The sport of basketball is unique to others in that it feeds off the energy of the crowd because of the close quarters and the speed of the game. After a long stint of empty stadiums, basketball games are beginning to sell out once again. Going to a school with a historically electric basketball stadium creates a huge advantage for your team. Because of this, we have broken down some of the most rowdy, intense, and electrifying NCAA college basketball arenas to play in. If you haven't been to a game in any of these stadiums, add it to your bucket list.
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#5: Indiana University, Assembly Hall
Located in the tornado valley of the midwest is Assembly Hall, home to the Indiana Hoosiers Basketball program. It is not coincidence that Assembly Hall is located in tornado valley; they know how to make noise. While Indiana may not be as successful as other basketball programs, the Hoosier fans are comfortable rocking the stadium for any reason. The home team creates a turnover, chaos will erupt. No matter the situation, fans of Indiana know how to dial up the noise, the highest recorded being 115.3 decibels.
Image source: News at IU
#4: Gonzaga University, McCarthey Athletic Center
Gonzaga's McCarthey Athletic Center, also referred to as the ‘Kennel,' is our 4th most electric atmosphere for college basketball. While the stadium capacity is only 6,000 people, the demand is much higher. Basketball games often sell out every night, and the confines of the Kennel only amplify the noise and give the opponents a difficult time. In fact, this limited capacity seating was intentionally designed to create a tortuous environment for the away team.
Photo: Gonzaga University Athletics
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#3: University of Kentucky, Rupp Arena
Our next stadium comes from Rupp Arena, home of the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington, Kentucky. Rupp Arena is no novice to loud basketball games; they currently hold the record for largest indoor sports facility for a University with an attendance capacity of 24,000 fans. When you combine this with the program's success, you get a crazy atmosphere for the nightly home games. The Wildcats fans are nothing less than ‘wild' as they have been witness to a home win rate of 87% since 2000.
Image source: A Sea of Blue
#2: Duke University, Cameron Indoor Stadium
The next most electric game atmosphere belongs to a close second, Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke is known for its historic rivalries and alumni of some of the most successful basketball players in the country. The students and fans of the Blue Devil's program are known as the “Cameron Crazies.” They make up one of the best student sections in the country and are notorious for covering themselves in paint, head-to-toe in Duke Blue and giving the opposition an incredibly challenging time. While Cameron Indoor Stadium only has a capacity of 9,000 seats, this tight-cramped arena only multiplies the decibels.
Image source: Stadium Journey
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#1: University of Kansas, Allen Fieldhouse
If you know college basketball, you know there is no argument about the most electric arena in the NCAA. Home to the Kansas Jayhawks, Allen Fieldhouse knows how to rock the court. The historical success of the program and booming liveliness of the fans is second to none. Allen Fieldhouse is so loud the arena set a Guinness World Record in 2017 for the loudest crowd roar at an indoor sporting event with 130.4 decibels. With a 16,300 attendance capacity and a student section of over 4,000 seats, the Jayhawks own the loudest college arena. The basketball program's success at Kansas also plays a massive role in the atmosphere. The Jayhawks have a home record of 261-33, a win rate of 88%. Fans in Lawrence, Kentucky, come for a show and expect to win.
Image source: Athlon Sports
When it comes to deciding on which schools are best for you as a basketball player, if you want crazy electrifying games, these top 5 are the best options.
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* Originally published on March 18, 2022, by Mary Archibald
