I've been to the Pit. O'Connell Center, Florida 6. The Cats have led the nation in . Good run. 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. 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. Kansas has a lifetime 774114 record at Allen Fieldhouse, which works out to a .872 win percentage going back to 1955. Kentucky isnt just a passionate fan base, its kind of rabid, and thats no insult. 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. 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. ESPN the Magazine recently asked engineers from Penn State's graduate acoustics program to help answer the question. Mackey Arena is also one of the loudest college basketball arenas in the country. This article was originally published on Fivestar News. I dont care. 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. The Carrier Dome is one of the most unique venues in all of college basketball. 2018-2021 All Rights Reserved Nothing But Nylon is powered by, News & gear by players, for players Powered by. But OSU fans wouldnt complain about being good in both, and if Mike Boynton can continue the momentum he built from last season and bring some passion back to the program, then theres no question Gallagher-Iba Arena will go back to being one of the most feared settings in the game. The University of Kentucky Wildcats own the record for the most wins in Division I men's college basketball history, and play in the largest basketball arena in the US. I went to Oakland Raider games. Who has the best college basketball arena? - Bigsurspiritgarden.com Bud Walton Arena (Arkansas) NIKE (@nikemcclure) / Twitter The bar is high to reach the top 25. UD Arena gets decent crowds for NCAA Tournament games, but its on another level when the Flyers are playing. 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. Dayton's home arena is not flashy, but it's the place where the madness of March officially begins with the First Four. 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. McKale Memorial Center (Arizona Wildcats) February 1, 2023 will mark the milestone 50-year anniversary of the McKale Center's opening. 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. It's big but doesn't lose its roominess, especially when crowded. The Value City Arena is located on the campus of Ohio State University and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. While the arena hosts much more than sports, it is famously home to the Indiana Hoosiers mens basketball team. Also, the name sucks, and corporate staleness is not good for college basketball. How much better does it get? For the unbiased college basketball fan, it's a bucket list item, even to see it empty. In the last five seasons, the Jayhawks have only lost five times total in Lawrencethree of which came in 201718. Bruce Waynes not climbing out of this pit. in the NCAA tournament picture and, perhaps more importantly, The Pit is rocking again. Up high are the season ticket holders, down low are the Smurfs, better knows as the Cameron Crazies. If you haven't been . 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. 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. 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? 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. 25 Best College Basketball Atmospheres - Nothing But Nylon With March Madness approaching, here's a look at some of the loudest college arenas in the NCAA: 10. The same goes for the University of Kansas, who recently won the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship in 2008. Honorable mentions are at the bottom. Payne Whitney Gym 8. For big games especially, Rupp can get very, very loud. Some are steeped in tradition, while others offer modern-day amenities but still remain a pain for the opposition. Boo birds at Hilton Coliseum are a different breed of boos, piercing through the building like daggers aimed at their target. A recent renovation has the Pavilion looking good while still maintaining the intense atmosphere that visiting teams find far from inviting. ESPN The Magazine's Loudest Arenas 1. 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. Breslin also has played host to some of the world's greatest musical acts, including Aerosmith, KISS, Pearl Jam and The Beach Boys. 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. 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. 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. 311. 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. Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, North Carolina. Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt) Discover loudest college basketball stadium 's popular videos | TikTok Fans sit in a hole in the ground literally which makes even the farthest-away seats feel relatively close to the court. It opened in 1938 and underwent a major renovation in 2001. This is The Pit of the New Mexico Lobos. Always free! 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. ALLEN FIELDHOUSE, KANSAS 2. A few years ago, Im not sure Arkansas would have made this list. This is definitely a bucket-list arena for hardcore college basketball lovers. Memorial Gym, Vanderbilt 10. The Crazies were issued a gag order of sorts as they were told from the powers that be to clean up the chants. 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. 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. Its twice the size as Cameron [Indoor Stadium] with three times the students sitting courtside. Kansas allots 4,000 of the arenas 16,300 capacity to students and puts them behind both baskets and largely in a four-section span in one of the corners. Great staff. Capacity. 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. And conversely, Maryland fans will wholeheartedly agree and wear their reputation as a badge of honor. I dont care if The Pit isnt the official name of New Mexicos basketball arena. Largest College Basketball Arenas in the SEC ranked 1-14. I've been to Duke. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and have loved basketball for as long as I can remember. 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. Save Share Show Less 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). McKale Memorial Center (Arizona) It is loud, so much so that it agitates the marrow buried deep within. original sound - Heath Adams. 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. Its the largest domed structure on a U.S. college campus and can hold 33,000 for basketball games and 56,250 for concerts. For non-Duke fans, it's another reason to loathe the Blue Devils. Mackey Arena has a secret to its rowdiness that not many venues can The Aggies finished 13-5 at home a year ago and much of that can be credited to this loud and verbally abusive venue. Cameron Indoor Stadium 3. 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). Big Ten players poll: What's the loudest arena in the Big Ten? Since then, the Zags have lost just 18 games (entering the week) at their 6,000-seat home. The Jayhawks won that night, just as they do so often on their home floor. Dean Smith Center 5. The Pete isnt what it was a decade ago, but thats much more the fault of the programs failures on the court than the fans in the stands. 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. Mackey Arena, 900 John R Wooden Dr, West Lafayette, IN - MapQuest Great sightlines. Updated December 05, 2019 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. How loud does it get in The Phog? 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. Here are the loudest basketball arenas in the NCAA - RSN A tremendous venue for college basketball. It's the toughest place to play. 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. 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. Even though the Gophers havent always matched the atmospheres on the court, I have seen plenty of games in The Barn go the way of the home team because of the energy the fans provided the players. Maybe baseballs sabermetricians should analyze how many wins certain home courts are worth. 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 MAC, or even more commonly, The Kennel, is even smaller than Cameron Indoor, with a capacity of only 6,000. From the team benches on the baseline to the expanded court area, the home of the Commodores is something to behold. The cushioned seating is a nice touch while still not taking away from the intense atmosphere that's usually associated with Cyclones basketball. The "WatShot" against Kentucky. Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion 11. 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. 2. What is the loudest college basketball arena? 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. Opened in 1989, the mayflower shaped . Utah State has an Oakland Raider mentality without the knives and guns. The Pit - Dreamstyle Arena 13. Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 . Here are the loudest basketball arenas in the NCAA, 8. Images. Opened in 1967, Mackey holds a little more than 14,000 people, and those people do not hesitate to yell. 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. That adds to the atmosphere, which the fans complete. Playing at home can make all the difference in college basketball. 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. 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. Nothing epitomizes the state of Indiana's love of basketball more than Butler's legendary fieldhouse. And for that reason, the atmosphere at Rupp Arena is worthy of a very high place in the pecking order. That said, Kentucky fans are animalistic about their Cats. And if youre there for a game against Cincinnati, Dayton, Butler, or another team the fans have a special distaste for, you can expect some extreme nastiness. 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. What Is The Smallest School To Win The Ncaa Tournament? What does that mean? That has an effect on the atmosphere. Allen Fieldhouse Allen Fieldhouse - Kansas. 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. Discover short videos related to loudest college basketball stadium on TikTok. But its also because the fans turn Allen Fieldhouse into an incredibly-difficult environment for opposition to handle. 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. As UVA has been a national and regional contender, the students have been bringing their A-game, and its made a difference. Not many venues can claim they play in a dome, but thats what the Syracuse Orange do. In 2017-18, the Musketeers set a single-season home record with 17 victories. Back in 2012, Nebraskas Brandon Ubel made specific mention of Michigan States Breslin Student Events Center. 132 Likes, TikTok video from Heath Adams (@thecybermentor): "The Pit in NM is one of the loudest college basketball stadiums in the country. No matter if its blatantly obvious that the call is correct, Iowa State fans will boo it and boo it with purpose if it goes against their Cyclones. Go for slam dunks, fire off long 3-point shots, use superpowers, win matches and earn cups! 1. The crowd is loud. This venue is renowned for its raucous game-day environment and multipurpose availability. McOnnel Court- University of Oregon 4. 30 toughest college basketball arenas to play in - FanSided Of course, there are several, gyms, stadiums, arenas or domes that stand out in the college game. It got so loud that some of the lights broke. Remember when I said Cincinnati and that general region are obsessed with college basketball? "The Phog" exudes basketball history upon entrance and remains a must-see for any college hoops fanatic. And, of course, it witnessed much of the Hoosiers 197576 undefeated seasonthe last perfect season in men's college hoops. Quote Tweets. Opponents can attest to the fact that the arena seems smaller and more intimidating when all 19,300-plus seats are filled. Shows how loud assembly hall can get. Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State 10. no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament games. 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. 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 atmosphere at the Spectrum isnt what it was in the 2000s, and for that it just barely misses out on my top 25. 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. College Basketball's Top 10 Arena Nicknames - AthlonSports.com Ranking the loudest basketball arenas in the Mountain West at peak 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. This is a list of arenas that currently serve as the home venue for NCAA Division I college basketball teams. College basketball is a special sport, and the atmospheres across the country take credit for a good deal of that. It still remains one of college basketball's special gyms. The famous "C-A-T-S, Cats, Cats, Cats" and "Go Big Blue" cheers are usually heard in the crowds. I have to pay my respects to the Winning Team, Losing Team chant. 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. On a consistent basis, the atmosphere at the Dean Dome is not elite. 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. This is my list, and in my world, its The Pit. But you wont find many arenas in this sport with a better atmosphere at its best. But when the Bulldogs have a marquee game in the building, theres nothing welcoming about the environment. Rupp opened in 1976 and has regularly seen crowds of over 24,000 during its 30 plus year history. Though the Panthers have been down the past three years (but off to a 7-2 start in 2019-20), the students are still at their creative best, tastefully (of course) finding ways to mock the opponent. 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. That's not far off, as the school also boasts that no other arena has hosted more games or opponents than The Palestra. My story on one of the sport's most unique places and how the Lobos turned it all around: Jan 14, 2020. With about one-fourth of the fans coming from the student body, youve already created a rowdy atmosphere. 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. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. 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. List of indoor arenas in Germany - Wikipedia The location of the student section, called The Izzone, is perfect. I have never seen a fanbase so ready and willing to boo anything and everything. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. What is the largest basketball arena? 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. Center (Louisville, KY) - Louisville Basketball (22,090 Capacity) . Sure, they lull you to sleep with the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant, but dont let that fool you. 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. 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. 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. 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? Known as one of the "best, loudest, and most intimidating" stadiums in college football, upwards of 92,000 people can fill the seats to watch the action between the hedges.