The Arena Pulse: No.16-McArthur Court (Oregon)

It’s never easy to go on the road in college basketball. This is a top 25 breakdown of some of the toughest and most intimidating venues in college basketball.

Venue: McArthur Court

School Name: Oregon

Location: Eugene, Oregon

Capacity: 9,087

There have been a few players who have moved onto the NBA that have passed through McArthur Court. However, that is not the reason why Oregon fans love their basketball.

Not only known as one of the toughest places to play in the Pac 10, McArthur Court holds a title as one of the toughest places to play in the nation.

Located on the Eugene campus, it is the second-oldest on-campus venue in the country. Second to only Rose Hill Gym on the campus of Fordham University, McArthur Court was opened in 1926 and has since been the home to the Oregon Ducks.

With one of the more rowdy student sections’ in the nation circling around the court, McArthur Court can hold just over 9,000 people overall. But give the venue its due for the respect it has earned in the past because as of right now, the University of Oregon has a plan to build a new basketball arena, one that would replace the historic McArthur Court.

With a projected opening for 2010, the new venue will be known as Matthew Knight Arena and is expected to hold 3,000 more fans than the McArthur Court. Although it will be sad for Oregon fans to move on from the place they have called home for more than 80 years, the ability for a larger arena may make Oregon fans even louder and more intimidating.

McArthur Court has been the scene for many exciting moments. Fans have seen upsets over No.1 teams and undefeated home seasons. An Elite Eight tournament run in 2002 was propelled by an undefeated year at McArthur Court during the regular season, as well as a 2007 upset over No. 1 UCLA. Oregon fans have done more than enough to prove why McArthur Court is listed as one of the tougher places to play.

Although, the Pac 10 Conference is expected to be a little down this season, the excitement that comes with conference play will again be exposed at McArthur Court. Led by the return of senior Tajuan Porter at point guard, Oregon might be able to make some noise with a weak non-conference schedule. 

Oregon's toughest matchup at home is against St. Mary’s, thus the Ducks have an opportunity to rack up some wins before Pac 10 play begins this year.

It can be said that the number of moments that may remain at McArthur Court are limited. However, you can expect Oregon fans to solidify why McArthur Court is one of the toughest places to play in the country in its final season.