When asked about the toughest places for opposing college basketball teams to play, pundits and fans alike cite Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, UNC-Chapel Hill’s Dean Dome, Kentucky’s Rupp Arena or Michigan State’s Breslin Center.
Where does the RBC Center, home of the Wolfpack, fall? Who knows? But the fact of the matter is that the daunting task of creating an unfavorable environment for road teams lies in the hands of the fans as much as the players.
With that, Student Wolfpack Club president Matt Benson decided to propose a few changes in the ticketing distribution to encourage fans to arrive at the games earlier.
Benson said last year’s basketball tickets were distributed on game day, three hours prior to tipoff at Reynolds Coliseum. This year, however, the tickets will be distributed two hours before game time at the RBC center. Gates to enter the game open shortly after.
“The idea is to create a better home court advantage,” Benson said. “Hopefully by [the Student Wolfpack Club] arriving early, it will create a challenge for the other students, fans and supporters to both arrive early and create a great atmosphere to be a part of.”
According to Benson and coach Sidney Lowe, Lowe and the rest of the basketball staff plan to address the student section prior to the game with words of wisdom and inspiration.
In addition, the Student Wolfpack Club board is planning activities for fans that get there early, including a 3-point shooting contest.
Sophomore Kyle Jackson, who has been a part of the Student Wolfpack Club since his freshman year, is optimistic about the new pre-game routine.
“I think itís really cool that Sidney Lowe is taking the time to meet the fans and student body,” Jackson said. “It gives us a more unique experience, and I think that the students and players will benefit from it.”
Tonight, the Wolfpack (9-4, 0-1) is set to take on a gritty Florida State (13-3, 0-1) team that is coming off a loss at home to No. 2 Duke.
FSU have been sound defensively, holding all of its opponents under 44 percent shooting from the field and averaging 8.8 steals per game. The Pack shot a dismal 17 of 54 and turned the ball over 18 times in its ACC opener against Clemson last Saturday.
As the team enters its first conference home game of the year, Benson said Wolfpack fans need to show up and prove N.C. State’s fanbase is among the nation’s elite.
“When our team isnít doing the best, it’s easy to get down,” Benson said. “But hopefully by creating this hostile environment we can help improve the play of the team. We claim to some of the best fans in the country and now itís time for us to prove it.”
