405. For the unbiased college basketball fan, it's a bucket list item, even to see it empty. The following is a list of German indoor arenas for handball games. It's loudreal loud thanks to a famed student section known as the "Oakland Zoo." NBA Preview 2021-22: Who Claims the Crown? Bruce Waynes not climbing out of this pit. The students are given prime seating right along the sideline opposite the benches, and they are very fond of dressing up in ridiculous costumes, throwing around foam pool noodles, general shenanigans, and launching disparaging remarks as opponents. Mar 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. 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. Maryland has one of the nastiest, least-welcoming fanbases in the country. It means every orange-clad, snow-loving student gets every chance to optimize the strength of his or her vocal cords. Since Jan. 28, 2012, Iowa State has a winning percentage of 70-plus at home against Top 25 opponents. I have never seen a fanbase so ready and willing to boo anything and everything. There's close to 6,000 students at Allen Fieldhousethree times more than Dukeand they've earned the title of loudest college arena. 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." The Pit," as it's more affectionately known, Why NCAA Tournament bubble teams should be wary of this team, 16-year-old Padres prospect already drawing superstar hype, Seven Cubs pitchers combine for spring no-hitter vs. Padres, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones comments on Tony Pollard rumor, Ben Simmons suffers back injury while rehabilitating, Insider: It's Packers, Jets 'or bust' for Aaron Rodgers, QB Anthony Richardson doesn't understand his 'project' label, Vikings HC reveals 'crazy' thoughts about star WR, XFL player released for giving another team plays from own playbook. 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. 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. 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. And thus, ISU had built one of the most intimidating atmospheres in all of college basketball. The atmosphere is crazy, whether theyre on a three-game losing streak or a three-game winning streak.. The students are given almost every section nearest to the court, which is a prime setup to surround the opposing team. 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 is it a tough section to play in front of? Mackey Arena has a secret to its rowdiness that not many venues can 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. 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 space makes more sense once you know that the Orange football and lacrosse teams also . 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 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. Rupp Arena- University of Kentucky 1. Id expect the atmosphere to remain insane at GCU moving forward. Villanova utilizes the Wells Fargo Center for some of its home games, but Finneran Pavilion, also known as The Pavilion, is the teams 6,501-seat arena located on campus. Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country - there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. Widely regarded as one of the best venues in North American college sports, the McKale Center is . Bramlage Coliseum, Kansas State 8. Ushers and concession employees are fabulous. 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. But its also because the fans turn Allen Fieldhouse into an incredibly-difficult environment for opposition to handle. Rated 5 / 5. 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. The Carrier Dome is one of the most unique settings in college basketballand, because it doubles as a gridiron, in football as well. Officially the world's largest by capacity, Pyongyang, North Korea's Rungrado 1st of May Stadium takes top spot. This is The Pit of the New Mexico Lobos. 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. Utah State may not be a headliner on the basketball court, but don't tell its student section that. to see one of college basketball's great facilities up close. Its first game pitted Iba's Oklahoma A&M (the school's name at the time) squad against Kansas, coached by Phog Allen. Since 1928, Hinkle Fieldhouse has been at the center of it all and was named as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Originally named Purdue Arena, it was renamed in 1972 to honor Purdue alumnus and long time athletic director Guy "Red" Mackey. 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. 10. 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. The arena is the home venue for the University of Arizona Wildcats' men's and women's basketball teams. Cameron Indoor Stadium 3. Boo birds at Hilton Coliseum are a different breed of boos, piercing through the building like daggers aimed at their target. 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 Value City Arena is located on the campus of Ohio State University and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes. The University of Pennsylvania dubs the grand room as the "most storied gymnasium in the history of collegiate athletics." 15 Best College Basketball Arenas 2. 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. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and have loved basketball for as long as I can remember. The Cats have led the nation in . From 2005 to 2018, Kansas won every single Big 12 regular season title 14 to be exact. . 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. It is also fitting, perhaps, that the winningest program in college basketball history plays its' games here on these hallowed grounds. Prepare for adrenaline-pumped moments! I dont care. The arena seats 16,300 spectators and ESPN The Magazine referred to the stadium as the loudest for college basketball in the country. Theres no question the students go very hard for their Tar Heels. 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. I imagine it gets much, much more deafening when IU is actually in the building. 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. 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. The Cyclone faithful are a dedicated bunch that pack the 14,384-seat arena and are worthy of rounding out our top 10. Conference affiliations reflect those in the current 2022-23 season; all affiliation changes officially took effect on July 1, 2022. 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. Playing at home can make all the difference in college basketball. And conversely, Maryland fans will wholeheartedly agree and wear their reputation as a badge of honor. Finneran Pavilion (Villanova) With about one-fourth of the fans coming from the student body, youve already created a rowdy atmosphere. Duke hasn't lost a non-conference game at Cameron Indoor. The location of the student section, called The Izzone, is absolutely prime. It was the final conference game between the Blue Devils and the Tar Heels. 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. Pain begins at 125 dBs and a jet engine at 100 feet is 140 dBs, so consider that the next time youre in western Upstate New York. At its peak, like for a Duke game or other big-time opponent, the Dean Dome can offer the greatest atmosphere in college basketball. 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. 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. That's what makes it special and that's why players hate playing there. Small sections of bleachers jet out from both baselines, while seats extend up the sides where balconies also exist which might not cater to fans with height issues. 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. 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. 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. Fans sit in a hole in the ground literally which makes even the farthest-away seats feel relatively close to the court. The Detroit Redwings throw octopi on the ice, so why dont Hoosier fans throw chairs onto the court? 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. What's the biggest arena in the world? Go for slam dunks, fire off long 3-point shots, use superpowers, win matches and earn cups! Great staff. I lost partial hearing for days on multiple occasions after basketball games, and sometimes my voice would go, too. 2018-2021 All Rights Reserved Nothing But Nylon is powered by, News & gear by players, for players Powered by. Lets go to the decibel meter. Named after famed Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, the home of the Wildcats is one of the most recognizable arenas in all of sports. They know how loud those can be. Kohl Center (Wisconsin) Thanks to a devoted student section that seats about 4,000, the noise level can be an issue for the opposition. As if playing a possible two-platoon Wildcat team isnt intimidating enough, the fans in Lexington bring the noise. As Virginia has improved under Tony Bennett, so too has the atmosphere at John Paul Jones Arena. The stadium itself is actually 37 feet below street level due to the fact that it was built on a mesa. 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. 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. It has been called The Loud House and once registered a decibel level of 120. 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. Always free! 2/20/2020 Tom M. Boiler Up! My story on one of the sport's most unique places and how the Lobos turned it all around: Top 5 Loudest CBB Arenas? Bramlage Coliseum (Kansas State) SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. They put spells on opponents. McOnnel Court- University of Oregon 4. Villanova has won a tremendous amount of games in the building, especially in the last handful of years as the program claimed multiple national championships and Big East crowns. When Cody Zeller made a key steal against Michigan State, Assembly Hall earned a 115.3 dB reading. The cushioned seating is a nice touch while still not taking away from the intense atmosphere that's usually associated with Cyclones basketball. The building continues to provide a strong home-court advantage for both Maryland's men's and women's programs. 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. The bar is high to reach the top 25. 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. After undergoing a $1 billion renovation in. Cameron Indoor Stadium Thats what i think, what yall think? One of The Pits legendary moments came back in 2010, when San Diego States D.J. 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. It was renamed in 1986 as the Louis Brown Athletic Center but the nickname stuck through . Only 14 D-I men's teams have won less than 50% of their games in their current homes. Their efforts in particular gives The Kennel one of the best atmospheres in college basketball. 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. The airlock doors Thats how they get you first. The second closest program is Kansas State, with their duo of Fort Snyder and. Students are given absolutely priority at Cameron Indoor, and it makes all the difference. Rutgers' basketball arena was originally titled the Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) when it opened in 1977. Hailing from the ABQ, where the fictitious Walter White cooked his famous blue crystal meth, the Lobos home court is burrowed in the earth. 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. 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). Center 15. Under Coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks have had multiple home . With March Madness approaching, here's a look at some of the loudest college arenas in the NCAA: 10. UD Arena gets decent crowds for NCAA Tournament games, but its on another level when the Flyers are playing. Allen Fieldhouse Allen Fieldhouse - Kansas. We have the VGK and Raiders (who themselves would hardly ever play at the same time as a UNLV hoops game), whoo hoo. original sound - Heath Adams. 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. Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 . 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. I believe that a home crowd can make a difference in a game it takes a player on the court to hit a shot and a coach on the sideline to call the play, but the fans at Kansas have won games for their team on many occasions. 1. The only team that seems to have cracked the code to succeeding there is BYU, which had won three straight in The Kennel before Gonzaga knocked the pesky Cougars off this past February. 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. 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. MacKey Arena 9. The United Center has the highest capacity of any current NBA . 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 percentage over .700. I dont know if people who arent familiar with Cincinnati and the general region, but basketball, particularly college basketball, is EXTREMELY important. You know a team of this sort is loud when a noted college basketball announcer says it's every bit as loud as an ACC arena. I have to pay my respects to the Winning Team, Losing Team chant. The location of the student section, called The Izzone, is perfect. O'Connell Center, Florida 6. The student section, The eRUPPtion Zone, is one of the best ones in the country if only it werent relegated to a few sections behind one basket and a few more sections up in the rafters. 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. Rank Arena Team Capacity Opened; 1: Rupp Arena: Kentucky: 23,500: 1976: 2: Thompson-Boling Arena Mackey Arena is one of the biggest best college basketball arenas since it has a capacity of over 14,000 fans. The Aggies are ignited by that "Spectrum Magic," which has been responsible for only 18 non-conference home defeats since the 1996-97 season. When packed, the building rocks and the dark seating corners add a nice touch to the experience. 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. Big Game Boomer @BigGameBoomer . Matthew Knight Arena, Oregon In that same span, the Jayhawks lost 13 games at home. The Palestra 7. The HURD elicit fear into the psyches of its opponents. 9. 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. The arena is relatively tiny, seating just a bit more than 9,000 people at one of the premier basketball entities in the game. Likes. 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. Petersen Events Center (Pittsburgh) The Carrier Dome is one of the most unique venues in all of college basketball. That has got to have Bill Self, Kansas head coach, screaming for joy. If youre tasked with traveling to Rupp Arena, it will not be easy or pleasant. 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. 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. The placement of your student section is crucial to building a top atmosphere, and Michigan State has set itself up perfectly. 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. This is a new-money type of atmosphere, but that doesnt make it any less imposing for visiting college basketball squads. Scheduled for completion in 2021, the 62,000-sq.-ft. Idaho Central Credit Union Arena will be the new home for Vandals' basketball, regional tournaments, lectures, as well as "small and mid-size" events, other . 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. (The team's 150-game non-conference home winning streak was ended earlier this season with a loss to Stephen F. Austin). Remember when I said Cincinnati and that general region are obsessed with college basketball? 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. 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. 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. According to BGB, the duo of Jordan-Hare Stadium and Neville Arena is the loudest in all of college sports. Also known as The Barn, Minnesotas Williams Arena is one of the most unique in the sport. Is there any major sport that can create a home-court advantage like college 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). Their fans are great, but they have no filter. While the arena hosts much more than sports, it is famously home to the Indiana Hoosiers mens basketball team. Its capacity is 6,000, and Zags fans pack it constantly. As UVA has been a national and regional contender, the students have been bringing their A-game, and its made a difference. Amusing, possibly, but since thats patently foolish, they can scream for Tom Crean. Wichita State has a hidden gem of an atmosphere. It opened in 2004, several decades later than the majority of arenas to crack this top 25. Shockers fans are riotous about their team and are constantly filling their roughly 10,000-seat gym to the rafters. Maybe baseballs sabermetricians should analyze how many wins certain home courts are worth. The famous "C-A-T-S, Cats, Cats, Cats" and "Go Big Blue" cheers are usually heard in the crowds. 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). 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. With a seating capacity of 23,500, it's the largest off-campus home for a Division I team in the country. no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament games. Shows how loud assembly hall can get. Unlike other traditional blue blood programs, Duke has rather small arena with 9,314 seats. If there was one place I dreaded the Buckeyes going to every year, it was the Breslin Center in East Lansing. In terms of atmosphere, the Wildcats have a top-25 college basketball environment in The Pavilion. 1. Opened in 1967, Mackey holds a little more than 14,000 people, and those people do not hesitate to yell. Jan 14, 2020. The last few years havent been what Arizona would have preferred, but the atmosphere at the McKale Center remains one of the best in college basketball. Yes, definitely. 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. Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion 11. Cameron Indoor is iconic for a host of reasons, and one of the biggest is the atmosphere. These are the top-25 best college basketball atmospheres in Division I mens hoops, as ranked by a scientist I mean bracketologist. But at Maryland, they do whatever it takes to get you off your game. 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. Big Game Boomer . Explore a new way to challenge real players on this multiplayer Basketball game! We also have 10 times the population as we did during Tark's heyday. 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. Lanxess Arena. UNM Arena, New Mexico 5. ESPN The Magazine's Loudest Arenas 1. 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. 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. No, not Banes pit prison from The Dark Knight Rises. 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. This is definitely a bucket-list arena for hardcore college basketball lovers. Discover short videos related to loudest college basketball stadium on TikTok. The student section at men's basketball games, known as the Buckeye Nuthouse, is seated behind the team bench as well as behind the basket that the opponent shoots at during the second half, which allows them to be visible during television broadcasts.