Top College Basketball Arenas

[HuskyHawk]

This list combines the views of several hoops writers/TV reporters.

I have no issue at all with #1, and heartily agree. I had three years of season tickets and it is really pretty special. I also can find no fault with Gampel not making the list.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Looking at some of the venues that some guys have on the list, hard to believe that Gampel did not make one list. But whatever.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Pat Forde was the only one to include the Yum! and he had it at #3. What a dic&.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Looking at some of the venues that some guys have on the list, hard to believe that Gampel did not make one list. But whatever.

It's not great. Students mostly too far removed (at a minimum should be behind both baskets) and the open, airy design makes it pleasant, but not that loud or intimidating (apart from the team we put on the floor).

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

It's not great. Students mostly too far removed (at a minimum should be behind both baskets) and the open, airy design makes it pleasant, but not that loud or intimidating (apart from the team we put on the floor).

Have you ever been there?

 

[Dooley]

. I've never been to any of these venues so my opinion is based upon what I see on TV, but I can see Cameron, Rupp, Allen Fieldhouse, Assembly Hall, etc being on a "best college basketball arenas" list. But for crissakes, if arenas like Oklahoma State, New Mexico, Cincinnati, Maryland and Pitt are making lists, then Gampel needs to be on these lists too.

I think UCONN gets hurt because I think most people associate XL Center with UCONN and the XL doesn't belong on any list other than "worst arenas". If there's ever more proof needed that UCONN needs to play the majority of its games at Gampel, getting on these types of lists is one.

 

[Dooley]

It's not great. Students mostly too far removed (at a minimum should be behind both baskets) and the open, airy design makes it pleasant, but not that loud or intimidating (apart from the team we put on the floor).

Not loud?? Are you sure you're not thinking of the XL Center? I agree that the students should be wrapping the floor or, at the very least, behind both baskets. But the atmosphere at Gampel is electric and there is a very noticeable difference in the way the team plays on campus than off it.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Not loud?? Are you sure you're not thinking of the XL Center? I agree that the students should be wrapping the floor or, at the very least, behind both baskets. But the atmosphere at Gampel is electric and there is a very noticeable difference in the way the team plays on campus than off it.

It isn't loud by comparison to Allen, no. Don't get me wrong, I was behind the basket for the very first game played in Gampel, a rousing win over St. Johns. I had the cherished gold ticket. But the student section impact is limited by placement, and the shape and openness of the place. Other than Allen Fieldhouse and MSG, I haven't been to the others on the list either. I do know from watching KU-OSU games that Iba-Arena in Stillwater gets very intense and is very loud, so don't sell it short.

Gampel needs students under both baskets and another 2000 people crammed in.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Have you ever been there?

I was there for the very first game played in it, and had season tickets that year. So yes. I have also been back many times.

 

[HuskyHawk]

For what it is worth, I think almost all the buildings rated highly are older. Gallagher-Iba goes back to 1938 (though heavily renovated). The Pit 1966. Allen 1955. Cameron 1940. Breslin is really the only modern building on the list...1989. I think current codes and expectations/amenities make it harder to be as loud.

 

[HU5KIES]

I was there for the very first game played in it, and had season tickets that year. So yes. I have also been back many times.

That was almost 25 years ago. 'Not that loud' is not what I would use to describe Gampel. As a student in the student section I also agree that either wrapping the floor or behind both baskets (not just upper deck on one side) would be better. Florida and Louisville games this year were the exact opposite of 'not loud'. I've never been in a building louder than Gampel was after Ollie got tossed vs. Louisville. The 5 minutes following that were louder than any other UConn/NBA/NFL/MLB game I've ever been to.

 

[uconnell]

The Texas game at Gampel when Texas was #1. Watched on tv and tv was vibrating from the noise. What an exciting game.

 

[Pudge]

Well ...

If you are being a generalist, not including MSG and the Palestra on your list disqualifies you in my view from knowing the vibe of this sport. I am surprised at the emergence of the Butler, Wichita State, Creighton elements on this list; not that they aren't deserving. I just think that they've been risen to new heights in the last few years as the QUALITY of their years have broken through. Very interesting. You simply can't put Fifth Third Arena (Cincinnati) in these lists - that's crazy. And we are seeing an absence of Pauley Pavilion this decade and in the 1990s or earlier, that would not have happened. New arenas? Pitt's Peterson has gained quite a following of admirers. And I was surprised by the mention of the University of Washington home ... that's a little unknown to most national observers.

Gampel? A great place to play all our games - imho.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Good grief people. Yes it can be loud. I like the place because UConn plays there and it has special memories for me too. It should have been bigger, and steeper. But until you visit other places, it's hard to compare. Those people who made out the lists have all been to Gampel.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Well ...

If you are being a generalist, not including MSG and the Palestra on your list disqualifies you in my view from knowing the vibe of this sport. I am surprised at the emergence of the Butler, Wichita State, Creighton elements on this list; not that they aren't deserving. I just think that they've been risen to new heights in the last few years as the QUALITY of their years have broken through. Very interesting. You simply can't put Fifth Third Arena (Cincinnati) in these lists - that's crazy. And we are seeing an absence of Pauley Pavilion this decade and in the 1990s or earlier, that would not have happened. New arenas? Pitt's Peterson has gained quite a following of admirers. And I was surprised by the mention of the University of Washington home ... that's a little unknown to most national observers.

Gampel? A great place to play all our games - imho.

Pudge, I thought MSG being omitted by some was in error, or they viewed the question as only involving on campus arenas. Same with the Palestra. Both belong.

Would love to bump Gampel to 15,000 and play every home game there.

 

[boog204]

I saw a few games at Cole Field House (Old Maryland building) and it was light years better than any game I saw at Gampel. The vibe, synchronicity, and volume of the crowd was incredible. It was what I always imagined every UConn game would be like. Unfortunately, I only remember one game that I attended (Mich St. in 99) that came close.

 

[UofMemphis]

Gampel/XL Center are terrific facilities for UConn.

It's hard to do better than FedExForum and Beale Street, IMHO...NBA arena that lets out onto a world famous tourist attraction.

 

[BoatShow]

So sick of Gallagher-Iba hype. They had a Top10 team most of the year and every game I saw of them (felt like they were on ESPN or ESPN2 every week) there was a ton of empty seats and it didn't come across loud at all. Sure it's about 829 years old but who cares?

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Gampel/XL Center are terrific facilities for UConn.

It's hard to do better than FedExForum and Beale Street, IMHO...NBA arena that lets out onto a world famous tourist attraction.

Too lazy to google and figure you have the scoop. What are the plans for the Pyramid Arena? Seems like yesterday that the arena was built.

 

[UofMemphis]

Too lazy to google and figure you have the scoop. What are the plans for the Pyramid Arena? Seems like yesterday that the arena was built.

BassPro is turning it into a Shopping/Hotel/Resort/Museum

 

[PcketknfNiels]

That was almost 25 years ago. 'Not that loud' is not what I would use to describe Gampel. As a student in the student section I also agree that either wrapping the floor or behind both baskets (not just upper deck on one side) would be better. Florida and Louisville games this year were the exact opposite of 'not loud'. I've never been in a building louder than Gampel was after Ollie got tossed vs. Louisville. The 5 minutes following that were louder than any other UConn/NBA/NFL/MLB game I've ever been to.

The GTown 2 OT loss last year was crazy loud too

 

[Hoophound]

I saw a few games at Cole Field House (Old Maryland building) and it was light years better than any game I saw at Gampel. The vibe, synchronicity, and volume of the crowd was incredible. It was what I always imagined every UConn game would be like. Unfortunately, I only remember one game that I attended (Mich St. in 99) that came close.

Seriously? I think the problem is you haven't seen enough big games at Gampel. It is a great environment for big games, but its definitely a drag for the junk games.

 

[boog204]

Seriously? I think the problem is you haven't seen enough big games at Gampel. It is a great environment for big games, but its definitely a drag for the junk games.

I was there from 99-02. Most of the Gampel games I saw fit into the "drag" category. Mich St. was incredible and a few others jump out; but most were not very memorable. I haven't been back there in 4 or 5 years so maybe it's changed.

I can't explain how those Maryland games were. This was when Maryland was good and I saw games vs. Wake Forest, Florida St, and Duke. The Duke game was off the charts unreal; but the other two still had something that I never experienced at Gampel. Just my experiences I guess.

 

[UConnNick]

Let them have their arenas. We will take the national championships. I'd rather have those. Arenas don't win championships, teams do.