Toughest Big Ten arenas per Big Ten coaches
- Thread starter Rutgers85_rivals
- Start date
Almost double the size of the RAC with the seating arraignment to maximize volume. Me and my wife were impressed with how loud it was.
Sure, but he's won 2 out of the last 3 games at Purdue. Meanwhile, we've never won at Michigan or Michigan St.
I think the first comment in the video is spot on - wherever the best team plays. Purdue's been dominant, so they've got the hardest building to play in. In the last 3 seasons, they've lost 3 home conference games..... vs. Rutgers, vs. Michigan, and vs. Wisconsin.
Sounds like the RAC is a close second behind Purdue. And Purdue has a much richer history and much more success in the recent past. So not too shabby. Then factor in that Mackey capacity is 14.8K and the RAC is 8k (almost half). So I'm not sure we've underestimated the RAC at all.
Imagine if we complete the RAC rennovations and add about 2k seats. Enclose the bowl around. Have more students in there. And both ends become closer to the court. AND IF WE LAND A MONSTER 2024 class. The RAC might become such an unfair advantage that the NCAA will step in and cap our attendance or discount our home wins lol
The BIG ten coaches who go there every year said Mackey but our fans who most never go to away games say the RAC. It’s like saying we have the best tailgating but have not traveled to a school like Penn State to watch an away game. It’s having Scarlet Colored Glasses.
My comment was that Pikiell, who has had more recent success at Mackey than any coach in the league, said Purdue.... ahead of arenas he's not yet managed to secure a win in.
Agreed. If RU was as elite as Purdue has been over the last several years, I think half the coaches would say the RAC. Mackey Arena has the winning combo of great fans, great acoustics AND a consistently great team.
There have been many, many surveys and interviews over the years where opponents, fans, and coaches alike have described the RAC as a very loud and difficult place to play. Maybe we overrate is a bit, but it's not in dispute that it's a tough environment. One of the toughest in the country. Take a look at any opposing fan site leading up to a game here. Just because there are several of the toughest places to play in the Big Ten doesn't take away from that.
Don't think there's much debate that top tier of home environments is Purdue/Rutgers/Indiana. Put them in whatever order you want.
I'd say followed by Michigan State and Illinois
Maryland can be good at times but they aren't consistent.
Pikiell's away records by school (I eyeballed this, so may not be 100% accurate):
66.7% (2-1) Nebraska
60.0% (3-2) Northwestern
40.0% (2-3) Wisconsin
40.0% (2-3) Maryland
33.3% (2-4) Purdue
33.3% (2-4) Penn State
33.3% (1-2) Minnesota
25.0% (1-3) Indiana
16.7% (1-5) Iowa
0.0% (0-4) Michigan
0.0% (0-6) Ohio State
0.0% (0-6) Michigan State
RU has never won at Michigan State, Ohio State, or Michigan. This year's asterisk sadly kept that streak alive in Columbus.
66.7% (2-1) Nebraska
60.0% (3-2) Northwestern
40.0% (2-3) Wisconsin
40.0% (2-3) Maryland
33.3% (2-4) Purdue
33.3% (2-4) Penn State
33.3% (1-2) Minnesota
25.0% (1-3) Indiana
16.7% (1-5) Iowa
0.0% (0-4) Michigan
0.0% (0-6) Ohio State
0.0% (0-6) Michigan State
RU has never won at Michigan State, Ohio State, or Michigan. This year's asterisk sadly kept that streak alive in Columbus.