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Over a two-week span, were answering the following question for college basketballs 10 best conferences: Which venue in each conference is the toughest place to play? A number of factors, not just capacity and attendance, could affect a venues place in the order. Air Max Tn . Where does your school fall??14. La Salle Explorers: Tom Gola Arena, opened in 1998 Its a small venue. Capacity is 3,400. But last season, the Explorers fell about 1,000 short of averaging a sellout each night. Thats not good. According to RPIRatings.com, its the 287th-ranked home-court advantage at the Division I level. The consensus for Tom Gola? Great job bringing basketball back to campus after a lengthy absence but a poor design limits its allure.Fun fact: Tom Gola, the venues namesake, still holds the NCAAs career rebounding mark with 2,201.13. Massachusetts Minutemen: Mullins Center, opened in 1993 With only one NCAA tournament appearance since 1998, the Mullins Center charisma has declined since the Marcus Camby/John Calipari era. The good news is that this is still a fun, on-campus venue on its best nights. Its also positioned in a great college town on a gorgeous campus. But the program averaged just over 3,300 fans last season. Thats one-third of its capacity. Hard to create a great environment under those circumstances.Fun fact: The building also holds the Mullins Community Ice Rink, a popular public facility.12. Duquesne Dukes: Palumbo Center, opened in 1988 The 4,406-seat Palumbo Center averaged just over 1,832 fans per game last season. The atmosphere resembles a high school contest more than a Division I event. Part of thats on Duquesne, which hasnt reached the NCAA tournament since 1977. But its also easy to get lost in Pittsburgh if youre not a competitive program. Duquesnes atmosphere reflects that.Fun fact: Duquesne has won only 54 percent of its home games at Palumbo Center since 1988.11. Fordham Rams: Rose Hill Gymnasium, opened in 1925 College basketballs oldest venue was nicknamed The Prairie when it opened 91 years ago because it was then considered one of the games largest facilities. It oozes nostalgia and will always possess a unique personality. Fans show up in the big moments and agitate opponents. Perhaps thats the reason former St. Johns coach Lou Carnesecca tried to punch former Fordham coach Tom Penders twice in one game during a 1982 matchup. But head coach Tom Pecora once told the New York Times that a good number of recruits werent impressed. Last season, Fordham averaged 2,100 fans in a building that seats more than 3,400. The program hasnt reached the NCAA tournament since 1992. That doesnt help.Fun fact: Vince Lombardi, a Fordham alum, started a fundraising drive to replace Rose Hill Gymnasium in the 1970s, but he died before he could complete the effort.10. George Mason Patriots: EagleBank Arena, opened in 1985 The EagleBank Arena, formerly the Patriot Center, was a wild place when George Mason reached the Final Four in 2006. The aftermath of that moment led to some of the largest crowds in the 10,000-seat arenas history. But the program has failed to sustain that frenzy. The Patriots averaged just 4,300 fans per game in 2015-16. Still, the Green Machine, the schools pep band, is always worth the price of admission.Fun fact: EagleBank Arena hosted the state of Virginias first UFC event in 2010.9. Saint Josephs Hawks: Hagan Arena (former Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse), opened in 2009 A $25 million renovation of Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse, which opened in 1949, added 1,000 seats and erected a modern basketball arena with the old-school hauntings of the building that Jameer Nelson and Dr. Jack Ramsay set afire in their respective eras. The new digs have air-conditioning and premium seating. The student section hugs the baseline. And then theres The Hawk, a mascot who flaps its wings nonstop all game. Saint Josephs failed to fill the building for most games in 2015-16. Phil Martellis squad has won 66 percent of its games in the building.Fun fact: The ceiling in Martellis office in the old Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse was below the bleachers and had a ceiling that barely rose above six feet.8. Richmond Spiders: Robins Center, opened in 1972 A recent renovation removed nearly 2,000 seats to the Robins Center, which moved the capacity to 7,000. The program averaged 6,435 fans per game last season. Thats a good crown. But James Madison, Wake Forest, Northeastern and others have stolen road wins at the Robins Center in recent years. The place explodes whenever crosstown rival VCU arrives. But the Spiders have to find a way to duplicate that experience every night. Thats a talent issue, though. The recent $17 million renovation enhanced the building. Now, Richmond has to give its fans more to cheer about -- consistently.Fun fact: The venues video boards (15 feet by 32 feet) are among the largest in the region.7. Saint Louis Billikens: Chaifetz Arena, opened in 2008 Rick Majerus made this venue one Americas toughest arenas as he led the Billikens to a 15-1 record on their home floor in 2011-12. St. Louis is a vibrant sports town and Saint Louis University benefits from that fervor as the most prominent Division I basketball program in the city. Attendance has dropped off in recent seasons. But the Majerus era proved that Chaifetz Pavilion, where Saint Louis has won 72 percent of its home game, can still be a difficult place to play when the program fields a competitive squad.Fun fact: The first concert at the venue? The one and only Barry Manilow performed there in 2008.6. St. Bonaventure Bonnies: Reilly Center, opened in 1966 The Reilly Center has enjoyed multiple stretches as one of the games most hostile venues. Fans arrive early and dont wait until tipoff to start cheering. In good years, you dont want to play at the Reilly Center. But its best days preceded a 2003 scandal that forced the program to forfeit all but one game, barred it from postseason competition the following year and prompted a player boycott. That will strip the fire from any program. Still, Bonnies fans come strong. A recent priority seating move, however, pushed the student section back and hurt the atmosphere. That doesnt change the fact that this is one of Americas more underrated venues.Fun fact: Bob Lanier, the No. 1 pick in the 1970 NBA draft, scored a Reilly Center-record 51 points against Seton Hall a year before entering the draft.5. George Washington Colonials: Charles E. Smith Center, opened in 1975 When the Colonials are soaring, they can turn their home venue into one of the nations toughest compact buildings in the country. Just ask Virginias Tony Bennett, whose squad suffered its first loss of last season at George Washington. What a college basketball atmosphere. I usually have my suit on. I sweated through that thing, Bennett said after that game in November, when he wore warm-ups to the postgame news conference. I was very impressed with that atmosphere. We knew it would be that. Thats not the case every night, though. Theyre often below capacity at George Washington. Last season, the Colonials averaged 3,127 in a building that holds 5,000. On big night, however, few can match this environment.Fun fact: You might want to leave a few minutes before halftime if youre searching for food. Theres only one concession stand at the Smith Center and its on the lowest level of the building.4. Rhode Island Rams: Ryan Center, opened in 2002 This is not a friendly building for opposing fans. And the top-25 team that Dan Hurley has assembled for next season wont help matters. When the Ryan Center opened, fans sat behind the opponents bench. You remember things like that, Shaka Smart said during Atlantic 10 media day before the 2014-15 season. You remember that experience because its hard to forget the image of a kid in a blue cape shouting No Class UMass! or some other cruel chant as you walk to the locker room. If you want to see how wild this place gets, just search for the clips of the final minutes of last seasons Rhode Island-Providence rivalry game at Ryan Center. Goosebumps, man.Fun fact: Fans dont have to miss the action when theyre thirsty for their favorite beverages. The Rhody Pub, which opened for the 2014-15 season, overlooks the court.3. Davidson Wildcats: Belk Arena, opened in 1989 Steph Currys presence turned Belk Arena into one of the hottest venues in America. Its a modest place (capacity of 5,295) with a stadium sound. Just listen to the vibrant Davidson fans sing Sweet Caroline in the second half of each home game. They shake the place. In good years, its a terrible trip for opposing teams. Theyve won 78 percent of their home games at Belk Arena. So those smiles you see from the gentile Wildcats fans turn to passionate scowls and screams once the game begins.Fun fact: Currys jersey is not hanging in the rafters at Belk Arena. Why? Because the school wont retire his jersey until he completes his degree. Sorry, two-time NBA MVP. School comes first at Davidson.2. VCU Rams: Siegel Center, opened in 1999 On March 2, 2016, Will Wades VCU squad defeated Davidson 70-60 on senior night. The program also enjoyed its 83rd consecutive sellout. Thats 83 sellouts. In a row. The 7,637-seat Siegel Center feels like a spider web for opposing programs that enter a venue that has produced one of the great defensive swarms of recent years. You combine that with a funky band that has created its own national identify -- the Peppas handle boasts more than 4,000 Twitter followers -- with its style and its easy to see why the Rams have won 86 percent of their games at the Siegel Center and suffered only 35 home losses since the building opened 17 years ago.Fun fact: Some Rams fans worry that the vibe will change next season after band director Ryan Kopacsi resigned last month. Kapasci is the face of the Peppas. He directed the band while wearing a Superman cape. Will his absence change the atmosphere at the Siegel Center?1. Dayton Flyers: UD Arena, opened in 1969 So you walk into UD Arena to face a Dayton team that has reached the NCAA tournament in three consecutive seasons. To your right, you see a mascot, Rudy Flyer, who looks like a possessed pilot that should be banned from all airports. You look in the stands and that nice college student who just smiled at your team ... Were lying. She didnt smile. She just screamed things we cant repeat. A bunch of fans next to her are dressed like pilots. Like, dont-get-on-this-flight pilots. The guys next to them have painted their faces blue and their bodies red. Oh, and its a probably a sellout crowd or close to it (Dayton finished 25th in Division I attendance last season). All of that before tipoff in a game against a powerful Dayton team. This isnt an arena. Its a horror flick for opposing teams. Dont believe us? Ask Dayton officials if its easy to schedule nonconference games at UD Arena. Its not. But you wouldnt want any part of that Stephen King experience if you were a Division I head coach, either.Fun fact: The Red Scare, Daytons official spirit organization, has a Facebook page with more than 3,500 likes. Business hours for the rowdy fan base? Open always, according to the page. Air Max Tn For Cheap . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Cheap Air Max TN Pink .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. http://www.cheapniketnsonline.com/cheap-air-max-tn-yellow/ .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. RENTON, Wash. -- Just as the Seattle Seahawks are evolving offensively and appearing to find success, they have another problem emerging.In the last few weeks, Seattle cant get off the field on defense. And its not the best time to be struggling on that side of the ball about to go on the road, on a short week and face Tom Brady and New England on Sunday night.In the past two weeks, Seattle has started to display signs that maybe the wear of its overtime tie with Arizona on Oct. 23 is starting to impact its defense. Combined with an offense that seems to be abandoning their attempt at running the ball and controlling time of possession, the Seahawks defense has been asked to be on the field for an inordinate amount of time lately.Were playing a little bit more ball but at the same time I think were doing some good things, Seattle defensive end Cliff Avril said.While the players say this is not an issue and Seattle coach Pete Carroll is almost defiant that the amount of time the defense has spent on the field is a benefit, the statistics are telling a different story.And the biggest indicator is on third downs.Weve had 13 third-and-2 or less in the last two weeks. Thats really hard to win like you would like to on third down, Carroll said. We have to play better ball on earlier downs and then we have to get off when we have our chances. But it has been kind of a theme here allowing these third-and-shorts and not getting out of those. Thats really the focus.Over the past three weeks -- games against Arizona, New Orleans and Buffalo -- the Seahawks have allowed 31 of 53 third downs to be converted, a conversion rate of 58.4 percent. Buffalo was 12 of 17 against Seattle on Monday night and had 30 first downs, tied for the seventh-most ever against the Seahawks in the regular season. The inability to get off the field on third down, combined with the Seahawks own struggling to run the ball and sustain drives has led to three straight teams with 36 or mmore minutes of possession against the Seahawks. Cheap Air Max TN Green. Arizona got it started when it dominated possession in the 6-6 overtime tie. The Cardinals held the ball for 46:21 and ran 90 offensive plays. New Orleans followed up a week later with 72 plays and 36 minutes of possession and on Monday night, Buffalo ran 82 offensive plays and held the ball for 40 minutes.Its a recipe for exhaustion, even if Carroll doesnt view it that way.I think were getting stronger, he said. If weve endured it, I think were in pretty good shape. If we can get a game of 60 or 70 plays, its going to seem like a lark. Well see if we can change it a little bit.The timing of the struggles on defense is troubling because the Seahawks appear to be morphing offensively and potentially exposing their defenders to even more time on the field. Seattle enters this week 30th in the NFL averaging just 75.4 yards per game rushing and in Mondays win had 26 passes and just 12 runs. No matter who is in the backfield, Seattle has been unable to establish the run and keep drives moving on the ground. Seattle has one offensive drive of longer than 6 minutes in the past five games and rank 25th in the league in time of possession.We have a lot of improvement to make and were just going to keep banging away at it, Carroll said. We know where were going, were just not quite getting on that track yet.Game notes SS Kam Chancellor (groin) was a full participant in practice and is expected to play Sunday as long as he doesnt have any setbacks. Chancellor has missed the past four games. ... RB Thomas Rawls (leg) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday but wont play this week. Rawls, who has been out since Week 2, is targeting next weeks game against Philadelphia for his return.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ;Wholesale NFL Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys From China Cheap Nike Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Hockey Jerseys China Nike Baseball Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys China Cheap Football Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys Canada Wholesale Nike MLB Jerseys Canada Cheap NBA Jerseys Authentic Canada Stitched Soccer Jerseys Canada Cheap Jerseys Canada NFL ' ' '
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