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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 29: The Minnesota Golden Gophers tip-off. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

26. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Location: Williams Arena (14,625) in Minneapolis, MN

Welcome to “The Barn,” one of the most interesting buildings in NCAA basketball. With a raised ceiling that seems to never end and a raised court that places fans closer to the action, Minnesota’s college basketball atmosphere is tremendous despite typically being a middle-of-the-road team. One of the oldest active NCAA basketball arenas, Williams Arena opened in 1928 and has been the home to Golden Gophers basketball ever since (renovations were done in 1997).

For a 21-year period of time from 1950-71, Williams Arena had the largest capacity of any NCAA basketball arena in the country. Seating just under 15,000 people now, the stadium still puts a bunch of fans in the stands year in and year out. “The Barn” is one of the most historically relevant buildings in college sports due to at one time being the home to both the basketball and hockey (not anymore) programs at Minnesota.

The student section of Minnesota, known as “The Barnyard,” is also not something to be messed with. In games away from home over the past 10 years, the Golden Gophers are just 59-97 (.378). When at home, though, the team is much better, posting a 135-48 (.738) record, including 11 top-25 wins.

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