Which ACC school has the toughest fans?
One of the trips I've been looking forward to since coming back on the Maryland beat is a trip to Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, N.C. It has nothing to do with the game itself, since I doubt tonight's matchup between the Terps and Demon Deacons will live up to others I've covered, especially those involving two relatively unknown freshmen named Joe Smith and Tim Duncan.
It's because of the Freakin' Deacons.
I've admired them from afar since their inception 10 years ago. Something about the tie-dye shirts and headbands appeal to the hippie in me. The Cameron Crazies were original about 20 years ago, but they've now resorted to parroting the chants that somebody writes down on a blackboard.
I know the Freakin' Deacons have inspired nearly every student body in the country with their theme song. It's played at just about every arena to get the students stirred up. I even heard it played at an American University women's game with about 12 fans at Bender Arena. I hope they live up to my expectations tonight.
But here's a question: which school has the toughest fans in the ACC?
1. Wake Forest -- The Demon Deacons have lost only once this year at home, in part because of the Freakin' Deacons.
2. Virginia Tech -- Cassell Coliseum is one of those old-school gyms that because of size and acoustics makes it tough for the opposing team to hear.
3. Duke -- Despite a lack of originality and an abundance of obnoxiousness, their proximity to the Coach K Court is not good for opponents with the slightest bit of claustrophobia.
4. Maryland -- Hate to say it, but the fans at Comcast Center are not as intense as they were a few years ago or as they were at Cole.
5. North Carolina -- Much improved from the early years at the Dean Dome when Sam Cassell called it a "cheese and wine crowd", but they still have a ways to go.
6. Georgia Tech -- They didn't come out in big numbers for Maryland's trip to Alexander Memorial Coliseum, but it still got pretty loud down the stretch when the game was close.
7. North Carolina State -- If Cameron has historically had the most creative chants, the Wolfpack faithful remain the most vulgar -- young and old.
8. Clemson -- There's something of a basketball mentality with Oliver Purnell, but it's not close to Death Valley during football season.
9. Miami -- I was surprised how vocal the 7,000 fans got on Saturday when the Terps lost down there, but they had little to do with Miami winning.
10. Florida State -- I'll never forget Pat Kennedy explaining to fans in Tallahassee the difference between basketball and football before a Maryland game. Hasn't changed a whole lot.
11. Boston College -- Unless it's a hockey game, the BC students don't come out. They certainly didn't for Gary Williams' 600th win.
That's my list, what's yours?
Explanation on Virginia
Just a note to those of you who thought I was dissing Virginia in this post.
I was missing Virginia. I meant to put in a disclaimer since I have not been to the new arena and it has been a long time since I have been to Charlottesville. I will give a new review after Maryland visits there March 9. Hopefully I will be allowed in. And out.
Comments
Ha, I agree. UVA doesn't even belong in the discussion.
Posted by: terpfandan | February 28, 2008 4:28 PM
I agree about the diminished crowd presence at Comcast. As a student at CP I know the exact reason for this. The athletic department's "loyalty points" system, in which students apply for a lottery online, and if they get a ticket, they go to the stadium and have their tickets scanned at the door. When the tickets are scanned, the student is awarded a "loyalty point", and the more loyalty points you earn, the more likely you are to get a ticket to the next game. The problem with this is "scan and leavers", as their known here. These people scan their tickets and leave without staying to watch the game. So thats why you don't see student sections full anymore. This policy does nothing for die-hard fans, who would be the ones waiting in line for hours if they distributed the tickets the old fashioned way.
Posted by: Chris | February 28, 2008 4:39 PM
I think your list is pretty accurate. I might not have V.Tech that high, and I might flop Wake and Duke due to the hype factor but other than that it's bout right.
Dead on about Comcast. Cole used to routinely be voted as the toughest ACC road gyms in Sport Illustrated but Comcast is a shell, no pun intended.
When Blake stole the ball from Williams before the half the last game Duke played at Cole, it was a crazy as an environment that I have experienced.
Posted by: mclean | February 28, 2008 4:52 PM
You left out UVA
Posted by: JQ | February 28, 2008 4:55 PM
V-Tech is not a bball school, their fans are awful. I do love how UVA does not even make the list though.
Posted by: Johnny | February 28, 2008 5:21 PM
Haha that might be the most worthless list I have seen in a year or two. You have Duke and Maryland not in the top 2, Clemson and GT not in the top 4. UNC is where they should be and VT and Wake at the top? LAUGHABLE
Posted by: Annonymous | February 28, 2008 6:12 PM
Wake has tougher fan than VT? Wow. Where is Virginia? Have they been kick out of ACC?
Posted by: John T | February 28, 2008 6:34 PM
Ummm, where's UVa?
Posted by: Tony | February 28, 2008 6:50 PM
Over the past 4+ years as a student at UMD, I have watched that intensity of the student body dissipate pretty quickly.
But when the big game comes to town, no one is louder, prouder or more insane.
Duke ahead of the Terps here? Only if you like tools. Tech? Not even close. I'll give you WF, though.
Personally, the Terps and Deacons are miles ahead of anyone else.
Posted by: dc | February 28, 2008 7:02 PM
The ACC has 12 teams there chief. UVA fans belong in the basement; the same place its basketball program perennially resides.
Posted by: acdoring | February 28, 2008 7:21 PM
You are right! O.P. is garnering a new crowd with new enthusiasm for basketball. Now, folks like me, my son and many more who love our B-ball we come screaming, clapping and going nuts for our Tigers already. O.P. is a class act and putting together a winning and classy program one year at a time. AND, with Clemson going to the Dance this year---he'll gain more and more "bandwagon" faithful!
Posted by: Michael Van Strien | February 28, 2008 7:28 PM
LOL @ VT being ahead of MD...have you been to both places?
Posted by: someone with a brain | February 28, 2008 7:29 PM
Virginia Tech third? They have NO tradition, NO fan base, and a crummy old second class facility. Their fans are obnoxious and up there with Duke as far as originality of bad chants and retarded hand waving. Their fans didnt even show up at all until tech joined the ACC. What an insult to an otherwise great league.
Posted by: Virginia Tech? Get real | February 28, 2008 7:32 PM
I definitely agree that Comcast has nothing on Cole Field House. Comcast has all of the students spread out so they cheers are out of synch and it's not as intense as the wall of students at Cole. I will forever miss Cole and the electricity for every game.
Posted by: Brannan | February 28, 2008 10:28 PM
What, are you trying to tick off the UVA fans on the board? Since I haven't been to most of those places I'll take your word for the rankings. Based on what I see on TV I don't have much argument with it.
Posted by: Jack | February 28, 2008 10:37 PM
I have gone to MD basketball games for the last 15 years and graduated in '05. I can definitely say recent crowds at the Comcast Center cannot hold a candle to the days of Cole Field House. Today's students are nowhere near as loud they used to be and most of the alumni sit on their hands for 4 quarters (I am an alumnus and can honestly say that.) After most games at Cole, your ears would literally ring for the next 8 hours. The student section used to only sit during halftime, the students nowadays sit silently during every tv timeout. I think a lot of it has to do with the new lottery system for getting tickets because you can sit in your dorm and claim tickets over the internet, whereas previously you had to literally camp out for tickets at Cole. I think that really separated the casual fans from the hardcore ones. They should definitely get rid of the lottery for basketball tickets. Good win tonight Terps!!!!!!
Posted by: Stephen | February 28, 2008 10:44 PM
it's not the Freakin Deacons but the Screamin Demons, and as ugly as the tie-dye is they should keep it up to honor Skip Prosser who brought it to town (along with the Deacon on the Harley, pretty bad-a**). Good win for the Terps in a tough place. (WFU alum but MD fan since birth).
Posted by: Jay | February 28, 2008 11:10 PM
Ummm - I think you might want to re-think your list after that pathetic showing from Wake fans tonight.
Posted by: Terpfan | February 28, 2008 11:37 PM
AT Clemson the fans came out for LEFTY. As a Clemson student Lefty was the only opposing Coach that would speak to the Clemson students. He was cool!
Posted by: JT | February 29, 2008 12:31 AM
Two thoughts. Did you intentionally leave out Virginia? And I was at the Maryland-Miami game. There were only 6000 fans there and they sure don't know their basketball. The chant of "air ball" went out with the "wave". But their female cheerleaders sure are cute. I think Gary Williams should consider stepping down. This was a sad example of Maryland basketball. I know they beat Wake tonight, but the caliber of player is inferior to years past.
Posted by: Allan B. Stark | February 29, 2008 12:32 AM
When UVA fans get all ticked off because of the snub, and come out in droves for the final game that the Terps need to win. . .I'm blaming YOU!
Posted by: Highrock | February 29, 2008 8:34 AM
this list lost all creditability when I noticed UVA wasn't on there. I mean c'mon don't you guys have editors to pick that stuff up. If you can't even list the 12 teams why should I take this list seriously
Posted by: matt | February 29, 2008 10:26 AM
Hahaha, UVA being left off the list is the best part of this list.
I'm going to be creating my own list off ACC student section rankings that I'll post at http://iprobablyhateyourteam.blogspot.com/
Tune in for rankings this afternoon and leave your comments!
Posted by: Dave | February 29, 2008 11:06 AM
I love this list, not because I agree with the order, but because he purposely left UVA out. Nice dig that went over the head of some of the commenters. Anyone who think MD deserves to be higher are out of their minds. MD home games are pathetic compared to Cole. The lottery system is terrible. Still, at least we have gotten rid of the fans who think rudeness and violence equal team spirit and sportsmanship. MD had a pretty terrible reputation for several years.
Posted by: Christopher Griffin | February 29, 2008 11:13 AM
I was at the the game last night and I don't think your assessment of Wake fans is on target. Even the Wake Alumni think the Screamin Semens are herendous.
Yes, they are loud...but they boo-ed the refs everytime there was a call against their team. Every once and awhile your team is going to travel and commit a foul...Deal with it. After Wake beat Duke, I congratulated a few of the Wake fans I know and the first thing they said was that the refs screwed them. Come on...every Duke starter fouled out...whatelse can you ask for. Coach Kry-baby was even furious because the refs weren't the usual putty is his hands.
And, how many die hard fans bring their school books to the game. Serioulsy that is embarrassing. A true fan does not study during TV timeouts...Even the Dookies know that.
But the worst was towards the end of the game...they have an overweight, tie-dye clad fan called "Nas T Deac" get up start dancing (badly) to "Jump Around". It was painful to watch and they've been doing it for 4 years. Only a few fans got up and half-heartedly clapped like...OK, he is trying to get us pumped up but this this guy is a real idiot..their team was on the verge of a comeback and they have this clown making a fool of himself...Nice. Of course the students were hiding behind their books.
I will give them credit for standing up and cheering for Skip Prosser's mom when they gave her flowers. He was a class act.
Great win for the Terps. Bring on Clemson.
Posted by: Travelin Terp Fan | February 29, 2008 11:21 AM
I was at the Terp-Wake game last night. Their fans are really vocal (we sat with Deacon parents) but pretty nice. Good environment for a game.
Posted by: Marty | February 29, 2008 3:33 PM
Your list shows that you know jack-squat about the ACC.
Here is the correct list:
1. Duke (Cameron Crazies, the original Freakin' Deacons)
2. Wake (not bad for a knock-off grassroots effort to be more like Duke)
3. State (Forgot they left Reynolds Coliseum, still LOUD)
4. Maryland (Equal parts yankee crass and southern charm, without the charm)
5. Va. Tech (whodathunkit)
6. UNC (only in basketball, and only because they are usually winning, handily)
7. Tech (The Yellow Jackets will always be the ACC's 'Tech')
8. Clemson (Little John is dying to wake up and be a big daddy, after this season they might be marching upward)
9. Fl. State (Much improvement in fan involvement since the early 90s)
10. Miami (Don't know the significance of ACC hoops)
11. UVA (I think these guys are too busy studying and stressing about class to get pumped for the game)
12. BC (Field consistent winners, fans still don't care)
Posted by: jayjay | March 2, 2008 7:40 PM