The best home-court advantages in the SEC

Home-court advantage is one of the most crucial factors in sports and has been the deciding factor in countless games, both at the professional and collegiate level.

The SEC is one of the most intense, ferocious, and rigorous conferences in college sports, where players' and fans’ passion for their schools is constantly tested to the limit.

The “twelfth man” or the “sixth man” plays as important a role as anyone in a conference like this. Their job is to hoist their players above and beyond their potential while also serving as a detriment and intimidator to opposing players.

It’s no secret that some schools are better at it than others, and those that do it the best have a formidable home-court advantage night in and night out.

16. Vanderbilt

Featuring one of the strangest stadium designs in Division I basketball, Memorial Gymnasium makes it almost impossible to feel the electricity coming from the student section, as the seating is far from the court. The lack of intimacy and limited connection between players and fans is a major drawback, especially in college basketball.

15. Oklahoma

The Sooners’ home attendance leaves much to be desired. While Oklahoma’s basketball program has struggled in recent seasons, the fans haven’t prioritized returning to the arena. The student section is lackluster, and the crowd lacks intensity overall.

14. South Carolina

Similar to Oklahoma, the passion just doesn’t measure up to other SEC standards. Attendance is a concern, and the student section doesn’t compensate for it with its own intensity.

13. LSU

Having missed the last two NCAA tournaments and suffering a barely .500 season in 2023, the fans haven’t fully returned to the arena to support their Tigers.

12. Ole Miss

Despite a strong start to the 2024 campaign, the Ole Miss faithful haven’t turned the home-court advantage into a true edge. Averaging just over 6,000 in attendance during the 2023 season, the Rebels hope for more fan support as the season progresses. The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss, however, is quietly one of the most beautiful settings in college basketball.

11. Georgia

Despite being a football school, Georgia fans support their basketball team. While Georgia hasn’t established itself as a powerhouse in basketball, the fans still manage to make their presence felt and impact the game.

10. Mississippi State

While their fan attendance isn’t on par with the top schools in the SEC, Mississippi State’s fans make their presence known. Coming off two straight NCAA tournament appearances, the Bulldogs have received strong support from their home crowd.

9. Texas A&M

Aggies fans are some of the most passionate in college basketball, with a student section that can get inside the heads of opponents and alter the outcome of games. With an average attendance of over 9,000, Texas A&M meets the SEC standard.

8. Arkansas

Bud Walton Arena provides an intimate experience, with student seating right up against the court. The Razorback fan base is one of the strongest in the conference, and their attendance numbers rank among the highest in the nation.

7. Alabama

Although Alabama is known for its football program, the basketball program is also well-supported. Home games feel like a football crowd watching a basketball game, and the fans still manage to create a hostile atmosphere for opposing players.

6. Florida

Florida’s student section is one of the most notable in the nation. Located in the lower section, their fans consistently show up, bringing immense passion to a storied program with a rich basketball history.

5. Texas

Texas fans take their college basketball seriously. The Longhorns recently moved to The Moody Center, and the fans have come along for the ride. Texas presents an energetic, involved fan base that rivals any in the country.

4. Missouri

Mizzou Arena is one of the best venues in college basketball, and the Tiger faithful make it one of the toughest places to play. With attendance ranking in the top 20 in 2023, Missouri boasts one of the best student sections in the country, making it a major home-court advantage.

3. Tennessee

The Volunteers play at Thompson-Boling Arena, a remarkable spectacle in college basketball. Between the checkerboard baselines and the dimly-lit seating, Tennessee basketball is a one-of-a-kind experience. In addition, The Vols’ attendance ranked fourth in the nation in 2023, and their students bring the energy for their basketball team.

2. Kentucky

The Wildcats led the nation in basketball attendance last season, averaging 19,873 fans per game. The sheer volume of fans and the massive size of the arena give Kentucky games a distinct feel, somewhere between a hectic college crowd and an NBA game.

1. Auburn

The crown jewel of student sections in the SEC, Auburn students get after it like no other. With rowdy, intense, and passionate behavior from the first few rows, a section Auburn calls the “The Jungle”, any team entering Neville Arena knows they’ll face a student section that will leave its mark on the game for the full 40 minutes.

Sketch Morton is a fifth-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email sam7539@psu.edu.