Hear ye, hear ye! Court is back in session, and we have a full docket today. First, I will rule on the toughest home
courts in the ACC. I define this as the atmosphere that gives the home team the largest advantage and causes the most
problems for the visitors. Here are my rulings, from bottom to top (I like the suspense to build). Bailiff, drum roll if
you please.
9-Florida State (Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, 12,200 capacity): Empty seats generally don’t intimidate
anyone, and you won’t find more anywhere in the ACC than a Seminoles’ home game. Florida State never had the
strongest fan base in the conference, but the drought of victories in recent years has dried up much of what it used to
be. The Civic Center will never be one of the tougher places to play, but a winning team could generate enough
excitement to at least make it feel like everyone is not attending a wake.
8-Virginia (University Hall, 8.864 capacity): Cavalier fans can hold their own with most of their ACC
counterparts, but the size of the building (second smallest in the conference) and the design work against U-Hall being
a disruptive environment. The arena was built with a circular design that puts mid-court seats the furthest away from
the playing surface. This is a flaw that will be corrected when the new John Paul Jones arena opens in 2006 with nearly
twice the current capacity.
7-Clemson (Littlejohn Coliseum, 10,980 capacity): Even in down years, the Tigers have a solid core of 7,000 fans
that come out to support them and make a lot of noise. Their average attendance is usually only higher than Florida
State, however, and size does matter when it comes to crowds and the affect they have on opponents.
6-Georgia Tech (Alexander Memorial Coliseum, 9,191 capacity): The "Thrillerdome" was a very tough place
to play when Mark Price or "Lethal Weapon 3" wore the Yellow Jackets’ home jerseys. It’s still not easy
and the fans do get cranked up for big games, but it is not currently one of the tougher arenas in the conference.
5-Wake Forest (Lawrence Joel Coliseum, 14,407 capacity): This building often features more empty seats than any
ACC building outside of Tallahassee. Winston-Salem has never embraced Wake Forest sports as closely as Raleigh and
Chapel Hill, making the Deacons’ fan base softer than most in the conference. This has been changing recently, however,
with the new energy Skip Prosser has brought to Deacons’ basketball. Both the numbers and enthusiasm have risen
sharply since Prosser came to town, and should continue to do so.
4-North Carolina (Dean E. Smith Center, capacity 21,750): If this were based strictly on crowd enthusiasm,
Carolina would be ranked lower. The entire experience of coming to one of the largest basketball arenas in the nation
with all the banners hanging from the roof adds to the intimidation level opponents have to deal with playing there.
Ever since the snow game against Maryland in 2000, students have been a more vocal part of the Dean Dome crowd. This
year, with Roy Williams’ return, we will certainly see a continued increase in the fans’ vocal support of the Heels.
3-NC State (RBC Center, 19.700 capacity): This beautiful arena lacks the intimacy of old Reynolds Coliseum, but
mostly makes up for it with the size of the crowd (7,000 more seats) and proximity of the students to the court. State
made a very wise move by ensuring students would circle the court, giving opponents no safe haven where someone is not
screaming at them. This is a very, very loud arena.
2-Maryland (Comcast Center, 17,950 capacity): Though not quite up to the "pit" standards of Cole Field
House in its inaugural season last year, this building did not miss by much. Just ask Duke players after the Terps
whipped them last season. Comcast feels much more intimate than its capacity would lead you to believe and like NC
State, Maryland located student seats circling the court. Unlike the RBC Center, there is one end of the court at a
higher than normal incline that is packed with students who love to make life miserable for opposing free throw
shooters.
1-Duke (Cameron Indoor Stadium, 9,314 capacity): There are those, including Coach K himself, who feel that the
Cameron Crazies have lost some punch in recent years. It is still the best environment for basketball in the ACC and one
of best in the nation. The layout of the building puts nearly everyone close to the court and the students, although not
always spontaneous, still know how to rattle visiting players more effectively and creatively than any others in the
conference.
Question for the jury: What is the toughest place for your favorite team to play? Let me know at [email protected].
Most of the responses I received on my "Mystery Men" column agreed with my choices. Remember, folks, it is
quite acceptable to contact me when you think I’m right.
