11. New Mexico
- Venue: Dreamstyle Arena
- Location: Albuquerque, NM
- Opened: 12/1/66
- Capacity: 15,411
- All Time Won-Loss Record: 647-151 (.817 Winning Percentage)
If you’re questioning why a building named Dreamstyle Arena is on the list, perhaps you know New Mexico’s arena by its well renowned nickname: The Pit. The Pit earned its nickname during construction, when the school made it a mission to ensure that every seat had a quality view.
In order to accomplish that goal, the arena’s famous roof was built at street level, with the lower bowl of the arena being excavated. As a result, the court is 37 feet below street level, creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere in college basketball.
As a result of its unique construction, the Pit is one of the loudest venues in college sports, with sound levels approaching 118 decibels on a regular basis. The Pit is also located 5,100 feet above sea level, forcing opponents not used to the thin air to compete in a loud venue where breathing is a bit more challenging.
That has combined to create a truly excellent home-court advantage for the Lobos, who dominate their opponents at home. The NCAA is also in love with The Pit, routinely staging tournament games at the venue.