Pac-10 Basketball Power Rankings: Rating the Best Fans in the Conference

Pac-10 basketball fans are some of the best in the country.

While the conference doesn't have as many teams in the Top 25 as usual (understatement), that has not dampened the passion of the faithful followers of the Pac-10 teams.

This is not just about attendance numbers, but about zeal, fervor and just plain ol' sports craziness.

Where appropriate, we will mention the schools' student sections.

Here is a ranking of the best fans in the Pac-10 Conference.

10. Arizona State

In spite of the enthusiasm shown in the picture, the fans at most ASU Sun Devil games are rather tame and subdued.

Even "The Inferno" student section is not too fiery.

The one specific exception would be the game against cross-state rival Arizona.

For that contest, everyone is ready to scream and shout their brains out!

The worst story of ASU fans being inappropriate is when a group taunted former U of A basketball player Steve Kerr with chants of "PLO," "Where's your dad?" and "Go back to Beirut." Earlier in his Wildcat career, Kerr's father, Malcolm (the president of American University in Beirut) was assassinated by terrorists.

9. Oregon State

It's been a long time since the Oregon State basketball fans had something to cheer about.

Sure, they have had some good players and some nice wins, but it has been a while since the Beavers have been relevant...probably back to the Ralph Miller era (70s and 80s).

When your program has been on the lower side of the Pac-10 for as long as OSU, it's no wonder that Gill Coliseum is not the most intimidating place in the Pac-10.

Even the Beaver Dam student section has a few leaks in it.

The Beavers haven't had a sellout at Gill since the 2003 Civil War (rivalry game with Oregon).

8. USC

Southern Californians have the reputation of being laid back.

USC basketball fans fit right into that status.

USC is a football school and fans have never really taken to hoops.

Even with the building of the Galen Center, basketball excitement is relegated to the UCLA game and some other random days when there's nothing better to do.

7. Stanford

Back in the day, the Stanford Sixth Man student section was one of the most feared in the country.

More than once, games had to be stopped and the Sixth Man was told to stop jumping up and down because the opponents' basket was shaking too much.

In recent years, as the team's record has declined, so has some of the fan support.

Student interest declined to the point where the university started to sell seats in what was a free student section. 

6. Washington State

The "WSU ZZU CRU" attempts to bring the deep Cougar Pride of the student body together to create a home-court advantage in Beasley Coliseum.

The lower section of the Friel Court, where the ZZU CRU sits, is called The Cage.

The growth of the ZZU CRU has continued as WSU basketball has been competitive in the Pac-10.

5. Washington

The Dawg Pack, Washington's student section, received national recognition from ESPN several years ago for making UW a tough place for any opponent to visit.

Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion is still a tough place to play.

However, Jacob Thorpe, writer for The Daily of the University of Washington, described the student section as "a little bit too cool" and "a bit more passive."

4. Cal

The Cal fans are a rowdy bunch and they are close to the court, as Haas Pavilion only has one bowl of seating. 

"The Bench," the Cal student section, has over 2,600 seats with over 900 courtside.

The Bench prides itself on standing the entire game

The Bench has become infamous for its "(Un)official Guide to Heckling," which is a student produced profile of the opposing team. The Guide highlights interests, facts or other things that can easily be used to heckle the opposing team.

3. Oregon

Earlier this season, the University of Oregon moved from venerable MacArthur Court and into the Matthew Knight Arena.

Many fans wondered if the Ducks would lose their home-court advantage that they have had with the smaller, more compact arena that was the second-oldest on-campus basketball venue.

From many people's estimates, Oregon hasn't lost anything as they have moved into their new digs—thanks to Nike co-founder and Ducks' benefactor Phil Knight (pictured).

In fact, more than one person noted the impact that the home fans had on the inexperienced Ducks beating USC, Washington and Washington State this season.

2. UCLA

While UCLA is not the invincible powerhouse that it used to be under John Wooden, its fans are still some of the most zealous supporters in the nation.

"The Den" student section is known for its creative and zealous cheering.

Even though the layout of Pauley Pavilion places fans at a distance from the court, the Bruin backers still make an impact on the game. 

1. Arizona

When the Arizona Wildcats take the court at McKale Center, they do so in front of the best fans in the Pac-10.

Even though the team has had an uneven couple of years with their NCAA Tournament streak broken, their fan support has stayed constant.

The Zona Zoo student section has recently been recognized as the largest in the conference.

Zona Zoo has its own YouTube channel online; these shows include news, sports analysis and live interviews with coaches and athletes. The crew has produced some promotional videos and just produced an official "Zona Zoo Anthem."

With Sean Miller now the head coach and the team returning to the top end of the conference standings, Lute and Bobbi Olson Court is rockin' once again.