And it’s not even close!
In the heart of Wolfpack Nation, James T. Valvano Arena at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum stands as the gold standard for home court advantage in women’s NCAA basketball. NC State has averaged nearly 5,000 fans per game while packing the house at 90.6 percent capacity over the last five seasons. The noise is relentless. The fans sit on top of the action. Opponents feel the pressure immediately. It is just downright intimidating.
NC State got it exactly right with the 2016 renovation. Rather than chasing bigger crowds, the program intentionally reduced capacity from its original 12,400 seats (when the arena opened in 1949) to 5,500 seats. The atmosphere is intimate yet electric. In a sold-out coliseum, every cheer echoes like thunder, making it nearly impossible for visiting teams to communicate. During fourth-quarter timeouts, opponents face an extra challenge: the largest, loudest pep band in women’s college basketball turns directly toward their huddle and gets blasted with seven tubas and a line of brass that is second to none. The historic intensity hasn’t faded; it’s only sharpened.
Opposing coaches who played there before the renovation still talk about it. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said, “Reynolds Coliseum at NC State was the toughest place I played while in college. Reynolds was loud, edgy and intense.”
Former UNC guard and coach Hubert Davis said, “The toughest place I ever played was Reynolds Coliseum. Cameron Indoor Stadium and Cole Field House don’t even come close.”
The atmosphere remained unchanged despite the reduced seating. Following criticism for calling Reynolds Coliseum a “small gym,” UNC coach Courtney Banghart clarified her remarks on the Culture State podcast. She said, “There’s more fans at other places, but when you’re talking about environment, (it’s) really hard to beat at NC State because it’s such a small gym and they’re right there.”
NC State head coach Wes Moore has embraced the intimate edge, saying, “We’ll just keep playing in that little gym and keep packing it out and winning some games.”
By shrinking the “Old Barn”, NC State did not lose its edge. They perfected it. Reynolds is not just home. It is an unmatched advantage.
If you must have a difference between then and now. There is no smoking inside Reynolds now!
| Rank | Team | 5-Year Home Average | Arena Capacity | % of Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Carolina | 11,500 | 18,000 | 63.9% |
| 2 | Iowa | 8,500 | 15,400 | 55.2% |
| 3 | UConn | 7,500 | 10,000 | 75.0% |
| 4 | Indiana | 6,500 | 17,200 | 37.8% |
| 5 | Notre Dame | 6,438 | 9,000 | 71.5% |
| 6 | Tennessee | 6,000 | 17,000 | 35.3% |
| 7 | LSU | 5,800 | 13,000 | 44.6% |
| 8 | Iowa St. | 5,500 | 14,300 | 38.5% |
| 9 | Louisville | 5,500 | 15,000 | 36.7% |
| 10 | Maryland | 5,200 | 17,900 | 29.1% |
| 11 | NC State | 4,984 | 5,500 | 90.6% |
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