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10 FEATURE
NO EASY ROAD GA
By Zach Getz
zgetz@kansan.com
While Allen Fieldhouse boasts a 648-106 (.859) and the current longest home winning streak of 56, and has sold out every game that Bill Self has coached, Allen Fieldhouse still doesn't have the highest winning percentage in the Big 12 Conference. During non-conference play this season,the Big 12 racked up an incredible 107-1 record.The only blemish came when a now-ranked Northern Iowa narrowly defeated Iowa State 63-60. While Kansas may seem to constantly win at venues such as Hilton Coliseum and Devaney Center, Bill Self said that he has seen Sherron Collins telling the team how tough it is to win at these arenas. Here's a snapshot of what each arena has to offer with their records as of last week.
Oklahoma
Lloyd Noble Center
Opened: December 1975
Capacity: 12,000
Average 2009-10 attendance: 10,466 (87.2%)
Kansas's record: 15-15 ,(500)
Bill Self's record: 2-1 (.667)
Oklahoma's record: 438-73 (.857)
Sooners have been dominating against Big 8 and Big 12 teams, but Kansas is the only team without a loss record in Lloyd Noble Center. In the last 10 seasons Oklahoma has had a .903 winning percentage, and while the Sooners are 2-9 away from the Lloyd Noble Center, they are 11-0 at home this season, including a win over a top 10 Texas team.
Colorado
Coors Event Center
Opened: November 1979
Capacity: 11,064
Average 2009-10 attendance: 6,065 (54.8%)
Kansas' record: 23-7 (.767)
Bill Self's record: 7-0 (1.000)
Colorado's record: 342-151 (.694)
Even though Colorado has spent recent seasons in the base- ment of the Big 12, Coors Event Center is still a tough place to pull out a win. Although players will tell you that altitude isn't the problem, being more than 5,400 feet above sea level can take the wind out of any visiting team. Colorado without one of its best players still took the No. 1 team in the nation to overtime. The team is poorly supported as Colorado has the lowest average attendance and only fills about half the seats.
Texas
Frank Erwin Center
Frank Erwin Center
Opened: November 1977
Capacity: 16,734
Average 2009-10 attendance: 14,167 (84.7%)
Kansas' record: 2-4 (.333)
Bill Self's record: 0-3 (.000)
Texas' record: 388-92 (.808)
Before last Monday, the Frank Erwin Center was one of the two arenas in the Big 12 where Bill Self had yet to win. It is also the largest arena in the Big 12. Texas has only lost nine times in the past eight seasons, a feat that is only seconded to Kansas seven losses in the past eight seasons. Texas has also defeated the last 10 ranked opponents that have played in Frank Erwin Center before losing to Baylor last week.
Texas A&M
Reed Arena
Opened: November 1998
Capacity: 12,989
Average 2009-10 attendance: 9,182 (70.7%)
Kansas's record: 6-0 (1.000)
Bill Self's record: 3-0 (1.000)
Texas A&M's record: 137-53 (.721)
Before Billy Gillespie stepped onto the scene in College Station, Texas, getting a win at Reed Arena wasn't as big of a task. Gillespie has rejuvenated both Texas & M basketball and fans. The Reed Rowdies now have been growing steadily, and in its last game against Texas Tech, Texas A&M had a record student turnout and all time attendance record of 13,648, 105 percent of Reed Arena's capacity. While Kansas has never lost in Reed Arena, Texas A&M holds the only win by a Big 12 South team in Allen Fieldhouse.
Baylor
Ferrell Center
Farren Center
Opened: November 1988
Capacity: 10,284
Average 2009-10 attendance: 6.659 (64.8%)
Kansas' record: 6-1 (.857)
Bill Self's record: 3-0 (1.000)
Baylor's record: 206-129 (.615)
What it lack in size, it makes up for in creativity. Students are often seen dressed up in elaborate costumes such as Darth Vader. Although the rest of the support is lacking, Baylor had one thousand more people in attendance at its last women's basketball game than its last men's game even though its men's team is now ranked in the top 25.
Nebraska
Photo courtesy of Clay Lomneth — The Daily Nebraskan
Bob Devaney Sports Center
Opened: November 1976
Capacity: 13,595
Average 2009-10 attendance:
9,856 (72.5%)
Kansas' record: 18-16 (529)
Bill Self's record: 6-1 (.857)
Nebraska's record: 409-128 (.762)
Just like Iowa State, it wasn't until recently that Kansas even had a winning record in the Devaney Center, but Kansas has won the last six in Lincoln, Neb., and 10 of the last 11 meetings. Even though Nebraska hasn't done much in post-season play recently, Nebraska has lost only six non-conference games at home in the past 10 seasons.
Missouri
Nizzou Arena
Opened: November 2004.
Capacity: 15,061
Average 2009-10 attendance: 9,341 (62%)
Kansas's record: 2-3 (.400)
Bill Self's record: 2-3 (.400)
Missouri's record: 84-19 (.816)
Mizzou Arena replaced the Hernes center, which retired with a 14-18 record against Kansas. Still young, it is the only arena in the Big 12 north that Kansas currently has a losing record in. While Kansas has the current longest home winning streak, Missouri had the second longest with 31 straight victories until Texas A&M ended the streak last week. Originally named after a grand-neiece of Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, the name was changed to Mizzou Arena after Elizabeth Paige Laurie admitted to cheating her way through the University of Southern California.
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THE WAVE FEBRUARY 17,2010
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