Texas Tech’s home basketball environment is still overlooked on the national stage
Texas Tech basketball’s home court continues to fly under the radar nationally
Despite some recent national recognition, the energy at United Supermarkets Arena remains underappreciated in the world of college basketball.
Fans of Texas Tech are well aware of the electric vibe inside United Supermarkets Arena. Now, at least one national platform is echoing that sentiment.
The X account “College Basketball Content” recently included Tech’s arena in its list of the nation’s top 25 atmospheres. Still, their ranking may not fully capture the intensity found in Lubbock on game days.
United Supermarkets Arena was placed 15th overall in the NCAA according to their list. But that feels slightly off the mark.
There’s little debate that Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse and Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium should occupy the top spots. After those, though, the selections become more debatable.
Third on the list is Gonzaga’s McCarthey Athletic Center—a ranking that seems overly generous for such a small venue.
While Gonzaga’s fan base is certainly passionate, the energy in their arena doesn’t quite match what’s experienced in Lubbock. McCarthey only seats 6,000 fans—less than half of what United Supermarkets Arena can hold.
Capacity alone doesn’t define atmosphere, but it’s an important element. And with more than double the engaged fans, Texas Tech’s crowd delivers a more dynamic experience than Gonzaga’s.
Likewise, United Supermarkets Arena deserves to rank higher than The Pit in Albuquerque, which sits at No. 11. The Pit’s underground design and 15,000-seat layout make it unique, and the altitude adds a tough challenge for visiting teams.
Still, when was the last time New Mexico hosted a marquee matchup? Big 12 showdowns in Lubbock bring an unmatched level of drama that The Pit hasn’t seen in decades.
Given the College Basketball Content list, Tech’s arena belongs comfortably in the top 10. The omission suggests the rankings’ creator hasn’t attended a major game in Lubbock. If they had, they’d know United Supermarkets Arena delivers one of the sport’s premier atmospheres.
