Fansided

25 NCAA basketball bucket list items every fan must experience before they die

By Mike Phillips

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 07: The Duke Blue Devils mascot performs during the first half of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 07: The Duke Blue Devils mascot performs during the first half of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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17. Attend the Silent Night game at Taylor University

There are unique basketball experiences for college hoops fans across the country, but most diehard probably haven’t heard of tiny Taylor University. An NAIA school located in Indiana, Taylor University’s basketball team holds one of the most unique rituals in the sport: Silent Night.

Set for the home game on the Friday night before final exams, usually held at some point in December, Trojans’ fans stay completely silent until the home team scores its 10th point. Once Taylor crosses the threshold, the entire arena erupts in a cacophony of noise.

This special idea was the brainchild of a former assistant coach in the 80s and it quickly became popular. The students at the game also take the whole motif a step further, singing Silent Night (yes, the Christmas song) in the final seconds of the contest.

To make matters even more exciting, the fun doesn’t end once the game does. The school holds a Christmas party after the contest filled with songs, Christmas cookies, and making gingerbread houses.

The opportunity to mix sports with a good sense of holiday spirit doesn’t come around too often, but what the Trojans have created is something really special. It is an experience unlike any other you will find on the ultimate college basketball bucket list.