Which CBB Arena Has Best Atmosphere?
Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2022 12:37 pmhttps://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/candid-coaches-which-arenas-boast-the-best-home-court-environments-in-college-basketball/
CBS Sports' Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander surveyed roughly 100 coaches asking which arenas have the best environments in college hoops. 37 schools received at least one vote. Kansas (Allen Fieldhouse), Duke (Cameron Indoor), and Gonzaga (The Kennel) were top three.
Two Big East teams were mentioned. Butler (Hinkle) was tied for 12th in the nation with 4 votes. Providence (The Dunk, now The AMP (Amica Mutual Pavilion)) was tied for 18th in the nation with 3 votes.
One anonymous coach's take on Butler: "I think the history of Hinkle, when you walk in and you feel like you've been thrown back into the good old days of basketball. Fans know the game, are respectful for the game and it's a really cool arena, man. I got chills every time I stepped in there to coach. The fans are always there, are polite, are into it. The other cool thing about it is it's an old-school arena that in 30 years will still be a great place to coach or play a game at."
One anonymous coach's take on Providence: "When they are rolling the atmosphere is ridiculous. They have the DJ going, fans talking to your players. I've been in there a couple of time when it's ridiculous."
Matt Norlander, the writer of the article, had this to say, "If I were to make a list of my five favorite home-venue environments, [Kansas, Duke, and Gonzaga] are all vying for No. 1, with the McKale Center, Gampel Pavilion (UConn), The Dunk (Providence) and Hinkle all at the table."
FenwayFriar personal ranking of the Big East arenas in terms of best atmosphere:
1. Amica Mutual Pavilion (Providence)
2. Cintas Center (Xavier)
3. CHI Health Center (Creighton)
4. Gampel Pavilion (UConn)
5. Finneran Pavilion (Villanova)
6. Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler)
7. Prudential Center (Seton Hall)
8. Madison Square Garden (St. John's)
9. Fiserv Forum (Marquette)
10. XL Center (UConn)
11. Wells Fargo Center (Villanova)
12. Carnesecca Arena (St. John's)
13. Capital One Arena (Georgetown)
14. Wintrust Arena (DePaul)
*Note MSG only applies to St. John's home games. Obviously for the BE Tourney it's a clear #1.
CBS Sports' Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander surveyed roughly 100 coaches asking which arenas have the best environments in college hoops. 37 schools received at least one vote. Kansas (Allen Fieldhouse), Duke (Cameron Indoor), and Gonzaga (The Kennel) were top three.
Two Big East teams were mentioned. Butler (Hinkle) was tied for 12th in the nation with 4 votes. Providence (The Dunk, now The AMP (Amica Mutual Pavilion)) was tied for 18th in the nation with 3 votes.
One anonymous coach's take on Butler: "I think the history of Hinkle, when you walk in and you feel like you've been thrown back into the good old days of basketball. Fans know the game, are respectful for the game and it's a really cool arena, man. I got chills every time I stepped in there to coach. The fans are always there, are polite, are into it. The other cool thing about it is it's an old-school arena that in 30 years will still be a great place to coach or play a game at."
One anonymous coach's take on Providence: "When they are rolling the atmosphere is ridiculous. They have the DJ going, fans talking to your players. I've been in there a couple of time when it's ridiculous."
Matt Norlander, the writer of the article, had this to say, "If I were to make a list of my five favorite home-venue environments, [Kansas, Duke, and Gonzaga] are all vying for No. 1, with the McKale Center, Gampel Pavilion (UConn), The Dunk (Providence) and Hinkle all at the table."
FenwayFriar personal ranking of the Big East arenas in terms of best atmosphere:
1. Amica Mutual Pavilion (Providence)
2. Cintas Center (Xavier)
3. CHI Health Center (Creighton)
4. Gampel Pavilion (UConn)
5. Finneran Pavilion (Villanova)
6. Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler)
7. Prudential Center (Seton Hall)
8. Madison Square Garden (St. John's)
9. Fiserv Forum (Marquette)
10. XL Center (UConn)
11. Wells Fargo Center (Villanova)
12. Carnesecca Arena (St. John's)
13. Capital One Arena (Georgetown)
14. Wintrust Arena (DePaul)
*Note MSG only applies to St. John's home games. Obviously for the BE Tourney it's a clear #1.