The Pit opened in 1966 and cost a mere $1.6 million dollars and it shows. I went to UNM my freshman year and use to love the Pit. Then I transferred to UNLV and saw the Thomas & Mack Center and realized what a real arena is. The fans who kept giving this arena five stars must be jadded. You quote SI articles from June 1999 saying it is one of the 20 best venues in the world. That was a decade ago. Find something more recent to quote. You also like to remind us all that the Pit was the loudest arena in the country at 118 decibles when you played Arizona. But wait, just like the SI article, this was way back in January of 1999. Again, a decade ago.
I also like that you always claim that the building seats 18,018 yet your own athletics department admits that it is really only 17,131 and that came about in 1975 when the upper deck was added. The 18,018 includes standing room tickets. It would seat less than that if all of your seats were actual padded seats with arm rests like the T&M is. I agree that the Pit is one of the most hostile arenas to play in but it is funny that a lot of coaches state that is partly because of the poor, dark lighting. I also like that UNM applied to be a host site for the Mountain West Conference tournament when the current contract expires after the 2010 tournament, the conference told your school that the facility did not meet the requirments for scoreboards and video replay systems. I am glad to see that they are going to spend $60 million on major renovations for next season. But once again it was funny to hear your AD's press conference when he had to make a special point of pointing out that the building can not handle a center hung scoreboard but rather you will have to install them in the end zone areas and there will only be two of them.
How does it feel to be catching up to the rest of the conference in terms of adding new visual equipment? The Pit is the last MWC school to add some sort of vido board system to their arena. The T&M (UNLV), Daniel-Meyer Coliseum (TCU), the Marriott Center (BYU), the Huntsman Center (Utah), Clune Arena (Air Force), Moby Arena (Colorado State) and Cox Arena (San Diego State) all have center hung scoreboards with video boards. The Arena-Auditorium (Wyoming) has already installed video boards in its end zones. Your AD says this renovation will make the Pit the best arean in the country. Yeah right. It will bring you in line with the rest of the conference and moves you up to the level of the T&M, Marriott Center and Huntsman Center and I still feel that all of those will be above you after the remodel.

I have been to The Pit so many times as well as many others, and there is NOTHING that compares to it when it throtles and is sold out with more then 18,000 screaming fans.

When The Pit is rocking, good luck finding anywhere else that is louder. The loudest sound level for a sporting event in history was recorded at The Pit in the late 90's in a win over then-prominent Utah. And don't forget the wins over Arizona and many other nationally ranked teams. And with the major renovation coming up, The Pit is guaranteed to be the TOP arena in college basketball. I'm proud to be a Lobo, and you'll find me in Section 26!

Awful, unless you're a jaded UNM fan.  The moron fans of this school ranked UNLV's Thomas Mack low, this is payback. To even  compare the two arena is ludicrous. The T&M is the envy of every college basketball school, the facilities are the best in the country.

Sports Illustrated rated The Pit as the 13th best sporting venue of the 20th century (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/centurys_best/new s/1999/06/02/top_venues/). Just behind Wembley Stadium and ahead of places such as Notre Dame Stadium, Camden Yards and the Rose Bowl. With $60 million worth of renovations to be done over the next couple of seasons, The Pit will return to the glory it is known for. Lute Olsen won't even play there because he thinks the roar of 18,018 Lobos is an unfair advantage. As for the jealous Aggie fans down south, Ralph Tasker Arena at Hobbs High School has a better case to be the "home of basketball in New Mexico" than the mediocre at best Pan-Am Center.

AMAZING place to watch a game. When the Pit is rockin, it's literally louder than standing next to a jet. Gives me chills just thinking about it.  With the seats so steep you feel like you are on top of the action.  Because of this, you have amazing views of the court no matter where you sit.  Even seats from the upper deck provide a first-class view. 

Given the upcoming renovations to the PIT, this historic arena has ensured its place among the elite college venues for years to come.

the loudest place i've even seen a college game!

An incredible place to see a college basketball game, men's or women's.

The name says it all. There is NO place like THE PIT.

The structure of the facilty is very unique and the college atmosphere of a capacity crowd is deafening to ear.

Is an old and outdated arena that needs to be replaced with a new modern facility with better traffic flow, more restrooms, a real scoreboard and a younger crowd. The Pan American Center at NMSU is now the home of basketball in New Mexico.

what can you say about a place that is called "The Pit." it towers over all other basketball arenas. most people hate the fact that their teams just cann't win their, just ask lute olsen or any Utah or nmsu fan.

very crapy school the arena is ok

While I agree that the stadium is great, your team is worthless. 1.

NMSU

The loudest place I've ever been to. Just look at the Lobos record there!

was great, but team has no recent success

I definately feel that the PIT it number one. Just think of the games in the pit . first Jerry Valvano's famous victory over Houston, Second the victeries that tho Lobos excelled at at over the number 1 rated University of Arizona. Thirdly the mind blowing games that involved teams of national prominence. Fouthly the intimate connection of the fans in the arena like no other arena offers. I chaalenge any college basketball fan to provide a better venus than the pit. Unfortunately for me I have never had the priviledge of personally attending a game in the PIT, but no other atmosphere transcended the feeling and excitement than games in the PIT. I now live in New Mexico, bit I have not yet purchased season tickets for Loboo men's or women's basketball, but bel;ieve me as a San diego native I will. San Diego satate has a nice facility, however there is no atmospher like the pit. Please, I defy you to prove differently to me.

How can anyone be so ignorant to not rate the pit as one of the top five college basketball venues in history. Remember Jerry Valvano. Remember the teeth chattering of finishes such as New Mexico versus then number 1 Arizona. The pit with over an 18,000 capacity has been witness to many of the best games in history.

simple the best

The Lobos usually have mediocre talent but the 18,018 fans cheering at a deafening level bring them up another level. If you go to The Pit bring your ear plugs.

The atmosphere is amazing. Most of the time the team is great and the players are hard-working. The fans are outstanding and my favorite tradition is the entire crowd standing until the visitors score their first points.

AWESOME EAR DRUM SHATTERING ARENA

New Mexico? This place is a shi(t) hole!

They do not call that arena The Pit for nothing! This flat edifice certainly is deep and colorful from the inside out (Great southwestern colors). I've been there, but I needed earplugs for the entire game despite that I'm a fan of Los Lobos it was deafening loud when the Battle of I-25 is held there (vs. NM State). Wallyhopp has said it all, I urge you to go there wheather or not you are a fan of los Lobos!

built by graft

Loudest arena in the whole world. The court is 250 ft. below the ground, yet the Arena itself is a mile high above sea level. Other team's should be prepared to bring their A game, because with 18,018 fans cheering, the dP level can reach that of 4 or 5 jets. Opposing fans and coaches wear earplugs because it gets so loud. This arena is rated by SportsIllustrated as one of the top 20 Sports venue's of all time. The only other college arena rated above THE PIT is Cameron Indoor. This arena is a great site to see. It's not a architectural marvel on the outside, but once the game starts you'll see the wonders on the inside real quick.

great atmosphere for basketball.