court for Duke men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball. I dont care. Assembly Hall arena is on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and home of the Indiana Hoosiers. Images. 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." But its also because the fans turn Allen Fieldhouse into an incredibly-difficult environment for opposition to handle. Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State 10. X dont play. You could argue for Duke or Kansas to be in this spot, but you have no argument for anyone else. Quote Tweets. For non-Duke fans, it's another reason to loathe the Blue Devils. It is also fitting, perhaps, that the winningest program in college basketball history plays its' games here on these hallowed grounds. 14. Xfinity Center (Maryland). 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. 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. 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. From cheerleaders and bands, to painted co-eds and mascots, college basketball arenas -- with the thousands of fans that fill the seats -- can be one of the loudest places in the country. 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. Who's got the loudest college basketball arena in the country? Ushers and concession employees are fabulous. 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. Thats Metallica-concert loud, or just a shade below. Opened in 1967, Mackey holds a little more than 14,000 people, and those people do not hesitate to yell. The atmosphere is crazy, whether theyre on a three-game losing streak or a three-game winning streak.. You have to respect a fanbase that has such a dedication to pure and unadulterated hatred for its enemy. (The team's 150-game non-conference home winning streak was ended earlier this season with a loss to Stephen F. Austin). Dash and steal the ball from your opponent in head-to-head matches! Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke Blue Devils) Home Record Since 2000: 284-22 (.928) Advertisement. I imagine it gets much, much more deafening when IU is actually 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. Maryland has one of the nastiest, least-welcoming fanbases in the country. Remember when I said Cincinnati and that general region are obsessed with college basketball? 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.