OT: Worst Basketball Arena?

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February 23rd, 2012 at 12:24 PM
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Ron_Lippitt
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OT: Worst Basketball Arena?

 

Hey Folks,

Just got back from Chicago where I had the occasion to see our boys take care of business. Awesome experience seeing Michigan on the road, particularly in such a Wolverine-friendly venue.

Outcome aside, this was my first time at Welsh-Ryan Arena and let's just say it's hard not to feel a little sorry for the Northwestern fanbase/players having to call this cracker box their home. For those that haven't been there, it's essentially a large highschool gym with no amenities sitting on an athletic campus that's a mile from the actual campus. The gym looks like it's 100 years old, even though it was built in 1952 (yes I looked it up). I should also mention that, apparently, there's no HVAC in the building, so you might want to find seats as low as possible. Otherwise you'll get back sweat.

The only redeeming quality of the venue is the proximity of the fans to the floor. It COULD be a fairly intimidating place to visit if Northwestern ever coordinated a fanbase who didn't bring books to study during timeouts. I'm wondering how they expect to recruit top talent. One look has to have a negative impact. Don't get me wrong, I get it. It's Northwestern where academics are first. But they are still in the B1G, and last I checked we're still trying to reshape this conference competitively. Where is all the private school endowment money going?

It got me thinking. If you factor in location, amenities, and overall lack of coolness of a venue -- where is the worst D1 college basketball arena? Because IMHO - we might not have to look further than across Lake Michigan to find it.

　 

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February 23rd, 2012 at 12:28 PM | My sentiments exactly, I (Score:3 Normal)
Fuzzy Navel
Joined: 06/12/2011
MGoPoints: 107

My sentiments exactly, I found myself thinking, "wow, Northwestern High School has a really nice gym."

February 23rd, 2012 at 2:02 PM | I grew up not too far from (Score:2 Normal)
justingoblue
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I grew up not too far from NU, and there are probably HS gyms with capacities close to 8100 in the immediate area (I'm looking at you, New Trier).

While looking this up, however, I just found out that a friend of mine from HS (and recent Wisconsin grad) won a Rhodes Scholarship. So there it is: justingoblue has done keg stands with a Rhodes Scholar.

Go Blue!

February 23rd, 2012 at 2:44 PM | New Trier Grad (Score:3 Normal)
JeepinBen
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High school grad in 2005 (wow, weird) and the Gym wasn't all that big. we did graduation at NU to have more space. New trier was built in like 1900, so the bball gym isn't that huge.

"Over? Did you say, over? Nothing is over until we decide it is!"

February 23rd, 2012 at 2:57 PM | That's surprising to me. I (Score:1)
justingoblue
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That's surprising to me. I would have guessed you guys, Stevenson, and one or two others would be at the top of the list.

I can't find the capacity for my HS (HD Jacobs in Algonquin), but I wouldn't be surprised if it was 4500+, and it's not a huge school. Interestingly enough, we also did our graduation off-site, but we held it at the Sears Centre.

Go Blue!

February 24th, 2012 at 1:30 PM | IIRC (Score:2)
JeepinBen
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NT's current enrollment is 4300+ students, I graduated with just over 900 in 2005, but the 2006 freshmen were like, 1200 students in that class. Between the 2 campuses and everything it's a huge school. But the Gym (at least at East) wasn't that huge, I'd guess it seats abour 2,500. and the gym at west probably only 2000.

"Over? Did you say, over? Nothing is over until we decide it is!"

February 23rd, 2012 at 2:34 PM | Nebraska (Score:1)
Mr. Yost
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Nebraska's court is HIDEOUS!!! They're #1 in my book.

“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”

February 23rd, 2012 at 2:39 PM | pretty sure after the game... (Score:2 Funny)
jbeck224
Joined: 04/08/2009
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they rolled up the bleachers to be ready for 1st period PE

JB Class of '06

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:34 PM | From what players and coaches say (Score:3 Normal)
Center Ice
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The worst is Bryce Jordan Center where Penn State plays. No one ever goes, it's outdated, and for some reason it's very dark.

Twitter

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:38 PM | Is it really outdated?  It's (Score:2)
jmblue
Joined: 11/07/2008
MGoPoints: 28964

Is it really outdated?  It's only like 15 years old.

It's definitely too big for PSU basketball, in any event.  Their games remind me of when the Pistons would play in the Silverdome.

February 24th, 2012 at 2:34 PM | I kinda like it... (Score:0 Overrated)
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:31 PM | Northwestern's football (Score:0 Flamebait)
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:34 PM | I found the basketball arena (Score:2 Normal)
Fuzzy Navel
Joined: 06/12/2011
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I found the basketball arena far more disappointing than the football stadium. Although, to be fair I had considerably more to drink before the football game.

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:34 PM | Ryan Field (Score:1)
MH20
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Texas high schools have more impressive stadiums than Ryan Field, though it is kind of endearing in a "ohh look how small and cute it is!!" type of way.

 

"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."

- Jack Handey

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:42 PM | That's what she said :( (Score:5 Normal)
Fuzzy Navel
Joined: 06/12/2011
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That's what she said :(

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:52 PM | Eight minutes -- I know we (Score:3 Funny)
MH20
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Eight minutes -- I know we can do better, mgoblog.

"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."

- Jack Handey

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:01 PM | 8 minutes? (Score:5 Normal)
skeet
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That's what she said.

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:45 PM | Smallest School in the B1G (Score:2 Normal)
El Tigre
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When you have the smallest school you have the smallest alumni base.  When you have a small alumni base you don't need a big stadium.  Michigan already gets a 50/50 split when they play in Evanston any bigger of a stadium and all the excess are going to be opponents fans.

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:58 PM | Smallest alumni base. (Score:2 Normal)
justingoblue
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Which is made way, way worse by the fact that a majority of NU students aren't from the area, and will likely return to wherever they're from. Michigan wouldn't have the Big House if a plurality of the schools alums were in NYC, LA, and everywhere else but Ann Arbor.

Go Blue!

February 24th, 2012 at 3:23 PM | I guess they think... (Score:0 Overrated)
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:32 PM | I don't have firsthand (Score:1)
MH20
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I don't have firsthand knowledge but I have heard that the Dean Dome (UNC) is one boring, sterile environment without a lot of character.  I've heard it compared to an NBA venue, and not in a favorable manner.

"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."

- Jack Handey

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:43 PM | Agree... (Score:1)
Naked Bootlegger
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Way too sterile for me.  I've been there twice and did not like.   I much preferred the old NC St facility (Reynolds Coliseum?).   A positive, though, are the bathroom facilities.   I had raging diarrhea while attending a UNC-NC St. game awhile back, so I was thankful for the modern bathrooms.

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:33 PM | I went to the Michigan vs NW (Score:2 Funny)
aMAIZEN slot ninja
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I went to the Michigan vs NW football game back in 05 and was able to check out the NW basketball Arena. Color me unimpressed. Now they have that purple inside the three point line....what the hell were they thinking?

Hail to the Victors Valiant!! Hail to the Conquering Heroes!!

February 23rd, 2012 at 2:03 PM | Had the same reaction to the (Score:3 Normal)
SysMark
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Had the same reaction to the purple.  I don't know how it looks in person but it's awful on TV.

February 23rd, 2012 at 4:19 PM | I think on Twitter, TomVH (Score:1)
DrunkOnHiggins
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I think on Twitter, TomVH said it looked like someone spilled grape jelly on the floor. I got a pretty good laugh out of it.

"And if that doesn't wet your appetite, you're watching the wrong channel."

You can usually find me bumping some Reggae, hammered on Higgins Lake with the goon squad. #HALOL

Go Blue!

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:33 PM | I like it (Score:3 Normal)
Hardware Sushi
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I like it. I think it's a helluva lot more unique than Value City Arena (and let's be honest - Crisler is ugly on the outside, too) and fits Northwestern basketball's needs - they don't have a large enough fanbase to support a 10K arena for every game.

I do agree about the back sweat and being off-campus, though. Both of those parts are pretty bad, although I think NW is in the process of doing a big time athletic facilities update.

Intensity is a lot of guys that run fast.

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:36 PM | That could be a cool venue.  (Score:4 Normal)
jmblue
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That could be a cool venue.  It's not that much bigger than Yost.  NU just doesn't keep it in good shape (and can't fill it up).

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:10 PM | Agreed.  If Michigan was bad (Score:3 Insightful)
Still in AA
Joined: 08/07/2009
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Agreed.  If Michigan was bad at hockey, Yost would be regarded as a dump.  If NW was as good as Duke, that arena would be insane.

Let's eat Grandpa.

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:39 PM | Millet Hall (Score:2)
champ009kd
Joined: 08/18/2009
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Miami U in Ohio has a terrible facility.  One picture should do the trick...

 

The only thing worse than an ignorant Buckeye fan? A delusional Penn State fan. 

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:46 PM | Wow (Score:2)
Ron_Lippitt
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Are you sure that's not the Southfield-Lathrup Chargers gym photo?  That is, indeed, a very strange looking basketball arena....

I guess MAC schools are still technically D1 schools :-)

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:13 PM | Definitely a multi-purpose (Score:1)
oriental andrew
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Definitely a multi-purpose gym.  You can see the track running around the floor, which also suggests that the floor can be removed and replaced for volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics, etc. 

For my privacy, my new username is "non-Oriental non-Andrew"
 

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:23 PM | MAC Basketball (Score:2)
Blazefire
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Toledo is really the only MAC school with a good basketball arena (which is funny, because Toledo sucks at basketball since they had to fire Stan Joplin over point shaving allegations.)

Actually, Toledo's arena is nice for any school, not just a MAC school. Luxury boxes, students right on the floor. Plenty of amenities.

"This is the EMU game, not the emo game."
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:57 PM | Actually EMU's arena is pretty nice (Score:3 Normal)
WAKA FLOCKA WOL...
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live by the shotgun. die by the shotgun.

 

February 23rd, 2012 at 2:46 PM | The Convocation Center (Score:1)
El Tigre
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Great Venue.  Right by my house and as Ira says the Eagles are improving.

February 23rd, 2012 at 3:15 PM | I like the Convocation Center (Score:2)
mikoyan
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I like the Convocation Center alot better than Bowen Field House except it has the same problem as Rynearson....namely it is roughly half full.  I think the largest turnout I saw this year was at the State game and State fans vastly outnumbered EMU fans.  Even then it was about three quarters full.

February 23rd, 2012 at 6:19 PM | Bowen (Score:0 Trolling)
February 24th, 2012 at 2:49 AM | Both EMU basketball teams (Score:2)
mikoyan
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Both EMU basketball teams seem to be on the right path, so we'll see.

February 23rd, 2012 at 3:53 PM | Bowling Green is also nice (Score:2)
champ009kd
Joined: 08/18/2009
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BGSU also has a nice favility. The entire MAC sans Miami seems to be updated. Bowling Green

The only thing worse than an ignorant Buckeye fan? A delusional Penn State fan. 

February 23rd, 2012 at 4:30 PM | Where my Falcons at? (Score:1)
lilpenny1316
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Only arena to come with it's own rap video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YxNJJgs08Xg#!

February 23rd, 2012 at 3:22 PM | Maybe this is the hometown (Score:5 Normal)
WMUgoblue
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Maybe this is the hometown bias, but I've always enjoyed Read Fieldhouse. Solid sightlines, and it's connected to the Rec center. So after a run on the track or a workout you can hop over and catch a basketball game for free with your student ID.

Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.

February 23rd, 2012 at 4:49 PM | Oakland O'rena (Score:1)
El Tigre
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Similar.  it is part of the rec center building and on the other side of the stands is the practice courts with an elevated running track.  My favorite game is the crosstown shodown when Rochester plays Adams for city pride.

 

 

File:Oakland university orena.jpg

 

February 23rd, 2012 at 6:18 PM | The UT arena (Score:1)
Mi Sooner
Joined: 02/09/2010
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Was built in the late 70's. This was when toledo had a great program under Nickles. The first game was against one of bobby knights better Indiana teams with Toledo winning by two: 59-57. When Nickles retired, they haven't been the same since.

And yes, I must admit that I was a student at UT when Sabin was the coach just before he escaped to coach in the EL

Born in Oklahoma
Raised in Ohio
Escaped to Meechigan

February 23rd, 2012 at 3:34 PM | That doesn't look too bad (Score:2)
jabberwock
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but where does the politburo sit?

Love & Hate are horns on the same goat.

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:40 PM | Scoreboard (Score:3 Insightful)
Naked Bootlegger
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That scoreboard looks so out of place in that picture (is it even structurally safe hanging from those rafters?!).   There should be two scoreboards on each end of the gym, preferably with half the bulbs burned out so a few numbers are indecipherable.   And a possession arrow that is manually flipped.  

I do tend to love the few old "barns" that still exist in college sports.   But my penchant for nostalgia probably clouds reality.   I just read an article in the local Madison paper about the old Field House (two words, both capitalized) that preceded Wisconsin's Kohl Center.  I actually am not a big fan of the Kohl Center.  Too sterile for me.  I'd much prefer to watch hockey at Yost.   Anyway, the Field House windows were often broken, and minimal snow would accumulate in the top rows during winter (home court advantage?).   So sweating my balls off in Evanston or freezing my arse in Madison's old Field House probably wouldn't suit my current tastes.

This is why I love Yost Arena.   A classic barn that has been updated enough to have some semblance of modern amenities, yet still retains the old charm...and is extremely loud.   Stay strong, Yost.

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:51 PM | Field House (Score:1)
Needs
Joined: 08/05/2008
MGoPoints: 4160

The Field House was awesome. The upper deck was literally a series of overlapping planks with no backing. If you weren't careful and you pushed your coat (or your flask) too far back under your seat, it would fall to the lower deck below. That place was also incredibly loud, even though the teams playing there were usually incredibly bad.

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:14 PM | Yost modernization. (Score:1)
French West Indian
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I haven't been there in at least five years, are the windows at Yost still covered up?  They used to be but I always thought the building would look awesome if the glass were put back in.

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:22 PM | Still covered... (Score:1)
Section 1
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but a planned-and-now-Regent-approved renovation is supposed to open them up again with high-tech glass.  Slightly fewer regular seats, more premium seats.

http://www.annarbor.com/news/u-m-regents-approve-schematic-design-for-14m-renovation-to-yost-ice-arena/ 

 

 

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:47 PM | I actually love Welsh-Ryan. I (Score:1)
Needs
Joined: 08/05/2008
MGoPoints: 4160

I actually love Welsh-Ryan. I like college basketball better when its played in gyms. Fans are right on the court. It sounds better. It feels better. I find the new style arenas like the Kohl Center and OSU's arena (and even Crisler, which is, to be fair, much less of a masoleum post-reno) terribly sterile and boring. The most famous locations for college basketball are much like Welsh-Ryan. Assembly Hall at Indiana, Cameron, the Palestra, Pauly Pavilion, etc. Name one arena that has the same rep.

February 23rd, 2012 at 12:57 PM | Agree (Score:1)
Sour Mash
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If you want to watch a basketball game, Welsh-Ryan is good.

If you're more interested in being close to the bars or having flat screens in the crapper, probably not the place for you.

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:00 PM | Hate to say it... (Score:2)
Ron_Lippitt
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...but Breslin Center is constantly rated as one of the best venues/most difficult place for a visiting team.  Gotta give Sparty credit for that place,

February 23rd, 2012 at 1:15 PM | Breslin has a statue of Nipsy Russell outside (Score:2 Normal)
jimtresselissatan
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