Best College Hoops Arena?

[Ivytalk]

I saw my Drexel Dragons knock off favored St. Joe's at the Palestra on Saturday. What a great old place: terrific sight lines, lots of history as a Philly "Big 5" BB mecca, and it really holds the noise. There were 7600 fans there, and it sounded like double that. On Saturday night, Penn played Villanova in the same place before a capacity crowd of 8500. Is there any better college basketball venue in the U.S.? I'm waiting...:nod:

[Reed Rothchild]

One of the nicest new venues is the Qwest Center in Omaha, home of the Creighton Blue Jays. Last year I watched them play UNI there and was truly impressed. First class facility and over 13K in blue cheering on the Jays. They get about 10K in season ticket holders and fill that place up!

[MoreheadEagle]

Rupp Arena is pretty awesome when 24,000 fans are up and cheering. They need a new scoreboard and a bigger student section.

UVA's John Paul Jones arena is the nicest college arena I've been to based on ammeneties and sight lines.

Dayton's UD arena is a nice place to watch a game.

Xavier's Cintas center is the best arena in Cincinnati.

Ohio State's place is nice.

UofL's Freedom Hall is a dump.

WKU's Diddle Arena may be in the Top 10.

[poly51]

I saw my Drexel Dragons knock off favored St. Joe's at the Palestra on Saturday. What a great old place: terrific sight lines, lots of history as a Philly "Big 5" BB mecca, and it really holds the noise. There were 7600 fans there, and it sounded like double that. On Saturday night, Penn played Villanova in the same place before a capacity crowd of 8500. Is there any better college basketball venue in the U.S.? I'm waiting...:nod:

Pauley Pavillion at UCLA. Those 11 National Championship banners are hard to beat.

[bluehenbillk]

I saw my Drexel Dragons knock off favored St. Joe's at the Palestra on Saturday. What a great old place: terrific sight lines, lots of history as a Philly "Big 5" BB mecca, and it really holds the noise. There were 7600 fans there, and it sounded like double that. On Saturday night, Penn played Villanova in the same place before a capacity crowd of 8500. Is there any better college basketball venue in the U.S.? I'm waiting...:nod:

Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS is basically a larger Palestra, think the Palestra with about another 7,500 seats.

[crunifan]

I gotta give some love to the McLeod Center, UNI's new arena!

But in all seriousness, the Qwest Center is AMAZING. Creighton has such unbelievable fan support. I bet Texas, Iowa, Washington, etc. wish they had the support for their basketball team the way the Jays do.

[TheValleyRaider]

I hate the school, I hate the team, and I hate the fans, but you have to give some props to Duke. The one game I went to was late December vs. East Carolina (read: no one really going to be around) and the game was still well-attended and the crowd was raucous. Are the Crazies as good as everyone says they are? Not really, but still well-deserving of mention :twocents:

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

The Carrier Dome in Syracuse is an awesome place to see a game. 30,000+ place at basketball game is an experience in itself. They love the orange up there it makes for a great time. My favorite moment at the dome was rushing the court when they beat defending champs Uconn in 2000. Everyone was going nutts.

[BlueHen86]

The Palestra is the best venue I've visited, although I've only been to a few on the east coast;
the old UConn fieldhouse
Madison Square Garden
the old University of Delaware fieldhouse
The Bob Carpenter Center - University of Delaware
The Wachovia Center

[LeopardFan04]

I saw my Drexel Dragons knock off favored St. Joe's at the Palestra on Saturday. What a great old place: terrific sight lines, lots of history as a Philly "Big 5" BB mecca, and it really holds the noise. There were 7600 fans there, and it sounded like double that. On Saturday night, Penn played Villanova in the same place before a capacity crowd of 8500. Is there any better college basketball venue in the U.S.? I'm waiting...:nod:

My brother was there IT...he's in his second year at Drexel...it was nice to see Drexel win there for a change...they way the Drexel kids talk it's like it's cursed or something for them...

[SirApp]

Rupp Arena is by far my favorite. I still get chills thinking about my first time there.

[LeopardFan04]

To add...I haven't been to too many, however as smaller venues go...Bucknell's relatively new place (Sojka Pavilion) is great...here's a picture...not the best, but the best I could find...

http://bucknellbison.cstv.com/genrel/051506aad.html?pic=28

[TxSt02]

Strahan Coliseum...

you can't avoid "The Wall"

http://graphics.ocsn.com/schools/txst/graphics/facilities/strahan-coliseum-275.jpg

[appfan2008]

cameron indoor stadium...
the history, the tradition, the students, the players, the coaches its all there and nothing can compare more words would diminsh the truth
#1 college basketball venue in america period

[Umass74]

UMass Mullins Center. I'm probably in the crowd somewhere.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/umas/graphics/MullinsFull-copy.jpg

[appfan2008]

Holmes Center in Boone... haha joke
that place is sooo boring during games
a lot of it has to do with only 1000 people showing up in a 8000+ arena

[EKU05]

Rupp Arena is pretty awesome when 24,000 fans are up and cheering. They need a new scoreboard and a bigger student section.

UVA's John Paul Jones arena is the nicest college arena I've been to based on ammeneties and sight lines.

Dayton's UD arena is a nice place to watch a game.

Xavier's Cintas center is the best arena in Cincinnati.

Ohio State's place is nice.

UofL's Freedom Hall is a dump.

WKU's Diddle Arena may be in the Top 10.

I agree on Diddle...I was there on Saturday. But you're crazy if you like Rupp better than Freedom Hall. That said...the Hall is on it's last legs as Louisville has approved a brand new downtown arena (basically like the one they would have built if the Hornets had actually come.)

I also agree on the Cintas Center...beautiful arena.

[SirApp]

I agree on Diddle...I was there on Saturday. But you're crazy if you like Rupp better than Freedom Hall. That said...the Hall is on it's last legs as Louisville has approved a brand new downtown arena (basically like the one they would have built if the Hornets had actually come.)

I also agree on the Cintas Center...beautiful arena.


You have just committed blasphemy against the state of Kentucky!! xlolx

[DuckDuckGriz]

Being a homer here -- but as far as west coast you gotta love Oregon's nostalgic Mac Court. Home of the Ducks since 1919. Pit Crew is right there and often get so loud that the baskets start to sway. Certainly not better than Cameron or Rupp, but it's one of my all-time favorites.

Also on its last legs.

http://images.google.com/url?q=http://webzoom.freewebs.com/ranlayracing/996%2520Forster/060126%252004%2520Mac%2520Court-large.jpg&usg=__u1WLGQkj7FxX-SJxrh9DL4eaJ68=

[Mr. C]

Pauley Pavillion at UCLA. Those 11 National Championship banners are hard to beat.
The first time I walked into that place and saw those banners from one side of the arena to the other, I got Major League goosebumps. What a place.

For five years, I had the pleasure of covering UC Santa Barbara and watching games at the Thunderdome. It was just average facility-wise, but what an atmosphere. ESPN folks considered it to be up there with Cameron Indoor and Rutgers for crowds.

I also used to cover Fresno State during its Selland Arena days and that was a lot of fun. It used to get so loud that your hair would stand on end. Fresno State now plays in a nice, fancy arena called the Save Mart Center, which is very nice. But it lacks the old atmosphere.

One of my surprises on moving to the southeast was to find out how many of the ACC arenas are absolute dumps. I grabbed a seat railing at NC State's historic Reynolds Coliseum and had it break off in my hand.

But my favorite experience in an old arena was getting a chance to go to Hinkle Arena at Butler University (remember the movie Hoosiers?). That place was dripping with tradition. What a place.

Now the worst arena I've seen was Stockton's Civic Arena, where University of the Pacific used to play. But that's a story for another time.

[Mr. C]

Strahan Coliseum...

you can't avoid "The Wall"

http://graphics.ocsn.com/schools/txst/graphics/facilities/strahan-coliseum-275.jpg
What is up with that? Goofy looking place.

[aggie6thman]

For five years, I had the pleasure of covering UC Santa Barbara and watching games at the Thunderdome. It was just average facility-wise, but what an atmosphere. ESPN folks considered it to be up there with Cameron Indoor and Rutgers for crowds.

Too bad their crowds have been lacking the last few years. I am planning on bringing down some students for our game their this year. As far as arenas go in the Big West, ours is by far the largest/best. Other teams have gyms that seat about 1,100-4,000. The Pavillion seats almost 8,000 and we drew 3,100 Saturday for our home opener. I know, less than half full, but we were 0-6 prior to that game.

[blur2005]

John Paul Jones Arena is incredible. I seriously can't believe that it's my home arena.

[FargoBison]

http://www.edcsolutions.com/images/wmsarena.JPG

Williams Arena(The Barn)

One of the oldest arena's in college hoops and also one the most unique. It is a place any college basketball fan should check out if they have the chance.

[wsufan]

Williams Arena(The Barn)

One of the oldest arena's in college hoops and also one the most unique. It is a place any college basketball fan should check out if they have the chance.

Just the one I came into mention. Williams is amazing facility, if the Gophers ever start wining, that could be a unbelievable environment.

[YaleFootballFan]

I saw my Drexel Dragons knock off favored St. Joe's at the Palestra on Saturday. What a great old place: terrific sight lines, lots of history as a Philly "Big 5" BB mecca, and it really holds the noise. There were 7600 fans there, and it sounded like double that. On Saturday night, Penn played Villanova in the same place before a capacity crowd of 8500. Is there any better college basketball venue in the U.S.? I'm waiting...:nod:

I've been to The Palestra and yes, it does have a lot of history and tradition, but it could use some fixing up. The last time I was there was probably 10 years ago for Yale/Penn and the place looked dingy and dilapidated.

Princeton's Jadwin Gym is a great venue. Odd configuration, but great nonetheless.

A new basketball (and hockey) venue to watch for is Quinnipiac University's TD Banknorth Sports Center. It opens in January and it will house a 3,500 seat basketball facility in one wing and a 3,200 seat hockey facility in the other (I'm a season ticket holder for QU hockey). The hockey program is in the ECAC (with Yale, Harvard, Cornell, Colgate, etc) and the basketball program is in the NEC with Monmouth, RMU and Central Connecticut.

[furpal87]

My favorite has been and will always be Cameron Indoor Stadium. The atmosphere mis incredible. I've taken State and UNC fans their for their first games, and they came out amazed. I'll always be more partial to the smaller, less sanitary arenas. I HATE the Dean Dome and RBC Center in Raleigh (though pretty good for hockey). They're too big for college basketball and the sight lines are terrible below the big buck seats. I went to some games there during some terrible teams in the early 80's and the place was still loud. I'll be interested to see UVA's new arena. Can't say I've seen many other arenas I've been impressed with.

[bulldog10jw]

I miss the Boston Garden. The place was a dump, but also just oozed history and looking at the banners always gave me goosebumps. Much as I hate the Yankees I always got that same feeling in the "old" Yankee Stadium, has it been 30 years already that it's been "remodeled"? (And the one time I went to the Montreal Forum it was that same feeling)

[MoreheadEagle]

I agree on Diddle...I was there on Saturday. But you're crazy if you like Rupp better than Freedom Hall. That said...the Hall is on it's last legs as Louisville has approved a brand new downtown arena (basically like the one they would have built if the Hornets had actually come.)

I also agree on the Cintas Center...beautiful arena.

Freedom Hall is a dump. Rupp Arena (while needing some upgrades) is much better than the convention center that UofL plays in.

[JALMOND]

The new Kennel at Gonzaga is really impressive. The success of the Zags have that place hopping on game nights. Really imposing! They kept the intimate feel and rowdy students, yet were able to build more seats. Season tickets are still sold out until 2010.

On this level, the new setup to the arena in Missoula is state of the art as well. Top level football stadium gets an adequate basketball companion at Montana. Much better than Portland State's little gym (really no comparison).

[Ivytalk]

I miss the Boston Garden. The place was a dump, but also just oozed history and looking at the banners always gave me goosebumps. Much as I hate the Yankees I always got that same feeling in the "old" Yankee Stadium, has it been 30 years already that it's been "remodeled"? (And the one time I went to the Montreal Forum it was that same feeling)

I never saw a college hoops game at "the Gahden," but they played the Beanpot hockey tournament there every year. My enduring memory of the place is the smell of stale urine.:o

[bulldog10jw]

My enduring memory of the place is the smell of stale urine.:o

It was also never really comfortable. Either too hot, or too cold. Especially in the visitors locker room.;)

[NoCoDanny]

I never saw a college hoops game at "the Gahden," but they played the Beanpot hockey tournament there every year. My enduring memory of the place is the smell of stale urine.:o

God forbid you ever had to take a dump there. :bawling:

[Ivytalk]

God forbid you ever had to take a dump there. :bawling:

Never had that pleasure, Danny! The mere thought of it makes me want to...:pumpuke:

[Gil Dobie]

Just the one I came into mention. Williams is amazing facility, if the Gophers ever start wining, that could be a unbelievable environment.

Another Williams Arena (The Barn) fan here. From the raised floor to the seats by the rafters. Great place to watch a game.

[crunifan]

Here is a picture of UNI's brand new arena, the McLeod Center, if any of you were interested. It's a HUGE upgrade from the dome (great for football, HORRIBLE for basketball)

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c342/BrandoJac/McLeod.jpg

[JoshUCA]

The Arkansas Razorbacks have a pretty nice place in Bud Walton Arena.
http://www.razorbackfacilities.com/sport02.htm

[ncguitarplyr]

definitly not the best or the biggest but Appalachian's Holmes Convocation Center is pretty damn nice...only a couple years old but i can't find a good shot of the inside

http://www.hles.appstate.edu/images/convocation_center.jpeg

http://www.hles.appstate.edu/images/convocation_center_2.jpeg

http://www.goasu.com/autoimage/pJnJesu.jpg

http://www.theholmescenter.com/images/eventimages/245_center_5_400.jpg

http://www.theholmescenter.com/images/eventimages/245_center_4_400.jpg

[crunifan]

Appalachian's arena looks really nice to me. How many people does it seat?

[Mountaineer]

Appalachian's arena looks really nice to me. How many people does it seat?

About 8500 for basketball. Of course we're not averaging anywhere near a 1/4 of that. :bawling: : smh :

But yeah, it's a really nice building - inside and out.

The inside of the McLeod Center looks great! I lived down the street while that thing was under construction. Thought it looked a little too grey and boxy on the outside, but the inside shot makes up for it. :nod:

[crunifan]

It's funny that Appalachian's new arena is bigger than UNI's, even with all of UNI's success.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple's Liacouras Center

http://atlas.ocis.temple.edu/summerconference/images/photos/apollo12_99.jpg

http://www.temple.edu/parking/commencement.jpg