The 2014-15 college basketball season is in full swing with a handful of memorable games an incredible upsets already taking place. As the year continues to grow older, there will be more and more on the line for every team hoping to secure a ticket to the NCAA Tournament. Which arenas are the toughest to play in? We took a look at the five places any team would dread about traveling to.
5. University of Pittsburgh — Petersen Events Center
Petersen Events Center (also known as the “Pete”) is home to one of the nation’s electrifying arenas. The lively student section is the biggest reason why this venue came in as the fifth-toughest place to play. The call themselves “The Oakland Zoo,” which is 2,000 fans strong that bring the noise to every single game. since being constructed in 2002, the Pittsburgh Panthers have posted an incredible 132-11 home record. This also included a 31-game home winning streak from 2008-2011.
4. University of Kansas — Allen Fieldhouse
Home to the Kansas Jayhawks and head coach Bill Self, the Allen Fieldhouse plays host to one of the greatest college basketball traditions: the Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant being every game. Since it opened for business way back in 1955, Kansas has produced an incredible 633-106 record. One of the coolest things I found about our fourth-toughest place to play in college basketball is that Jayhawks fans rip up papers and throw them in the air to produce some confetti rainfall as players are introduced.
3. Indiana University — Assembly Hall
The Indiana Hoosiers have a rich history of success, and it only makes sense that this arena would be a tough place to play in for visiting teams. This place has been dubbed the “The Carnegie Hall of Basketball” by sportscaster Gus Johnson, and it’s hard to argue with him. Just how much of a home-court advantage do the Hoosiers get here? Since Assembly Hall opened in 1971, it’s played host to three national championship titles, 12 conference championships, winnings streaks of 50 and 35 games, along with 32 consecutive winning seasons.
2. University of North Carolina — Dean Smith Center
The UNC Tar Heels and head coach Roy Williams consistently set the bar high to compete at an elite level each season, and fans always come prepared to get loud and distract opponents. The Dean Smith Center is the fifth-biggest arena in college basketball, seating over 21,000 screaming fans in their Carolina blue attire. Carolina has posted a dominant 133-17 home record since the doors opened.
1. Duke University — Cameron Indoor Stadium
This should come as no surprise. Year in and year out, Duke is a college basketball powerhouse, while also attracting some of the craziest fans in the world. We all know them, especially since they’ve been famously named “The Cameron Crazies.” They say and do all types of absurd things to ensure the road team has an incredible stressful game. As if facing the Blue Devils isn’t stressful enough. Every single fan at Cameron is dedicated from top off to the final buzzer. Duke’s overall record at home is an amazing 737-150.
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*Photo credits to USA Today Sports
