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. Stadium. Loudest Mountain West basketball arenas 11. 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. And, of course, it witnessed much of the Hoosiers 197576 undefeated seasonthe last perfect season in men's college hoops. Opened. 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. 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. The Aggies finished 13-5 at home a year ago and much of that can be credited to this loud and verbally abusive venue. 3. That said, Kentucky fans are animalistic about their Cats. The students fully embrace The Barnyard nickname, and its normal to see them wearing outfits emulating various farm animals, crops, and other farm-related items. 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. The arena is named after Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, a former player and head coach of 39 years for the Jayhawks. nd tht s the loudest I've ever heard it. 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. One of The Pits legendary moments came back in 2010, when San Diego States D.J. Opened in November 2004, the "Kennel". I have to pay my respects to the Winning Team, Losing Team chant. Just ask Jimmy Chitwood. 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? 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. Yes, name - I believe the name of an arena makes a difference, and it will play a role in how I evaluate the Big Ten's basketball arenas. The following is a list of German indoor arenas for handball games. It's perhaps the most unique gymnasium in all of college basketball. The Carrier Dome is one of the most unique venues in all of college basketball. It provides a solid combination of comfort and intimacy, which makes for quality basketball viewing. From 2005 to 2018, Kansas won every single Big 12 regular season title 14 to be exact. These are the top-25 best college basketball atmospheres in Division I mens hoops, as ranked by a scientist I mean bracketologist. Since it's March Madness, I thought we would discuss which college basketball arenas are the loudest? SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. McKale Memorial Center 14. 311. 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. 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). 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. 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. If youve never watched a game at GCU Arena before, you owe it to yourself to do so as soon as possible. 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. Thats about as loud as Rupp Arena gets, which is still pretty darn loud. 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. The Aggies are ignited by that "Spectrum Magic," which has been responsible for only 18 non-conference home defeats since the 1996-97 season. From the "Cameron Crazies" on top of the action to the "Krzyzewskiville" commune outside, the intimate 9,300-seat venue offers the greatest home-court advantage in the country. 132 Likes, TikTok video from Heath Adams (@thecybermentor): "The Pit in NM is one of the loudest college basketball stadiums in the country. 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. original sound - Heath Adams. While the stadium may hold far less than its competitors, the electric atmosphere brings them high on the list. The arena is relatively tiny, seating just a bit more than 9,000 people at one of the premier basketball entities in the game. Views. This is one of the best college basketball arenas in 2022 as it has state-of-the-art facilities and a capacity for a maximum of 17,472 seats. 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. in the NCAA tournament picture and, perhaps more importantly, The Pit is rocking again. Rupp Arena, Kentucky Size matters in Kentucky. At its peak, like for a Duke game or other big-time opponent, the Dean Dome can offer the greatest atmosphere in college basketball. Rupp Arena- University of Kentucky 1. WVUs fanbase fiercely backs its athletics, and mens basketball is one of its favorites. "The Phog" exudes basketball history upon entrance and remains a must-see for any college hoops fanatic. 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. It was the final conference game between the Blue Devils and the Tar Heels. How loud does it get in The Phog? Up high are the season ticket holders, down low are the Smurfs, better knows as the Cameron Crazies. 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. UNM Arena, New Mexico 5. Not only is it loud, but the violence of the vocals makes it about as inviting as a swim among piranhas. The Pit is SO LOUD. Not too long ago, GIA would have been unquestionably in the top 25. KU's Allen Fieldhouse is literally the statistically loudest arena in all of of College Hoops. Id expect the atmosphere to remain insane at GCU moving forward. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall opened as Assembly Hall during the 1971-72 season is one of the most notorious arenas in basketball. But its also because the fans turn Allen Fieldhouse into an incredibly-difficult environment for opposition to handle. 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. Quote Tweets. | 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. Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler) Also known as The Barn, Minnesotas Williams Arena is one of the most unique in the sport. McOnnel Court- University of Oregon 4. Is there any major sport that can create a home-court advantage like college basketball? With the smaller size and acoustics in Hinkle mean the screaming fans, particularly the students, are magnified even more. But under Eric Musselman, the program has been reinvigorated, and thats brought the Hogs out in a big way the last couple of seasons. The results appear in the magazine's Nov. 15 issue, which is available on newsstands. 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. Obviously, it wasnt a long drive, especially compared to Providence and Oklahoma, but Flyers fans turned Nationwide Arena into a madhouse. 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. 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. They put the "wild" in Wildcats. On Feb. 13, 2017, 16,300 fans in attendance at Allen Fieldhouse set the Guinness World Record for the loudest crowd roar at an indoor sporting event (130.4 decibels). 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. In addition to providing Kentucky with a distinct home-court advantage, Rupp has hosted several NCAA Tournament games, most notably the 1985 Final Four when Villanova stunned heavily favored Georgetown for the national title. However, the Cameron Crazies make it one of the loudest and most intimidating places to play in college basketball. Big Game Boomer @BigGameBoomer . McCarthey Athletic Center - Gonzaga The McCarthey Athletic Center is a 6,000-seat indoor. 486. 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. 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. Discover short videos related to loudest college basketball stadium on TikTok. 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. 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. The atmosphere is even more special during afternoon games when the daylight shines through the windows amid the throngs of spectators. The actual hardwood in the 16,300-seat arena, called the James Naismith Court in his honor, confers an incredible home advantage. The placement of your student section is crucial to building a top atmosphere, and Michigan State has set itself up perfectly. Ubel said in The Gazette, (Michigan States) atmosphere, their students, the way its set up the students are completely surrounding the court. 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. If the fans are up for a game, even if Indiana isnt ranked or particularly good, Assembly Hall will be deafening. But similar to UNC, a lot of the fans given priority seating in Rupp Arena are very far from current students, and it costs several thousands of dollars for season tickets near the action. The criteria to determine college basketball's elite arenas are endless, but here are the top 25 that seem to cover the basics: history, look, volume and then some. Mar 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. This is The Pit of the New Mexico Lobos. no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament games. 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. With a seating capacity of 23,500, it's the largest off-campus home for a Division I team in the country. 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. Cameron Indoor is iconic for a host of reasons, and one of the biggest is the atmosphere. In a more formal test of how loud Cyclones fans can get, they measured a 109 reading. During the Big 8 Conference finals, former OKU wrestling coach Myron Roderick said, "It got s loud, lot f the lights busted n Gallagher. The Cats have led the nation in . 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. Who can forget Jim Valvano running around the floor of "The Pit" looking for someone to hug after North Carolina State's shocking upset of Houston in the 1983 national championship game? Its been a minute since the Panthers were nationally relevant, having last made the NCAA Tournament in 2016, and with every passing year that they remain near the bottom of the ACC, the worse the atmosphere will get. And conversely, Maryland fans will wholeheartedly agree and wear their reputation as a badge of honor. When Cody Zeller made a key steal against Michigan State, Assembly Hall earned a 115.3 dB reading. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. The Mountaineers take huge pride in how Bob Huggins coaches his players to play, and that passion comes out during games through tons of noise, a super-rowdy atmosphere, and really one of the more vicious college basketball settings in the country. ALLEN FIELDHOUSE, KANSAS 2. 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. Gonzaga's new "Kennel" opened in 2004. Back in 2012, Nebraskas Brandon Ubel made specific mention of Michigan States Breslin Student Events Center. Im nobody, but its 2021 and the internet is ubiquitous, so get ready for my opinion, world! And once the ball is tipped, theres not a louder college basketball arena in the country. 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. So yes, the midwest knows its noise. What does that mean? That team, led by Sean May, erased a nine-point deficit in the final three minutes. The bar is high to reach the top 25. 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. The fearsome and historic Cameron Indoor, which opened way back in 1940, earns the top spot on our list. In that same span, the Jayhawks lost 13 games at home. 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. 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. But is it a tough section to play in front of? 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. As Virginia has improved under Tony Bennett, so too has the atmosphere at John Paul Jones Arena. Big Game Boomer . Dayton is very much included in that. Wichita State has a hidden gem of an atmosphere. That atmosphere, combined with the rise of the Zags as a program, has helped the team compile an astounding .924 winning percentage at McCarthey, losing only 16 times since its opening in 2004. 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. 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. Many fans have complained about the quality of the arena, but thats for a separate discussion. McKale Memorial Center (Arizona) The last few years, The Izzone hasnt quite been as engaged as it was when I was growing up, and so maybe the Breslin Center has dropped a couple of spots since then. Unlike most of the buildings on this list, McCarthey Athletic Center isnt very old. 14 Petersen Events Center;. The Pit - Dreamstyle Arena 13. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and have loved basketball for as long as I can remember. Officially the world's largest by capacity, Pyongyang, North Korea's Rungrado 1st of May Stadium takes top spot. 5. However, it still offers a somewhat intimate atmosphere near the court when filled. Mackey Arena is also one of the loudest college basketball arenas in the country. 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. Now thats what you call home court advantage. Since Jan. 28, 2012, Iowa State has a winning percentage of 70-plus at home against Top 25 opponents. And thus, ISU had built one of the most intimidating atmospheres in all of college basketball. Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State 10. ", Roy Williams, UNCs head coach, also added, "That was the loudest I have ever heard the Smith Center.. 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. Home of the Duke Blue Devils, Cameron Indoor Stadium is arguably one of the most iconic basketball arenas in the U.S., if not the world. Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt) The indoor basketball venue holds 17,222 seats and also houses the largest student section in the country at 7,800 seats. There is one thing you have to hand to Kansas State fans: they are fiercely loyal, whether their team is good or not. But its still one of the premier crowds in the country for now. 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. Sanford Stadium. That has an effect on the atmosphere. 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. State. When the Jayhawks were winning Big 12 titles every year for more than a decade, nobody was winning at Allen Fieldhouse but them. It means every orange-clad, snow-loving student gets every chance to optimize the strength of his or her vocal cords. 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 . Carrier Dome 12. Purdues Terone Johnson said in The Gazette, It gets ridiculous. MacKey Arena 9. 2018-2021 All Rights Reserved Nothing But Nylon is powered by, News & gear by players, for players Powered by. Largest College Basketball Arenas in the SEC ranked 1-14. The University of Pennsylvania dubs the grand room as the "most storied gymnasium in the history of collegiate athletics." 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. Cameron Indoor Stadium 3. Xfinity Center (Maryland). Allen Fieldhouse is an indoor arena on the University of Kansas (KU) campus in Lawrence, Kansas.It is home of the Kansas Jayhawks men's and women's basketball teams. At least it gets those dag nab bit iGoogle Crapple Twitterbooks out of their hands. Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion 11. Fans sit in a hole in the ground literally which makes even the farthest-away seats feel relatively close to the court. 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. I can think of several games Ive watched at this arena over the years that felt like my TV was vibrating. The arena is the home venue for the University of Arizona Wildcats' men's and women's basketball teams. Hoosier fans can dial it up. A few years ago, Im not sure Arkansas would have made this list. 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. That adds to the atmosphere, which the fans complete. Arkansas won a national championship in the building's first season, and though the school's recent teams have not enjoyed that same elite success, the program still ranks among the national leaders in home attendance. For the unbiased college basketball fan, it's a bucket list item, even to see it empty. O'Connell Center, Florida 6. Shows how loud assembly hall can get. 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. Sure, the program isnt where Indiana fans want it to be and hasnt been for some time now, but with walls of humans that dont seem to end towering over top of the court, all of whom are very, very passionate about the sport of basketball and the Hoosiers in particular, Assembly Hall can be a nightmare. Conference affiliations reflect those in the current 2022-23 season; all affiliation changes officially took effect on July 1, 2022. That makes Duke tough and loud, but not the toughest and loudest (though one man likened the crowd to that of a jet engine). Also, the name sucks, and corporate staleness is not good for college basketball. The location of the student section, called The Izzone, is absolutely prime. 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. Since Xavier began play there in 2000-01, it's won more than 250 games in the building. As if playing a possible two-platoon Wildcat team isnt intimidating enough, the fans in Lexington bring the noise. What's the biggest arena in the world? 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. In a video released by NCAA.com, it says, It's twice the. There have been so many Kansas games Ive watched over the years where the crowd so clearly willed its team back into the game and simply refused to let the Jayhawks lose. After years of planning, the University of Idaho has finally broken ground on a dedicated basketball arena. 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. But at Maryland, they do whatever it takes to get you off your game. 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. Its the largest domed structure on a U.S. college campus and can hold 33,000 for basketball games and 56,250 for concerts. 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. This article was originally published on Fivestar News. The Pit is aptly known, with its court settled 37 feet below street level. Im sure some will say this top-10 placement is based on bias, which Im willing to give some credence to. The atmosphere at the Spectrum isnt what it was in the 2000s, and for that it just barely misses out on my top 25. 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. The "Izzone" is one of the most active and genius student sections in the game. Theres a reason they say, Pay Heed, All Who Enter: Beware of the Phog, because Allen Fieldhouse is loud. Students are given absolutely priority at Cameron Indoor, and it makes all the difference. 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. Good luck inbounding the ball with dozens of blue extended wiggling fingers casting a hex on you. Retweets. 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. 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. According to BGB, the duo of Jordan-Hare Stadium and Neville Arena is the loudest in all of college sports. 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. Kohl Center (Wisconsin) 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. So I'd have to say Maryland. The Wildcats are a perennial national power. It has been called The Loud House and once registered a decibel level of 120. But quality college basketball arenas are not exclusive to only the elite teams. Payne Whitney Gym 8. Since Miller took over the program in 2009-10, Arizona has won more than 140 home games. The Jayhawks won that night, just as they do so often on their home floor. 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. Gallagher is called the Madison Square Garden of the Plains, and though the fans probably wont break any lights in the 13,000-plus capacity arena, the fact that it once did keeps fans screaming louder and louder. It's also been a quality home for the team to thrive in. Shockers fans are riotous about their team and are constantly filling their roughly 10,000-seat gym to the rafters. The way the arena is designed, the students are given the sections along almost all of the sidelines, as well as a giant wall that looks incredibly intimidating from below. All rights reserved. 1. 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. UD Arena gets decent crowds for NCAA Tournament games, but its on another level when the Flyers are playing. Great staff. The second closest program is Kansas State, with their duo of Fort Snyder and. 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. According to the school, no arena in the country has hosted more NCAA Tournament gamesthan UD's 125. Bud Walton Arena (Arkansas) On its surface it sounds more like a U Masss Blue Wall Cafe, just a benign hangout to get a morning bagel. Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke 3. 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. More than 35,000 people watched a single Syracuse basketball game at the largest domed campus stadium in the country. Its capacity is 6,000, and Zags fans pack it constantly. Home Team. 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. 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. That has got to have Bill Self, Kansas head coach, screaming for joy. Top 5 Largest College Basketball Arenas in NCAA Division I Sports #3: KFC Yum! The trip to the desert has been one of the hardest in the Pac-12 for decades, in part because of the quality of the teams that have often blessed Tucson, but also because of the insane environment Wildcats fans create in the building. The students are given almost every section nearest to the court, which is a prime setup to surround the opposing team. Ive felt like Hilton was on the verge of riots on a handful of occasions, particularly when Kansas comes to town. 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. The circular configuration of Koch Arena has provided a huge home-court advantage for the Shockers, especially in recent years when they've ranked among the nation's best. Dayton's home arena is not flashy, but it's the place where the madness of March officially begins with the First Four. There arent many cities in America more obsessed with college basketball than Indianapolis, and Butler is part of that puzzle. 9. upholds the strong tradition of Golden Gophers basketball. Really, were all in agreement here; Maryland fans are obscenely obnoxious, and they wouldnt want it any other way. The airlock doors Thats how they get you first.