Arizona Basketball: McKale Center, One of the Toughest Places to Play

McKale Center has become one of the toughest places to play since it opened its doors almost 44 years ago. Let’s see why.

What makes a great program is not only the players and coaching staff but the fans. Whether it may be a close game, blow out, the team coming from behind, an incredible play or dunk – Wildcat fans make their presence known inside McKale Center!

Over the years, McKale Center has always been a tough place for opponents to win. The current capacity is over 14,644, and the overall record is 575-103.  Another record set by the Cats was a 71 home game winning streak, that was from February 14, 1987 – January 11, 1992 – almost six seasons of being undefeated at home!

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Also, it is one of the loudest arenas to play in. It is so loud you can’t hear the person next to you. Combine all these variables and then add in the Wildcat traditions, it’s an incredible atmosphere to be a part of as a fan, which is challenging for opponents.

Some of the old and new traditions of McKale Center are:

• Fans stand at the beginning of the game until the opponent has scored.
• Student section (also known as the Zona Zoo), turns their back when the opponents are being introduced – such disrespect!
• At the beginning of the game, the student section mimics the sounds of the game “bounce, pass, bounce bounce, pass.”
• Wildcat fans yell “nice shot buddy” after an opponent misses a free throw.
• When an opponent fouls out, the student section chants  “left right left right left right, sit” as the player walks to the bench and sits down.

McKale Center got an upgrade for the 2014-15 season, which included a state of the art high definition scoreboard and updated seating – it’s important to make those Wildcat fans comfortable!

Enjoy this video below that captures what McKale Center is all about:

Whether at home or the game, you get a sense of how much the fans love their Wildcats. The players feed off of that positive energy, which gets them hyped! So hyped that they sometimes do incredible things – like the “win” against Florida in 2011:

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There are many great things about being a Wildcat fan and athlete – McKale Center is one of those! The past, present, and future of this historic landmark is one to be remembered for a very long time. BEAR DOWN!