See why Terrapins are flocking to the Comcast Center

By Mark Selig

While some diehard Maryland fans long for the days of the venerable Cole Field House, most have warmed up to the Comcast Center, which opened in October 2002. On the night of our arena evaluation, the Terps hosted Georgia Tech in a crucial ACC battle. As fans entered the arena, the Mighty Sound of Maryland plays upbeat tunes. The first roar of the crowd is not hear until celebrated coach Gary Williams comes out to the tunnel and does a lap around the court while acknowledging his fan-base.

Attire

	These Maryland students opted for replica uniforms and bodypaint to cheer on their Terrapins. Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
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A sea of red covers the Comcast Center, but there is little uniformity in the attire. Some students don replica uniforms, others wear a Maryland flag worn like a cape with a red wig on their head while some just paint their body in lieu of clothing. There's just one rule; make it red. However, exceptions can be made for those students who watch the game in a throwback yellow Len Bias jersey.
Score: 8.5

Volume/Disruptability

During early-season games against Hampton and Winthrop, attendance wasn't what you'd expect from a basketball powerhouse. But for an ACC game like tonight, the Red Army comes in throngs and screams their lungs out. Terp faithful help make the Comcast Center a very difficult place for road teams to pick up victories. When the game is on the line, don't count on being able to hear your own voice.
Score: 8.0

Venue

In only its fifth year, Comcast Center is a state-of-the-art college basketball arena. It seats just under 18,000 people and has student sections all around the court. If you can't arrive early enough for a seat toward center-court, settle down on "the wall" -- a group of steeply seated sections at the west end of the arena -- and taunt opposing shooters when they come to that side of the floor in the second half. Another unique feature of the Comcast Center are the decorations around the building. Not only are both the men's and women's championship trophies from 2002 and 2006 on display in the lobby, but the team's Final Four banners are hung in the lower level. It may be a snazzy new arena, but the rich basketball history of Maryland is very much a part of the experience. Score: 10.0

Chant/Sign quality

When Mike Jones scores his first points of the game, these Maryland fans respond with an emphatic "WHO?" Bob Rosato/SI

Not many signs are brought for games that don't involve Duke, but there are plenty of chants to go around. When senior guard Mike Jones gets in the scoring column, fans ask "WHO?" Transfer Bambale Osby, a fan favorite for his afro and muscular build, gets the crowd yelling "BOOM!" in reference to his nickname. But the most popular chant of all is telling the opposing team that they "suck." During player introductions, each visiting starter gets the suffix "sucks" added to his name by the fans, and right before tip-off the students sing together the Hey! You Suck! song to the tune of Gary Glitter's Rock and Roll (Part 2).
Score: 9.0

Student Body

They may be passionate, but the student body can also be ignorant and uncouth. Fans yell at the referees after any call that doesn't go the Terrapins' way -- even if the call is correct. Classier chants could also be put to use. It is also disappointing to see small crowds against non-conference teams and students leaving early during still-relevant games. The worst offenders are the students that attend games to get their ticket scanned and then leave in order to pick up points for the online ticketing system in hopes of being rewarded with Duke and North Carolina seats. Still, the majority of the students' enthusiasm and love of their team earns them points.
Score: 7.0

Final Score: 42.5