NCAA Basketball: 30 best arena atmospheres in college hoops

17. New Mexico Lobos

Location: “The Pit” – Dreamstyle Arena (15,411) in Albuquerque, NM

Enter “The Pit”…if you dare. One of the most intriguing building designs in college basketball, New Mexico’s home arena is unlike any other. At most universities, the basketball court is located either at or near street level outside of the stadium. However, at “The Pit” in Albuquerque, the floor is located a ridiculous 37 meters street level while also being perched at 5,100 feet of elevation.

With its subterranean features, the stadium required no support columns during the building process and it is therefore one of the most open arenas in the country. In addition, the elevation makes visiting New Mexico for road basketball games incredibly difficult. As is the case in other high-elevation places like Colorado, opponents are not often used to this change. However, the placement of the New Mexico atmosphere on this list is about more than just the architecture.

The Lobos, who have struggled a bit in Mountain West play as of late, have still destroyed opponents in their cavernous gym for the past several years. Over the past 10 seasons, New Mexico holds a 135-28 (.828) record at home, a top-50 mark in the nation.