30 toughest college basketball arenas to play in

Mar 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D.J. Newbill (2) shoots a game winning shot over Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Nate Mason (2) in the second half at Williams Arena. The Nittany Lions won 79-76. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 24, 2015; Logan, UT, USA; Utah State Aggies fans celebrate their 83-65 win against the UNLV Rebels at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Smith Spectrum (Utah State Aggies)

First opening its doors in December 1970, many people may be wondering why the Smith Spectrum, home of the Utah State Aggies, comes in at No. 13. If you’re one of those people asking that, that implies that you’ve never watched a game played inside the Smith Spectrum. If that is indeed the case, you’re missing one of the most legendary venues and student sections in college basketball.

In the Mountain West, the Spectrum has gained a somewhat underground fame as one of the toughest arenas in college hoops. A big part of that is the student section at the Spectrum, which is also considered one of the best in the nation.

The student section in the arena is abnormally large as the school allots nearly 40 percent of the seats in the stadium to its students. With that kind of support for the students from the school, the student section reciprocates the love by being one of the craziest and most creative groups out there. They do their research to dig up dirt on opposing players for chants, they have their signature chants, and they make the 4,000 students in attendance sound like 10s of thousands of people.

Utah State’s record at home doesn’t lie. The Aggies are 542-125 in the Smith Spectrum. Considering that this is a team not always even at the top of their conference, having that kind of home record is incredible. Ultimately, it speaks to the power of playing in the Spectrum and just how difficult that task is for visiting teams.

Next: No. 12 Xfinity Center