We've got football stadiums going up and others being update, remodeled, etc but what about our conference basketball facilities ?

Know that WKU has a first class arena, that Troy is in the process of building one and doesn't UALR have a new on-campus arena ?

How about capacities and how do arenas compare across the conference ?

(07-07-2011 04:05 PM)MG61 Wrote:  We've got football stadiums going up and others being update, remodeled, etc but what about our conference basketball facilities ?

Know that WKU has a first class arena, that Troy is in the process of building one and doesn't UALR have a new on-campus arena ?

How about capacities and how do arenas compare across the conference ?

Here are the arenas based on capacity that I found online:
11,550 Cajundome ()
11,520 Murphy Center (MTSU)
10,295 Convocation Center (ASU)
10,041 Mitchell Center (USA)
10,040 UNT Coliseum (UNT)
8,300 E A Diddle Arena (WKU)
7,200 Magness Arena (Denver)
7,085 Fant-Ewing Coliseum (ULM)
6,000 US Centry Bank Arena (FIU)
5,600 Jack Stephens Center (UALR)
5,000 FAU Arena (FAU)
4,000 Trojan Arena (Troy)** not their new one in construction

The Mitchell Center and Diddle Arena are no doubt #1 and #2 in conference, and the order can be argued. Here are my rankings of the arenas that I've visited:

1. Mitchell Center (USA)
2. Diddle Arena (WKU)
3. Murphy Center (MTSU)
4. UNT Coliseum (UNT)
5. Cajundome ()
6. Trojan Arena (Troy)

Information on the new Trojan Arena:
http://troytrojans.com/sports/2010/6/14/...rojanarena

Latest photo from inside Trojan Arena

(07-07-2011 04:51 PM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  1. Mitchell Center (USA)
2. Diddle Arena (WKU)
3. Murphy Center (MTSU)
4. UNT Coliseum (UNT)
5. Cajundome ()
6. Trojan Arena (Troy)

UALR's has always looked nice in pictures. The size seems to be its only detriment. Also, I can't imagine any facility at Denver being anything less than exemplary, although it might not accommodate basketball as well as it does hockey.

I'm biased but I'd stack our arena up with any other arena in the conference, or any other mid-major for that matter. I definitely encourage you to come see it in person!

The Cajun Dome is the best in the Sun Belt. I have driven by it multiple times and it is very impressive. Don't get me wrong, there are many very nice basketball arenas in the Sun Belt, but I just think the Cajun Dome is the nicest.

(07-07-2011 06:27 PM)USM4EVER Wrote:  The Cajun Dome is the best in the Sun Belt. I have driven by it multiple times and it is very impressive. Don't get me wrong, there are many very nice basketball arenas in the Sun Belt, but I just think the Cajun Dome is the nicest.

Have you actually been inside any other Sun Belt venue?

(07-07-2011 06:27 PM)USM4EVER Wrote:  The Cajun Dome is the best in the Sun Belt. I have driven by it multiple times and it is very impressive. Don't get me wrong, there are many very nice basketball arenas in the Sun Belt, but I just think the Cajun Dome is the nicest.

Ive been in the CajunDome many times. I lived in Lafayette from 95-06. Granted only 1 for a Basketball game (Marshall-USL 1997). I was a season ticket holder for the ECHL IceGators. That place absolutely rocks when sold out.

The game that I was at was pitiful though. There may have been 1000 people there, and instead of sitting all together they sat all over he Dome.

If Blackham Coliseum had better lighting I think it would be a much better place for ULL to play basketball. Its more compact and the noise gets much louder in there.

(07-07-2011 07:41 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 06:27 PM)USM4EVER Wrote:  The Cajun Dome is the best in the Sun Belt. I have driven by it multiple times and it is very impressive. Don't get me wrong, there are many very nice basketball arenas in the Sun Belt, but I just think the Cajun Dome is the nicest.

Ive been in the CajunDome many times. I lived in Lafayette from 95-06. Granted only 1 for a Basketball game (Marshall-USL 1997). I was a season ticket holder for the ECHL IceGators. That place absolutely rocks when sold out.

The game that I was at was pitiful though. There may have been 1000 people there, and instead of sitting all together they sat all over he Dome.

If Blackham Coliseum had better lighting I think it would be a much better place for ULL to play basketball. Its more compact and the noise gets much louder in there.

The CajunDome sucks when it is not packed (8000+), but when it is packed it is hard to find a better facility in the Sunbelt. I really wish we had the funds to renovate and modernize Blackham, it is the loudest basketball arena I have ever been to. When that place was packed and rockin it was deafening.

ULM and the City of Monroe are in the process of doing a collaborative study on the feasibility of building a joint ULM basketball facility/Monroe Civic Center that will seat about 10,000-11,000.

(07-07-2011 08:05 PM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 07:41 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 06:27 PM)USM4EVER Wrote:  The Cajun Dome is the best in the Sun Belt. I have driven by it multiple times and it is very impressive. Don't get me wrong, there are many very nice basketball arenas in the Sun Belt, but I just think the Cajun Dome is the nicest.

Ive been in the CajunDome many times. I lived in Lafayette from 95-06. Granted only 1 for a Basketball game (Marshall-USL 1997). I was a season ticket holder for the ECHL IceGators. That place absolutely rocks when sold out.

The game that I was at was pitiful though. There may have been 1000 people there, and instead of sitting all together they sat all over he Dome.

If Blackham Coliseum had better lighting I think it would be a much better place for ULL to play basketball. Its more compact and the noise gets much louder in there.

The CajunDome sucks when it is not packed (8000+), but when it is packed it is hard to find a better facility in the Sunbelt. I really wish we had the funds to renovate and modernize Blackham, it is the loudest basketball arena I have ever been to. When that place was packed and rockin it was deafening.

Does the City of Lafayette or ULL own Blackham Colisum. I know ULL has part control of the Dome and gets first scheduling.

(07-07-2011 09:10 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 08:05 PM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 07:41 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 06:27 PM)USM4EVER Wrote:  The Cajun Dome is the best in the Sun Belt. I have driven by it multiple times and it is very impressive. Don't get me wrong, there are many very nice basketball arenas in the Sun Belt, but I just think the Cajun Dome is the nicest.

Ive been in the CajunDome many times. I lived in Lafayette from 95-06. Granted only 1 for a Basketball game (Marshall-USL 1997). I was a season ticket holder for the ECHL IceGators. That place absolutely rocks when sold out.

The game that I was at was pitiful though. There may have been 1000 people there, and instead of sitting all together they sat all over he Dome.

If Blackham Coliseum had better lighting I think it would be a much better place for ULL to play basketball. Its more compact and the noise gets much louder in there.

The CajunDome sucks when it is not packed (8000+), but when it is packed it is hard to find a better facility in the Sunbelt. I really wish we had the funds to renovate and modernize Blackham, it is the loudest basketball arena I have ever been to. When that place was packed and rockin it was deafening.

Does the City of Lafayette or ULL own Blackham Colisum. I know ULL has part control of the Dome and gets first scheduling.

Owns Blackham, but the city owns the CajunDome even though it is on University property.

(07-07-2011 08:20 PM)bluephi1914 Wrote:  ULM and the City of Monroe are in the process of doing a collaborative study on the feasibility of building a joint ULM basketball facility/Monroe Civic Center that will seat about 10,000-11,000.

You can take this as disrespect to ULM or not, but you guys have no business in a 10,000-11,000 seat arena. You guys have had pathetic attendance in basketball recently, it would look like a Tulane football game in the Superdome.

Trust me, 1200 people in an arena that big is pathetic, just look at the Robert Lee led Cajuns from '06-10. Hell, even 8,000 butts in the seats in a 11,000 seat arena looks empty.

IMO a 7500-9000 seat arena for any Belt team is perfect if it is done correctly.

FAU's is very nice having been completely renovated a few years ago due to hurricane damage.

Luxury Boxes and every chair has seatbacks now. However it is VERY small. I know the "Official" listing of capacity is 5000, but there is no way. I think its around 3000+ now.

(07-08-2011 01:46 AM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 09:10 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 08:05 PM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 07:41 PM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 06:27 PM)USM4EVER Wrote:  The Cajun Dome is the best in the Sun Belt. I have driven by it multiple times and it is very impressive. Don't get me wrong, there are many very nice basketball arenas in the Sun Belt, but I just think the Cajun Dome is the nicest.

Ive been in the CajunDome many times. I lived in Lafayette from 95-06. Granted only 1 for a Basketball game (Marshall-USL 1997). I was a season ticket holder for the ECHL IceGators. That place absolutely rocks when sold out.

The game that I was at was pitiful though. There may have been 1000 people there, and instead of sitting all together they sat all over he Dome.

If Blackham Coliseum had better lighting I think it would be a much better place for ULL to play basketball. Its more compact and the noise gets much louder in there.

The CajunDome sucks when it is not packed (8000+), but when it is packed it is hard to find a better facility in the Sunbelt. I really wish we had the funds to renovate and modernize Blackham, it is the loudest basketball arena I have ever been to. When that place was packed and rockin it was deafening.

Does the City of Lafayette or ULL own Blackham Colisum. I know ULL has part control of the Dome and gets first scheduling.

Owns Blackham, but the city owns the CajunDome even though it is on University property.

Very true... it is like the NOLA Superdome when only 20,000 are in attendance to watch the New Orleans Bowl. But when the Cajun Dome does sell (7,500+) tickets, it can be an intimidating place. I do think the smaller arenas are more exciting because they can get LOUD when packed to full capacity... Just my opinion, what do y'all think?

(07-08-2011 01:51 AM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 08:20 PM)bluephi1914 Wrote:  ULM and the City of Monroe are in the process of doing a collaborative study on the feasibility of building a joint ULM basketball facility/Monroe Civic Center that will seat about 10,000-11,000.

You can take this as disrespect to ULM or not, but you guys have no business in a 10,000-11,000 seat arena. You guys have had pathetic attendance in basketball recently, it would look like a Tulane football game in the Superdome.

Trust me, 1200 people in an arena that big is pathetic, just look at the Robert Lee led Cajuns from '06-10. Hell, even 8,000 butts in the seats in a 11,000 seat arena looks empty.

IMO a 7500-9000 seat arena for any Belt team is perfect if it is done correctly.

Well thanks for your opinion Geaux....but before you chime in on what a school should or shouldn't do, perhaps you should get the whole story. Monroe is looking to replace the Monroe Civic Center (which is over 40 years old and sits less than 6000. Monroe and ULM are conducting a feasibility study into the construction of a dual use facility that will answer the needs of Monroe (larger civic center that increase use) and modern facility for ULM. In other words, get rid of two outdated facilities and create a multi-use facility that benefits the city and the university. Has nothing to do with current attendance.

FIU's arena started some remodeling this year, after unveiling their new scoreboard at the end of last season. This year the scoreboard will be a video board, will get some pictures as soon as the University puts them out.

(07-08-2011 08:32 AM)InjunJohn Wrote:  

(07-08-2011 01:51 AM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 08:20 PM)bluephi1914 Wrote:  ULM and the City of Monroe are in the process of doing a collaborative study on the feasibility of building a joint ULM basketball facility/Monroe Civic Center that will seat about 10,000-11,000.

You can take this as disrespect to ULM or not, but you guys have no business in a 10,000-11,000 seat arena. You guys have had pathetic attendance in basketball recently, it would look like a Tulane football game in the Superdome.

Trust me, 1200 people in an arena that big is pathetic, just look at the Robert Lee led Cajuns from '06-10. Hell, even 8,000 butts in the seats in a 11,000 seat arena looks empty.

IMO a 7500-9000 seat arena for any Belt team is perfect if it is done correctly.

Well thanks for your opinion Geaux....but before you chime in on what a school should or shouldn't do, perhaps you should get the whole story. Monroe is looking to replace the Monroe Civic Center (which is over 40 years old and sits less than 6000. Monroe and ULM are conducting a feasibility study into the construction of a dual use facility that will answer the needs of Monroe (larger civic center that increase use) and modern facility for ULM. In other words, get rid of two outdated facilities and create a multi-use facility that benefits the city and the university. Has nothing to do with current attendance.

I understand the whole story, it is the same mistake that the Cajuns made when they decided to go build the Cajun Dome. If they would have put money into Blackham renovating and modernizing it back then the tradition would have never died off like it has.

(07-08-2011 02:05 PM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-08-2011 08:32 AM)InjunJohn Wrote:  

(07-08-2011 01:51 AM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 08:20 PM)bluephi1914 Wrote:  ULM and the City of Monroe are in the process of doing a collaborative study on the feasibility of building a joint ULM basketball facility/Monroe Civic Center that will seat about 10,000-11,000.

You can take this as disrespect to ULM or not, but you guys have no business in a 10,000-11,000 seat arena. You guys have had pathetic attendance in basketball recently, it would look like a Tulane football game in the Superdome.

Trust me, 1200 people in an arena that big is pathetic, just look at the Robert Lee led Cajuns from '06-10. Hell, even 8,000 butts in the seats in a 11,000 seat arena looks empty.

IMO a 7500-9000 seat arena for any Belt team is perfect if it is done correctly.

Well thanks for your opinion Geaux....but before you chime in on what a school should or shouldn't do, perhaps you should get the whole story. Monroe is looking to replace the Monroe Civic Center (which is over 40 years old and sits less than 6000. Monroe and ULM are conducting a feasibility study into the construction of a dual use facility that will answer the needs of Monroe (larger civic center that increase use) and modern facility for ULM. In other words, get rid of two outdated facilities and create a multi-use facility that benefits the city and the university. Has nothing to do with current attendance.

I understand the whole story, it is the same mistake that the Cajuns made when they decided to go build the Cajun Dome. If they would have put money into Blackham renovating and modernizing it back then the tradition would have never died off like it has.

We didn't decide that.

Edwin Edwards did. He built several facilities across the state when the oil money was flowing.

I was told his idea was for LSU to open the 'Dome. That didn't go over to well with DOC.

Needless to say the Cajuns opened it up against Georgia.

(07-08-2011 02:59 PM)CAJUNNATION Wrote:  

(07-08-2011 02:05 PM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-08-2011 08:32 AM)InjunJohn Wrote:  

(07-08-2011 01:51 AM)Geaux Cajuns Wrote:  

(07-07-2011 08:20 PM)bluephi1914 Wrote:  ULM and the City of Monroe are in the process of doing a collaborative study on the feasibility of building a joint ULM basketball facility/Monroe Civic Center that will seat about 10,000-11,000.

You can take this as disrespect to ULM or not, but you guys have no business in a 10,000-11,000 seat arena. You guys have had pathetic attendance in basketball recently, it would look like a Tulane football game in the Superdome.

Trust me, 1200 people in an arena that big is pathetic, just look at the Robert Lee led Cajuns from '06-10. Hell, even 8,000 butts in the seats in a 11,000 seat arena looks empty.

IMO a 7500-9000 seat arena for any Belt team is perfect if it is done correctly.

Well thanks for your opinion Geaux....but before you chime in on what a school should or shouldn't do, perhaps you should get the whole story. Monroe is looking to replace the Monroe Civic Center (which is over 40 years old and sits less than 6000. Monroe and ULM are conducting a feasibility study into the construction of a dual use facility that will answer the needs of Monroe (larger civic center that increase use) and modern facility for ULM. In other words, get rid of two outdated facilities and create a multi-use facility that benefits the city and the university. Has nothing to do with current attendance.

I understand the whole story, it is the same mistake that the Cajuns made when they decided to go build the Cajun Dome. If they would have put money into Blackham renovating and modernizing it back then the tradition would have never died off like it has.

We didn't decide that.

Edwin Edwards did. He built several facilities across the state when the oil money was flowing.

I was told his idea was for LSU to open the 'Dome. That didn't go over to well with DOC.

Needless to say the Cajuns opened it up against Georgia.

Stop it!! You mean to tell me that the great and wonderful folks at LSU wouldn't do something good for a fellow state university?! Pish Posh!!!