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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. 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. Christian Covington Jersey . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. Bruce Ellington Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. http://www.officialauthentictexansstore.com/authentic-alfred-blue-jersey.html . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. Zach Cunningham Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Brian Cushing Jersey . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. South Africa 326 (De Kock 104, Bavuma 74, Hazlewood 6-89, Starc 3-79) beat Australia 85 (Smith 48*, Philander 5-21, Abbott 3-41) and 161 (Khawaja 64, Abbott 6-77, Rabada 4-34) by an innings and 80 runsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Take a bow, Kyle Abbott. Take a bow, Kagiso Rabada. Take a bow, Faf du Plessis and the entire South Africa squad. A month ago, this team arrived in Australia without its captain and best batsman, AB de Villiers, who is home injured. They lost their best bowler, Dale Steyn, to a serious injury barely a day into the campaign. And yet they have not only beaten Australia in the series, they have crushed them. Humilliated them.ddddddddddddWhen this series schedule was announced, South Africa were worried that it might be decided by a pink-ball, day-night Test in Adelaide. They need not have feared. In Hobart, they have destroyed Australia by an innings and 80 runs to follow their hefty victory in Perth, and thus have secured a third consecutive series win in Australia. 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