after conversing with clipper about the badgers fans being dead quiet towards the end of their game, and recalling how it was mentioned how most college basketball fans are trying to emulate one particular program.

i cant imagine any college atmosphere that would be more intimidating and awe inspiring than those of the dookies home court.

who in college bball do you think has the best overall fans?

You're probably right Duke does, but Kansas has good fans too. On a side note the Palastra is a real tuff place to play no matter waht big 5 team is playing in there.

I haven't been to many different schools, but in my experiences, I'd have to say UK at Rupp Arena.

i honestly believe every college's fans are second tier compared to duke, but i might be a little biased

the fans are loud and often very creative with their chants, but don't discount the fact that the arena is VERY small compared to most big time programs, and contributes to the hostile atmosphere.

oh no, i do realise that, its great that the fans are right up there on the court, but there chants, unmatched in the history of sports. ever. period.

i think there's two components to this - the fans and the building. some buildings, for whatever reason, are just loud and full of energy (the old chicago stadium comes to mind - you could go deaf in that place just from people cheering).
i don't pay enough attention to duke to comment one way or the other on their fans.

i will, however, say that last year illini fans started heckling an overweight opponent with the chant "sub-way di-et"

I watched Kansas play Georgia Tech on New Years day. That was as loud as any Duke game I've ever seen.

Kansas seems to have some very passionate fans to me anyway.

well this is impossible to measure......obviously the Duke fans have come up with some funny stuff, but anything they do is magnified because the team is in the top 5 every year.

Maryland has come up w/ some funny stuff as well.

Yeah Kansas's arena was actually designed after the Palestra but on a bigger scale

I'm a huge UNC fan and I've always been annoyed by the dookies and cameron clowns but when I step back I have to respect that they've definitely started the trend and are extremely creative and organized

when I saw the students in the Dean Dome bouncing up and down like the Crazies it almost made me puke... I love that the kids are down near the court now supporting the Heels but don't imitate Dook... JR Reid and King Rice and Jeff Lebo would never let this happen

At the Kansas-Baylor game I went to last night, which was in Waco, there were tons of KU fans, and they were loud as fuck... I can only imagine how it would be in Lawrence

Biased? Why, did you go there? Just curious.

They actually were talking about this the other day on ESPN radio. They rated the top 10 toughest places to play in college basketball today. Some of them may be out of order, but here's what I remember:

1. Duke
2. Wisconsin
3. Kansas
4. Illinois
5. Louisville
6. Michigan State
7. Kentucky
8. Arizona
9. Syracuse (apparently the lack of backdrop screws your shooting up)
10. Cincinnati

yeah, well they never won us a title either....

the scene at carolina has change drastically now that the program felt what it was like to lose the past few years... and remember the smith center holds 20,000+ while cameron holds under 10,000.. that helps...

but as a carolina fan, as much as it pains me, i agree completely with peeps thoughts on there being no better fans or atmosphere in college basketball (and maybe all of sports, if you dont count those crazy european soccer fans)

oh, and ive been trying to get tix for carolina's dismantling of duke at cameron on the 9th of february... anyone have about a grand i can borrow?

nope, never went there, but when i was 18-19, i first got into basketball by going to the dapper dan classic here in pittsburgh. two of the guys who played were bobby hurley and ed mccafferty. the two of them put on quiet a show and i saw they both were going to the same college, so i followed them from there, i had no idea who duke was or what, but i knew those two played very well together.

there was all this big fucker there, he dunked the ball hard, i mean really hard, that the stantion(sp) was still shaking on the next trip down, i cant recall his name, shap...shat....something or other

it is my belief that the so called cameron crazies are nothing but a bunch of degenerate assfuck low life losers and should be beaten to death with foam fingers.

carry on.

ESPN just did an article on this:

Andy Katz
FIVE FAVORITES:
Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas)
I know I've suffered some hearing loss in this building. The old barn feel of this place is so nostalgic that it's hard to envision Kansas ever losing here.

Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke)
The press row seats are a fire hazard and having sweaty students literally drip on you isn't pleasant but the atmosphere rocks.

Mac Court (Oregon)
The talk of dumping this relic and building a new spot downtown should stop. The overhang balcony has a theatre-like feel and the noise level, as well as the humidity from the moist air can make for an imposing home court.

Maples Pavilion (Stanford)
I know they've redone the place but I'll never forget interviewing Mike Montgomery amid crazed Stanford students, bouncing up and down on the springboard floor and being forced off my feet after Nick Robinson's 3-pointer beat Arizona last season. Trying to write on press row was a constant circus, as your pen would jump whenever a player passed or the fans continued to stomp.

The Palestra (Penn)
I'm not local to the city but I've been converted to the history of this joint. The love affair this city has with its D-I college hoops comes together at this shrine. The viewing from press row is perfect, although your back will likely be aching sitting on the bench seating. It's hard not to enjoy a game in this venue.


FIVE STILL TO SEE:
Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State)
It's hard to believe I haven't been to this house just yet. I'll be there for Texas-OSU on March 5 to get this off my list.

Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt)
The unique position of the benches and Vandy's usual home-court dominance make this a must see.

Hilton Coliseum (Iowa State)
Every game that is broadcast from this venue is crazed. You wonder how the Cyclones would ever lose a home game.

The RAC (Rutgers)
Big East coaches talk about how tough a road game this is for them so I've got to experience it first hand.

Bud Walton Arena (Arkansas)
If Stan Heath can get the Hogs going like Nolan did, then this will once again be one of the toughest stops in the country and I'll have to go see it to cross it off my list.

Pat Forde
FIVE FAVORITES:
Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke)
Wonderfully quaint building where the home school buys into the wonderfully quaint notion that the student body deserves the best seats. And the student body responds by creating the best atmosphere in the game.

Bud Walton Arena (Arkansas)
Doesn't rock like it used to, but during the "40 Minutes of Hell" salad days the atmosphere was incredible. Great pep band and adults in Hog hats top it off.

Freedom Hall (Louisville)
The home team puts 19,000 in the stands every game, and the sideline seats offer the best sight lines in America. As the site of six NCAA Tournament finals, it's hard to beat the building's history.

Assembly Hall (Indiana)
In an era of tricked-up sound systems, luxury boxes and excessive audiovisual bling, this is still an old-school gym. You walk in and immediately smell the popcorn. And when the Hoosiers play well, it's really loud.

Rupp Arena (Kentucky)
Worth the trip just to see the banners in the rafters. And you never know when Ashley Judd is going to turn up in the stands.


FIVE STILL TO SEE:
The Palestra (Penn)
I've heard so much about the history of the place that my basketball life wouldn't be complete without a trip.

Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State)
Some people say this is the loudest gym in America.

The Pit (New Mexico)
Other people say this is the loudest gym in America.

Mac Court (Oregon)
Cool throwback gym.

McCarthey Athletic Center (Gonzaga)
Didn't get to see the old Kennel, so this one will have do.

Fran Fraschilla
FIVE FAVORITES:
The Palestra (Penn)
Nothing better than eating a pretzel with mustard and watching a Big 5 game here.

Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas)
It doesn't matter if they are playing UMKC or Oklahoma State, the fans feel like they are breathing down your neck.

St. John Arena (Ohio State)
The home of Lucas, Havlicek, Kellogg and (Jim) Jackson, this place had atmosphere. The balcony seemed to overhang the court.

The Pit (New Mexico)
I had a couple big wins here, but not as many as Bob King and Norm Ellenberger. You had to be in great condition to walk up the ramp from the floor.

Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State)
Once a great old building, the renovation and expansion has made this place twice as great (and less old).


FIVE STILL TO SEE:
Hinkle Fieldhouse (Butler)
The place where Jimmy Chitwood made his clutch shot in Hoosiers and the home of a good mid-major.

Mac Court (Oregon)
I hope my travels take me there some day.

Breslin Center (Michigan State)
The Izzone is a classy and enthusiastic student section.

Kohl Center (Wisconsin)
Any place with 38 wins in a row must be special. Will it continue?

Dahlberg Arena (Montana)
The place where Jud Heathcote and Mike Montgomery made their reputations. I love Montana and Grizz fans love their basketball.

Jay Bilas
All-Time Best: Cameron Indoor Stadium: I played there for four years, and was an assistant coach there for three, and there is no other place like it. Where else can world class athletes be intimidated by an unruly mob of MENSA members? As good as it is now, it used to be better (with the exception of the Speedo guy). It was dark and hot, the crowd would throw tennis balls back and forth during warm-ups, and some of the chants were politically incorrect to say the least. The best places in the country have real character, and Cameron has character. The only place I have been where the players routinely laugh at what the crowd is doing.

FIVE OTHER FAVORITES:
The Palestra (Penn)
I played there, and it is one of the true gems of the sports world, right up there with Wrigley Field.

Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas)
The Phog just oozes tradition. It's great for a game, and equally great when it is empty. Awesome.

Assembly Hall (Illinois)
Every game I have ever seen there has been a great atmosphere and rocking. The most underrated venue in college basketball.

The RAC (Rutgers)
The Scarlet Knights play great there, and the crowd is right on top of you and intimidating. A friend said to me at the RAC: "If the Pistons and Pacers had their fight here, they wouldn't have dared to go up into the stands!"

Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State)
The Cameron of the midwest. One of the finest collegiate Halls of Fame I have seen. Strong.


FIVE THAT ARE UNDERRATED:
Reilly Center (St. Bonaventure)
I played there once, and saw a bunch of games there. Cold outside, hot inside, and a tough place to play when the Bonnies are good. Some similar qualities as the RAC.

Williams Arena (Minnesota)
Elevated floor, overhanging upper deck. Just a great old barn.

Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt)
I played there, and love this place. Clever students, elevated court, and the benches are on the baselines. Odd and character-filled.

Hec Ed (Washington)
Renovated and a great atmosphere. People in purple are making that house jump.

UD Arena (Dayton)
Few places have had as many NCAA Tournament games, and UD Arena houses some of the most passionate and knowledgable fans in the college game. A real gem.

I live maybe ten miles from the RAC. It's a great place to see a game. The best memory I have is an RU-Notre Dame game I saw when Troy Murphy was still at ND. Murphy is from NJ and RU came real close to getting him. The fans were still bitter at him for going to ND. Every single time he touched the ball the whole place went nuts. It was louder than a PJ concert. I think he shot something like 10% that game. Rutgers won by like 25.

I'm crossing my fingers that Reed Arena becomes an intimidating place to play in the future. It helps that our team doesn't completely suck now, but it's still nothing compared to, say, Kyle Field or even our soccer games.

I live maybe ten miles from the RAC. It's a great place to see a game. The best memory I have is an RU-Notre Dame game I saw when Troy Murphy was still at ND. Murphy is from NJ and RU came real close to getting him. The fans were still bitter at him for going to ND. Every single time he touched the ball the whole place went nuts. It was louder than a PJ concert. I think he shot something like 10% that game. Rutgers won by like 25.

I was only in the RAC once and I loved it, it was a womens NCAA game (my girlfriends last game) and the place was very loud with the steepest stands I've ever seen. A very unique layout to the place. Very cool.

The Palestra is a place every hoops fan should experience. I love everything about it. Maybe the most cramped place you'll ever watch a game but it's one of the loudest places you'll ever be (more the acoustics of the building than the crowd although the crowds are very good). It's just a really neat experience. Watch out you don't twist your ankle going down the little ramps to the seats on the first level.