NCAA Basketball: 30 best arena atmospheres in college hoops

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 20: North Carolina Tar Heels fans storm the court after a win over the Duke Blue Devils during their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 20, 2014 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 74-66. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: The Utah State Aggies cheerleaders perform. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

18. Utah State Aggies

Location: Dee Glen Smith Spectrum (10,270) in Logan, UT

One of the hidden gems of NCAA basketball atmospheres, there are few that get as loud as the Smith Spectrum at Utah State. With a full capacity of over 10,000 people, this Mountain West arena has no trouble getting plenty loud when any opponent comes to town. With a frenzied crowd on hand for just about every game, Utah State is one of the best teams in the country when playing in front of their fans.

In fact, in 17 years under head coach Stew Morrill (1998-2015), only three programs held a better winning percentage at home: Kentucky, Duke, and Gonzaga. If you ask me, that is not bad company to be in. Even though the Aggies have not made the NCAA Tournament in any of the last seven seasons, they are still a difficult team to face in Logan.

What makes the Smith Spectrum so incredible as an atmosphere is the placement of student seating. With students taking up space right at floor level around the perimeter of the court, it is hard to imagine being closer to the action as a college student. With every student working in unison to throw opponents off their game from all angles, the Smith Spectrum is a unique atmosphere.

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