Im nobody, but its 2021 and the internet is ubiquitous, so get ready for my opinion, world! 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. It got so loud that some of the lights broke. The Pit is SO LOUD. 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. Its size is unmatched with 34,616 seats, Syracuses home is more than 11,000 seats larger than the second-largest arena in the sport. I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and have loved basketball for as long as I can remember. Also known as The Barn, Minnesotas Williams Arena is one of the most unique in the sport. Dean Smith Center 5. Unlike other traditional blue blood programs, Duke has rather small arena with 9,314 seats. The placement of your student section is crucial to building a top atmosphere, and Michigan State has set itself up perfectly. As Virginia has improved under Tony Bennett, so too has the atmosphere at John Paul Jones Arena. 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. This article was originally published on Fivestar News. With the largest student section in the country at 7,800 seats, Assembly Hall is far from a friendly site for opponents when its rocking. This is a list of arenas that currently serve as the home venue for NCAA Division I college basketball teams. 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. Kohl Center (Wisconsin) When the Jayhawks were winning Big 12 titles every year for more than a decade, nobody was winning at Allen Fieldhouse but them. Allen Fieldhouse is one of college basketball's most . A&M sophomore Alec Hankins made up his mind that he would not risk missing Saturday's game with many believing the crowd will break the attendance record for Reed Arena 14,036 set in 2022 . With arguably the most passionate fans in college . Stadium. 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. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The Pit - Dreamstyle Arena 13. 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. I know the name changed. 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 arena is named after Phog Allen, a former player and head coach for the Jayhawks whose tenure lasted 39 years.The arena's nickname, The Phog also pays homage to Allen. Shows how loud assembly hall can get. I went to Oakland Raider games. There is zero controversy in saying this ACC fans will chase you down a long, busy hallway for no reason other than to make sure you know that College Park is hell on earth and Terps fans are the scum of humanity, you know, for your own safety. When packed, the building rocks and the dark seating corners add a nice touch to the experience. 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. Loudest Mountain West basketball arenas 11. That being said, when in-state rival Kansas comes to town, throw the records out the door, as the 12,528-seat arena turns into one of college basketball's loudest environments. But is it a tough section to play in front of? The Allen Fieldhouse, at the University of Kansas, is home to the Kansas Jayhawks men's and women's basketball teams. Big Game Boomer @BigGameBoomer . 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). Many fans have complained about the quality of the arena, but thats for a separate discussion. Kansas has a lifetime 774114 record at Allen Fieldhouse, which works out to a .872 win percentage going back to 1955. It's loudreal loud thanks to a famed student section known as the "Oakland Zoo." I've been to Duke. Explore a new way to challenge real players on this multiplayer Basketball game! The famous "C-A-T-S, Cats, Cats, Cats" and "Go Big Blue" cheers are usually heard in the crowds. Top 5 Largest College Basketball Arenas in NCAA Division I Sports #3: KFC Yum! Screaming, because Kansas fans once hit 122 on the decibel thingamajig. ", Roy Williams, UNCs head coach, also added, "That was the loudest I have ever heard the Smith Center.. The New York Knicks' stadium is an iconic landmark of the NBA's rich history. 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. 2018-2021 All Rights Reserved Nothing But Nylon is powered by, News & gear by players, for players Powered by. Newbill (2) shoots a game winning shot over Minnesota Golden Gophers guard . The Value City Arena is located on the campus of Ohio State University and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes. 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. Full disclosure: I attended Maryland, including many mens basketball games, including many mens basketball games in the student section. Good run. 1,000 percent. The Aggies are ignited by that "Spectrum Magic," which has been responsible for only 18 non-conference home defeats since the 1996-97 season. 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. All Rights Reserved. 405. Rupp Arena- University of Kentucky 1. Named after famed Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, the home of the Wildcats is one of the most recognizable arenas in all of sports. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. Jan 14, 2020. Kentucky isnt just a passionate fan base, its kind of rabid, and thats no insult. A bucket-list destination for basketball fans everywhere, tickets to watch a game in this gym can be expensive and hard to acquiredepending on Duke's . Since Miller took over the program in 2009-10, Arizona has won more than 140 home games. I imagine it gets much, much more deafening when IU is actually in the building. Cameron Indoor Stadium 3. Obviously, UK has one of the most passionate fanbases in the country - there is zero chance anyone could ever debate that. 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. For big games especially, Rupp can get very, very loud. Originally named Purdue Arena, it was renamed in 1972 to honor Purdue alumnus and long time athletic director Guy "Red" Mackey. 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. The fact is, Syracuse fans love the Orange so much, they dont care if they need binoculars to see the ball from their seats; theyll show up anyway. Up high are the season ticket holders, down low are the Smurfs, better knows as the Cameron Crazies. That has an effect on the atmosphere. O'Connell Center, Florida 6. 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 MAC, or even more commonly, The Kennel, is even smaller than Cameron Indoor, with a capacity of only 6,000. I know the dynamic may change since it's Utah-Utah State. I think we all knew what the top two would be, and rightfully so. The arena is the home venue for the University of Arizona Wildcats' men's and women's basketball teams. 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. 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. When Cody Zeller made a key steal against Michigan State, Assembly Hall earned a 115.3 dB reading. By, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. At just under 18,000 capacity, the home of the Terps is one of the bigger venues in college basketball. I've been to the Pit. But quality college basketball arenas are not exclusive to only the elite teams. 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. Talk about a true home-court advantage, try visiting the home of the Aggies in Logan, Utah. Ushers and concession employees are fabulous. The atmosphere is crazy, whether theyre on a three-game losing streak or a three-game winning streak.. Big Game Boomer . Home of the Izzone, the well-known Michigan State student section (named afteryou guessed it, Tom Izzo), the Breslin Center is always a tough trip for opponents to make. Its the largest domed structure on a U.S. college campus and can hold 33,000 for basketball games and 56,250 for concerts. 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. 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. 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. Not only is it loud, but the violence of the vocals makes it about as inviting as a swim among piranhas. So loud," Mike Roberts, radio voice of the Lobos from 1966 to 2008, said in an ESPN story, "you can feel it in your bones.". It was the final conference game between the Blue Devils and the Tar Heels. In a video released by NCAA.com, it says. Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, North Carolina. Maryland has one of the nastiest, least-welcoming fanbases in the country. Here are the loudest basketball arenas in the NCAA, 8. The Pit is 37 feet down into the crust, funneling the vocals and screams from the red and white down onto the court. There arent many cities in America more obsessed with college basketball than Indianapolis, and Butler is part of that puzzle. As if playing a possible two-platoon Wildcat team isnt intimidating enough, the fans in Lexington bring the noise. Fans sit in a hole in the ground literally which makes even the farthest-away seats feel relatively close to the court. 1. Xavier fans are ferociously dedicated to their Musketeers, and their dedication to the program is part of why it has risen up to the Big East. 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. Since it's March Madness, I thought we would discuss which college basketball arenas are the loudest? 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. Come on: "Hoosiers" was filmed here. Theres a reason they say, Pay Heed, All Who Enter: Beware of the Phog, because Allen Fieldhouse is loud. Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke 3. Rated 5 / 5. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Thats why I have North Carolina this high. The arena is relatively tiny, seating just a bit more than 9,000 people at one of the premier basketball entities in the game. They put the "wild" in Wildcats. 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. At its peak, like for a Duke game or other big-time opponent, the Dean Dome can offer the greatest atmosphere in college basketball. 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. What's the biggest arena in the world? The largest mostly-college basketball arena with 23,500 seats (and more than 24,000 if needed), Rupp sat in the Guinness Book of World Records for the loudest arena for 17 days two seasons ago . 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. At Xavier, basketball is THE sport in a part of the country where college basketball is giant. 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. 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. This venue is renowned for its raucous game-day environment and multipurpose availability. As visiting teams will agree, it can be more intimidating than it looks especially when filled to capacity as the sound is contained well due to the building's configuration. Remember when I said Cincinnati and that general region are obsessed with college basketball? 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. 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. 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. This is my list, and in my world, its The Pit. Go for slam dunks, fire off long 3-point shots, use superpowers, win matches and earn cups! The aluminum ceiling contains the loud cheering of student fans and adds to the unique character of Mackey Arena. 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. Former Kentucky guard John Wall elicited a 110.1 when he returned in 2011. But on its day, Chapel Hill turns this arena into a madhouse, and I have to respect that. Views. 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. 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. It's not mean-spirited, it's not like you're going to get hit with a hot dog or anything. Amusing, possibly, but since thats patently foolish, they can scream for Tom Crean. Established in 1968, it stands as the eldest arena in the association. But when the Bulldogs have a marquee game in the building, theres nothing welcoming about the environment. The indoor basketball venue holds 17,222 seats and also houses the largest student section in the country at 7,800 seats. McCarthey Athletic Center - Gonzaga The McCarthey Athletic Center is a 6,000-seat indoor. The atmosphere at the Spectrum isnt what it was in the 2000s, and for that it just barely misses out on my top 25. 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). From 2005 to 2018, Kansas won every single Big 12 regular season title 14 to be exact. WVUs fanbase fiercely backs its athletics, and mens basketball is one of its favorites. 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. Of course, there are several, gyms, stadiums, arenas or domes that stand out in the college game. Quote Tweets. That said, Kentucky fans are animalistic about their Cats. McKale Memorial Center 14. If youre ever lucky enough to walk through the doors at this historic venue, you can feel its age, history, and importance to the game within moments. It's also been a quality home for the team to thrive in. I have to pay my respects to the Winning Team, Losing Team chant. At a time where we can't seem to agree on . Ive watched too many games at the Dean Dome and heard the shoes squeak for me to put it in the top 10. 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? If he could do it again, he'd attend Degrassi Junior High, Ampipe High and Grand Lakes University. The 30 Toughest College Basketball Arenas to Play In By Bex Walton - July 3, 2016 There's something about some arenas in basketball that make it almost impossible to win a game in. I dont care. But as Oklahoma State basketball has suffered, Oklahoma State football has produced, and Cowboys fans have understandably shifting their focus further to the gridiron. Allen Fieldhouse Allen Fieldhouse - Kansas. They put spells on opponents. The huge multi-level arena doesn't . 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. What is the largest basketball arena? Gallagher-Iba Arena, Oklahoma State 10. With about one-fourth of the fans coming from the student body, youve already created a rowdy atmosphere. When it comes to sports, performing in front of a home crowd can produce a much-needed jolt that aids in success. Penn State. It might offend some Kentucky fans to see me ranking them outside of the top five, and they might have a point. 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. 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. 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. For non-Duke fans, it's another reason to loathe the Blue Devils. . Sports' Jeff Eisenberg, former Wake Forest star Ish Smith said: I know people will automatically say Cameron and we never won in Cameron, but Cameron was fun to play in. Theres a reason why the NCAA puts the First Four in Dayton every March and has for years the city cannot get enough college basketball. However, the Cameron Crazies make it one of the loudest and most intimidating places to play in college basketball. #newmexico #lobos #thepit #basketball". 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. I lost partial hearing for days on multiple occasions after basketball games, and sometimes my voice would go, too. Shot from student section. Sanford Stadium. Gay was fouled shooting a three with his team down two and one second remaining. Carrier Dome Carrier Dome, Syracuse | 34,616 seats The Carrier Dome is the largest in college basketball. 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. Lets go to the decibel meter. How much better does it get? You could argue Maryland should be a bit lower if you want, but you cant say its inclusion on this list and at least near the top 10 isnt warranted. Capacity. Thanks to a devoted student section that seats about 4,000, the noise level can be an issue for the opposition. The HURD elicit fear into the psyches of its opponents. Which 10 schools create the most challenging atmospheres for opponents? Jan 12, 2023. Some are steeped in tradition, while others offer modern-day amenities but still remain a pain for the opposition. In that same span, the Jayhawks lost 13 games at home. That's historically been the case at Provident Credit Union Event Center. 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. The bar is high to reach the top 25. I dont know if people who arent familiar with Cincinnati and the general region, but basketball, particularly college basketball, is EXTREMELY important. It's big but doesn't lose its roominess, especially when crowded. More than 35,000 people watched a single Syracuse basketball game at the largest domed campus stadium in the country. These are the top-25 best college basketball atmospheres in Division I mens hoops, as ranked by a scientist I mean bracketologist. Kentucky Wildcats: Rupp Arena, opened in 1976 The downtown arena holds around 23,5000, and there is rarely a time when Rupp isn't at capacity these days. 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. From the team benches on the baseline to the expanded court area, the home of the Commodores is something to behold. 5. Now thats what you call home court advantage. Few venues can match the uniquely designed Assembly Hall when it comes to noise. Rutgers' basketball arena was originally titled the Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) when it opened in 1977. 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. Sure, they lull you to sleep with the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant, but dont let that fool you. The atmosphere is even more special during afternoon games when the daylight shines through the windows amid the throngs of spectators. UNM Arena, New Mexico 5. Under Coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks have had multiple home . Opened in 1967, Mackey holds a little more than 14,000 people, and those people do not hesitate to yell. 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. Opponents can attest to the fact that the arena seems smaller and more intimidating when all 19,300-plus seats are filled. Breslin also has played host to some of the world's greatest musical acts, including Aerosmith, KISS, Pearl Jam and The Beach Boys. Purdues Terone Johnson said in The Gazette, It gets ridiculous. In an interview with Yahoo! Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. The largest arena designed specifically for college hoops, the 23,500-seat Rupp Arena for the University of Kentucky opened in 1976 and is. That has got to have Bill Self, Kansas head coach, screaming for joy. 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. Breslin Student Events Center - Michigan State, On Feb. 13, 2017, 16,300 fans in attendance at Allen Fieldhouse set the. 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. The KFC Yum! 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." And conversely, Maryland fans will wholeheartedly agree and wear their reputation as a badge of honor. KFC Yum! Theres no question the students go very hard for their Tar Heels. The airlock doors Thats how they get you first. Cameron Indoor Stadium Thats what i think, what yall think? 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. It might not have the historical value or intimacy of its rival down Tobacco Road, but the "Dean Dome" can hang with any other in the game in terms of noise or intimidating the opponent. Conference affiliations reflect those in the current 2022-23 season; all affiliation changes officially took effect on July 1, 2022. Theres close to 6,000 students at Allen Fieldhousethree times more than Dukeand theyve earned the title of loudest college arena. 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. 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. Shockers fans are riotous about their team and are constantly filling their roughly 10,000-seat gym to the rafters. 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. But things have changed under eighth-year . 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. to see one of college basketball's great facilities up close. Wichita State has a hidden gem of an atmosphere. No, not Banes pit prison from The Dark Knight Rises. Playing away is tough in itself, but if you're playing at one of these arenas then it's pretty much game over. Big Ten Basketball Arenas, Ranked Before I go further, let's outline the criteria I'm using for these very definitive rankings: atmosphere, home-court advantage, banners, history, and name. 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. I have never seen a fanbase so ready and willing to boo anything and everything. Payne Whitney Gym 8. Allen Fieldhouse- Kansas 3.Oconnel Center- Florida 2. Its a cool setup, good atmosphere and the fans are involved constantly.. 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. What is the largest college basketball arena? 311. 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. Utah State has an Oakland Raider mentality without the knives and guns. 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. Rupp Arena (Kentucky) Fitting that the largest basketball-only arena in the U.S. be #1 on our list. Back in 2012, Nebraskas Brandon Ubel made specific mention of Michigan States Breslin Student Events Center. 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. The huge space makes more sense once you know that the Orange football and lacrosse teams also . While the arena hosts much more than sports, it is famously home to the Indiana Hoosiers mens basketball team. That announcer was ESPN's Dave O'Brien, and he said the Hilton Coliseum was "louder than anything in the ACC.". 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. Their fans have also led the country in average attendance in each of the last three seasons. The 12th-ranked Volunteers announced that Zeigler tore his left ACL in a win over Arkansas. 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. The Wildcats are a perennial national power. 1.1M. But you wont find many arenas in this sport with a better atmosphere at its best. Louisville is one of the most successful programs in the sport, and it has some very passionate fans. Students are given absolutely priority at Cameron Indoor, and it makes all the difference. From cheerleaders and bands, to painted co-eds and mascots, college basketball arenas -- with the thousands of fans that fill the seats -- can be one of the loudest places in the country.