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 28, 2015; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Byron Wesley (22) is introduced before a game against the Brigham Young Cougars at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

3. McCarthey Athletic Center (Gonzaga Bulldogs)

The McCarthey Athletic Center doesn’t have the history that many of the arenas on this list, particularly the ones occupying the top slots, do. The building was opened in 2004, meaning it’s been open for just a little more than a decade. However, as the Gonzaga Bulldogs have risen to prominence in the spectrum of college basketball, so has the legend of playing the Bulldogs in Spokane.

For starters, you simply can’t argue with the Zags’ record in McCarthey, or “The Kennel” as its known by fans. In the 11 years that the building has been open, the Bulldogs have the highest home-court winning percentage of any team in college hoops. In 11 years, the Zags have lost only 10 games on their home floor, winning 153. Their dominance at home is enough to make the MAC an intimidating environment for opposing teams to visit.

However, McCarthey also is filled with a group of students and fans who are incredibly passionate about the Zags. They are a raucous bunch who will stay loud for all 40 minutes of action. The arena may only seat 6,000 fans, but when those fans are all yelling, cheering, and chanting in such a small venue, it sounds like hundreds of thousands of voices reverberating down to the hardwood. All of this combines for one of the most underrated, yet incredibly difficult, college basketball venues in the country.

Next: No. 2 Phog Allen Fieldhouse